THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT EARNING TRUST

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Why I LOVE the Organized Institution of the Church

So many people today hate organized religion, and for many years I would have joined them. I've stated that we're not about religion but relationship. The organized church has certainly earned their hypocritical, corrupt reputation. Not all of them, mind you, just a few that spoil the whole bunch.

But the Church is the hope of the world. She is the conduit of God's Gospel and Grace to all mankind, and God loves His Church, the Bride and Body of Christ. And the LOCAL church is the "first name" of the Church. It's how people know who Jesus is and how His followers live and love. The local church is the hope of a community and neighborhood. While others depend on government, look to bailouts, or settle into despair, the local church rises as a beacon of hope and compassion.

PRAY for the LOCAL Church. Pray for Lifehouse and our Network churches.

Paul states, "since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you..." Col 1:9, NIV.

Let's be found faithful in praying for the local church, our family of God in the faith. Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians, sharing his love for them and the demonstration of that love in prayer.

How did Paul pray for the church?

• Thanksgiving- in Col 1:3,12, Paul says that he "always thank God" for the local church in Colosse. Take time to thank God for your church, her pastors, and for your community of faith.
• God's Will- next, in v.9, Paul says that he prays that they "may be filled with the knowledge" of God's will and with spiritual understanding. Pray for God's will over your church, and for God to guide the leadership with His vision through spiritual wisdom.
• Pleasing and fruitful- in v.6 & 10, Paul's prayer is so that they would please God and be fruitful. That is an important balance- both do what is right and pleasing to God AND be fruitful. If either are missing, then the church is unhealthy and missing her mission. Pray that your local church is FRUITFUL in reaching and discipling the unchurched.
• Strengthened- Paul's prayer, in Col. 1:11, is that the church would be strengthened through God's power with patience in joy! Wow! Pray that over your church and leadership! 

Please join Lifehouse Church today, during this season of fasting and prayer, in praying for us, the churches within our Network, and for your local church.

Themes for this week of Fasting & Prayer

Themes for fasting and prayer.

Day 1 - Emphasis in prayer (for LHCE team- Monday, August 29th)
As we begin this week of fasting and prayer, I want to invite you to first focus your prayer and attention on your personal relationship with God.

Take time today to pray, fast, repent, and examine your heart before God. Allow God to encourage you as well as expose any areas in your heart and life that are not in alignment with His Word.

Ask: how “red hot” is my love for God?

Ask in prayer: “God, what areas of my heart are not right with You? Are there hidden, unconfessed sins? Reveal any attitudes or thoughts that I need to repent of or invite You to change.”

May Psalm 15 reflect our prayer for holiness and Psalm 51 for forgiveness.

As I prepared to take the bold step into both pastoral ministry and marriage (within 2 weeks of each other), I had one overriding concern. While I knew my heart was right, I worried that someday I would change and fail. I had read Psalm 26, where David states,

“I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.”

While not quite as confident as David, I certainly felt that my heart and conscience were right before God. My fear? That there would be a Psalm 51 in my life, where David repents for the sin of adultery and murder,

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

How could David have fallen so far, and how could I be confident that I would fall as well? My conclusion and peace are found in a few simple thoughts:

1. Deal with today. I was worried about what might happen 5, 10, or even 20 years later. Ten years from now is only 365x10 TODAYS. Do right TODAY. Stay pure and right with God TODAY! Shrug off sin and embrace holiness TODAY!
2. Keep a short list with God- repent daily. Uproot even the slightest sinful thought, attitude, or desire. Go to bed with a clear conscience each day. Pray, confess, and allow God to cleanse our hearts.
3. Stay Accountable! There are areas of temptation and sin that are bigger that I should wrestle with on my own in the privacy of my personal prayer life. For those areas, it’s important to have an accountable relationship with someone of the same sex who has spiritual maturity and a similar responsibility within ministry. Today would be a great day to initiate an accountability relationship with someone you deeply trust.
   

Day 2 - Emphasis in prayer: our leadership team and for the development of new leaders, (for LHCE team- Tuesday, August 30th)

• Pray for pastoral and ministry leaders, elders, business management team, staff,
• Pray for our leaders protection, over their marriages, children, and private life.
• Pray that God guards them from temptation and sin and keeps them from the strategies of the enemy,
• Pray for God’s blessing over our leaders- spiritual renewal, financial peace and provision, and strength,
• Pray for fresh anointing and wisdom- to lead well, be bold, and lead with creativity and imagination.
  

Day 3- Emphasis in Prayer: Unity of vision and growth in relationships among Lifehouse, (for LHCE team- Wednesday, August 31st)

• as Lifehouse grows and continues to reach new people- especially the unchurched and de-churched, it is critical that people are connected to each other in relationship and that the unique vision of Lifehouse is guarded and preserved,
• Pray for people to get connected into Life groups as they kick-off on 9/11,
• Pray for those who are on the fringe or feel marginalized, that they would build friendship and grow in a “family of friends.”
• Pray that our leadership will effectively cast the vision of Lifehouse and, most importantly, the Cause of Christ to all new leaders and to Lifehouse broadly,
• Pray for Unity in the Spirit among all that call Lifehouse home. Pray against differing agendas or philosophies of ministry among our team and those being developed into leadership,
  

Day 4- Emphasis in Prayer: Kingdom of God to be advanced through the salvation/ discipling of the unchurched/ de-churched/ and un-reached. (for LHCE team- Thursday, September 1st)

• pray for effective, fruitful outreach and evangelism efforts through Lifehouse,
• pray that our marketing will be fruitful as a tool of evangelism and a means of reaching those that we could otherwise not reach,
• pray for SOULS to be saved through the impact of Lifehouse and the Church of this region,
• pray for the hearts of those who are NOT yet serving Christ to be open and receptive to the Gospel,
• pray for ALL Lifehousers to be BOLD witnesses of Jesus and to be actively sharing/ showing their faith within their community of influence (to be missionaries),
  

Day 5- Emphasis in Prayer: Fruitfulness in THE Church (for LHCE team- Friday, September 2nd)

• Pray over The Church of Hagerstown- unity, increase in God’s Kingdom over this entire region through the united church,
• Pray for a decrease in the competitive spirit of pastors through this region and an increase in cooperation and prayer,
• Pray for Hagerstown Convoy of Hope- volunteers, finances, prayer,
• Pray for Lifehouse Network- Hedgesville, Shenandoah, Sykesville, Bethel, West AND the other church plants that we support- Restore Church (Jess Bousa), Missio Dei (Jeff Saferite), Experience Life Church (Jeff Miller), Exponential Church (Gil Thurston).
• Pray for our missionaries through the US and world- for protection and open doors to be Bold witnesses of Jesus and to effectively train leaders and pastors to advance church planting efforts.
  

Thank you for your prayers and commitment to fasting.
--
Fired up,
-Patrick Grach
www.barenakedfaith.blogspot.com
www.lifehousechurcheast.org
www.twitter.com/patrickgrach

Enjoy the journey

As Americans, as leaders- we're results-oriented. I'm guilty. Too often, I allow my emotions, attitude, and happiness to rise and fall based on the results that I get or see. I want instant results in church, in other people's lives, in ministry, in preaching, and even in myself.

But that's not how we were designed nor how ministry life works. I (and we) need to learn to enjoy the journey. It's not about arriving but embracing each moment. Wise elders have spoken these words into many parents, and Laura and I have taken it to heart,

"Don't wish away the moments when you're kids are young, even if it's difficult and you're tired."

"Don't complain about the fingerprints on the windows- someday they won't be there and you'll wish they were."

Similar sentiments can be share about ministry:

Enjoy the journey- the hardships, the difficulties, the moments without. They make us appreciate the moments of victory and laughter and enjoyment.

Enjoy the climb up, the view is more satisfying and meaningful if it costs you.

In pastoring and serving people:

Enjoy conversations, love people, embrace moments of prayer and meaningful leadership development. Don't wait for them to arrive at a destination, it's about the journey.

Don't live to arrive at a desired destination, trust me there are no summits.

Every summit just reveals the next. So, if you're living to reach a point in life or ministry, and don't enjoy the journey, you'll waste precious moments and loose valuable memories.

God has given you TODAY. Embrace it. Enjoy the journey- the views, every person, each challenge, every obstacle, valley, and mountaintop.

My early morning prayer

Sometimes it best for me to use psalms or songs as my personal prayer. Here was my prayer this morning, "Surrender" by Lincoln Brewster:

I'm giving You my heart/ All that is within
I lay it all down/ For the sake of You my King
I'm giving You my dreams/ Laying down my rights
I'm giving up my pride/ For the promise of new life

And I Surrender/ All to You, all to You

I'm singing You this song/ I'm waiting at the Cross
All the world holds dear/ I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You/ For the glory of Your name
To know the lasting joy/ Even sharing in Your pain

Kick-off of Newest Sermon Series - DOORS

Check out our trailer for DOORS, a new sermon series going through the First Letter to the Corinthians.

This series examines who the gospel changes everything! Hear who the good news of Jesus goes through the various doors that we so often keep God out of. Here are the overview pages of the study guide.

How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 6

Finishing up this series on how the enemy attacks those who follow God and His purposes, we examine the final plot against Nehemiah, as He works to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

First, let's recap the previous plots:

1. The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.

2. His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.

3. If these fail, he'll come at you with threats and discouragement (which both lead to weariness).
4. The next set of attacks are internal. They are Selfishness and Strife.
5. When we are faithful and become strong, the enemy comes at us with Seduction and Slander.

Nehemiah 6:10-14 tells the story of the enemies' final attacks against Nehemiah, as he works to complete the "great work" of God. These strategies are the late-stage, final attempt of the enemy to destroy God's work in and through our lives. He knows that if these attacks fail, we will stay the course, complete the work of God, and God's purposes will prevail. These are desperate times for Satan, which call for desperate measures. At this point, he pulls out the stops, and uses anything and anyone to destroy us.

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” Nehemiah 6:10, NIV.

The enemy of God, so also an enemy of Nehemiah, hires a friend to betray and try to intimidate him. Shemaiah locks himself in his house as a ruse of his own personal fear for life, and ask for Nehemiah to come. Then, he gives a false report and tries to get Nehemiah to betray his convictions and Cause, and in fear, cower from finishing the work of God.

There's the enemies tactic:

• betrayal- use those close to us to lie and bear a false message,
• intimidation- the message of the betrayal is intended to intimidate us away from following Jesus and doing the work of God,
• betrayal of the Cause and convictions- personal betrayal with an intimidating message can lead to internal betrayal of our own values, convictions, and betrayal of the Cause of Christ.

How did Nehemiah respond?

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” 12 I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me. Nehemiah 6:11-14, NIV.

The antidote to Betrayal and Intimidation from the narrative and response of Nehemiah:

• Recognize our position- "should a man like me...?" If Christ is in us (Gal 2:20) and for us, then who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)? We are bought by Christ through faith in the cross and His resurrection (1 Pe 1:18-19), and empowered by His Spirit (Acts 1:8). Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). We are more than conquerers through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37). Convinced that Jesus-followers should not run away from intimidating reports? Good!
• Be Selfless- "should one like me go into the temple to save his life?" Nehemiah recognized a critical element about serving God and HIS Cause- it's not about ME! The Cause is about God and His Kingdom. Our suffering, even death, is not necessarily bad, and it is not our place to attempt to preserve or protect our own life. We are workman and servants of God. We do His bidding and will. He is responsible for our protection and He will accomplish His work in and through us.
• Discern the lies- "I realized that God had not sent him..." Nehemiah quickly recognized that fear and quitting are NOT from God, therefore, Shemaiah must be a false witness hired to betray. When someone says something that stirs fear and it makes you feel intimidated away from following God and His purposes, this is NOT from God BUT from the enemy!
• Don't betray the Cause or Convictions- the enemy will use anything or one to betray and intimidate us away from following God and His purposes. Anything or anyone that tries to get you to hide from your calling or God's purposes through your life is being used by the enemy. They are sent to intimidate you from staying the course and fulfilling God's purposes. Cause and Conviction are absolutes in our lives. We must never flatter or shrink from our faithfulness to sharing and showing God's love and communicate the hope of the gospel.
• Hide in God's presence- the one irony of this strategy, was that Shemaiah tried to get Nehemiah to cower in fear by running into the temple of God. While it would have been fear that motivated Nehemiah to physically hide in the temple, Nehemiah did follow that guidance. He fell headlong before God's presence and hide himself under the safety, wisdom, and courage of God. Instead of running for our lives from God, run to God. Run into the shelter of His love, power, and presence.

How is the enemy trying to intimidate you? What is he using in your own life or relationships to betray you away from following God's plan for your life?


Fired up,
-Pastor Patrick
www.lifehousechurcheast.org

How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 4

If you follow God and His purposes, then you will be opposed by God's enemies (Ephesians 6). These spiritual attacks can be both internal and external. I've been walking through Ezra and Nehemiah, pointing out the plots/ strategies of the enemy AND the antidote from God through the life of Ezra and Nehemiah to combat those plots.

Here's a brief overview of the previous plots with links to those blogposts:

1. The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.

2. His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.

3. If these fail, he'll come at you with threats and discouragement (which both lead to weariness).

In Nehemiah, the next strategy to rob God's people of living their purpose didn't come from the obvious enemy (Sanballat and Tobiah) but from within their own community.

This plot from the real enemy, not the obvious one is Selfishness and Strife.

Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers... "Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.” Nehemiah 5:1,4, NIV.

The real enemy of God, the devil, stirred up strife among the people, because of the selfishness of a few. The wealthy were taking advantage of the poorer, and this caused tremendous disunity among all the Jewish people, who were trying to work together in "this great work".

It's really hard to stay focused on following Jesus and serving His purposes for our life if we are angry with other Jesus-followers, feel taken advantage of, and are not serving in unity with the larger body of Christ. Secondly, if our motivation is pride and selfishness, this will stir up strife among other Jesus-followers, who are serving with pure and selfless hearts.

When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. 7 I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them... “What you are doing is not right.” (Ne 5:6-7, 9).

Nehemiah didn't react in haste or overact, but in wisdom, immediately dealt with the conflict and corrected those who were wrong. To overcome this attack of the enemy, we must:

• deal with conflict quickly. 
• confront, correct, and challenge selfishness and pride. 

Why is this so critical?

“Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?” (Ne 5:9). Nehemiah states that the fear of God is the antidote to selfishness and pride among God-followers.
“I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them—the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil.” (Ne 5:10-11).

Finally, Nehemiah models, then challenges them in generosity. Generous giving is the antidote to selfishness.

How do we overcome the plot of selfishness and strife:

• deal with conflict quickly,
• confront and repent of selfishness and pride,
• guard the testimony of God among and within the Church,
• Give generously to overcome selfishness.

How are selfishness and pride sabotaging God's purposes in your life? What conflict do you need to deal with quickly? What sin do you need to repent of? Where can you begin to give generously?

How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 3

Jesus-followers are in a very real battle, not against people or politics, but against the enemies of God (Ephesians 6). If you follow God and His purposes, then you will be opposed by God's enemies.

The principles of how these enemies attacks and the antidote to those plots are found in Ezra and Nehemiah, which Lifehouse studied in January, as we went through the Unquenchable Series (subscribe to our podcasts). Here are a series a lessons about spiritual battle, that I didn't cover in that sermon series.

1. The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.
2. His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.

When these attacks fail, the enemy comes at you with threats, discouragement, and weariness.

His goal is to leverage your exhaustion and fear against you -  to get you to quit without actually having to go to battle. Read Nehemiah 4, where the enemies are strategizing in anger,

“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."
Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” Nehemiah 4:8–12, NIV.

The enemies threatened the Jewish people from the outside, and stirred up fear. In the midst of the threats, the people were already growing tired and discouraged.

When you are faithful to doing God's work and obedient to His purposes in your life, guess what? You get TIRED and DISCOURAGED and face THREATS! The enemies of God don't want you to follow God, and they certainly don't want you serving Him and building His Kingdom.

So, what do we do when we get weary, discouraged, and face threats?

"I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” 
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. Nehemiah 4:14–15, NIV.

Nehemiah rallied the people and encouraged them to muster their strength. How?

• He reminded them that GOD IS FOR US! And if God is for us, who can be against us? See verse 20, Nehemiah states, "God will fight for us!" Awesome!
• Then, he challenged them to NOT be AFRAID. If God is on our side, whom shall we fear?
• Then, he challenged them to BE on GUARD. While working for God, we must guard our hearts and recognize that the enemy is constantly strategizing to destroy us.

See how the enemy uses both external and internal strategies?

• Threats from outside, 
• Fear, discouragement, and weariness from inside. 

Finally, Nehemiah was able to recognize the enemy! We have both an external and internal battle. We must fight on both fronts- outward threats and internal fear and discouragement.

In the face of these strategies:

1. Recognize the enemy- both external and internal.
2. Rely on God, He will fight for you and don't be afraid.
3. Rally your strength.
4. Be resilient- stay the course and keep working.

How is the enemy trying to threaten you to quit, while victory is so close at hand?

How is the enemy using your own emotions of fear and discouragement to weary you? 

Where do you need to stay the course?

How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 2

When you are obedient to God and His purposes, then you are also in opposition to God's enemies and those that the enemy uses to strategizes against God's Kingdom. Great! It's assured by Jesus in the Bible that Christian will face persecution, hardship, and attack. Satan will oppose us when we pursuing God and build His Kingdom. The principles of how the enemy attacks and the antidote to those plots are found in Ezra and Nehemiah, which Lifehouse studied in January.

The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.

His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.

When friendliness and flattery don't work to slow you down or stop God's work in your life, then expect mocking and insults.

Here's some humor to illustrate this second plot of the enemy.



Now, for a less sacrilegious example straight from the Bible,


When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 4:1-3, NIV.

Do you notice the patter when you read? Sanballat and Tobiah were angry, so they ridiculed the people, mocked Nehemiah, and made fun of their "great efforts" and belittled them.

Plot 2 - what does the enemy hope to accomplish through insult and ridicule?

• to discourage us,
• to make us feel like failures,
• to make us doubt God and His power in us,
• so that we'll give up and stop working for God's Kingdom.

Nehemiah's response and our principle to overcome the enemy's strategies?

Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Nehemiah 4:4, NIV.

The antidote to Plot 2?

• in face of discouragement, prayer and worship!
• when feeling like failure, depend on God's strength rather than our own!
• in face of doubt, endure by faith! 
• in face of temptation to quit, NEVER GIVE UP! If it's God's work, then it's worth all sacrifice and any price. Endure hardship until the end!

Prayer is the antidote to worry and fear. Trust God, depend on God. Hand the situation over to Him. Read Psalm 36-37 to hear King David's response when he faced this attack of the enemy.

Why does the enemy attack in this way?

There is pride, selfishness, and genuine evil in the world. Someone people genuinely don't like it when others are about God's Work and care about His Church and His people. Nehemiah explains why his enemies opposed him.

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. Nehemiah 2:10, NIV.

The lesson in the "why"? When you are about what God is about, care about what God cares about, and are passionately engaged in the Work of God, don't take attacks PERSONALLY! Understand that the enemy of God will attack anyone that is doing the Work of God. The attack is against God and His Church not against you specifically.

Leadership Lessons from 2 Samuel

for The Unquenchable Life daily Bible reading plan, we've been reading through 2 Samuel. Here are a few leadership lessons from the reading over the last few days:

1. How to treat our "enemies".

• Do you rejoice or mourn at the death (or pain) of your enemies? David grieved and mourned when Saul was killed in battle, thus the phrase from his song, "Oh, how the might have fallen!"
• Do we take revenge of evil into our own hands? Do we think that harming our enemy or laughing at their pain is justified? David killed those who killed his enemies and grieved that the evil done to them. Evil is evil regardless of the server or recipient.

2. Fulfilling God's agenda or my agenda.

• Do you trust God to accomplish His purposes through your life or take it into your own hands and build your own kingdom? David didn't try to secure his own throne or rule, but allow God to raise him up. David never saw the throne as "his" but as "given by God". (see 2 Sam 5:10).

3. Facing battles.

• Even though David's army had defeated the Philistines once, they gathered against him again. Does that mean he didn't win the first time? Should he have become discouraged? Should David have said, "I've been here before and faced same battle?" then use same battle plan as before?
• David recognized that even though you may win a battle, the enemy may fight against you again. Don't be discouraged if you're facing a similar battle as in past victories. BUT don't assume that the same strategy is required. 
• v. 23- David inquired of the LORD (again)...

4. Obedience to God is more important than accomplishing the task (even if it's the right thing to do).

• Do we use the patterns of the world to follow God? David copied the Philistines method for handling the ark of God and it caused death and despair, when it should have brought blessing and joy.
• Is it appropriate for us to "fear God" (v.9) if we engage in "irreverent acts" (v.7) toward God? We should fear God and worship Him with a holy, healthy respect.
• v.11- God's blessing rests on those who treat His presence with honor and obedience.

Faith VS Fear

It would make great reality TV, but no one would sign up to have their faith tested. Would you be a contestant on Faith versus Fear? Here are some indicators of how you'd be tested.

You might be controlled by fear if you think:

• Ambition: The journey of a thousand miles sometimes ends very, very badly.
• Despair: It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black.
• Limitations: Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.
  
• Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.
• Wishes: When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
• Potential: Not everyone gets to be an astronaut when they grow up.
  

The above were taken from www.despair.com. Now, you know I have a dry sense of humor.

HOWEVER:

• Faith knows that darkness, pain, hurt, and hardship are the pathway to greater revelation of who God is and how He works in and through our lives.
• Faith sees those moments, not as an end BUT as the front end of a miracle.
• Faith sees risk through the eyes of God's power and Spirit, which is limitless and all powerful.
• Faith chooses to believe rather than plunge into fear, worry, and doubt. 
• Faith wrestles with deep emotions of anguish, fear, doubt, frustration, and despair BUT is not overtaken by them. How? Not through self-inspiration, but through TRUST in God. Faith allows God to overcome through us.
• While fear worries, faith prays!
• Faith does not look to God to avoid suffering BUT to discover my joy in Christ goes deeper than suffering, lack, or hurt.
• Faith does not ask for comfort BUT learns that Jesus-followers have a peace that surpasses all discomfort in this lifetime.

Okay, not preaching, just explaining from personal experience. Maybe we've all been entered into the reality show of life called "Faith versus Fear".

What are your faith vs. fear stories?

Bible resources- FREE

The most critical step in growing in our relationship with Christ is studying and obeying the Bible. So, here are some FREE tools to help you:

• download and listen to the Bible (load onto mp3 player or burn onto CD) here. Also available- Old Testament & KJV,
• download audio NIV Bible in professional format for $23 here,
• read and study the Bible with these sites full of Bible translations, commentaries (authors research on each chapter and verse of the Bible), daily devotions, as well as many other helps. In order of usefulness: 1. biblegateway.com; 2. biblestudytools.com; 3. searchgodsword.org. Many of these tools would cost $1000s if you had to buy them in hardcopy.
• for smart phones, iPhones, iPads, etc: Bible resources at youversion.com.

If you'd like to download and have Bible research tools on your computer, here are a few I highly recommend and use myself:

• for everybody who wants to start seriously studying the Bible- powerbible.com for PC only ($19),
• for people serious about studying the Bible and building a library- logos.com for PC and Mac, as well as iPhone- packages range from those who want personal study (Home package- $120) to leaders and life group leaders (Bible Study Leader package- $212) to lay pastors and teachers (Leaders library- $260) to pastors and scholars (Scholar's library- from $504).

These resources are well worth the investment and dramatically speed up your ability to study the Bible. Honestly, what once took me 10 hours to do in college in the library, I can do on my laptop in 10 seconds. There is no excuse for not seriously studying the Bible. Plus, the Logos software is upgradeable and expandable, so you can start at a base level, and upgrade and buy books as desired. Hey LOGOS, you should give me a commission for this plug :)

We have a surprise for everyone at Lifehouse in January 2011 that will help you grow in your spiritual life through 2011. Come ready to grow and deepen your faith (not free software, but great nonetheless!).

Who we are under pressure

When we're under pressure, what comes out of us? Our best? Our worst?

The truth is that our truest self is revealed. What we truly are is squeezed to the surface. Under calm and comfortable circumstances, we can hide our intentions and weak character. But in the thick of battle, our character is exposed.

Do you like what pressure reveals about who you are?

Trials, hardship, and pressure are not sent by God, but are used by God to expose weakness and sin, so that we can grow in our faith and Christ-like character by repenting of sin and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our heart.

We may not like it, but trials and hardship are our greatest teacher. Here's how Charles Spurgeon wrote about this topic in his commentary on 1 Peter 1:7 "The trying of our faith..."

"Faith untried may be true faith, but it is sure to be little faith... Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: tempests are her trainers, and lightnings are her illuminators... no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity."

How is the Holy Spirit trying to develop your character today?

In what areas has pressure revealed sin or weak character of which you need to repent?

Celebrate! Our faith is growing stronger and our character more Christ-like!

Unexpected Encouragement

Last night, we sat and did our family devotion (thanks Pastor Lori and Jamie for the study guide from Sunday). The key verse to memorize was 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV). Good thought! So, we went to the passage to read and discuss: Psalm 112. As I'm reading it to my girls, I had a moment where I realized it was more for me than for them. About halfway through I paused and said, "I really needed this tonight."

Here's it is. Love how God looks out for those who love, fear, and trust Him.

Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. 9 They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. 10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted. (New Living Translation)