I am so pumped about tonight! It’s going to be great! I love Stories & Songs nights because it allows for such a opportunity to hear from so many people that maybe we wouldn’t hear from. But tonight, I’m especially excited because you are going to hear one of the coolest stories I think I have ever heard from a student reflecting the power of prayer. I hope that you join us tonight! 7pm in the Fieldhouse. It’s going to be awesome!
I’m not sure that I’ve ever approached a Wednesday Night Service and not been pumped for it. But, this Wednesday is something different. It’s a focused attempt to focus us on His daily attempts to get us focused. Tonight, we’re going to celebrate like never before the good things in our lives. We’re going to celebrate what He has done, what He continues to do and what He is going to do in our lives.
I’m so pumped.
Here’s what you need to be thinking about:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him among the Heavenly Host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen. Amen. Amen.
What are the blessings in your life? Have you given glory and honor and praise to the ONE who deserves it? Tonight, we will take some time to do so.You should join us! And bring a friend! I like meeting new people… 
Come expecting.
Come empty.
Come ready to shout the name of Jesus. The One.
This week, I get my first crack at our current series, The Spiritual Realm. As I’m plowing through this, I’m completely blown away at the way that Paul continually preaches unity amongst the churches. It seems that this is something he constantly is revisiting when he writes to the churches and remains alive through all of his teachings. It’s worth considering in both our community of faith and the larger body of the Church.
The reality is that we all have issues with people. We all have histories and experiences that press on our hearts and our minds and affect how we see the world and the people in it. But throughout all of these tough issues, we have to remember that, as Christians, our battle, the reason that we continue to live and press against, is not against people or flesh and blood. Until we can see past the people and see them as a teammate or a potential teammate, we will continue to fight the wrong fight and, in doing so, continue to divide the Church of Jesus Christ.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12
We want to be ready. We want to see students be ready for the true battle.
Join us beginning this Sunday @ 10:45am for a new elective set on having a very open and frank discussion about what actually is in the spiritual realm. SMC 266. We’ll see you there!
I posted some thoughts back in August 2010 on Baptism here.
As I’ve been at this more and more, I’ve recognized the need for so many folks to recognize what God has done in their life. I have seen countless video after video of other churches that have celebrated on the spot confessions and baptisms. And that makes sense to me.
So often, the most common answer that I hear to the question, “Are you getting baptized” is the response, “Well, I’m just not sure that I’m ready.” And every single time, the thing that flashes through my head is, “Haven’t you already made the commitment?” See, what is so cool is that baptism is the way that God says to the world, through you, that He makes new creations out of those who choose to follow Him. It is another way to bring Glory to God.
I have always said, “Your story tells of God’s glory, if you let it.” This is one of those instances that I think it’s pretty clear in Scripture that all of His followers be baptized in water, and with the Spirit and with fire. Sure, the American Church has made being a Christian very easy, too easy at some points. But baptism is one of the things that should be easy. Baptism is simply a public recognition of the private decision between you and God.
Baptism is coming up this Easter here at NMC. I would encourage anybody who has not gotten baptized to pick up a baptism form at the Ministry Center ASAP. It’s the best experience a person can ever have.
Totally stoked about this year’s Spring Break Schedule! Check it out here:
Can’t wait for Dutch Blitz!!!!
Tomorrow night, we wrap up our focus on the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11) and the ways that God portrayed those that lived by faith. It’s going to be a great time of worship and celebration. You should come and celebrate and get focused as we head out for Spring Break! It’s a great opportunity to come together! See ya tomorrow night!
In reference to last night’s message, and Hebrews 12:1-2, this song resonated with me. Check it out:
Been engaging the idea of faith lately. It has very much challenged me in my life and even more in my ministry. I have been living in Hebrews for the last week and have been struck by this passage that my friend has introduced to me in chapter 12:
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
In so many ways, I am completely struck by the determination and devotion that is required and the focus of verse 2. “Looking to Jesus.” It begs the question: What are you looking to? Perhaps there are some good things that you are looking toward that aren’t necessarily God things? We’re going to talk more about this tonight as we continue our series, Hall of Faith. I’m pretty stoked for tonight.
Been thinking lately about a new thing I want to write on that is very near to my heart. So often, I think we get so focused on the things that are going on inside of our little world’s that we forget some of the truths about God, Jesus, His Body and the way that He has arranged certain things. It’s challenging me to think about the Body and every time that I do, I am so incredibly drawn to 1 Corinthians 12:12-30.
So, for your enjoyment, or not, really for my own enjoyment, I’m going to take things that hit me in the next few weeks and offer some things that strike me and that I find out of this passage. I’m not sure how long this is going to be, but I’m thinking that it could take me a while.
We’re going to kick this one off next week on Tuesday, so look for it in your reader or check back often if you’re interested!
GC
