The Power of Scripture

One of the things I have enjoyed most about our current series are the memory verses that we have been handing out. I have been challenged as I work on my memorization.
Are you starting to learn just how real and powerful the Word of God is? I looked up some verses today which describe God’s Word. Check them out!

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. - 1 Thessalonians 2:13   It works in us!

“And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true” - 2 Samuel 7:28 They are Truth!

” Every word of God is pure;   He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” - Proverbs 30:5 Meditate on it! It is pure!

” But Jesus answered him, saying,  “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” – Luke 4:4  Needed like food!

“But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” – Luke 11:28  Blessed by hearing & obeying it!

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” – Ephesians 6:17 It is our weapon against the enemy!

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12  It is Living! It is Powerful!

“The grass withers, the flower fades,   But the word of our God stands forever.” – Isaiah 40:8 It stands forever!

Song List

Let the praises ring – Lincoln Brewster
Mighty to save – Hillsong
Savior King – Hillsong
Healer – Hillsong

The power of the resurrection

As I was running on the treadmill tonight after life group I was listening to the latest Hillsing Cd. A song came on that had these lyrics: “the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in Me”.
Sure I have heard that before but because of the Hostage series we are doing as well as the topic at our life group tonight, it seemed to hit home a little more.
Week one of our series dealt with the chains of addictions. We are so weighed down by them and we often think that we can never have victory over them. Do you realize that nothing is impossible with God? Do you really believe that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives inside you and can give you victory as well?
Take this promise from scripture and know that He who overcame can help you overcome as well! Believe It!

Poll

Song List

Song List

I am Free – Desperation Band
Not to us – Chris Tomlin
Savior King – Hillsong United
Set me Free – Casting Crowns

Anticipation

There are a few things that I am greatly anticipating this weekend.  Of course living in the Philly region we are anticipating the huge 1:00pm game tomorrow when our beloved Eagles take on the Giants.  But even more than that I am anticipating the great things God is going to do at Fellowship Church tomorrow.  I am excited to hear what God has to say to me in regards to breaking free.  In some way we are all addicts.   For some it is the almighty dollar.  For others it might be lust or pornography.  Some of you are hooked on drugs or alcohol.  For others it might be anxiety or fear, or panic.  One thing is for sure.  No one is excluded from addictions.  We all have our own secret sins.

Be honest and come expecting God to work tomorrow.

“God it is my prayer tonight as I sit here praying for the services tomorrow that you will break the chains of addictions in our lives.  So many of us our in bondage and need to be set free.  With everything I am I long to be free!  Free me!  And free others from whatever is owning them or weighing them down.  Move in us!  We invite Your presence and we invite You to work.  We anticipate Hostages being released, and prisoners being freed! Amen!”

7 You will open the eyes of the blind.  You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. ISAIAH 42:7 (NLT)

Keeping it real

As I have been practicing the songs for this weekends services I am getting excited about our series hostage.  This week John will addressing the sins of addictions.  The sub-theme of the series is “Breaking Free”.  It seems that God has put it on a lot of pastors and churches hearts to address these issues.   I saw a similar series entitled “paralyzed”  on the website of a church in Nashville, TN.  Why is it that we are so paralyzed by fear?  Why do we listened to the enemies lies and believe them as if they are truth.  They are not truth!

As we were sharing in our creative team meeting yesterday the fact that we (the staff) are some of the most messed up people in the world.  Some of you are agreeing already.  But it’s true.  We want to be real and honest with our issues because we know the church will not be real about theirs if we are not real about ours.

This series is hitting me right square between the eyes and I am so looking forward to hearing God speak to me.  Many of you know that I struggle with anxiety.  Lately it seems that it has been out of control.  I have believed lies, I have been full of fear and have been completely self absorbed and focused only on me, which makes it worse.  Not only does it make it worse, but it means that I am not trusting God.  I am not believing the fact that God is good.  What do I have to worry about if God is good.  Diseases may come, but God is good and His will is BEST.   Financial struggles may come, but God is good and He will supply my every need.  My future may be unclear to me, but it is in His hands and I do not need to worry about it.

One key to overcoming our stuff is scripture memory.  We will be handing out scripture memory cards over the next five or six weeks in a “Hostage” pack.  We need to fill our minds with His words and tell ourselves the Truth!

New Year’s Eve

I am sitting here in my new office a little light headed from the fumes of fresh paint.  Our family has all left now and we are excited about a few days of being alone before we kick it into gear again for the new year.  What a year it has been.  The biggest thing has been the birth of our second son Hudson.  What a blessing he is.  He is my serenity.  There is a special bond between a boy and his father even when they are babies!  Hudson lights up when he sees me and his eyes always follow me around the room.  I have so blessed!  God has poured blessings upon my life.  I don’t deserve anything I have, but his grace sure does abound!

So during this season of reflection as well as planning ahead, I am thankful for my family and my God.  I have a lot of goals for this next year.  My biggest might just be this: To live life enjoying the present, not feeling guilty about the past or worried about the future.  God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.

Have a very Happy & Blessed New Year! 2009 Here we come!!

Song List

Song List

Happy Day- Fee
Break Free – Hillsong United
Cannons – Phil Wickam
Lead me to the cross – Gateway

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to get on this morning and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! “To God be the Glory, Great things he has done”