What is to Come?

"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”
Jimmy Carter
Thirty Ninth President of the United States
1924 - Present


SO WHAT?

We know the truth of the Bible is forever and ever going to be true. We also need to become people can hold on to that truth no matter what comes our way. When you feel discouraged and that there is no hope, hold on to the truth that you know is true.
Things will always come up in our lives that make us question and doubt what truth is. It is at those times when we must hold to what we know God has said.

What Drives Your Heart?

"Every age needs men who will redeem the time by living with a vision of the things that are to be."
Adlai E. Stevenson
American Politician
1900 - 1965


"I want to be that kind of person. A lover of God who is not satisfied with status quo and good enough. I want to leave a large footprint on the earth when it's my time to go. I have spent too much of my life reaching for success. What I want now is significance. I want my life to count. Becoming a man or woman after God's own heart is the vision that now drives my life.

An Epic Life

A Story. An Epic.

Something hidden in the ancient past.

Something dangerous now unfolding.

Something waiting in the future for us to discover.

Some crucial role for us to play.

Christianity, in its true form, tells us that there is an Author and that he is good, the essence of all that is good and beautiful and true, for he is the source of all these things. It tells us that he has set our hearts’ longings within us, for he has made us to live in an Epic. It warns that the truth is always in danger of being twisted and corrupted and stolen from us because there is a Villain in the Story who hates our hearts and wants to destroy us. It calls us up into a Story that is truer and deeper than any other, and assures us that there we will find the meaning of our lives.

What if ?

What if all the great stories that have ever moved you, brought you joy or tears—what if they are telling you something about the true Story into which you were born, the Epic into which you have been cast?

We won’t begin to understand our lives, or what this so-called gospel is that Christianity speaks of, until we understand the Story in which we have found ourselves. For when you were born, you were born into an Epic that has already been under way for quite some time. It is a Story of beauty and intimacy and adventure, a Story of danger and loss and heroism and betrayal.

(Epic, 14-15)

Praise His Name!

Psalm 96

1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the Lord made the heavens!
6 Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.

7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise
13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with his truth.

Praise God today with your whole heart. Tell someone what God has done in your life and let His name be known. He deservers our praise daily. Lets go all in!

Hold to what is True

It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise.
Hebrews 11:11

SO WHAT?

Are there things in your life that you would like God to do, but seem kind of impossible? Abraham thought having a kid as a 100 year old man was impossible.. But He believed in God and God gave him a son. Don't stop believing that God can do the impossible.

Glorify God

LORD, we love to obey your laws; our heart's desire is to glorify your name.
Isaiah 26:8

Today, ask God how you can obey Him.
Does it mean talking to the kid at school who gets left out?
Does it mean being honest when talking to your parents?
Today God wants our whole hearts...
Search for Him in how you live today and ask Him to help you glorify His name.

Giving is for Us-Break Out

On every Lord's Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering. 1 Corinthians 16:2

BREAK OUT....

God wants us to be giver's. Remember iGIVE? We gave hundreds of dollars as Fusion to change lives around the world. If you make money or you get money given to you from your parents, God asks you to give Him a portion of it. God doesn't ask us to give to Him because He needs it. He asks you to give to Him because it is a huge way that we can show Him we love Him. Money means a lot to us and that is why we need to learn to be able to give it away. We need to give God everything in our lives, even our money! Starting this week, save money through out the week to give for offering and to give to God. It doesn't have to be a lot. You can start giving any amount. And I promise you, you will open up the doors of heaven once you start giving.

What do you Really Want- Break IN

"It's easy to say no! when there's a deeper yes! burning inside.”

Today take some time and write down what are the top ten things you want to do in your life.

Example: Have good friends, Love God, raise a godly family, have a good job, travel as a missionary...ETC...

Then pray over those things you have written down.

Next put them in order of most important at the top and then the next most important.

Example
Love God
Raise a godly family
Have good friends
Have a good job
Travel as a missionary...ETC

Now that you have these things you want to do in your life here is the challenge.
Never let anything lower on the list get in the way of something higher on the list.

Example... If you put have good friends over have a great job, don't let your job get in the way of your friendships.

This is something that you should use for the rest of your life, when you are planning for the future.

Do you have patience?

It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
Proverbs 16:32

CAN YOU DO IT?

Can you become a patient person, can you start changing the way you treat people? YES! You can, so why not start today. Isn't it amazing when someone treats you better than they have to... WE can start treating others like that too.

Changing your World

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world."
Joel A. Barker
Independent Scholar and Futurist


"See it! Say it! Seize it! We are receiving a new vision of how to live for Jesus ('See it!'). We are learning a new way to witness to the world around us ('Say it!'). And as a result, we're laying hold of the reality of being a real follower of Jesus ('Seize it!'). You are changing your world!"

Come Back God!

John 14: 2-3
2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

So What?
Do you really want God to come back? What do you have to do today to be that pure and spotless church he is coming back for? Pray that God would prepare his church, making it pure and spotless because one day he is coming back for us and we want to be part of his return!

Come God!

Revelation 22: 17
17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

So What?
Today block out 3 times somewhere in your day and take 5 minutes to pray for God to come into your life and pray ephesians 1 into your life. Pray that God will Come and change your generation- you can even use parts of the other verses we have been talking about this week. Finally, pray that God will return for his church and pray that his church will start to be ready for him.

Take this City!

Joel 2: 28-32
The Day of the LORD

28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.

31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the LORD has said,
among the survivors
whom the LORD calls.

Prayer Points:
Pray that God will pour his spirit on Woodstock, on BridgePointe church, and on Fusion.
Pray that his power will be shown through those that have his spirit.
Pray that all those who continuously call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Pray that we will have opportunities as Fusion to deliver people from their dark world and bring them on this epic adventure we are on in Jesus.
Pray that those who are depressed will find joy in God, those living without purpose will find it in God.

Trusting in God!

Psalm 37: 3- 9
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

PRAY THIS OVER YOURSELF

So What?
Lets trust God and put our faith in him. Hebrew 11: 1 defines faith well, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." James 4:18 says, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." In my life I have started to strengthen my faith by praying and asking God to move in me and daily as I seek after him with my whole heart he asks me to step out IN FAITH. It might be something small- tell that woman in the grocery store that I (the God that loves her) am listening. I have two options; to listen to something that I have not seen or hope that the voice is that of the God that I know and love. So i step out and allow my actions to determine my faith and the woman breaks down and starts crying because that is the exact word she has been praying that God would answer.
All of that to say to strengthen your faith we have to step out and act on what God asks us to do and he will display himself through us out of that obedience. Over time as we become faithful and trust in God's voice it says in Proverbs that he will bless those who trust and have faith in him.

It is our Time!

Esther 4:14
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

So what?
In the book of Esther, a young girl has found herself in a position that her words and actions will determine the fate of her whole nation and she doesn't feel that she can do it. Her uncle encourages her during the text above. You have been chosen and called for such a time as this to stand up and TAKE THIS CITY! But, like Jeremy said last week we have to make a choice today to stand up and use our words and actions to save those around us!

Pray that God would give you an opportunity today to pray for someone, to help them connect with God so he can heal thier heart.
It might be in the grocery store, at Walmart, or at your friend's house- but pray for them like you pray for others on Wednesday night!

Come Lord Jesus into our Generation!

Joshua 1:3-9
3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

So what?
God has called us as Fusion to step up and out to take this city! A promised land awaits for all those that trust God and seek after him with there whole heart! Our generation is begging for someone to come and help them; to show them a life that is full. Lets pray God's strength and courage over ourselves and start asking God to give us this city, to give us a chance to fight for the hurting hearts and broken lives that are all over Woodstock! WE CAN TAKE THIS CITY!

Come Lord Jesus into my life daily!

Ephesians 1: 15-20
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

Now lets pray it over ourselves and over our generation!
God give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know you better. I pray that my heart will be flooded with your light so that I can understand the confident hope you have given to those you called—your holy people who are your rich and glorious inheritance. 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 19 I also pray that you would help me understand the incredible greatness of God’s power and that you would help me believe it. The same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

So What?
If we are all created by a breath from God imagine what we can do by breathing his life and word over ourselves daily!

Revelation: Listening for His Voice

“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:12–13)

There’s more that Jesus wants to say to you, much more, and now that his Spirit resides in your heart, the conversation can continue. Many good people never hear God speak to them personally for the simple fact that they’ve never been told that he does. But he does—generously, intimately. “He who belongs to God hears what God says” (John 8:47).

The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice . . . I am the good shepherd. (John 10:2–4, 11)

You don’t just leave sheep to find their way in the world. They are famous for getting lost, being attacked by wild animals, falling into some pit, and that is why they must stay close to the shepherd, follow his voice. And no shepherd could be called good unless he personally guided his flock through danger. But that is precisely what he promises to do. He wants to speak to you; he wants to lead you to good pasture. Now, it doesn’t happen in an instant. Walking with God is a way of life. It’s something to be learned; our ability to hear God’s voice and discern his word to us grows over time. As Brother Lawrence said it, we “practice the presence of God.”

(Waking the Dead , 102–3)

So What?
In Ephesians 1 it talks about seeking both wisdom and revelation daily! That means we can't just rely on wisdom to get us by but we have to daily receive revelation from the God who speaks intimately with our hearts. Take 5 minutes today and read and re-read the bible verses above. Then, in your journal write, "from God" and write the passages down...then below that write, "and now he says"...sit and see what he says. Write anything down that comes into your head about the passages. Then below that write how you can make those things that came to mind part of your life.

It's in the small things

"You've got to think about big things while you're doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction."
Alvin Toffler

SO WHAT?

"God spoke through the prophet Zechariah, 'For who has despised the day of small things?' It's the little things that mean a lot. Small, seemingly insignificant decisions that echo long after they are made. Little acts of kindness that accumulate into a harvest of blessing to be reaped at a future time. Small, daily deeds of courage that one day add up to you being a mighty man/woman of God! Do not despise small things for they are the way to the big things!"

In a War

"You're in the midst of a war: a battle between the limits of a crowd seeking the surrender of your dreams, and the power of your true vision to create and contribute. It is a fight between those who will tell you what you cannot do, and that part of you that knows / and has always known / that we are more than our environment; and that a dream, backed by an unrelenting will to attain it, is truly a reality with an imminent arrival."

-Anthony Robbins

SO WHAT?

On Wednesday we talked about our NEW BEGINNING...
Remember you can do it!
No matter how many people tell you you can't, God is speaking His truth to you.
He is telling you, you can!

BREAK IN- Does your Bible say this?

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!
I shall not want = That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!
For His name sake = That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of t he shadow of death = That's
Testing!
I will fear no evil = That's Protection!
For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =
That's Hope!
Thou anoints my head with oil = That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life =
That's Blessing !
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!
Forever = That's Eternity!

Today, take your favorite scripture or anyone you would like and do this with it.
Write out one sentence at a time and then write beside it what it means to you...

Don't Give Up

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
Thomas Alva Edison
American Inventor - Branded as "The Wizard of Menlo Park"
1847 - 1931

"Many people have abandoned their dreams because they believed the lie that they were unattainable. A bored, dreamless person is a threat to every society. The heroes of warriors for God are those fighting for a cause worth dying for. They have caught a glimpse of the man or woman they can become and are becoming. Something has come alive in them, or should I say Someone. They are changing their world. I am so glad that YOU are one of THEM!"

Something you should know.

"Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it."


WE VALUE YOU!

We value your friendship.
We value your passion for God.
We value the commitment you have to Bridgepointe and to Fusion.
We value you because you make our life better.

You are valued by us here on the youth staff!

So don't forget to value yourself.
We love you all!

Keep Pressing On

"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
Christopher Reeve
Actor, Producer, Director and Writer
1952 - 2004

"Well, we begin the second half this week. I pray that you find the strength to persevere. Press past the fatigue, and weariness with well-doing. Resist the lie that says you've come far enough. The Bible says that it's through faithfulness and patience that we obtain the promises of God. The finish line is closer today than it's ever been. Press on hero, a lot of people are counting on us!"

Light and Shadows

Light and Shadows

Megan See

Sometimes I feel as if I can't breathe or as if there is no one there to catch me. To catch me when I fall into the depths of darkness here on this earth. My heart feels as if it's being suffocated, as if I cannot hold on any longer. My heart beats faster when I'm falling. I can feel the darkness invading my soul. I cry out for someone to reach down and grab me, to save me. I fall farther into darker deeper depths. My eyes grow wide and weary. My heart try's to push back.

I can see the light fading as I fall. I feel as if no one can save me. Until I reach a point. This point begins to feel like there is no hope. Then all of a sudden I see a light in this pitch black darkness. I'm drawn to it. I reach out in hope of there being something to grab onto. I press on farther to get this light that is shining so bright in all this darkness. Then there comes this hand it's stretched out to me as if someone was specifically placed there to hold on to me. I grab on hoping that it is sturdy enough for me. It pulls me in and wraps me in a hug filled with love, joy, and peace. I look up into the eyes of this rescuer and suddenly I know. I know who this person is.

He's a friend from long ago whom I drifted from and fell away into the darkness from. He pulls me near Him. For He is the ONE. He is indescribably wonderful. So, soon enough I'm filled with this light again. I recover from my darkness and reach out in hope to save another and another. So, I continue with being a light to others so that I will save someone else just as He has saved me. For I was called to be a light to this world as were you.

Love,

Megan

Thought for today

Jesus Time!

1 John 4-5, “For EVERY child of God DEFEATS this evil world, and we achieve VICTORY through our faith. And who can WIN this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God!” Victory? Yes. 1 John 1:1, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have ALREADY WON a VICTORY over those people, because the Spirit who LIVES in you is GREATER than the spirit of the world.” Victory? Yes! Now since we have all this victory what do we do? 2 Peter 1:5-8, “In view of all this make EVERY effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection for EVERYONE. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Make the most of every opportunity God sends your way. You have the power to make an impact on someone’s life! Don’t be afraid if you are ridiculed for your faith, Jesus says that he blesses those who are ridiculed for His name and plus, what can mere people do to you? Be strong and courageous, you’re not alone. God chose YOU! He wants YOU to fight for Him because He believes in YOU! Live your life for Him and He will take you places you’d never even begin to dream of. Are you up for the challenge? Journal this week and ask God what He has entrusted you with. Earnestly seek Him and you will find Him, it says in Luke 11:10, “Anyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Much Love- Danielle

BREAK IN- 2009

BREAK IN-

Get out a sheet of paper and get alone somewhere so you can have it quiet.
Then begin thinking all about last year. What you did, where you went, the friends you made...
Now start thinking about what you want to do this year 2009...
Then write it out like this...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
........

I usually try to write at least 50 things that I want to do in the year.

Things like...

Read my Bible more,
spend more time with my dad,
save $400 to buy a basketball hoop,
do something crazy,
go somewhere I've never been before...

But it is your list, so you write down what you want to do and then keep the list all year and check things off when you accomplish them. This is a great way to make sure your year in 2009 is amazing...

Life of a true believer

"Regardless of what anyone might tell you, always remember that your future is more important than your past. Where you are going matters more than where you have been. What you do from this day forward means much more than what you have already done. You may be affected by your past, but you are not defined by it. Not in the eyes of God... When you live in the light of eternity, it changes everything. It changes the way you think and act and believe. You no longer see yourself as an aimless being living day to day. You know that you are a child of destiny, awaiting a glorious throne to come. You no longer act like a worthless sinner. You live as if each moment were your last. And that thought doesn’t frighten you; it exhilarates you! You no longer believe that what you do doesn’t make a difference. You believe that every second and every decision makes an eternal impact on the world, as well as your destiny in heaven. You live as a child of the future, not as a slave to the past."

Living toward the Future

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
Soren Aabye Kierkegaard
Danish Philosopher and Theologian
1813 - 1855


"I like the idea of 'living forward,' don't you? The apostle Paul said, 'I haven't already attained perfection, but this one thing I do... I forget what is behind, I reach for what is before me, and I press on towards the upward call of God that is in Jesus Christ.' Hmmm... Living forward, reaching out as I am called up. Sounds like a plan to me!"

SO WHAT?

We all make mistakes, but we can let our mistakes make us into much better people if we learn from them! Today think about a mistake you may have made in the last few days and then take a minute and think about ways to prevent it from happening again!