Aug 17th 11
Posted by Administrator in Be a Loser
One of the most beloved American authors is Dr. Seuss. His reputation is as a renowned children’s author and illustrator; however, let all adults be honest this day – we love him, too. His words were often meant for children, but they resonate in the realm of adulthood as well.
One of his most famous poems is entitled, “Oh The Places You’ll Go.” It is a poem regarding potential (98 and ¾ guaranteed) of anyone who makes the right decisions and has the right attitude in life.
One of its portions reads:
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets.
Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say,
“I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains
and your shoes full of feet,
You’re too smart to go down
any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
You’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
You’ll head straight out of town.
Today, we are going to study one of the oldest characters in scripture, Job. He is most famous for being “stripped” of all earthly possessions and family and yet persevering with “patience” (James 5:11). Yes, Job was a man of patience. Yes, Job was a man to be greatly admired. However, today we are going to look at the character of Job from a slightly different perspective.
Today as we study Job chapters 1,2 and 42 we are going to discover that it was the people, places, and philosophies that Job either directed his life toward or against that made all the difference. We are going to be challenged to lose something – that something is “bad influences.” When we “lose” these items in life then the blessings of God are.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/i6r750uznt6hy96/081411_930am.flv
Aug 17th 11
Posted by Administrator in Be a Loser
You might be wondering to yourself, “why would anyone, much less a church, want anyone to be a ‘loser?’” Unfortunately, our cultural environment oftentimes limits the use of a term or phrase to a single entity. Admittedly, the “single” definition used for the term, Loser, is usually very derogatory and nowhere near being affirming. But, we are using the term very differently this fall.
Every one of us has something in our life that we need to lose. This fall we will journey through the annals of time via the Old Testament. This fall will be a “who’s who” of Biblical characters. As we study their lives we will be challenged to “lose” something every week.
Today we begin at the beginning – Adam and Eve. What did they need to lose? They needed to lose self-reliance. They got to the point where they believed that they could live life apart from God and the teachings and “commandments” of God. We have all been tempted at some point to believe that we know more or could do more apart from God; however John 15:5 says, “apart from me (Jesus) you can do nothing.”
If we are going to lose anything this fall: weight, debt, etc. then we have to start at the beginning. The beginning is realizing that God does know best how we need to live our lives. God does know best how to make decisions. As we study Adam and Eve today we discover if they had been a “loser” then they would not have “lost.”
Apr 19th 10
Posted by Administrator in Going Deeper
Tonight’s fifth and final report from the Team Impact Crusade is a “big bang,” but not the one you were expecting. Yes, the decisions made were phenomenal . . .
1443 in attendance tonight (app. 4500 for the 5 services)
261 salvation decisions
341 total decisions
around 100 to be baptized at next Sunday’s immerse service
But here is the “big bang.” If you were in attendance tonight you know that Team Impact incorporated me into some of the “feats.” (Yes, the video and pictures will be posted soon.) Because of my role tonight I spent the first part of the program on the stage interacting with the guys – Shonn, Sean, Chip, and Caesar.
At one point I was talking with Chip and he shared this insight. He pointed to the crowd size and mentioned how many churches they are in with a very limited number in attendance. I expressed my disbelief at his observation until he explained. He said most churches invite them to come in and expect everything, including the attendance, to just happen because they are present.
Chip then stated, “the reason we have had the results we have had this week at FBCC is because of the people of FBCC.”
The big bang is because of you.
If it had not been for you serving, cooking, cleaning, inviting, building, handing out tickets, working school assemblies, inviting people to come, getting trained as a counselor, etc., etc. then the numbers above would never had occurred.
This morning as Shonn shared in both services he mentioned that all who participate in their crusades have the ability to “be rewarded by God” for the decisions that were made. If you served in any capacity this week the decisions numbers listed above are because of God’s grace working through you and your willingness to serve.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
