God has created you to be you.

The LORD has made everything for His own purposes.

Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)

Have you ever wondered why “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren was one of the best-selling books of all time?  Could it be deep down we all desire to know that we were created for a purpose?  We all want to be great.  To leave our mark.  To do something significant with our life.

In a TED talk a while back Rick Warren said, “Some people have the misguided idea that God only gets excited when you’re doing “spiritual things,” like going to church or helping the poor, or, you know, confessing or doing something like that. The bottom line is, God gets pleasure watching you be you.”

God has created you to be you. Regardless of what you think or feel about yourself, God has created you with value, worth, and a purpose. He has given you talents. He has given you gifts. He has orchestrated your life. He has provided you with various experiences, opportunities, creativity, and a circle of influence that is unique to you.

What are you doing with what you have you been given by God? Are you seeking to make yourself great, or are you seeking to make Jesus great by serving him and others?

Life of Faith

And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:17 (AMP)

At Christian Life we are embracing Colossians 3:17 as our verse for 2013.  We need to highlight it in our Bible, memorize it, and even more importantly LIVE it out in every area of our lives.  We are beginning this new year with a series called Life of Faith.  Our Christianity has to work in every part and parcel of our life.  We must live ALL of our life for Him.  We are called to be Colossians 3:17 people.

I’m sensing an urgent expectation in our congregation as we gather together for worship and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the weeks and months ahead.  Let’s equip ourselves to draw near to God.  Let’s take even greater steps in a new year to grow as disciples.  Along with worshipping together every weekend we have added a prayer service, along with children’s and youth ministry, on Wednesday nights at 7PM.  Sunday school meets every Sunday at 8:30AM in Room 111.  There are a wide variety of resources, ministries, and special events for you to grow in and serve God with others in our church family.  Read through the bulletin.  Visit the church website.  See where you can be involved.  And after worshiping and being equipped at church we need to take Jesus, His love. and the Good News to every part of our world.  It’s time we live ALL of our life for Him!

FRESH

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”

Revelation 21:5

I recently received a poster in the mail from Joel Osteen Ministries.  Its message for the New Year is perfect.  Let me share the acrostic for FRESH that was colorfully displayed on the banner.

Forgive those who have hurt you.  Holding onto the hurts and pains caused by others will limit the new thing God wants to do in your life.  Forgive the person who hurt you and move forward.  Trust that God will make it up to you.

Refuse to look back.  Whether something happened twenty years or twenty minutes ago, learn to let it go and move on.  If you’ll let go of the old, God has promised He will bring you a new beginning.

Expect God’s best today.  Expectation is a catalyst for miracles.  Declare God’s favor over your life and expect to see His goodness today and everyday.  By faith declare, “I’m expecting God to do something amazing today.”

Stay in faith and move forward.  Don’t let circumstances, naysayers, or the enemy steal your joy.  Stay in faith, knowing that God’s promises are “yes and amen” in your life.  Today is a new day!  Believe that now and enjoy all that God has in store for you.

Hope for tomorrow.  When you have hope, obstacles become opportunities and setbacks become comebacks.  A fresh start in God begins with hope in His Word.

Finally, Joel wrote, “Today can be a new beginning.  Press forward to the great things God has in store.”

Connecting with God at Christmas

Christmas is the perfect time to connect with God because its the moment God chose to connect with us.  “She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23b  Let’s make the time to focus on God this season and follow the examples of the Bible characters in the original Christmas Story.

• Listen & Obey - Mary found herself with an overwhelming calling.  Joseph found himself with a difficult decision.  Both listened and responded positively to God and His leading.  (Luke 1:38; Matthew 1:24)

• Worship & Give - The Wise Men also listened and followed the leading of God both through the star and an angel.  Their journey of obedience ended with them worshipping and offering gifts to the newborn King. (Matthew 2:11)

• Reach Out & Invite - Shepherds were considered the “least of these” in their culture.  Because of their status in society they weren’t even allowed to give testimony in court.  And yet, God chose them to be the first witnesses to the newborn Savior. (Luke 2:20)

Make time this Christmas to listen and obey, worship and give, and reach out and invite.  You (and He) will be glad you did.

Celebrate Christmas

(The angel) said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” Luke 2:10

I love celebrating Christmas!  The food.  The lights.  The decorations.  The trees.  The food.  The cookies.  The family gatherings.  The presents.  The pageants.  The carols.  Did I mention the food?  I love it all!  

For many, Christmas is anything but a celebration.  In fact, maybe reading through my list is causing you unneeded stress or sadness.

I get it.  Too much to do.  So little time.  And for what?  Really?

Christmas needs to be a celebration.  It’s all about the good news that brings great joy.  How you celebrate isn’t the important part.  In fact, some of our celebrating may get in the way of the true reason for the season.  But, none the less, it is a time of celebration.  The new King has come and our lives will forever be changed!

“For a child has been born—for us! The gift of a son—for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.” Isaiah 9:6 (The Message)

Thank you for being a part of our Christmas celebration at Christian Life!  My prayer is that you connect with God today and prepare your heart for the coming of Christ this Christmas. 

Advent

We have entered the Advent season on the Church calendar.  “Advent” in Latin comes from a word that means “coming.”  We celebrate and prepare our hearts for the coming of our King Jesus.  We remember his coming in the past as a baby in the town of Bethlehem.  We celebrate the present as Jesus comes into our heart.  And we look to the future as He comes as King to establish His new Kingdom.

In the front of church we have an advent wreath with candles.  Each week we light a new candle which symbolizes the expectation of our coming Messiah.  

Week 1 - (Purple Candle) Represents HOPE, signifying the hope that we have in Jesus when we allow Him to lead us out of darkness into light.  

Week 2 - (Purple Candle) Represents PEACE.  Jesus came to bring peace.  From the words of Zecharias in Luke 1:79….”He will guide our feet into the way of Peace”.

Week 3 - (Pink Candle) Represents LOVE.  We are reminded that He is Love and that He loves us with an everlasting love and that we are called by Jesus to love others.

Week 4 - (Purple Candle) Represents JOY.  The angel in Luke 2:10, "...I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  As the day of celebration draws close we become excited with anticipation and joy. We are reminded that a life with Him is one full of Joy! 

On Christmas Eve a final white candle is lit.  

This Advent let us all prepare our hearts for the coming of the King.

10 Sentences That Will Change Your Life

I recently read this post from Scott Williams’ blog.  

These sentences by themselves are quite simple, yet if the true essence of them is truly embraced, the results will be profound.

These 10 Little “I Am’s” Will Change Your Life.
1. I Am A Follower Of Christ
2. I Am Created For A Purpose
3. I Am More Than A Conqueror
4. I Am Held Accountable For My Actions
5. I Am Defined By What God Thinks Of Me and Not What People Think
6. I Am Called To Love and Make A Difference In The Lives Of Others
7. I Am Characterized By The Potential and Not My Past
8. I Am Writing My Testimony
9. I Am A Work In Progress
10. I Am Born To Manifest The Glory Of God Within Me

Obedience to God

My soul follows hard after You...

Psalm 63:8 (KJV)

If I asked the people closest to you what characteristic best describes you, what do you think they would say?  What if I asked God the same question about you? What would He say?

When you examine the men and women mentioned in the pages of Scripture, you can define their lives in one of two opposite characteristics.  They are either characterized by OBEDIENCE or DISOBEDIENCE to God.  The mark of the Christian life must be obedience.  We are called to be followers of Christ, and following assumes obedience.  

Is obedience to God the prime characteristic of your life?  As a follower of Christ it should be.  Examine your life, dive into the Word, and follow hard after God!

Click here to listen to this weekend's sermon on obedience taken from the life of Ruth.


The spirit of obedience gives more joy to God than anything else on earth... When the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5), I am possessed by the nature of God, and I know by my obedience that I love Him.  The best measure of a spiritual life is not its ecstasies, but its obedience. “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Oswald Chambers

You are the pastor of your home.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua 24:15

A couple of years ago I had the privilege of having lunch with Pastors Phil and Kari Vance of Living Faith Fellowship in their home in Pullman, Washington.  One of their adult sons was eating with us and when we had finished praying for the meal Phil, in a loud voice announced, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”  To my surprise everyone at the table began to cheer.  They could tell by my silence that I didn’t understand their unique family custom and went on to explain that from the time their children were very young this is something that has been done during the prayer time at every family meal.  What’s great is this tradition now extends down to their grandchildren.

It was so beautiful to watch that needless to say I wanted to bring this tradition home to my family.  While awkward the first couple of times our boys now love it!  They quickly remind me if I forget, or even ask if they can say it at the end of the prayer.  And now our house is filled with plaques that read, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

This powerful statement about a family commitment to serve the Lord comes from the life of Joshua.  Joshua was one of the few Bible characters that started and finished well.  Not that Joshua was perfect but he was committed to the call of God on his life, his family, and his people.  Joshua followed Moses, spent time with God, was a mighty warrior, and led his 
family and people into the promised land.

You are the pastor of your home.  Like Joshua, God has called you to lead.  Make that commitment to follow God and live for Him.  Be the lead for your family and those around you.  Declare today and each and every day, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

Why Should I be a member of a church? (Part 1)

In today's society of independence and self-reliance, the thought of becoming a member of a local church seems unnecessary to a lot of people. Also, many Christians feel that being a member of the Body of Christ is sufficient for them to please God. The following confirms the necessity and benefits of belonging to a specific local church.

Church membership keeps your fire burning for the Lord. If a coal in a fire is removed or isolated, it’s flame will eventually go out.  The same is true for the Christian.  Membership provides opportunities for refueling, kindling, and staying connected to the fire.

Church membership protects us from self-deception. James 1:22 says to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. It's easy to think we are walking in truth when in actuality we can be fooling ourselves. In right relationship with other believers, any deception will be recognized. Remember, whatever we possess in our relationship towards God that doesn't translate horizontally into our relationships with people isn't genuine.

Church membership leads to maturity. In the case of our natural families, some of the hardest lessons of life were learned from the conflicts with our brothers, sisters, and parents. If you had good parents who disciplined you and taught you to resolve the differences in your family, then you know that you are a better and more mature person today because of your family environment. The same is true for the church family. Listen to Proverbs 18:1, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment" and Proverbs 12:1, "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." Commitment to a local church gives God the leverage to mature you as His child. This isn't always easy, but it is necessary and proper.

Church Membership - activ8

On Sunday, October 28 we will be having a special baptism and membership service.  You were created to be a part of a local church family.  Perhaps you’re newer to Christian Life but want to be an active part of our church family?  We want you to feel welcome to become an important part of what God is doing at Christian Life.

Jesus commissioned his church to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and that is a calling we take very seriously.  Last year at Christian Life we went through our discipleship program called activ8.  The videos of these sessions are available to borrow in our Welcome Center and are available for you to watch 24/7 online at www.christianlifechurch.org, just click WATCH NOW and then choose activ8.  

The name activ8 came from a number of discussions within our church leadership on what it meant to be a disciple.  There were eight principles that kept coming up again and again in our talks, and it wasn’t good enough just to know about these eight principles of discipleship, we needed to be active in each of these as we follow Christ as modern-day disciples.  Here is the list of our activ8.

• Active Love 
• Active Attending 
• Active Devotional Life
• Active Learning 
• Active Serving 
• Active Evangelism 
• Active Giving
• Active Integrity 

Take time this week to do a discipleship check up on yourself.  Are you active in each of these?  Be a part of Christ’s church means being an ACTIVE disciple!

You Can Hear The Voice of God

At Christian Life Church we believe that God still speaks today.  We are honored to have Steve Sampson as our special guest this weekend.  Steve moves in a prophetic gift that is spoken of in the New Testament.  Steve wrote the popular book, You Can Hear the Voice of God.  I hope you pick up a copy today after the service.  Here is an excerpt from the book from the section, The Voice of the Spirit.


Factually speaking, few individual Christians really know and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit.  God is always willing to speak to His people, but His voice is often undiscerned and unrecognized, because we fail to understand the way of the Spirit.

To learn to hear from God is the greatest ability and Christian can possess.  Well-intentioned Christians make “Kingdom” decisions that are derived from man’s perspective and not God’s.  These decisions are frequently made from information and logic and not based on knowledge given by the Holy Spirit to the believer.

Certainly everyone had seen misuses and abuses by those who claim to have heard God.  But it is normal Christianity to walk in fellowship with God that is intimate enough to enable us to hear from Him on a daily basis.  Jesus didn’t say that His sheep would listen to tapes, read books or memorize Bible verses, although these things are all good.  But He did say, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) 

Adoption - Christian Life Daily Devotional

Are you reading and sharing the Christian Life Daily Devotional?  It is important that you experience God’s Word each day in our lives and share it with others.  If you don’t have a copy or want to share a copy with someone you know, you can get extra copies in the lobby following the service or you can email me and request a devotional and I'll send you one.  The following is an excerpt from a reading this week.


The Bible says, “[We] received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 15-17 NKJV).  Adoptive parents understand what it’s like to have emptiness in their hearts, to search, to set out on a mission, to take responsibility for a child with a troubled past and an uncertain future.  And that’s what God did for you.  Knowing full well the trouble you’d be, and what it would cost, He sought you, found you, paid the price for you, took you home, gave you His name and the right to call Him “Abba,” which means “Daddy,” a term of endearment.  Adoption isn’t something you earn, it’s a gift you receive.  You’d never hear adoptive parents say, “We’d like to adopt little Mary but first we want to know—does she have a house, money for tuition, a ride to school in the morning and clothes to wear every day?”  The adoption agency would say, “Hold on, you’re not adopting her because of what she has, but because of what she needs.  She needs love, hope, a home and a future.”  You don’t earn the Spirit of adoption, you receive it by faith.  That’s important because if you can’t gain it by your stellar efforts, you can’t lose it through your poor performance.  How reassuring!  And it gets better; you’re an “heir” to all your Father owns.  That means you’ll never have a need He cannot or will not meet.  How good is that?

Back to Church Sunday

I recently saw a website that listed 52 Practical/Scientific Reasons To Go To Church from various academic studies. So, in honor of Back to Church Weekend let me list just a few of the reasons to go to church. 

• Reduced blood pressure
• Happier marriages
• More affectionate parents
• Fathers spending more time with children
• Better maternal influence
• Better behaved teenagers
• Healthier behaviors 
• Reduced delinquency 
• Better personal health
• Greater resistance to cancer
• Faster healing
• Greater longevity
• Less alcohol abuse
• Better sex life
• A sense of purpose

While these are all great “benefits,” the bottom line is we aren't meant to be spiritual orphans, we need our local church family. Our second mission at Christian Life is to connect people to people. You aren't meant to be a Christian all alone. You need the family of God surrounding you week in and week out with encouragement, prayer, and accountability.  You need your church family!  There is something powerful when we gather with likeminded believers in the local church to worship God.  Don’t miss out on what God wants to do in your life as we worship God together.

Change

For everything there is a season... 

Ecclesiastes 3:1a

During my walks this week I’ve noticed some of the first leaves starting to change colors.  The kids are back in school, Labor Day is here, it must be time for the fall season to begin.    

Every season brings change. And while I love the fall, I’m not always thrilled with change.  Change can be uncomfortable, sad, difficult.  No one is immune to the effects of change.  

It seems life is full of constant change.  Just when you feel as though everything is working, you’ve got your routine down, something changes.

While everyone’s life is full of change, believers know that God, who never changes, is with us each step of the journey.  Romans 8:29 reminds us that through process of change we are being conformed into the image of Jesus.  And the verse just before that reminds us that even in most difficult change God is at work, making it good in our lives.

God’s plan for our life is good (Jeremiah 29:11).  Therefore, allow that change in your life to produce the growth and maturity God wants to see.  And always remember the God who never changes, who’s love never fails, will be with you even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).  This week meditate on the promise of God, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." (Hebrews 13:5)

80%

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

I recently read that 80% of people take their cell phones to bed with them.   Chances are the last thing they do at night before falling asleep or the first thing the next morning when waking up is check their messages, emails or troll Facebook or Twitter checking out the status of others lives.  At first I was shocked.  Even a bit appalled.  Then I realized I was a part of the 80%.  I had a problem.

Checking messages, emails, or social networks isn’t necessarily the problem.  There are things that deserve our attention and response.  I think the problem lies in the timing.  We are stewards of our time and attention.  As a follower of Jesus my heart and focus should on what God’s will is for any given day.  When I check messages or emails before I check with God I may be allowing others to plan and prioritize my day before I ever talk with God or look at His Word.  

Before you visit your inbox visit with God.  Trust me, that email about a 25% sale or that funny picture on Facebook can wait.  Begin and end each day on your knees in prayer and remember to keep the conversation running with God throughout the day. (1 Thess. 5:17)  Scripture teaches the principle of sowing and reaping.  When you put the right stuff in, you get the right stuff out.  Unfortunately the opposite is true as well.  Be wise.  Be disciplined.  Be focused.  You will never go wrong putting God first!

“Be My witnesses.”

“Be My witnesses.” -Jesus (Acts 1:8)

Our first mission as a church is to connect people to God.  One’s relationship with God is the most important relationship they will ever have.  It is the relationship that not only transforms this life but is the relationship that determines one’s eternal destiny.  The Bible is clear, this necessary relationship with God is only available through Jesus. (John 14:6)  Whether for the first time, or a prodigal coming back home, or in an ongoing growing relationship, our core purpose as a church is to connect people to God.

This idea of connecting people with God can also be found in our activ8 discipleship series that you can review at christianlifechurch.org and click Watch Now.  As followers of Jesus we are called to be involved in active evangelism. Some of the final words of Jesus are a command to you and me, “Be My witnesses.”  Everyone you know would be better off with God at the center of their lives.  There is not one person you know that wouldn’t benefit from having that essential relationship with God.

Next Sunday, August 26th at 6PM we will be hosting the Greg Laurie Harvest America at Christian Life.  For 22 years Greg Laurie has held crusades around the country sharing the Gospel, inviting people to connect with God, and this year he is inviting churches across America to open their doors and to bring in a live simulcast, in order to proclaim the gospel on One Day, as One Church, with One Message.  Who can you invite to this very special event?  Who in your life needs Jesus?  Take time to make a special invitation this week.

We will be hosting a picnic as well as a great kid’s event during the Harvest America Sunday.  Take time to visit the church’s website for more information and keep next weekend in prayer.  Let’s believe God for a great harvest here and across America!

Abiding and Asking

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

John 15:7

Abiding with God is a key ingredient to revival.  Want to see revival in your life?  Abide with God.  All day.  Every day.  You’ll see revival.

But something BIG happens when we abide with God.  God’s Word says when we abide with Him, “ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.”  Wow!

The other day I was planning some quality time with one of my boys.  I said we could do whatever he wanted.  I was thinking of an overnight trip to a hotel with a water park, Six Flags, perhaps a baseball game, but definitely something BIG.  His response, “Let’s go to McDonald’s.”  McDonald’s?  Don’t get me wrong, I love McDonald’s, but that’s the BIG thing you you want to do with dad?  I felt like saying, “Hey kid, it’s me, your Dad you’re talking to.  I would do anything you wanted to do.  Give you anything I could give you.”

Remember who you’re Father is when you pray.  And if you’re asking for only the “little” things ask the big question, “Do I really know my Heavenly Father?”  God is love. (1 John 4:8)  He loves you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)  As an earthly father I want to bless my children.  I want to spend time with my children.  How much more does our perfect Heavenly Father wants to bless and abide with His children? (Luke 11:13)  

Abide with God this week.  Get up on your knees.  Go to bed on your knees.  And in the meantime, keep a running conversation with God going. (1 Thess. 5:17)  Abide with God and see what He puts on your heart to ask for.

Full-Time Revival

While there aren’t a lot of verses about Caleb in the Old Testament there is a phrase which follows him throughout his life as it’s recorded in the Pentateuch... “Caleb wholly followed the Lord.”  What a statement to describe your life!  Who wouldn’t want to be a person who was said to “wholly” follow the Lord?


As we talk about revival this summer at Christian Life it is clear that revival will not be a part-time part of our life.  Revival isn’t easy.  It isn’t convenient.    Revival will be all-encompassing.  Revival will come when “all” of me wants “all” of God.


Caleb followed God when he was young AND when he was old.  Caleb followed in the wilderness AND in the Promised Land. Caleb followed God when no one else would.  Caleb wasn’t afraid of a giant or a battle. Caleb followed God with an undivided heart and never turned back no matter how long it took to see God’s promises fulfilled.  “Caleb wholly followed the Lord.”


I’ve been saying it each week, revival is not a weekend thing.  We can’t come to church, experience God in a powerful way, and then go back to life as usual during the weekdays and truly experience revival.  A divided life will never produce revival.  Our relationship with God needs be a 24/7/365 thing.  Start fresh with God again today.  Live with and for Him each and every day.  Live in such a way that when it’s all been said and done they will say of you, “________, wholly followed the Lord.”

Pray Always

D.L. Moody once said, "Every great movement of God can be traced to a single praying, kneeling figure."  There is no doubt that prayer is a key to revival.  So during this Summer of Revival at Christian Life, let me ask you, “How’s your prayer life?”  Now before you start feeling guilty or making excuses, let me give you a suggestion.  Why not start and end each day on your knees.  Literally.  When you get out of bed, get on your knees.  Before you lay down, get on your knees and pray.  What should you pray?  Pray the word...


This day belongs to the Lord!  Let's celebrate and be glad today.  We'll ask the Lord to save us!  We'll sincerely ask the Lord to let us win.

Psalm 118:24, 25 (CEV)

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. 

Matthew 6:9-13 (MSG)

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8 (ESV)

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Exodus 33:14 (ESV)

Use these prayers in the morning and evening and then throughout the day follow 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and “pray continually” with a running conversation with God.  Try it out this summer and see what happens.


Click here to listen to our most recents sermon on prayer at Christian Life Church.