It is Official!

Well everyone it is now official, we are moving to our new facility! The conditions were removed from the offer to purchase on the church tonight, and the deal will be closing on October the 30Th. Our first event will be held on the 31st a fun night of clowning, games and of course CANDY. Our first service will be on November the 1st. Wow, God is good! We will need all hands on deck as we prepare for this great milestone, so try to plan some time to help out.

Building Relationships? Part 4

What an amazing call that God has given us, to Build Relationships that Build the Kingdom of God. This is another question that I ask myself on a regular basis, "If everyone was exactly like me and brought the same level of energy to the table about this mission, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?"

I want to be the kind of person that will lead by example so everyday I ask God to help me keep the mission in mind and I purposefully crank up the intensity level, so that I will become that kind of person.

What about you? Are you the kind of person that we should all be like or do you, like me, need to keep the mission in mind and ask God to help you to crank up the intensity so that we all can fulfill this great mission that God has called us to?

In about six weeks we are going to be starting a series called Crank it Up and I am looking forward to seeing God do great things through that! Have a great day!

Building Relationships 3

2Ki 4:5 So she left him and closed the door behind her and her children. The children kept bringing containers to her, and she kept pouring.
2Ki 4:6 When the containers were full, she told her son, "Bring me another container." He told her, "There are no more containers." So the olive oil stopped flowing.

I think that God has given us the call as His people to pour His Spirit into empty vessels. He has called us to the poor and the weak and the spiritually lost and has called us to keep pouring out into their lives continually, as He continually is filling us with His Spirit. The problem is that many times we stop pouring, we stop looking for empty vessels to pour the oil of the presence and the love of God into and when we do the oil stops.

We sometimes find ourselves, as Christ followers, dried up and feeling desperate for God, and there is a good chance that, that is because we stopped pouring, we stopped giving, we stopped being generous. I don't know about you but I need the presence of God in my life, I need His love flowing through me, so I am looking forward to hunting down some empty vessels to pour His Spirit into Today.

It is all about "Building Relationships that Build the Kingdom of God"

Building Relationships? Part deux

I guess I ask myself this question on almost a daily basis, is my heart really committed to the forward progress of the Gospel? What I am really asking myself is, am I intentionally going out into my world to share the love of God, through relationship, to the people that God has brought into my life.

It is so important for us to live with a sense of mission, a sense that there is something more at play here then just what is happening in my life, or your life. There is a grand battle going on for the souls of mankind, a David and Goliath type of confrontation taking place. I think about David, when preparing to take on Goliath, he first of all had to take on his brother and his attitude. to which David responded "Is there not a cause?"

Do you live life everyday with the realization that there is a cause that you live for and that God has invited you into? If not then I encourage you to really latch on to the Heart of God for a lost and dying world and ask Him to allow you to see what He sees.

Building Relationships?

"Building relationships that build the Kingdom of God". That is our vision and mission at Jubilee. I really believe that we can make a difference in the region that God has called us to, because knowing Jesus makes a big difference in everyone's life.

Here is the thing though, it sounds good on paper, it is easy to remember, and it does capture the dream that God has about us in a few simple words, but they are just words until they become incarnate. Until they actually have flesh and blood behind them, they are quite two dimensional. That is where you and I come in, we are the ones that bring life to this statement, and we do that one person at a time.

This week I am going to be talking about how we can all get involved in God's mission for our region.

It's Your Fire!

I can't get that phrase out of my head! It's your fire and it is your responsibility to keep it burning! Here is the thing, we have the priveledge to have a relationship[ with God and many times we take that for granted, but when we do we rob ourselves of all that God has for us. He wants us to love Him with all of our soul with all of our might and with all of our strength. All, all , all, no mediocre, no half way, with all that we are.

Her is the truth though I can't do it for you, and you can't do it for me, it is our own priveledge and responsibility. So........What are you doing to keep the fire for God burning bright in your heart?

Don't forget to bring a friend on Sunday, have a great night.

Faithful?

God has really been giving my heart and mind a makeover over the past while and is continuing to challenge me in huge ways. I love that, I love when He is working out something in me. So here is something I have been brewing on lately.

Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in the least is also faithful in much. And he who is unjust in the least is also unjust in much.

What does it mean to be faithful in the least? Well Paul Dejong, pastor of Life Church in Auckland New Zealand asks this question. What is it that is no big deal to you. Is it being on time? Do you wonder why people are so uptight about being somewhere on time, do you think that it is not really a problem if you show up a few minutes late. Well that might be "the least" for you, maybe God is telling you to step it up and be early instead.

Maybe yours is neatness, cleanliness, relationships or whatever, but whatever the least is to you, God is saying step it up. Have a great day!

Don't forget to bring someone to church this Sunday we are kicking off a brand new series.

Do what you can!

We as Christians often think that if we just pray then everything will work out, and it is true that prayer is powerful. Here is the thing, if God didn't need us, or at least want us to do our part then why are we still on this planet?

In Exodus 17:8-16 we find the story of the famous battle between Israel and the Amalekites in which when Moses kept his staff raised the Israelites would prevail and as his arms grew tired and came down they were being beaten. While Moses led the prayer ministry, Joshua was on the ground doing battle. it took the prayer ministry and the soldiers to win the battle that day, as it does in our lives also.

Paul Cho, the Pastor of the world's largest church said it best when he said "Pray like Moses, fight like Joshua". For some of us today we may need to take some time and pray and seek God, for others we may need to get off of our knees and get into the battle. Have a great one!

Rest?

Hebrews 4:9-12

9 So then there remains a rest to the people of God.
10 For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His.
11 Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I don't know about you but I have been trying to figure this one out for a long time, in fact this is what I wrote in my journal on July 30, 2002 "The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately about entering His rest. Today is June 11, 2009 almost seven years later and I think the lights just came on. Alright so I am a little slow. Here is what i have learned.

1. Rest is not something you plan, like I will relax and read a book, have a nap or take a vacation.
2. Rest is not something you do, like try to get away from or shut out your busyness.
3. Rest is not a discipline, like taking yourself to a different head space.
4. Rest is a place of trust and reliance on and in God. It is a place where I truly "no longer am an owner" it is a Place where everything that I am, and do, and manage belong to God. That is why verse twelve is so important, because God's word can actually reveal the truth of where I am with that.

I now think I understand the truth about entering His rest, I pray that I will become that man, that would trust in God in that way. How about you, are you entering His rest? Let's try!

Remember this Sunday is going to be awesome! Craig Groeschel will be bring the message "God is ...Love" as we continue with One Prayer series. Don't come alone! Also please keep this weekend in prayer because there will be a ton of visitors, pray that they will come to Christ if they haven't yet. Have a great day all!

A few Blog Treasures

I am excited about what God is doing in me, and what He is doing in us as a church. I believe that are best days are ahead and that we are going to rock this region with the Gospel. I wouldn't trade this life for any other life because I feel I am in the sweet spot of God's will for my life right now. That does not mean that I am not going through any struggles or wrestling with any issues right now, because I am. I am doing a message on the tongue this week and it is rocking my world.

Any way here are a few great Blog posts to set you up for the weekend.

This one is from Mark Batterson He always challenges me to live beyond average

Here is a great one about the church from Larry Osborne Even though he is talking about the American Church I think it applies.

I love this one from Perry Noble .

This one by Steven Furtick will challenge you.

Remember that it is Mothers Day this Sunday and we have some great things planned for them, so invite your mom, your friends mom, or any other mom you know, Hey invite anyone you can think of. Try not to come alone. Have a great one!

Building Tour

I just wanted to let you all know that we will be doing a tour of the building on Sunday after church so that everyone can get an up close look at what is happening in the building. I am hoping to have a bit more rugged version of Cafe Sunday at the school also at that time. Have a great day!

OOPS

I put up a post on Saturday night but for some reason it posted as Monday the 13th, so just scroll down to read the post. Thanks

Building Updates

Hi all! I am pretty excited this week, we are seeing some real progress on our future site. This week the walls are coming down! Here are a few pics

I love being part of this church! I love what God is doing in us and through us! I can't wait to see what He is going to do next! I know that none of that has anything to do with tearing out walls but I am feeling a great sense of the Holy Spirit in my life and in the house right now and I am stoked! Don't come alone on Sunday, I believe that God is going to do great things!

Building Update

I'll tell you what Bob and the crew are machines. They got a whole lot more done this week. Here are a few more pics. This view is from the front wall of the school toward the back.
Here you can see where the wall was removed so that we could make more room for a foyer/ Youth Room The two holes you see in the far wall are the two doors going into the kitchen, that's right a kitchen big enough for two doors.
This view is from the hall looking toward the front of the building.

Things are progressing well and it looks like we can probably do a tour next week Sunday. I will keep you posted. Here is the thing though, we are making a large welcoming foyer to serve guest better so keep inviting people that you know that don't go to church. See you tomorrow!

Life Principles (Part 3)

The third principle that I live by and work hard at passing down to my children is found in James 4:6 where it says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. I don't know about you but pride is a huge struggle for me. I have to carefully and strategically work at keeping pride out of my life and staying humble.

Have you ever had moments in your life when you felt a separation from God and wondered why? For me most of the time when that happens it is because I have allowed pride to separate me form God, I have taken something on with a, don't worry about me God, I have got this covered, attitude. As long as I stay reliant on Jesus and the work He is doing in me I can keep humble. So I try to stay really close.

Tomorrow is Sunday so try to bring someone with you and don't forget to pray that God will do something great as we gather together.

Life Principles (Part 2)

The second principle I live by is found in Romans 12:15 and it says to Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. I think it is so important for us to truly care for each other and feel each others gains or losses.

It is often very easy to weep with those who weep, because we can be caught up in the emotion with them, but rejoicing with those who rejoice is a bit more difficult. When others do well and we are not doing well it can seem unfair and often we ask God when it will be our turn to rejoice. Here is the truth, whether or not someone else is blessed has no bearing on God's ability to bless you, He is able to bless all and never run out, but the way we respond to the blessing of others is very telling about who we are on the inside.

So next time you feel uptight when you see God bless others, do a heart check and give thanks for all that God has done for you. When you see someone going through a hard time, help to carry them through. I believe that if we do that it will be great for God's Kingdom.

Life Principles (Part 1)

I think that it is so important that each of us have some clearly defined principles by which we live our life. Principles that are non-negotiable, and guide our lives to a great degree. I have a few that I live by and I will share them with you to give you an idea of what I mean.

The first principle I live by is "I am a steward, not an owner". I gave my heart and life to Jesus many years ago and have through the process of time submitted to Him as the Lord of my life. I have made Him the supreme ruler of my universe and I try to do what He says do, and go where He says go. This affects every part of my life, because this principle applies to my wealth, my health, my children, Kristine, and to everything else in my life.

I am a manager and I spend my life trying to use what God has given to me to advance His Kingdom, and bring honour to Him. At times I forget that I don't own the stuff, but because I have ingrained this principle into my mind and my heart I don't stray for long.

What about you, are you still an owner or have you given all to Jesus as your Lord?

With Everything?

Man, God is really challenging me lately. I was spending some time in prayer and worship this morning, I was singing "With Everything" by Hillsong, and I really sensed that God was asking me, "Really, do you love me with everything"? Here is the thing, we often say things with out thinking, or we think but not really.

God is calling us to an authentic walk with Him. He's asking us to give Him everything, and He wants us to say yes to Him. He wants us to know Him and be known by Him, which seems like a dumb thing to say, because He already knows all. The thing is though He wants us to realize that He knows all, so we stop hiding. He wants us to invite Him into all the areas of our lives, the parts we are proud of and the parts we are not so proud of. To know Him and be known by Him.

So I challenge you today to get honest with God and really love Him with everything.

New Week!

Had a great day yesterday! What a fantastic day at church. I felt the power of the Holy Spirit in the service in a great way. One person decided to leave the old life behind and follow Jesus (That is what we do it all for) Many decided to live a life that is more connected to Jesus and to follow Him with Passion. As I said it was a great day!

I don't know about you but I really feel that God is pushing hard on the whole relationship with Him thing and the more I respond to it the more I feel Him calling me. Sort of like The "Final Battle" ( Last book of the Chronicles of Narnia") farther up and farther in. My question to you is will you respond to God? Will you make Jesus the main thing in your life?

Is it Real? (Part two)

Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? I hope this question is really bugging you. If you really believe then it will affect how you look at the gift of life each day, it will affect how you spend each precious day, every hour, every minute of the time you have been allotted.

Here is the deal, hell is a real place and so many people that I know and people that you know are going there. If we really believe that what we believe is really real then that reality should be driving us forward each day, it should be....

Who do you know that doesn't yet know Jesus? How are you strategizing to reach them? How much does the fact that they are heading to hell keep you awake at night? Please, I am begging you, realize that this is really real and, to the best of your ability, try to lead that person to Christ.

Is it Real?

Yesterday I asked the question "Do you believe that what you believe is really real?" in the hopes that it would get you all thinking about what you think is real. I think as Christ followers some times we give lip service to the fact that the Bible is true, that it is the inspired word of God, but do we really believe it?

Here is the thing, God's word says that He loves you and will provide for you, if we believe that this is really real then we need to learn to relax and trust in God even through the hard times. God's word says that by His stripes we are healed, and if we believe that is really real then we need to learn to trust in God's word and have confidence that He will take care of us.

The only way that we will ever grow in trust and belief in God though, is when we actually get to know the one we are trusting and believing in. No matter what we do we cannot bypass relationship with God, if we do it becomes a series of rules and dead religion.

The Dream is True!

Great it is to dream the dream

When you stand in your youth

By the starry stream

But a greater thing

To fight life through

And to say at the end

The dream was true

This was a poem that was spoken many times by John Osteen, and since Mark Davy shared it yesterday morning in the service it has been rolling through my mind. The truth is that most people start out with a dream when they are young and idealistic. They believe in the dream and they see no reason why the dream cannot become a reality.

Many people as life rolls along get into the fight of making the dream a reality and grow weary in the fight. they lose the belief that it can come true. In reality in order to accomplish God's will for our life there will be a fight, there will be challenge, and there will be weariness, but the dream is still God's dream, and if you choose to fight the fight, stand up to the challenge, and push through the weariness, you can accomplish the dream.

The choice is yours and the choice is mine, will we rise to the challenge in order to fulfill God's call for our lives? Will we dare to look beyond disappointment and see the prize that God has prepared for us? Will we push past the weariness and persevere until we accomplish our assignment? Each of us as individuals need to answer that question for ourselves, and to a degree Heaven and Hell are waiting to see what we will do and how we will respond.

One Prayer

I am pretty excited to let all of you know that once again this year we are participating in the One Prayer Series. Last year over 1700 churches partnered together for a month to pray, fast share and give toward answering the prayer of Jesus "That they would be one". This year the theme is God Is _____. We will be hearing from some great pastors from around the world sharing with us during our Sunday morning worship time. for more info check out the One Prayer website.

Remember that we Have Mark Davy with us this Sunday so invite anyone that you know that needs a miracle. Mark is an excellent communicator, a Missionary/ Evangelist and has a great healing ministry so I am looking forward to this weekend. Please Pray that god would bring people that need to know Him and that they will experience His love through the service. Have a great day!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I am pretty stoked about this new year of 2009! I know that the media is saying that it is going to be a bad year and everything but truthfully I believe that God is up to something and He wants us to get involved! So what should we do to get involved? Here are a few things that I believe will help.

1. Get into a steady and solid set of devotions right from the get go. Wayne Cordeiro has a great system that you can find by clicking on the link.
2. Choose a few people that you know that don't have a relationship with Jesus and pray for them.
3. Invite people out to church or Life Groups with you.
4. Talk to people and be in the moment, be real, and be normal. Show God's love through your life not just what you say.

Have a great day!