Day 73

Today’s Reading: Acts 6 – 8:8

Scripture: Acts 8:1-6

Observation:

At this point the first century Church has been consistently increasing in number. The Holy Spirit has been poured out and lives are being changed. As everything seems to be going in the right direction a great persecution comes and threatens everything. The Church in Jerusalem was just being build to a place where from a human perspective it could begin to grow outside of Jerusalem and accomplish the great commission. Saul steps on to the scene and seems to ruin everything, but God in his wisdom has a plan. Saul scatters the Church in fear and as they are sent running they begin to spread the message of Jesus all over. In Acts 8 verse 4 it is written that ‘those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.’ Mans plan would have taken years to build a structure and send out believers to accomplish the great commission. But God in a moment sends out a multitude to spread his news!

Application:

Sometimes we think God can only work as we see fit and if His plan doesn’t line up to ours, the plan is going to fail. We see trials and obstacles as dead ends. We don’t allow God to direct us and see Him work through the trial or obstacle. We see in Acts the people of faith scattered all across, not being overcome with the situation but overcoming the situation and spreading the good news. Many of us if we were in this situation would throw up our hands and exclaim ‘its over’. Not the first century Church they allow God to use this impossible situation and lives all over the Mediterranean are changed because of their willingness to persevere.

Its time for the 21^st century Church to be willing to be put in uncomfortable situations so that Gods name can be advanced. We are so busy worrying about our comfort that we miss Gods plan.

Prayer

God help us to be a people with perseverance. We desire to be used of you in whatever way you desire. Too many times we limit you to what we can see and understand. Your ways are better then ours. Forgive us for questioning your plan and how you accomplish your will. Help us to be willing and ready to spread your good news wherever and how you see fit. God you are amazing and serving you is our greatest pleasure! Amen.

Today’s Reading 1 Timothy 1-3

Day 71

Scripture:

1 Timothy 3:2 & 3:7

“Now the overseer must be above reproach”

“He must also have a good reputation with outsiders”

Observation:

Paul is writing to Timothy instructing him on how to lead a Church. One of the most important choices a Pastor must make is who will serve as leaders in that Church. John Maxwell is quoted saying ‘everything rises and falls on leadership’. I believe God show us the importance of leadership by dedicating all of chapter 3 to how to pick the leaders of the Church. I believe there are not only lessons to be learned for the leaders of the Church but for all of us, who call ourselves Believers.

Application:

I believe we need to be taking this message and applying to our lives regardless if we are in leadership of the church or a Christian. Many of us could read over this chapter and miss what God is teaching us, He is primarily speaking to leaders of the Church. Here is the catch many may say ‘well I’m not a leader at my church so this does not apply to me’. Untrue! Everyone is a leader to someone. Maybe you’re not leading in your church but if you carry the name of Jesus in your life you are a leader to everyone who doesn’t know Him.

Now read over these verses, God is calling us to live a life not that is perfect but that is above reproach (does not dishonour or defame the name of Jesus) and is of good reputation with outsiders. Wow, imagine if we as Christian took this to heart and put our focus and desire to live a life that is above critique and that people who do not consider Jesus as Lord, look at and respect. Many people look down on the Christian world today because they see us as judgmental, hypocritical and sheltered. It is time to change that image of Jesus that outsiders see, not by becoming more like them in actions, attitudes and words. But to live a life that is above criticism.

Prayer:

God help us to live a life that honors you one that is attractive to outsider. A life that brings people to know you and that brings glory to your Name. God we need you to lead us in our daily lives. Holy Spirit guides us throughout our day. We long to be leaders for you! We love you and need you. Amen

Alex

 

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Alex Smethurst

When it comes to your spiritual life have you ever felt like you were in a car that just wouldn’t start?  In this series we want to give you the tools to accelerate your spiritual growth.  Over four weeks we are going to look at the book of Acts and challenge ourselves to grow in strength and power like we never have before.

 

 Get Plugged In - Pt.1: Play Now | Download

dave DiSabatino

In this series you will be challenged to find new opportunities to get connected to the liberty community. Let’s discover together new ways of making this house our home!

Jess DiSabatino

In this series you will be challenged to find new opportunities to get connected to the liberty community. Let’s discover together new ways of making this house our home!

 

 Get Plugged In - Pt.1: Play Now | Download

To grow and mature in Christ is God’s plan for every person and every Christian that lives. So the question is why are so many of us standing still in our Christian walk, not that we are necessarily doing ‘bad things’ but we are just not excelling in Christ like we should be.

Personally I am a checklist, goal oriented person so here is my growing in Christ personal checklist. (Now, I am not saying that this is a magic list that has the power to save you or get you into heaven. Jesus’ is one and only way to eternal life and true growth!)

Alex’s checklist for growth and maturity in Christ (in no specific order)

1) Accountability – Not a word you hear in everyday life, but the first on my list. This simply means find a friend that shares your desire to live for God and meet or talk once a week about life and what God is doing in your life. How God is challenging you, teaching you or loving you. Take time to pray with each other. This is guaranteed to help you grow in God and in your intimacy with your friend.

2) Read Christian Books & The Bible – I love this quote, ‘In five years, you will be the same person you are today expect for the books you read and the people you meet’. I believe that when you read godly material you begin to focus on godly things and the opposite is true as well. Books I recommend – Uprising, by Erwin McManus, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Power of Simple Prayer, by Joyce Meyers, The Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey, Your God is too Safe, by Mark Buchannan and Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster. There are a lot more but those are just a couple that I think can help.

3) Serve at Your Local Church – I know, I know your thinking, ‘Ok here we go! The real reason why you’re writing this blog. You want people to help out at your church.’ Yes, I do but that is not why I am writing this. The truth is when you get involve in your church your are serving God and giving back to Him and others. You will find that when you serve at your local church you become blessed by helping other and by being used by God in others lives.

4) Personal Prayer (talking) Time – If you desire to grow any relationship you must spend time with that person. God desires to have a relationship with you so we must spend time (quality time) with Him. It is as simple as taking a walk with him or just having a coffee in the morning and talk to him about life.

5) Listen to Worship Music – Now this is not about trying to brainwash you by putting some music or a message on by simple repetition. Worship is about getting our gaze off our situation or us and focusing on the Creator of heaven and earth. Begin to listen to worship music each day and you will find yourselves sing God’s praises in the grocery store, your workplace and in that great parking lot we call the Gardener Expressway! Here are some Musicians I recommend – Israel Houghton, Hillsongs United, Jeff Deyo, Starfield, Fred Hammond

Growth is not by accident but it must be on purpose. No matter what you look at if you desire to grow you must be intentional. The same is true for your spiritual growth, the question is are you going to be intentional or just hope that one day you will ‘zap’ become the man or women of God you desire. Lets be a people that intentionally seek God and maturity in Him.

Alex

How many of us like the feeling of accomplishing something on our own. To go it alone and conquer the unconquerable! I think it comes from our first time tying our own shoelaces or riding our bike without training wheels. We get praise for doing things on our own. We are encouraged to do things on our own. And if we are not doing something on our own at least let us be the one offering help. It’s funny to me how most of us love to help people but almost all of have learned to despise receiving assistance. To show any size of weakness is rejected by society. We learn at a young age to not ask for help. Unfortunately, I’m no different, I love doing things all by myself. I love the accolades that I get. Where people will stop and say WOW you did that! (I know, I know, I am painting a pretty prideful picture of myself!) The only problem that we see with this is, its not how God has designed us, as His church, to function. God brings us together to share in the community of His people and ultimately to bring Him glory through it! We are not the ultimate be all and end all in life. Paul tells us in Galatians 6, that we should stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed, to share those burdens. It is not talking about helping out with ‘backpack burdens’. Those are the burdens that we are meant to carry individually. Paul is referring to ‘boulder burdens’; these are loads, like a huge boulder, that no one was meant to carry alone. Just picture a small or even average size person trying to walk down the road maneuvering this large unmovable rock. It is impossible! But when friends and family join in the struggle, the once unmovable boulder now is easily moved. Likewise, when one of those who assisted finds themselves in a similar situation, they should not be too prideful to reach out and receive assistance. The sad thing is that in rejecting help we let others know that we are the ultimate and have no need for them to be a part of our lives. Just think about the last time your offer to help was rejected. It makes you feel unwanted and unneeded, unvalued.

In life most of us get to a place where we need friends, mentors or someone to be there to help us. When we hit the bottom we all need people to help us through that time. The problem arises when we haven’t taken the time to build community. That causes us to scramble to find someone, but because we have discouraged his or her previous offers to help, there is no one around to help carry your load. The fact remains; we need each other, and there is no way to get around it.

Proverbs tells us that ‘for the lack of guidance nations falls, but many advisers make victory sure’. When we live on our own and don’t allow anyone to help us we set ourselves up for failure (don’t get mad at me, I’m just telling you what the Bible says). The question I would leave you with is: whom are you allowing in your life to both help and whom you can help?

Alex

 

 Ordinary Me - Pt. IV: Play Now | Download

Dave Di Sabatino

The Bible is full of fascinating stories-stories that inspire us and encourage us.  But the reality is all the people playing the leading roles in these stories were extremely ordinary, flawed and damaged like we are.  Join us as we examine how God will use ordinary you & ORDINARY ME to accomplish the extraordinary.

 

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Richard Redman

Have you ever been in the place where nothing and no one can cheer you up? Where you feel as though you are lost in a sea of despair.  If so, this message is for you! In this message we take a look at a story in the Bible that shows us how to deal with depression.

 

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Jess Di Sabatino

The Bible is full of fascinating stories-stories that inspire us and encourage us.  But the reality is all the people playing the leading roles in these stories were extremely ordinary, flawed and damaged like we are.  Join us as we examine how God will use ordinary you & ORDINARY ME to accomplish the extraordinary.