Goodbye 2011- Welcome 2012!

I trust the Lord was generous to you and your family this Christmas in many ways!  He is here!! Praise His name!

This was a quiet week in the office and since we did not have a CHRISTMAS DAY service, I thought I would send you all a short update about several things.

1)    NEW YEAR’S DAY… we WILL be having a morning worship service.  It begins at 11:00am (not at 10:30am for this SUNDAY only).  Please plan to come as we WORSHIP the LORD on New Year’s Day!  We will have time of fellowship following the service… so plan to stay and visit for a while.

2)   END of the year giving.  If you are still wanting to give a gift to the LORD (an offering) for the 2011 year, we will be accepting them in the office till the end of the work day on FRIDAY.  Some money has come in already but there is still time to get in your gift(s).  God has blessed LPC in a great way this year!  We were praying to break $3,000 for MAK giving and we are just short of that at this time. ALSO,  our goal for mission giving this year was $9,000.  We are sitting at just short of $7,000 today (over $2,000 short).  If the Lord would prompt you to give to missions that would be a blessing!  In 2010, we gave $8,900 to missions.

3)   Office hours:  The office will be closed MONDAY, January 2^nd and will reopen on Tuesday for the rest of the week.  THANK YOU for blessing our staff so much over the Christmas season.  We all were overwhelmed at your generosity!

4)   All regular weekly ministries (including LifeLand)  will be postponed till the week of JANUARY 8^th.  Then we will be back to full speed ahead.

5)   Christmas Memorial  Poinsettias.  THANK you to all who donated a Poinsettia in the name of a loved one.  I know I have taken some time to pause at each one and remember them who have passed on.  Please feel free to come by the office and take your flowers home.  THANK YOU for allowing us to use them this Christmas!  They looked beautiful.

6)   RE-KIND-DLE: 2012!  We are looking forward to a week of prayer, fasting and special ministry as we begin the New Year (starts January 8^th)!  Please keep these dates protected and  in mind as we seek the LORD at the beginning of this year.

7)   THANK YOU to those who helped at the CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER.  What a beautiful gift to our community and area!  God BLESS you as you served SO faithfully on the CHRISTMAS DAY… you truly we like the WISE MEN who brought  gifts to the Christ Child.   Praise God for you!

THANK YOU for all you have done for the LORD in 2011.  It was a year of PROMISE for LPC!  We are waiting in expectation for what He has planned for us all in 2012!

To God be the glory!

the PLANE truth about Christmas Dessert Theater!

JANUARY 1st, 2012 COME Celebrate with us!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 2011

Christmas Day Dinner for 2011 Information

Spread the Word!

New Worship Internet Station

I have been listening to this web based radio station for a few days now... I am really enjoying it... Maybe you would also?

Find it here.  I pray that it is a blessing to you!

LPC's Global Missionaries

We at LifePoint support several global workers who are using their lives to serve the Lord oversees.  Here are two that we support...

One is  Cheryl Ann Johnson lives in Zambia... watch this video to learn more about her ministry.

Another is Rev. Frank M. Juelich... PLEASE go to his website and look at the Video called BEING FRANK.  Find it here.

Does Jesus fill your Thirst?

A video clip of a message from pastor John Piper...

Getting Bad News

I write a regular article for our local news paper and this was this week's contribution.  Please post your comments at the bottom of this post.
_______________________________________________________


I found out this week that Dr. Robert Buckman renowned oncologist, comedian and Star columnist died in his sleep on Sunday while flying to Toronto from London, England. He was 63. In his 39-year career as a cancer physician, Buckman wrote 14 books, including an “unauthorized autobiography” called Not Dead Yet, and produced over 45 humour-driven medical information videos.  I was listening to a radio clip of him this week as he in the early 1990’s wrote a book called How To Break Bad News: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals.  It struck me as a little odd that a book like this would have needed to be written at all.  I would have guessed that this type of information would have been given in medical school.  I am sure things have changed in today’s education.   His book turned into a seminar that was often presented. I was so interested in what he had to say because as a Pastor, there are times I have needed to bring bad news.  When doing so I was so unsure I was doing it in a right manner.  Dr. Buckman was interviewed by Stuart Foxman in July of 2007.  Here is what was said by Dr. Buckman; “Though some doctors might be more gifted at it than others, nobody likes breaking bad news.  The temperature in the room gets uncomfortable, so there’s a tendency to cut and run, or use the professional approach, and immediately talk about treatment. How can you be a supportive messenger when the message is absolutely dreadful?  That’s the challenge and the answer starts with SPIKES. You can sum it up this way: SETTING: Pick a private location. PERCEPTION: Find out how the patient views the medical situation. INVITATION: Ask whether the patient wants to know. KNOWLEDGE: Warn before dropping bad news. EMPATHY: Respond to the patient’s emotions. STRATEGY/SUMMARY: Once they know, include patients in treatment decisions.  There are two basic messages, Number one, before you tell, ask. In other words, find out where they are. Number two, every emotion that arises and erupts into the room must be acknowledged” (find the article here).   Really great advice.  

I am glad that I have one more tool in my kit as a pastor.   When bringing bad news, I can point people to the Lord.  How comforting is His Word in times of great challenge and trial.  How healing prayer can be when we join hands and talk to the Creator of all things about our situation.  I have been reading through the book of Matthew and over and over people would get bad news and then turn to God for supernatural help with their problem.  How many times you read the words that people were healed and their bad news became good news with Christ’s help. For example in Matthew Chapter 20: 32- 34, two blind men were crying out to Jesus because they were blind. The scriptures record; When Jesus heard them; he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”  “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.”  Wonderful!  With the Lord there can be great hope when bad news comes.  

We can face difficult things because God is with us in it!  May I ask you, are you serving the Lord?   Please do not wait till bad news comes before you turn to Him for help.  He wants to be your savior not only in this life but the in the life to come.

Happy Thankgiving!

From all of us at LPC! God bless you this Thanksgiving!

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7

NEW HOURS

100 DAY BIBLE READING Challenge outline

KICK OFF PANCAKE BREAKFAST

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Sunday September 11th, 2011

10:30 Morning Worship Service

11:30 am breakfast

(Pancakes, Sausage, Oranges, and beverages) 

ALL ARE WELCOME... FREE TO EVERYONE!

BRING A FRIEND(S) and join us!

Change Ahead ... an open letter to the family and friends of LifePoint Church

Hello friends and family of LifePoint Church,

Greetings in the mighty name of the LORD! I pray this finds you well in your body, emotions and in your Spirit!

After prayerful and a very honest discussion as a council this past week, we are making some significant changes in our Sunday Service format.

Following the kick off pancake breakfast Sunday (September 18^th), we will be moving up the time of the morning service to 10:30 am.  We are also eliminating the “Sunday School hour” that used to begin at 9:30am.  For those who are would like to host a LifeGroup, you are free to meet as always, but there will be no official children’s program at 9:30am.  We will now point people who are looking for children discipleship training to participate in the BG club ministry (BTW… we are looking for help with BG clubs if anyone would like to help out:).    

The service will begin at 10:30 am with announcements followed by worship together in song. When the preaching/ teaching time begins at about 11:00 am we are hoping to offer a children’s program like the one we did with Faith Case over the last two summers. This will need to be discussed with those who are willing to help lead this new kids program.  It is our goal to have the morning service wrapping up by 11:40am to give us all time for relational connecting as well as time for people who would like to join a POST Service LifeGroup to get to their gathering.  More information will be given on what groups are going to be offered in the near future.  

One more addition to our Sunday AM will the invitation to an ALL CHURCH           PRE- SERVICE PRAYER and WORSHIP time in the main hall beginning at 10:10am.  Prayer is vital to God moving in our service, and in our lives, and we want to give you opportunity to come together to pray every SUNDAY.  Brenda Bowman is meeting with LPC’s greeters very soon to help with equipping them for the new change to our service.  

This is a significant change for everyone and one we pray will help us achieve the mission we have as Christ Followers both as a church family and all of us personally.   REMEMBER…THIS CHANGE BEGINS SEPT 18th

Please let myself or any of the council know your thoughts or concerns as YOUR opinion matters to us!

May the Lord help us and bless us as we make these changes!  Let all of us keep walking by Faith!

Pastor Kevin

RIPE FOR HARVEST

In the last two days I have spoken to two farming people who are already into full harvest mode! It seemed like yesterday people were just planting and already the plants have grown and matured and now are ready to be brought in from the fields.  It never ever ceases to amaze me at how this miraculous pattern repeats itself each year.  People plant something in spring and in a few short months it has become ready to be harvested.  Did you know that the Bible is full of harvest metaphors?  Jesus says in John 4:35 “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” St Paul gives us these great and encouraging words; “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9)  James, the brother of Jesus says; “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18).  The verses in Hebrews (12:11) are words that have been on my heart a lot these days. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  God’s word regularly and gently reminds, even warns all people that everyday we are also in the planting and harvesting business. No, it may not be crops we are planting and harvesting but behavior, actions, character and attitudes.  The really important things of who a person is.  Paul says to the Galatian people “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”  Such a similar idea to what was said to the Hebrew people.  That if we allow discipline when it comes into our lives and submit to it, we will reap “righteousness and peace”.  Righteousness basically means that we will live “properly” or with correct behavior.   Unrighteous acting usually gets us into trouble of all kinds and does not bring much peace or joy.   We see everyday examples of people who are deeply affected by the unrighteous actions of others as well as the guilt that comes from our own poor choices. Yet we can daily affect our actions by what we are “sowing” or planting into our lives.  Paul says that if we sow to please our sinful nature our harvest will be destruction.  So are you taking stock of what you are planting into your life on a daily basis? Are you noticing what you are sowing into the people around you (friends and family?).  Please know that this truth is a life truth and even if you are not or do not choose to be a follower of Christ it is still true.  Guard what you are planting into your life and of those who you know and love.  Those little seeds of life or of death will have profound affect on whom you will become as you age.  One more thing, even thought the principle of planting and harvesting is true if you follow Christ or not, the LORD has promised His powerful help to us if we want to plant good seed!  In fact He sent His Spirit to us, if we want it, to product a harvest of amazing things… love, joy, peace and much more (Gal. 5:22).  If that is the harvest you want for your life, take a minute right now and ask for His help.  He has promised to answer you when you speak to him.  So as you see the harvest come in from the fields this fall, remember to think of the harvest that will be produced from your life and plant with care.     

BG clubs RETURN for fall 2011!

REACHING PEOPLE FOR JESUS

 Jesus told His disciples that they could not do anything but wait till His Spirit came to make them powerful witnesses for Jesus (Acts 1:8).


When His spirit came (Acts 2) the first thing they did publicly was to boldly witness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  To this 3000 people responded to this good news and were saved!


We must never forget that as Spirit filled people, witnessing of Christ as our savior, healer, delivery and baptizer and soon coming King, is core to who we are!

For years Billy Graham's every breath was given to letting people know of Christ's call to become followers of Him.  The organization that bares his name,  is still passionate to reach people but are doing it in a whole new way.

Here is a tool that you can use to point people to Jesus today on the internet.  THe web page is called /http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/.

You can learn about it's purpose here ( http://www.billygraham.org/specialsections/searchforjesus/search-for-jesus.asp).

Let us use tools like this, with prayer and with the Spirit's powerful help, to point people to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! 

DEFENDING our faith

I have been watching Dr. Bobby Conway, who is the lead pastor at Life Fellowship Church

on YouTube.

With so many that are seeming to turning away from faith or watering it down, it is refreshing to hear an younger guy defend, intelligently our Christian belief.  On his website "one minute apologist" covers, in a short time frame (longer than a minute) he covers lots of topics and give lots of great answers to questions people have about the Lord.  

Our faith is to be shared!  God give us the mission to share the Gospel with people!  He even sent His Spirit to help us in the task (Acts 1 & 2).                                                                  On Dr. Bobby's website, there is lots of good and helpful material for you to watch to get better at the joyful task of sharing Christ with others.... 

Watch it here...

Happy Father's Day!

Hello everyone,
Durring my message yesterday I read a Tim Hawkins song.
"These are the things you don't say to your wife"

It is way better to listen to him sing it than it is to read it.
So have a listen and take his advice....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK2OakMoW_c

(PS anyone know where I can get another copy of my wedding video... ha!)

VIDEO worth watching

We at LPC have been a long time supporter of Frank Juelich, loooong time global worker to India....

He has revamped his website and there is a video that is a MUCH watch on it....

FIND it here!
Wonderful!


http://www.premsewa.org/

WHICH ONE ARE YOU??

too true..
taken from
http://www.cartoonchurch.com

It's Friday... Sundays comin!!

 Watch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRiIpsbJW8o&feature=related

PASSION WEEK - A time line...

Friday Evening--Six days before the Passover, Mary (sister of Lazarus)
anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume (John 12:2-11).

Saturday. Jesus keeps the Sabbath in the traditional fashion with His friends.

 PALM Sunday. The Triumphal Entry ( Mt. 21; Mk. 11; Lk. 19; Jn. 12). Jesus rides triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling an ancient
prophecy (Zech. 9:9). The people welcome Him with "Hosanna" and the
words of Psalm 118:25-26. Jesus, at this moment is officially presenting Himself to the nation as the
Messiah. This date according to the Jewish calendar, was Nisan 10, the
day pilgrims presented their paschal lambs for examination.

Monday. Cleansing of the Temple (Mt.21; Mk.11; Lk.19).
On this day Jesus returns to Jerusalem (He spends each night in Bethany). On
the way He curses the fig-tree, a highly symbolic act. He then enters the
Temple and chases out the corrupt money-changers. This shows His Messianic
authority (My Father's House) and fulfills another prophecy that implies the
Messiah will appear there suddenly and take possession of it. (See Mal. 3:1).
They then return to Bethany. On the way home they see the withered fig-tree.

Tuesday. The Day of Controversy and Teaching in Parables.
On this day Jesus personally confronts the authorities and defends His claims
to be the Messiah. The occasion for their questions was His violent action the
previous day. Mark's gospel gives the most detailed account (Mk. 11:27-
13:37). The day ends with Jesus pronouncing a curse on the city and
announcing that the Kingdom will be taken away from the nation (explains the
significance of the cursed fig-tree). See Matt. 23. On the return to Bethany the
Disciples are loaded with questions. Jesus stops at the Mount of Olives
overlooking the temple, and gives the Olivet Discourse. See Matt. 24,25;
Lk.21:5ff. The Olivet Discourse is a detailed prophecy largely about the
coming destruction Jerusalem and the temple due to the rejection of Jesus as
Messiah by the Jewish authorities.

Wednesday. The Silent Day.
After an exhausting day of controversy, Jesus more than likely spends this day
resting and visiting with His intimate friends.

Thursday. Day of Preparation and Passover in the Evening.
On this day (and perhaps on the previous day) preparation is made for the
Passover. Judas may have also utilized this time for his betrayal (Matt.
26:1-5; 14-16; 17-19).
The Passover is celebrated on Thursday evening (Friday by Jewish
reckoning) in an upper room. Tradition has it that it was owned by Mark's
parents. At the end of the Jewish feast, Jesus institutes the Last Supper
(Matt. 14:12-26; Lk. 22:17-23).
 The Last Supper is followed by the Upper Room Discourse (Jn. 13-17).
Sometime in the evening, after the Passover, Jesus and His disciples leave
the Upper Room and go to Gethsemane, a place near the Mt. of Olives
where it was a custom for Jesus to Pray (Matt. 26:36-460).
While in the Garden, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested by the temple
guards (Jn. 18:2-12).
The Trials begin. Before dawn Jesus is tried twice before Annas and then
Caiaphas. Everything about these trials is illegal.

Friday. Trials, Crucifixion, Death, and Burial.
Jesus' third trial is held early in the morning before the Sanhedrin. The
first three trials were before the religious authorities where He is found
guilty.   Jesus is then taken before Pilate (the fourth trial) where He is found
innocent. He is subsequently taken to Herod who also finds Him innocent
(the fifth), and then back to Pilate who again finds Him innocent (the
sixth) but relents under pressure, perhaps fearing an uprising.. He notes
on the sign on the cross that His crime was being the King of the Jews. He
probably did this to avoid trouble with Rome (No king but Caesar).
About 9:00 AM. Jesus is crucified on a hill called The Skull outside the
city. While we cannot know for certain it is likely that this is the site
where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Issac. At noon, the sky
becomes dark, either due to supernatural darkness or because of an eclipse.
In either case, the darkness is highly symbolic of the Father turning His
back on the one He had earlier called My beloved son. During that time
the Savior experienced hell for us. Hell is to be utterly forsaken by God.
At 3:00 PM Jesus utters the most important words to believers when he
cries with a loud voice: It is finished. The phrase literally means Paid in
full The spotless Son of God became sin for us! Isa. 53:5,6. Jesus gives
up His life and fulfills the typology of the Passover Lamb at exactly the
time the lambs were being slaughtered in the Temple. The veil is rent in
the Temple (Mk. 15:38). Jesus was on the cross 6 hours.
Jesus is laid in Joseph's tomb before the Sabbath began at sunset, or
around 6:00 PM.

Saturday. Jesus' body lies in the tomb. After 6:00 PM the Sabbath is over and
His body is treated with spices ( Mk. 16:1).

now... we wait for SUNDAY!!

How to Pray for an Unsaved Loved One

Here is an article from Kenneth Copeland on praying for a unsaved loved on.  What do you think of His comments?  Do you agree with him?  Even if you do not, PRAYING for those who we love is VITAL to their becoming a person of faith in Christ.

Bless you today!

______________________

People often get discouraged when praying for the salvation of loved ones and begin to wonder if their prayers ever really help. Well, guess what? Yes! Your prayers can be a powerful force in the lives of your unsaved relatives and friends if you know how to pray for them according to the wisdom and Word of God.

The problem is that most Christians don’t know how to pray with skill. They just throw prayers in every direction and hope something comes of it. That’s especially true when it comes to praying for the lost. It’s not uncommon to see believers praying for friends or loved ones to get saved for 20, 30 or even 40 years without results.

What exactly are these people praying? It usually boils down to something like this: “Oh, God, please save my brother. He needs to be saved.” (Don’t you think God knows he needs saving?) Then they might go a step further and start rehearsing their brother’s sins: “Lord, he got drunk again last night and we had to bail him out of jail again. If You don’t save him, he’s going to drive us all crazy!”
That may sound funny—the example is a little extreme to make a point—but many of us have prayed prayers that sounded something like that.

What we haven’t understood is this: There’s nothing wrong with your unsaved loved one (or any other unsaved person) except the devil. No human being who truly understood the salvation Jesus has offered to us would reject that salvation of his own free will. No one!
Why, then, are so many people sill unsaved? II Corinthians 4:4 tells us it is because “the god of this world [the devil] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Once you realize it’s the devil (not your loved one) who’s the real problem, your first prayer step becomes clear. You must get the devil out of your loved one’s way.
As Jesus said, “How can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?” (Matthew 12:29). You can’t! So bind him.

Say, “You spirit operating in the life of my loved one, blinding ________ to the gospel to keep ________ out of the kingdom of God, I bind you now. I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. I carry His authority and righteousness, and in His Name I command you to desist in your maneuvers. I spoil your house according to the Word of God and I enter into it to deliver my loved one from your hands.”

Now, you may not be able to cast that devil entirely out of the situation, because your loved one may invite him back in faster than you can cast him out. But you can bind that spirit and keep it bound. It may keep you busy for a while, but you can do it.
You’ll find your next prayer step in Matthew 9:37-38. There, Jesus was looking out at the multitudes who needed ministry and He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
It’s the Word of God that brings faith for salvation: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). So you need to see to it that the Word gets into your loved one’s heart.
“How?” you say, “My loved one won’t listen to me!”
Probably not, but God knows who your loved one will listen to, and He’ll send that person halfway around the world to talk to your loved one if necessary.

So pray to the Lord of the harvest: “Father, I’m asking You to send laborers across ________’s path, laborers who are equipped with the Word of God about salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, healing and deliverance. Send laborers who can communicate effectively with ________ so Your Word can reach his/her heart.”

Once you’ve prayed for your loved one like that, from then on, put your faith in action by treating your loved one like he’s/she’s saved. Don’t treat your loved one like he’s/she’s not good. On the contrary, every time you see your loved one, say, “Praise God! Isn’t it good to know Jesus?” Then just stand back and watch how things change. You’ll be amazed.
It’s happened many times. And it can happen that way for you and your loved one. So don’t give up. Get smart! Start praying according to the Word and praying by faith…and you will see the salvation of the Lord!

Here is a sample prayer for your unsaved loved ones. As you speak God’s Word, remember that it will not return to Him void. It will prosper in the thing whereto it is sent (Isaiah 55:11):
“Father, I come before You in prayer and in faith, believing. Your Word says You desire all men to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth, so I bring ________ before You this day.
“I break the power of Satan from his assignments and activities in ________’s life in the Name of Jesus. Now, while Satan is bound, I ask that You send forth the perfect laborers to share the good news of the gospel in such a way that ________ will listen and understand it. As the truth is ministered, I believe ________ will open his/her eyes to the gospel, come out of the snare of the devil and make Jesus Lord.

“Father, I ask that You fill ________ with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. As I intercede in his/her behalf, I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is activated, and from this moment on, I shall praise and thank You for ________’s salvation. I am confident that You are alert and active, watching over Your Word to perform it. It will not return to You void. It will accomplish that which You please and prosper in the thing whereto it was sent.

“Therefore, my confession of faith is: ‘God has begun a good work in ________’s life and He will perform it and bring it to full completion until the day of Jesus Christ, in Jesus’ Name.’”

Christian Kids Club! BG CLUBS!!

NEW SONG FOR SUNDAY

Listen to this new song for Sunday called "Because Of Your Love"  Paul Baloche.
Listen to it HERE...

2010 TOP 10 NEW worship songs

Hello everyone.

On the worshiptogether.com website they have listed the top 10 new worship songs of 2010.  Please have a listen to them (below) and let me know if you would like to do some (or all) at LPC?
http://blog.worshiptogether.com/worshiptogether/2010/12/top-new-worship-songs-for-2010.html

They write… “This past year has been a wonderful one for the Worship Together crew. We launched our brand new site, added Hillsong Church as a new partner, hosted our own conference and introduced you to more new songs in 52 weeks than ever before.

To celebrate we've put together a list of the Top 10, most viewed, songs we have added to the site over the past year. You can listen, download Free Sheet Music and watch a New Song Cafe video for most of these exceptional new worship songs that are being sung in churches around the world!”

Praying for you!
-PK

Our God // Chris Tomlin

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

I Will Follow // Chris Tomlin

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

Restless // Audrey Assad & Matt Maher

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

All To Us // Chris Tomlin

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

We Cry Out // Jeremy Camp

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

Forever Reign // Hillsong LIVE

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

Joyful (The One Who Saves) // Brenton Brown

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

Majesty Of Heaven // Chris Tomlin

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

Our God Is Love // Hillsong LIVE

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

Now Unto The One // Evan Wickham

Listen | Lyrics | Free Lead Sheet

“Just Words”

A few weeks ago (January 20^th) was 50 years since USA president, John F. Kennedy gave, what some say, was the greatest inaugural address of all time. 

Do you remember what he said? How about some of it? Maybe you are too young to have heard it live but most people have heard it and even some of His sentences still ring in our ears today. 

Sentences like “…a new world of law -- where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.”  Or “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”  But the most famous words are “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”  

Great words!  Words that stirred a nation and still move people deeply 50 years after they were spoken.  Words can do that.  People who have the gift of putting words together can start a fire in a man soul that will never go out!   

Think of how Martin Luther King, Jr grabbed the attention of the world with the words “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."  

President Abraham Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg address said "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” 

England Prime Minister Winston Churchill said in His first speech to the House of Commons  “I hope that any of my friends and colleagues, or former colleagues, who are affected by the political reconstruction, will make allowance, all allowance, for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act. I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."  

Yet none of their words, as amazing as they were, compare to the words of Jesus Christ.  Words like “for God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son” and “Yes I am with you always, until the very end of time.” Jesus also said “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”   How about these words that have often crossed my mind, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?”   

These words of Jesus, and many others, though spoken over 2000 years ago still, to this day, have changed more lives, comforted more people and given more courage than any other words ever spoken.  Surely these must be more than the words of a mere man?  I think they are!  I believe Jesus was much more than just a man who had a gift of putting words together.  I believe that he was who he claimed to be… God Almighty!  

Let me ask you, have you ever read His words?  If yes, how about lately?   If not why not commit yourself to reading the words Jesus said more often in this year.  You, like so many other people in the past and to this day, may find your life completely changed as you do.  His words can do that! They have changed my life and still deeply affect me.   I pray that you will read them and read them often and that they will speak and challenge you as much as they have for so many others for so many years! 

A YEAR OF PROMISE

2011 is a year of promise for LPC!

As much as you and I have failed and have been failed by others who have made promises this is not something that God has ever done… he is the one true promise maker and promise keeper…

In fact understanding the relationship and the role that  God’s promises have in our lives as His follower is very important.  Have you ever noticed how promises and God are SO connected so interwoven?  

Soon into the story of the first people in Genesis Chapter three we read a the first promise of God.  The first promise of God was soon after Adam and Eve who rebelled against their Creator, God in His grace, even as He pronounced judgment, spoke also of grace and deliverance for them.

To the Tempter, God said: “I will put enmity (a feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism )between you (the snake the devel)  and the woman, and between your  seed (kids) and her seed (kids) he will crush your head,   and you will strike his heel (Genesis 3:15).

There is the first promise of GOD… that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent… it would take 1000 s of years for that promise to be kept… but it was kept.  

A few pages later in the Bible we see God making a “Covenant” (is a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action) to Noah.  Then a few pages after that we see another promise that God makes to an old man named Abram.  On and On as we read the Bible we see God promising many things to people;
*To David that he would be king…
* To Joshua that he would conquer a new land
* To the people of Israel he promised provision
* To kings he promised judgment
* To those in exile he promised deliverance
* To those dying he promised heaven
* To those heavy burdened by sin… He promised to take their burden away.

Yes, God and promises are very connected, and it is VERY important for us as followers to understand this connection as it has great implications to our following Christ.  This year, 2011 we want to learn and know what God has promised and how those promises are to be viewed and understood. As we learn or review what they are we pray that God, by His Spirit in us will continue to deeply affect us and cause even a greater desire in us to share His promises to everyone, anywhere, who will listen.

So memorize the theme verse then come join us on Sundays as we worship this promise making God!