Another fun video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grVuSsGVMbU&feature=player_embedded

Another great one check it out. If somebody out there knows how to actually have the videos on the blog that would be amazing. Help a dumb youth pastor out!!!!

Merry Christmas

A Christmas Rap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyPD2oeqpbI&feature=player_embedded

check this out!!!! You will enjoy just cut and past the address and it will be awesome

Merry Christmas

Challenge

There are times in life when you feel pulled in several directions or you don't know how to feel. This is one of those times for me I am in a place that needs clarity and certainty. One of the pastors that I listen to and read often, Steve Furtick recently challenged his staff to read the Bible in 90 days. I have read the Bible in 66 days before. It was really hard but amazing. With all that being said I want you all to think about accepting my challenge Starting January 1 we will as a student ministry start reading the Bible in 90 days. Yeah it will be hard but guess what put down the phone and read!!!:) Put down the controller and spend time with God. This will be a life changing time for you and your faith. You will be blown away at the power of God's word working in your life. So get ready. The challenge is coming!!!!! Hint: If you are going to do this you might want to start ahead, Leviticus is a bear!!!

Upcoming Posts

We are currently working on how to make Jesus Time better. So starting January 1, 2010 instead of one voice in Jesus Time there will be several. Student and volunteers alike will be posting there devotional thoughts. Jesus Time will be a community event as we share and grow together. I (Jarad) am very excited about how Jesus Time will look in the new year. May you continue to explore all that God has for you!! If you are interested in writing something to be posted email it to me I will be more than happy to look at it and publish it for you.

Great devo from Youth for Christ

http://www.yfc.org/columns/devopage.php

Check it out. See you tonight

Buddy Jesus

This is a picture of Buddy Jesus. How do you think about Jesus? Is he your buddy?

Sometimes we think of Jesus as our buddy. Just someone we can hangout with us whenever we want to and he will always be there for a good time. Jesus' mission on earth was radical really radical. He was on mission to change the world not to be our buddies. To shake the foundations of the world with his message of love and self sacrifice.

Read Mark 9

Does this sound like a buddy or a like a world changer?

Who would you rather know and serve?

I wish the world knew about the world changing Jesus instead we seem to be in love with the buddy. What can you do to introduce your friends and family to the Mark 9 Jesus?

Samson

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=be833e860d36c0b4fe4b

Check this out I think you will like it. now read Judges 16

How pretty did Delilah have to be!!!! Seriously!!!! What do you think of when you read this Chapter? Do you have anything in your life that you know your supposed to do one way yet you do other things because of your friends?

What can you apply from this passage to your life?

Chisel

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=849dc7c803281df74bb2

Check out this video

What needs to change in you? How do you respond when God takes stuff out of your life? Do you want to hold onto stuff or do you willing let it go?

faith

Read Mark 11:20-25

Read the scripture through. What stands out to you in this scripture? How do you pray? Do you pray for big things or small things? Do believe that God will answer you prayers? When you pray have forgiven the people who have wronged you?

Praying is mysterious and wonderful. In this scripture Jesus makes prayer so simple so easy? But there is something inside of us that says, "no that won't happen".

Do you have the faith to pray for big things? World changing things? Life altering things? I hope you do I hope you can have the courage to have the faith to move mountains.

Oasis

Look at the picture for a minute

What does it make you think of?

How do you think of you spiritual life? Is it like a desert? Does it feel dry and barren? Is there things in your week that are like oasis's to you? What are the things that you do to bring "fresh water" into your life?

Read john 4: 10-14

How can you drink deep of Jesus' living water?

Roots

For the next few weeks at Fusion we will be talking about roots. Colossians 2:6-7 will be our theme verse for the talks. Please read this scripture and meditate on it before you come to Fusion. Think about how you can let your roots grow deep.? How can your lives be built on Him?

Waves

Look at this picture for a couple minutes....

What do you see?

What emotions does it bring to mind?

Do you see the power of the waves?

Do you see the strength of the lighthouse?

Do you see the guy at the door?

What do you think he is thinking?

What would you be thinking?

Does you life ever look like this picture?

How do you deal with those circumstances?

Read Philippians 4:6-7

No matter what you are dealing with today make this verse you prayer today.

If life is good claim this verse. If life is bad claim this verse.

May the God who calmed the waves hold you in His hands today!!! Amen

Stupid Arguments

Read 2 Timothy 2:23-24

So how do you treat your friends?

How do you treat your brothers and sisters?

And the big one how do you treat your Parents?

I don't have to say anything about how you should act the Bible says it all.

Avoid Stupid arguments...

Aren't they all pretty stupid. Im just saying when you are fighting for your own way or your parents make you mad or your friend stole your homework think before you get all emotional. Is this just a dumb thing? Is it worth getting upset about? Is God going to be glorified from me getting cranky?

Fatherhood

We all have fathers its part of life. Some of our fathers are good some bad. Some have hurt us in ways that we can't even put into words. For others, our fathers are our heros and role models. I became a father this weekend and now when I think about God the Father all I can think about is Love. The crazy Love that God our father has for us. I know that he loves me even more than I love my children. Which believe me is more than anything I have ever loved in my life. The feelings I have for them are instantly "I would die for them..." Maybe the cross makes more sense to me now. If He being God loves us like His children I fully understand why he would die for us to be with us. It is because of His crazy love that he has for us. Kinda like the love that I am feeling toward these two little ones right now.

Read John 1:10-12

Think about God's love for us

Thank Him for his love today

Rain

In honor of the rain last night Read Matthew 7:24-29.

Take time to think about what you are basing your life on.

What are the foundations of your life?

Is Christ the foundation or something else?

Is Christ a part of your foundation or all of it?

Sometimes we are tempted to make Sports, School, or a Boyfriend/Girlfriend our foundation but do we try and mix Jesus with them.

Pray for God to help you organize your priorities and the events of your life.

May Jesus be your foundation. May He who is the cornerstone of life bless you and keep you. May he give you peace and comfort in the storms of life. May He hold your heart in His hands and may His Love overwhelm you.

Kingdom of God

Read Luke 13:18-20

What is the Kingdom of God like?   What does it mean to you to be part of the Kingdom of God?  

Is the Kingdom of God growing because of your actions?  Or is it hurt because of what you do?  

Is the Yeast of the Kingdom growing throughout every part of your life or only a few parts?

My prayer today is that "God I want to be transformed by you.  I want to be changed.  I want to have your kingdom reign in me not just my Sundays or Wednesdays but every minute of everyday.  Your Kingdom should be constantly brought praise by the way I live my life.  Help me God live that kind of life.  A life that is pleasing to your eyes that brings you honor and glory.  I love you God.  Amen"

Revelation Song

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=c455e06ebd06647fc4de&utm_source=newsletter0817&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklytopvideos

Take the time to watch this video and worship God!!!

You don't have to be at church.  You don't have to have a live band.  Wherever you are invite the Holy Spirit to be apart of your day in each moment.

Your day will change, your life will change when the Holy Spirit becomes apart of everyday, every minute instead of just Sunday and Wednesday.

Worship is a lifestyle not an event!!!!

Creativity

Look at this Picture
Think about God's creativity
Think about God's Power
Read Genesis 1
Think about all God creates all that He forms. Take a moment to soak in how awesome and amazing God really is.
Take pleasure in the the same God that creates all this, Loves You!!! He knows You!!! He wants a relationship with You!!!
Thank God for everything in your life and be grateful for His creativity in making you who you are.

Sunday Sermon

So what did you learn today?

Take time to reflect on Mark 10
What things stood out to you that you can apply to your life?
How did the Holy Spirit work on you during Worship?
How do you wait on God? Or do you wait on God?
Do you miss the things He gives you because they don't look the way you want them to?

Colossians 4:6

Read Colossians 4:6
Think about your conversations today. So do they live up to this statement? Are they seasoned with salt or something nasty? When you think about your conversations do you always answer I don't know or with God's wisdom? Do you respond with Grace?

Ask God to help your conversations to be seasoned with salt, grace, and wisdom.
This weekend concentrate on responding to people with salt, grace, and wisdom.

Proverbs 14

Read Proverbs 14 today.
Pick out 6 of the verses that stood out to you.
Ask God why He showed you those six verses
Journal your reactions
Ask God to show you what He wants you to change about yourself because of those verses
Journal your reactions
Thank God for speaking to you through His Word
Tell a friend about what you learned about the Bible and yourself today.

Christian Dodgeball?

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=890c1e93fb1fc731769e

Check out this video!!! After you stop laughing think about how we can focus our walk with Christ as effectively as this guy does with Dodgeball. Or think about Do we as Christians treat dumb things like dodgeball with more respect than our intensity for Christ?

How can you focus your time and energy to be more devoted to God?

What has God been telling you lately?

What has he wanted you to do that maybe you ignored?

Read Ephesians 4: 1-3

Who has Touched You

Through this thing we call life we are touched by lots of people. Some are bad encounters that hurt and scar us for years while others build us up and change our lives for the better. Today I want to take a moment and think of the people in your life that have changed the way you think about God.
I have had lots of men and women in my life that have told me hard things things that I never wanted to hear things but things that I needed to hear. Take five or ten minutes to think about who has helped shape you. Send them a text to say thanks or write on their facebook wall.

Take another five or ten to thank God for putting those people in your life. Ask him to send you more amazing men and women of God to shape your life. Recognize that they are gifts form the Almighty and another way in which He shows His amazing Love four You!!!

HOPE

Having abandoned desire, we have lost hope. C. S. Lewis summed it up: “We can only hope for what we desire.” No desire, no hope. Now, desire doesn’t always translate into hope. There are many things I desire that I have little hope for. I desire to have lots more money than I do, but I see little reason to think it will come. But there isn’t one thing I hope for that I don’t also desire. This is Lewis’s point. Bland assurances of the sweet by-and-by don’t inflame the soul. Our hopes are deeply tied to our real desires, and so killing desire has meant a hopeless life for too many. It’s as if we’ve already entered Dante’s Inferno, where the sign over hell reads, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” 

The effect has been disastrous, not only for individual Christians, but also for the message of the gospel as a whole. People aren’t exactly ripping the roofs off churches to get inside. We see the Enemy’s ploy: drain all the life and beauty and adventure away from the gospel, bury Christians in duty, and nobody will want to take a closer look. It’s so very unappealing. 

David Whyte calls this the “devouring animal of our disowned desire.” It is the reason behind most affairs in the church. The pastor lives out of duty, trying to deny his thirst for many years. One day, the young secretary smiles at him and it’s over. Because he has so long been out of touch with his desire, it becomes overwhelming when it does show up. The danger of disowning desire is that it sets us up for a fall. We are unable to distinguish real life from a tempting imitation. We are fooled by the impostors. Eventually, we find some means of procuring a taste of the life we were meant for. 

(Desire , 64–66) 

HOPE

Having abandoned desire, we have lost hope. C. S. Lewis summed it up: “We can only hope for what we desire.” No desire, no hope. Now, desire doesn’t always translate into hope. There are many things I desire that I have little hope for. I desire to have lots more money than I do, but I see little reason to think it will come. But there isn’t one thing I hope for that I don’t also desire. This is Lewis’s point. Bland assurances of the sweet by-and-by don’t inflame the soul. Our hopes are deeply tied to our real desires, and so killing desire has meant a hopeless life for too many. It’s as if we’ve already entered Dante’s Inferno, where the sign over hell reads, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” 

The effect has been disastrous, not only for individual Christians, but also for the message of the gospel as a whole. People aren’t exactly ripping the roofs off churches to get inside. We see the Enemy’s ploy: drain all the life and beauty and adventure away from the gospel, bury Christians in duty, and nobody will want to take a closer look. It’s so very unappealing. 

David Whyte calls this the “devouring animal of our disowned desire.” It is the reason behind most affairs in the church. The pastor lives out of duty, trying to deny his thirst for many years. One day, the young secretary smiles at him and it’s over. Because he has so long been out of touch with his desire, it becomes overwhelming when it does show up. The danger of disowning desire is that it sets us up for a fall. We are unable to distinguish real life from a tempting imitation. We are fooled by the impostors. Eventually, we find some means of procuring a taste of the life we were meant for. 

(Desire , 64–66) 

Open your minds

Watch this video and let others know what God is doing in your heart below

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=faf0159744aecaf5c732

JUSTICE

Isaiah 11:4

But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.

Bafaluto, a small village of three hundred in Gambia, was barely surviving. Without access to clean water, the entire population was stuck in a cycle of abject poverty, relentless disease, and hunger— until Brian Harrold and Pamela Morgan, entrepreneurs from Northern Ireland, spent a small fortune digging an 80-meter well for them. When asked what compelled him to do it, Brian responded, “Just to not do any harm in this world [is not] good enough.”

Similarly, the prophet Isaiah saw the world’s disorder, and he portrayed a compelling vision of the world as God intends for it to be. In this new world, God will wipe clean humanity’s vast inequities, giving “justice to the poor” (Isaiah 11:4). In this new world, God will undo every impulse toward violence—so much that even “the cow will graze near the bear” (v.7). While such a vision echoes our hearts’ true longings, it seems fanciful and unrealistic. Are these lines from Scripture theoretical sentimentalities, or do they have concrete touchstones in our world?

God does not live in the abstract—somewhere in the foggy future. He lives in the now. While the culmination of God’s good end for His creation stands in the distance, He has already begun His work toward that conclusion. Following the Eden catastrophe, God immediately put into action His rescue through Jesus—the rescue that would be obediently modeled by God’s people. First Israel, now the church.

Paul’s letters present how we, God’s tribe, are (as one writer puts it), “an anticipatory sign of God’s healing and restorative future for the world.” Even now, our love and works of justice and proclamation of the gospel reflect God’s intention for “the earth [to] be filled with people who know the Lord” (v.9). —Winn Collier, Our Daily Journey 

Intimacy with God

Read Psalm 63-Spiritual thirst is satisfied only by spiritual intimacy with God.

INSIGHT
There is a God-shaped vacuum in every human heart. Man was made for God, and his soul will be restless until it finds its rest in Him. Our longings for love, relationships, belonging, security, meaning, purpose, and identity are ultimately met only in the Lord Jesus Christ. We find temporary fulfillment in the pursuit of people, possessions, and circumstances; but eventually, these will pass away or we will change and they will no longer satisfy. We have been made for God, and we will find our deepest longings met only in Him. Make David´s prayer your own prayer for spiritual fulfillment.

PRAYER
It is amazing to think that the Creator of the universe desires a relationship with us. Praise God for His love:
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; 
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; 
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19:7-8).

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to God: 
Who can understand his errors? 
Cleanse me from secret faults. 
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; 
Let them not have dominion over me. 
Then I shall be blameless, 
And I shall be innocent of great transgression (Psalm 19:12-13).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; 
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 
More to be desired are they than gold, 
Yea, than much fine gold; 
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 
Moreover by them Your servant is warned, 
And in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:9-11).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Peace in the midst of difficult circumstances
• The various ministries of your church
• Spiritual growth for family members

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 
Be acceptable in Your sight, 
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Stoking the Passion

Matthew 5 

¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 ¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

We are going back to school in a week and God is challenging us as Fusion to step it up!  Matthew 5 is the concept for Passion this Wednesday.

In verse 13 it talks about losing saltiness.  If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value.  If christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God.  Though he sees us as priceless and died for each of us we render ourselves useless if we are too much like the world, and we are forfeiting what he truly created us for.  Christians should not blend in with everyone else.  Instead, we should affect others positively,  just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.  He created us to stand out, to be individually unique!  We are all priceless yet we live as we are common.

Today i want you to journal and think about your uniqueness in the world.  Take 5 minutes and write on your paper, " God, how do you see me as unique?"  Write everything that you see and feel.  

Then pray about them and see how you can develop each in your life to be a light for those around!

Psalm 19

Read Psalm 19-The works of God are declared in the heavens, and the words of God lead to righteousness.
INSIGHT
A creator is known by his creation; an artist is known by his art; a musician by his music; and a sculptor by his sculpture. God can be known by the universe that He has created. Psalm 19:1 says: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." Romans 1:20 says: "since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen." Judging from nature, God exists and has power, intelligence, and a flair for beauty!

PRAYER
The Lord is greater than our deep longings, and we praise Him that He satisfies our hearts:
Praise the Lord! 
Praise the name of the Lord; 
Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! . . . 
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; 
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. . . . 
I know that the Lord is great, 
And our Lord is above all gods. 
Whatever the Lord pleases He does, 
In heaven and in earth, 
In the seas and in all deep places. . . 
Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, 
Who dwells in Jerusalem! 
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 135:1, 3, 5-6, 21).

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; 
nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness 
to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High 
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; 
My God, in Him I will trust" (Psalm 91:1-2).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• An eternal perspective
• Your spiritual goals
• Passion Night on Wednesday
• The Team coming from Oklahoma for Missions
• Motion Student Conference

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen
(1 Peter 5:10-11)

True Bride

---

“Have you no other daughters?” “No,” said the man. “There is a little stunted kitchen wench which my late wife left behind her, but she cannot be the bride.” The King’s son said he was to send her up to him; but the stepmother answered, “Oh no, she is much too dirty, she cannot show herself !” But he absolutely insisted on it, and Cinderella had to be called. She first washed her hands and face clean, and then went and bowed down before the King’s son, who gave her the golden slipper. Then she seated herself on a stool, drew her foot out of the heavy wooden shoe, and put it into the slipper, which fit like a glove. And when she rose up and the King’s son looked at her face, he recognized the beautiful maiden who had danced with him and cried, “This is the true bride!” The stepmother and two sisters were horrified and became pale with rage; he, however, took Cinderella on his horse and rode away with her. 

I love this part of the story—to see the heroine unveiled in all her glory. To have her, finally, rise up to her full height. Mocked, hated, laughed at, spit upon—Cinderella is the one the slipper fits; she’s the one the prince is in love with; she’s the true bride. Just as we are. 

(Waking the Dead , 71–72) 

Image

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed on people suffering cardiac arrest. When I first learned CPR 25 years ago the focus was on both chest compressions and rescue breathing. “Pump and blow” is what we dubbed it.

Today, the focus is primarily on the heart. When you approach someone who has collapsed in cardiac distress, new research suggests that you should focus on chest compressions. Supposedly, there is a sufficient amount of oxygen in the blood to keep vital organs working for a time. What the body lacks more immediately is a pumping heart to circulate the blood.

When you think about it, all of life comes down to the condition of one’s heart. Over and over again the Bible stresses that a spiritually healthy heart is vital. Throughout its pages we are told to search for, serve, and love God and others with all our heart (Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 18:35). It tells us to hide God’s Word in our heart so we won’t sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). It warns us that a “deluded heart” is what misleads us into worshiping false gods (Isaiah 44:20 NIV). And it urges us to “guard” our heart “above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23).

While people focus on outward appearance, God “looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). He knows that the real story of our lives springs from what is inside of us. It’s not so much what we see on the surface. It’s what we can’t see below the surface that is the most important part.

Don’t get caught up in focusing on the externals of life. Don’t stop there. Look inside where it counts the most.

What’s the condition of your heart today? —Jeff Olson, Our Daily Journey 

Take Risks

Watch this video by Francis Chan on living out our lives fully abandoned to Christ.  I love how he presents this!

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=70bc7deea92b7c90a9a1

Philippians 4

Philippians 4

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Read this a couple of times and write in your journal ideas of what it would look like to think about the noble, right, pure, lovely things of this world. 

What do you think is a noble thing?

It also talks about putting into practice the things he is been teaching us...look back over your notes for fusion and your quiet times; is there anything in there that you have put into practice?

Write out three ways you will put those things into practice daily this week!  If you do anything for 21 days it becomes habit.

Why do we do all of this?  The last words of the passage goes as follows,"and the God of peace will be with you."  By pursuing these things and putting them into practice it brings peace into our hearts.  Not peace of this world because God never promises that until he comes back but peace inside of your heart so we can weather all things with Joy!

Metaphors

The Bible uses a number of metaphors to describe our relationship to God at various stages. If you’ll notice, they ascend in a stunning way: 

Potter and clay. At this level we are merely aware that our lives are shaped—even broken—by a powerful hand. There isn’t much communication, just the sovereignty of God at work. 

Shepherd and sheep. At this stage we feel provided for, watched over, cared about. But beyond that, a sheep has little by way of true intimacy with the Shepherd. They are altogether different creatures. 

Master and servant. Many, many believers are stuck in this stage, where they are committed to obey, but the relationship is mostly about receiving orders and instructions and carrying them out. 

Father and child. This is certainly more intimate than being a servant; children get the run of the house, they get to climb on Daddy’s lap. These fortunate souls understand God’s fatherly love and care for them. They feel “at home” with God. 

Friends. This stage actually opens up a deeper level of intimacy as we walk together with God, companions in a shared mission. We know what’s on his heart; he knows what’s on ours. There is a maturity and intimacy to the relationship. 

Bridegroom and bride (lovers). Here, the words of the Song of Songs could also describe our spiritual intimacy, our union and oneness with God. Madame Guyon wrote, “I love God far more than the most affectionate lover among men loves his earthly attachment.” 

Where would you put your relationship with God? Why did you choose that “level”? Has it always been that way? 

(The Journey of Desire Journal & Guidebook , 150) 

Coffee with Jesus

Watch this video.  How many times do we pray to Jesus with a slue of requests but never listen for what is on his heart or what he truly wants us to do or pray for?  So watch this video and then when you pray this week make sure to give him some time to talk back, to interact! After all we are suppose to be having a conversation with him, right?

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=eb0b7b372491d8bef98b

Tim Hawkins

I thought everyone needed a little laugh today so listen to this video by Tim Hawkins!  He is a Christian comedian and always brings joy to my heart.

Enjoy!

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=050bbc8d5b1a19742efc

Rebirth of Israel

Read Nehemiah 8-The people gather at the square to hear Ezra, who reads the Law publicly. INSIGHT No one appreciates a glass of water like a man who is truly thirsty. It takes deprivation to appreciate the significance of our blessings. That is why the Christian life is not always easy—with blessings flowing unabated. We get dull and stale to it—just as we do when we have too much food and too little exercise. We are indeed blessed to have the Word of God in such abundance. The returning Jews have never heard the Word, and they are truly thirsty. They stand — from dawn till dusk — and drink it in. To appreciate the Word in your life, imagine not having it at all. PRAYER Give the Lord your praise, because He knows us and loves us and will never leave or forsake us: You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He preserves the souls of His saints;  He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.  Light is sown for the righteous,  And gladness for the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,  And give thanks at the remembrance of His  holy name (Psalm 97:10-12). Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord: Seek the Lord while He may be found,  Call upon Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way,  And the unrighteous man his thoughts;  Let him return to the Lord,  And He will have mercy on him;  And to our God,  For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7). Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,  Nor have entered into the heart of man  The things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include: The renewing of your mind The needs of your extended family Your activities for the day Whatever else is on your heart Offer this closing prayer to the Lord: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Completing what you set out to Do

Read Nehemiah 6-The work on the wall is completed.

INSIGHT
Nehemiah resists the efforts of the adversaries to discourage him or distract him from working on the wall. He is convinced that he is doing the right thing, and he steadfastly resists the interference. The Old Testament often has a literal illustration of a spiritual truth that is explained in the New Testament. In Ephesians 6:11, we read that we are to "put on the whole armor of God": the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Once these are in place, we "resist"—"stand firm!"  It is also a testament to pushing through and completing what we have been sent to do.  So many times we lose heart and stop what we were sent to do when God's deliverance is right around the corner.

PRAYER
Praise God for victory in spiritual warfare as we use His armor: 
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! 
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; 
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 
For the Lord is the great God, 
And the great King above all gods. . . . 
O come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God, 
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand
(Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord: 
All we like sheep have gone astray; 
We have turned, every one, to his own way; 
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me,
and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater faithfulness with your time
• The president and world affairs
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; 
He shall preserve your soul. 
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in 
From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:7-8).

The lord brings Justice

Read-Nehemiah 5 Nehemiah stops the internal mistreatment among the Jews by force of example.

INSIGHT
The prospects for some of the returned exiles are bleak. There are deficient rains and poor harvests. As a result, the farmers mortgage their lands to their wealthier brethren and, in extreme cases, sell their children into slavery to pay the king´s taxes. The rich Jews, rather than helping out, are capitalizing on the situation to line their own pockets. This is inexcusable! Few things bring on more reproach to the cause of the Lord than the worldliness and hard-heartedness of those who claim to follow Him. Unselfish dedication to the common welfare of others in Christ is our spiritual obligation.

PRAYER
Because the Lord loves each of us equally and accepts our welfare as His obligation, we praise Him:
The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; 
The Lord is clothed, 
He has girded Himself with strength. 
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. 
Your throne is established from of old; 
You are from everlasting (Psalm 93:1-2).

He is your praise, and He is your God,
who has done for you these great and awesome things
which your eyes have seen (Deuteronomy 10:21).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
He was wounded for our transgressions, 
He was bruised for our iniquities; 
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, 
And by His stripes we are healed
(Isaiah 53:5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Your word is a lamp to my feet 
And a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for fellow Christians
• Missions in Europe and Asia
• Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, 
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 
Bless the Lord, all His works, 
In all places of His dominion. 
Bless the Lord, O my soul! (Psalm 103:21-22).

Rise Up- Nehemiah

Read Nehemiah 4-The work on the city wall is ridiculed by those opposing it.

INSIGHT
It is difficult to do any work when we are strongly opposed. We begin to doubt the validity of the task or our ability to perform it. When we are assailed for doing God´s work, we must evaluate the source of opposition. We cannot assume opposition means that God is against us. While it is of little value to blame the devil for everything that goes wrong, the Bible makes it clear that spiritual opposition is a reality in the work of God. If we suspect spiritual opposition, we must oppose the enemy, remain at the task at hand, and redouble our prayers!

PRAYER
Praise God that He has given us instruction for life in the Bible and through the Holy Spirit: 
"My heart rejoices in the Lord; 
My horn is exalted in the Lord. 
I smile at my enemies, 
Because I rejoice in Your salvation" 
(1 Samuel 2:1).

Pause for additional praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. . . God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
(1Thessalonians 4:1-2, 7-8)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"No one is holy like the Lord, 
For there is none besides You, 
Nor is there any rock like our God. . . . 
He will guard the feet of His saints, 
But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.
For by strength no man shall prevail" 
(1 Samuel 2:2, 9).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Diligence in our work in spite of obstacles
• Wisdom in making decisions
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
By the God of your father who will help you, 
And by the Almighty who will bless you 
With blessings of heaven above, 
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, 
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 
The ble ssings of your father 
Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, 
Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills
(Genesis 49:25-26).

Nehemiah's boldness

Read Nehemiah 2-Nehemiah requests the king´s help in rebuilding Jerusalem.

INSIGHT
Nehemiah comes before the king unable to conceal his agitation over the situation in Jerusalem. When we are faced with situations that need change, preparation is vital. We may not be able to do anything about it at the moment, but we can ask ourselves this question: "If it lay within our power to do anything we wanted to do, what would we do?´ If we can answer that, then we will recognize opportunity when it knocks, and we can capitalize on it as Nehemiah does.

PRAYER
Praise God that He is concerned about the details of your life and is ready to fulfill your every need:
The Lord knows the way of the righteous, 
But the way of the ungodly shall perish (Psalm 1:6).

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; 
He shall preserve your soul. 
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in 
From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:7-8).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Walk prudently when you go to the house of God;
and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools,
for they do not know that they do evil (Ecclesiastes 5:1).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Boldness in sharing Christ with others
• The innocent victims in war-torn lands
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Fear God and keep His commandments, 
For this is man´s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment, 
Including every secret thing, 
Whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Should the King in Exile Pretend He Is Happy?

We use a phrase to try to console ourselves after what we think is an irrecoverable loss: “All good things come to an end.” I hate that phrase. It’s a lie. Even our troubles and our heartbreaks tell us something about our true destiny. The tragedies that strike us to the core and elicit the cry, “This isn’t the way it was supposed to be!” are also telling the truth—it isn’t the way it was supposed to be. Pascal writes, 

Man is so great that his greatness appears even in knowing himself to be miserable. A tree has no sense of its misery. It is true that to know we are miserable is to be miserable; but to know we are miserable is also to be great. Thus all the miseries of man prove his grandeur; they are the miseries of a dignified personage, the miseries of a dethroned monarch . . . What can this incessant craving, and this impotence of attainment mean, unless there was once a happiness belonging to man, of which only the faintest traces remain, in that void which he attempts to fill with everything within his reach? (Pensées)

Should the king in exile pretend he is happy there? Should he not seek his own country? His miseries are his ally; they urge him on. And so let them grow, if need be. But do not forsake the secret of life; do not despise those kingly desires. We abandon the most important journey of our lives when we abandon desire. We leave our hearts by the side of the road and head off in the direction of fitting in, getting by, being productive, what have you. Whatever we might gain— money, position, the approval of others, or just absence of the discontent itself—it’s not worth it. “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). 

(Desire , 12–13) 

Leading through Faithfulness

This week we are going to read Nehemiah!  It is one of the largest testiments to faithfulness in the bible.  If Nehemiah was not faithful in his time the Israelites would not have come back and our future would be very different. If one faithful man can change the world what can you do?

Read Nehemiah 1- Nehemiah weeps as he learns of Jerusalem´s deterioration.

INSIGHT
One of the essential characteristics of leadership is that the leader feels the full weight of the plight of certain people and assumes responsibility for their condition. Many people knew of Jerusalem´s condition, but few felt the impact and had the vision for response. Nehemiah did and God used him in a mighty way. What in life "hits" you? What situations cause you to feel the impact of the plight of others, and for what situations do you have a vision for response? It might be as large as a nation or as small as a church nursery. But if you feel it and have a vision for it, chances are God would like to use you there.

PRAYER
Being used by the Lord is a joyful experience. Praise Him as you consider how He might use you:
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 
Before the mountains were brought forth, 
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting,
You are God. . . . 
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, 
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! 
(Psalm 90:1-2, 14)

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
"Come now, and let us reason together," 
Says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet, 
They shall be as white as snow; 
Though they are red like crimson, 
They shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
If you cry out for discernment, 
And lift up your voice for understanding, 
If you seek her as silver, 
And search for her as for hidden treasures; 
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God
(Proverbs 2:3-5).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Contentment in the circumstances of your life
• Greater sensitivity to sin
• The ministry of your local church
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Be of good courage, 
And He shall strengthen your heart, 
All you who hope in the Lord (Psalm 31:24).

Make Me a Christian

What happens when you take 13 non-Christians and get them to live by the Bible’s instruction for 3 weeks? The UK reality TV series Make Me a Christian attempted to answer that question last year.

The contestants included an atheist biker and a lesbian schoolteacher. They were mentored by four clergy—an Anglican, a Catholic, an Evangelical, and a Pentecostal. Though this is a bizarre idea for presenting Jesus to unbelievers, some of the contestants stated that they were going to “pursue Christianity further.” The apostle Paul had some hard words for the Galatians when they were trying to “make themselves Christians” by works (Galatians 3). He asked four clarifying questions:

1. Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? (3:2). The answer was no—for the indwelling of the Spirit had come by belief, by faith.

2. Why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? (v.3). The Galatians were foolishly following the instruction of the Judaizers who were telling them that they could move toward spiritual maturity by works and externals, not by grace and the inner working of the Holy Spirit.

3. Have you experienced so much for nothing? (v.4). Paul’s people had been persecuted for their grace-based faith. If they had returned to following Mosaic Law— denying grace—then they would have suffered for nothing.

4. Does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? (v.5). His answer, “Of course not!” The miracles were not of the Law, but were all about the hearing that leads to faith.

You and I can lose sight of the basis of our own salvation at times—thinking that it’s based on doing the right things. The reality? Our faith flows from God’s amazing grace. Only God can make a Christian

Break In to God's heart

Today we are going to break in by dwelling or meditating on the word of God.  Read the passage and then sit and think what each of the fruits of the spirit look like (or should look like) in your life.  Think about what it would look like in different situations to respond in one of the fruits rather than by the flesh, example: being faithful with something your parents asked you to do rather than purposely not doing it, lying about it, or waiting to do it when you are ready.  

 Galations 5: 22-26

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Many times in the bible they equate reading the scriptures as "Eating the Scroll."  Imagine if we read the bible and processed it like we eat a meal.  Reading it and processing it over and over so we dont just vomit out information but we digest it and it becomes a part of fueling and renewing our bodies.  By "eating the scroll" imagine how nourished and strengthened your spirit man would be as you walk with God every day.

The Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

9"This, then, is how you should pray:

  " 'Our Father in heaven,

  hallowed be your name,

10your kingdom come,

  your will be done

     on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us today our daily bread.

12Forgive us our debts,

     as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,

  but deliver us from the evil one.

*for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Here is a boost to your day! Remember to pray it with your whole heart!

Slavery still in this world?

The sex trade is running rampant all over the world.  We as believers need to step up and end it as we did with slavery in other areas.  Watch the video below and post what God was speaking to your heart!

http://www.exoduscry.com/awareness/media/the-mission-briefing

Conscious decision

Read 2 Chronicles 35-The Passover, unobserved for years, is reinstated.

INSIGHT
Abraham Lincoln once said, "A man's about as happy as he makes up his mind to be." That may be an oversimplification; yet it states a basic truth: Often we must consciously decide what we want to become. Those who grow spiritually are those who have made a conscious decision to pursue spiritual things. Josiah, one of the great kings of Judah, is a strong reformer who tries to lead the nation in righteousness. In 2 Chronicles 34:31, we read: "The king . . . made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul." Have you ever made the decision to follow the Lord with your whole heart?

PRAYER
As He is a God both of power and compassion, we offer Him our praise:
Stand up and bless the Lord your God 
Forever and ever! 
Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the Lord; 
You have made heaven, 
The heaven of heavens, with all their host, 
The earth and everything on it, . ..
The host of heaven worships You (Nehemiah 9:5-6).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, 
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:17-18).

As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, pray this affirmation to the Lord:
God demonstrates His own love toward us, 
in that while we were still sinners, 
Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• A stronger desire to be like Christ
• The ministry of our nation's churches
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer:
To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Reason and Emotion

The mind takes in and processes information. But it remains, for the most part, indifferent. It is your mind that tells you it is now 2:00 A.M. and your daughter has not returned, for the car is not in the driveway. Your heart wrestles with whether or not this is cause for worry. The heart lives in the far more bloody and magnificent realities of living and dying and loving and hating. That’s why those who live from their minds are detached from life. Things don’t seem to touch them very much; they puzzle at the way others are so affected by life, and they conclude others are emotional and unstable. Meanwhile, those who live from the heart find those who live from the mind . . . unavailable. Yes, they are physically present. So is your computer. This is the sorrow of many marriages, and the number one disappointment of children who feel entirely missed or misunderstood by their parents. 

Yes, the heart is the source of our emotions. But we have equated the heart with emotion, and put it away for a messy and even dangerous guide. No doubt, many people have made a wreck of their lives by following an emotion without stopping to consider whether it was a good idea to do so. Neither adultery nor murder is a rational act. But equating the heart with emotion is the same nonsense as saying that love is a feeling. Surely, we know that love is more than feeling loving; for if Christ had followed his emotions, he would not have gone to the cross for us. Like any man would have been, he was afraid; in fact, he knew that the sins of the world would be laid upon him, and so he had even greater cause for hesitation (Mark 14:32–35). But in the hour of his greatest trial, his love overcame his fear of what loving would cost him. 

Emotions are the voice of the heart, to borrow Chip Dodd’s phrase. Not the heart, but its voice. 

Waking the Dead , 41-42) 

King Josiah

Read 2 Chronicles 34-Josiah leads Judah into righteousness.

INSIGHT
It is almost impossible to imagine the Law could have gotten lost in Jerusalem. How could that have happened? The whole nation is to worship the Lord; the dominant building in Jerusalem is the temple. Israel's entire history revolves around the giving and preservation of the Law. How can this happen? Neglect has a poor memory. How quickly we can drift from the Lord in just a short time of spiritual staleness. Consider our nation. The moral fiber we had 20 years ago is nonexistent today. People are people. Israel drifted the same way—but for a longer time. This ought to serve as a warning to us; the same can happen to us as individuals.

PRAYER
The Lord will guard and care for the heart that follows Him and is filled with praise:
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by. . . 
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; 
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, 
And Your truth unto the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth (Psalm 57:1, 9-11).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. 

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise (Psalm 51:14-15).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. 
No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Others to see Christ in you
• The Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 7:12).

A little help with your prayer times!

Today we are going to break into God's heart by reading the Warfare prayer by John Eldredge.  So read it and read it again over BridgePointe.  How you do that is in place of saying me or I put in them or BridgePointe family and think of us as you pray.  God says that we have the power of life or death in our words.  Lets bring some life and protection to our brothers and sisters today.  

If you dont have the prayer go to the link below and click on it.  

http://bridgepointechurch.org/357339.ihtml

Living a focused life

Today we are going to look for 3 opportunities to show God's love and compassion to the world!  Start in the morning and ask God for 3 people that he wants you to speak to and impact.  Once he gives you those people ask him what he wants you to say.  (whether it is pray for healing, encourage them, or speak a specific word God gave you for them)  Then plan out how you are going to do it; calling them, meeting them for coffee, or just running into them at the grocery store!  Lets use our words for life today rather than death.

Here is some added help for your prayer life!

PRAYER
Bless the Lord. Praise Him for His blessings in our lives:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, 
The power and the glory, 
The victory and the majesty; 
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; 
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, 
And You are exalted as head over all. 
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all. 
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name (1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight-
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge (Psalm 51:4).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord: 
Those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater personal discipline
• Persecuted Christians worldwide
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer:
May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).

A reminder from a friend that loves us ;)

I needed this reminder today from a dear friend that loves us all!

Champion
"Some people have called me Champion. Why, then do I sometimes feel like a Chump? Could it be the culture around me that puts me down rather than calls me up? Perhaps it's the mocking voices of past failures. It's been said that we tend to believe the opinions of the most significant person in our life. That's why I have to make Jesus Christ my Hero and Mentor. He speaks to me about the culture, reminding me that I am in the world but not of it, and I am a citizen of heaven. Regarding my failures, He says 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.' To my feelings of inadequacy He declares, 'You can do all things through Me.' When I allow His voice to be the predominant one in my life, the Champion within bursts forth and propels me to victory. Regardless of how you're feeling this morning, I know, He knows, you ARE a Champion!"

Taking Joy in everyday!

How many times do we take for granted each day that God gives us to breath and live in his presence here on earth?  We get so caught up with our daily lives that we forget that each day is a precious gift that should never be wasted!  

Today we are going to watch the video 99 ballons where a family was blessed with a beautiful child for 99 days!

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=c975d005cd2c4d261f7f

After you watch it ask yourself these questions:

Am I living my life fully so that every day is a celebration of life?

Would I find God's lessons and joy even during a hard time like this?

May he bless you today and open the eyes of your heart to wisdom and revelation of HIM!

Are You Thristy?

The religious technocrats of Jesus’ day confronted him with what they believed were the standards of a life pleasing to God. The external life, they argued, the life of ought and duty and service, was what mattered. “You’re dead wrong,” Jesus said. “In fact, you’re just plain dead [whitewashed tombs]. What God cares about is the inner life, the life of the heart” (Matt. 23:25–28). Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the life of the heart is clearly God’s central concern. When the people of Israel fell into a totally external life of ritual and observance, God lamented, “These people . . . honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isa. 29:13). 

Our heart is the key to the Christian life. 

The apostle Paul informs us that hardness of heart is behind all the addictions and evils of the human race (Rom. 1:21–25). Oswald Chambers writes, “It is by the heart that God is perceived [known] and not by reason . . . so that is what faith is: God perceived by the heart.” This is why God tells us in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” He knows that to lose heart is to lose everything. Sadly, most of us watch the oil level in our car more carefully than we watch over the life of our heart. 

In one of the greatest invitations ever offered to man, Christ stood up amid the crowds in Jerusalem and said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37–38). If we aren’t aware of our soul’s deep thirst, his offer means nothing. But, if we will recall, it was from the longing of our hearts that most of us first responded to Jesus. Somehow, years later, we assume he no longer calls to us through the thirst of our heart. 

(The Sacred Romance , 9) 

King Hezekiah

Read 2 Kings 20-In answer to Hezekiah's prayer, the Lord extends his life.

INSIGHT
Hezekiah's contribution to our lives is probably very great. We read of his zeal for the house of Jehovah and for the worship of Jehovah and of his strict adherence to the Davidic traditions (2 Chronicles 29:3-19; 20-27; 30). His delight is in the Word of Jehovah. In 2 Chronicles 31:21, we read of the "work" which Hezekiah began "in the law and in the commandment." Apparently he formed a guild of men for this devout literary work. These "men of Hezekiah" evidently included Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2) and also had a hand in shaping the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). What a contribution this ancient one has made to our lives today!

PRAYER
The Lord's dominion is forever, and we can praise Him that He never changes:
Sing to Him a new song; 
Play skillfully with a shout of joy. 
For the word of the Lord is right, 
And all His work is done in truth. 
He loves righteousness and justice; 
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:3-5).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. 

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness, 
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, 
And blot out all my iniquities (Psalm 51:7-9).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, 
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal"
(Matthew 6:19-20).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for others
• The work of missions in Australia
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us 
to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, 
after you have suffered a while, perfect, 
establish, strengthen, and settle you. 
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. 
Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).

TITUS 3

divisive- Creating, or tending to create,negative division, separation, or difference.

Titus 3: 9-11

 ⁹But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. ¹¹You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Often we create division by our words and what we speak over people.  We have the power of life or death in our tongue.  To heal what we have tried to divide we must speak life and ask for forgiveness.  

Where have you been divisive in your family, with your friends, or about the church?  

We must ask for forgiveness and choose to start speaking life.... because I dont want to become, "warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."

Titus 3

Titus 3: 3-8

3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Lets take a moment to thank God for everything he has saved us from.  Take a minute and write in your journal all that he has saved you from, ie. selfishness, cutting, a purposeless life; and write down how he has changed them and transformed you to be more like him, ie. selfless, living a healthy life, living with purpose.

Then take time to just worship and thank him!

Break Out of our suburban mindset

So many times we stay in our suburban mindset and forget that we are part of a body that lives everywhere in the world and has needs that maybe only we can fill.....so what will you do about it?

Watch this trailer for Hillsong United's new video and journal about it afterward!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4NlyZqJhwk&feature=channel_page

Holy Longing

The whole life of the good Christian,” said Augustine, “is a holy longing.” Sadly, many of us have been led to feel that somehow we ought to want less, not more. We have this sense that we should atone for our longings, apologize that we feel such deep desire. Shouldn’t we be more content? Perhaps, but contentment is never wanting less; that’s the easy way out. Anybody can look holy if she’s killed her heart; the real test is to have your heart burning within you and have the patience to enjoy what there is now to enjoy, while waiting with eager anticipation for the feast to come. In Paul’s words, we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly” (Rom. 8:23). Contentment can only happen as we increase desire, let it run itself out toward its fulfillment, and carry us along with it. And so George Herbert prayed, 

Immortal Heat, O let thy greater flame
Attract the lesser to it: let those fires,
Which shall consume the world, first make it tame;
And kindle in our hearts such true desires,
As may consume our lusts, and make thee way.
Then shall our hearts pant thee. (Love)

There may be times when all we have to go on is a sense of duty. But in the end, if that is all we have, we will never make it. Our Hero is the example. He’s run on before us and he’s made it; he’s there now. His life assures us it can be done, but only through passionate desire for the joy set before us. 

(The Sacred Romance , 199–200) John Eldrege

Allowing God to transform us daily

Here is a cool way to visually see what we have been talking about with the topics of Holiness, blamelessness, self control, discipline, and living an upright life!

Watch this skit by the Skit Guys and think about how it relates in your own life.  How many times do we see ourselves being the guy God is working on?

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=849dc7c803281df74bb2&utm_source=newsletter0618&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklytopvideos

Be Forewarned

We’re certainly warned about forgetfulness in Scripture, both in word and by example. In the Old Testament, the pattern is so predictable, we come to expect it. God delivers his people from the cruel whips of Egypt by a stunning display of his power and his care—the plagues, the Passover, the Red Sea. The Israelites celebrate with singing and dancing. Three days later, they are complaining about the water supply. God provides sweet water from the bitter desert springs of Marah. They complain about the food. God drops breakfast out of the sky, every morning. Then it’s the water again. God provides it from a rock. Enemies attack; God delivers. On and on it goes, for forty years. As they stand on the brink of the Promised Land, God issues a final warning: 

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. (Deut. 4:9,emphasis added)

They do, of course, let it slip from their hearts. All of it. This becomes the pattern for the entire history of Israel. God shows up; he does amazing things; the people rejoice. Then they forget and go whoring after other gods. They fall under calamity and cry out for deliverance. God shows up; he does amazing things; the people rejoice—you get the picture. Things aren’t changed much in the New Testament, but the contrast is greater, and the stakes are even higher. God shows up in person, and before he leaves, he gives us the sacraments along with this plea: Do this to remember me. They don’t— remember him, that is. Paul is “shocked” by the Galatians: they are “turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ” (1:6 NLT). He has to send Timothy to the Corinthians, to “remind you of what I teach about Christ Jesus in all the churches wherever I go” (1 Cor. 4:17 NLT). 

(Desire , 200)  John Eldredge

So What?

If you are like me, we need to ask forgiveness today for forgetting all the things had has done for us and saved us from.  Reflect and write in your journal about all the things God has done in you and through you this year.  After you write something down, stop and thank him for it.  Keep doing this until the page is filled.  If you "cant think of anything" start with your body....you are breathing at the moment, you have all of your limbs, you can see...those are  all things to be thankful for that God has provided you with this year.

Jesus Teaching us who he is every day

Read Mark 8-Jesus uses the miracle feeding of the 4000 as a teaching tool for His disciples.

INSIGHT
After feeding the 4000, it is obvious that the disciples do not understand the significance of the event. Jesus says, "When I fed the 5000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" His disciples reply, "Twelve." Then again, "When I fed the 4000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" "Seven," they answer. "Do you not yet understand?" the Lord asks them. Then, some days later, Jesus is alone with the Twelve, and He asks them, "Who do you think I am?" Peter replies, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Finally, progress!  

Journal

Get your journal and write down how Jesus was using this event to teach his disciples and us Holiness, blamelessness,discipline, self control, and living an upright life.  

PRAYER
Offer your praise with the following psalm to the Lord who is faithful to us when we are weak:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, 
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night. . . . 
For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands (Psalm 92:1-2, 4).

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm (Joel 2:13).

As you consider the mercy of God, confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You are the door. If anyone enters by You,
he will be saved, and will go in and outand find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, 
and to destroy. You have come that we may have life, 
and that we may have it more abundantly (based on John 10:9-10).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater faithfulness with your finances,
the President and national leaders and affairs,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, 
And establish the work of our hands for us; 
Yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17).

Break Out-Titus

Titus 1: 15-16

In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

As leaders of a movement we are called to lead through our actions as God transforms our hearts and minds and guides us on his adventure for our lives.  Also as leaders we are called to a higher standard of living. it says, ""but by their actions they deny him," What actions do you need to change to be above the standard and excellent in every way so that they do not deny who God is and the connection we so desperately want to have with him.  Some things are easy to see like gossip or lust, but others like wasting hours watching tv or playing video games, are not using our lives _Entrusted to God. 

If you want to lead a generation back to the heart of God.....do your actions reflect that?

Break out of your Box today and DO something that physically shows you want to be a part of this movement whether it is praying for someone, checking up on someone who hasnt been to fusion for awhile, or doing a random act of kindness for someone in need.

Breaking in

Titus 1:9

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Reflect on this verse- why do you think it is so important to know what is sound doctrine and what is not? 

Trustworthy method- we need to know what is in the bible first hand not what others have told us

Break in

Today we are going to dig into Jesus' words during the last supper

John 17

¹After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.²For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Draw, Paint, sketch a picture inspired by Jesus' words.  It can be something like a clock because Jesus says it is time, or what you think it is to know God, or what it looks like to bring God's glory to earth.  Throw on some worship and clear your mind.  Even if you are not artistic it is good to break out of our boxes and "in"to new ways of experiencing God.