Reflections: June 27, 2010

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Really Changed!

Acts 9:1-31

One of the points of the message on Sunday was that God doesn’t waste anything in our lives. Saul was chosen by God to bring the message of Jesus to people he could relate with. Saul brought his life experience, his education, his skills, and abilities to God’s service. That led me to the question, why did God choose you? God has chosen to use people to get His message of Jesus out to a lost and dying world. Take a few minutes this week and reflect a bit on your life experience, your education, your skills, and your abilities and ask, "Who does God want me to reach with the message of Jesus? Who are the people already in my circle of influence? What can I do to help them see and know Jesus?"

What do you think about this idea?

This Weekend's Message: Change

Really Changed!

Acts 9:1-31

 

Change – what do you think of that word? Do you like it or hate it? There are many great quotes about change that seem to hit our thoughts in the right place. For example, Winston Churchill said, “There is nothing wrong with change if it is in the right direction.” “Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine,” said Robert Gallagher. “We change whether we like it or not,” observed Ralph Waldo Emerson. And Romans 12:2 urges, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

 

This last one is the type of change we’ll be talking about on Sunday. Take a few minutes and read the passage to see a life that was changed – a life we can learn from. Hope to see you Sunday!

 

Pastor Gary

Reflections: June 20, 2010

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

Have you ever had an encounter with someone where you are certain God set it up? Can you look back and think of a time when you missed a prime opportunity to tell someone about your faith? I am certain that God sends us out with a purpose and to speak with people that need to hear from Him through us. But what our response to that call will be, He leaves up to us.

As I think about Phillip and the other believers who endured such real physical persecution, it stirs something up in my heart that brings me a sort of accountability to respond to God when He calls me, or gives me an opportunity to live out my faith. I feel that here in America, it is long overdue that we take advantage of the wonderful opportunities God has given us.

This week I'd love for us all to accept this challenge: Look for an opportunity to share your faith; demonstrate the love, compassion, or grace of God to a friend or stranger; or invite someone to church to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Then, come back to this "Reflection" either on the @LBF Blog or the LBF Facebook page, and tell us how it went!

Ready...GO!

This Weekend's Message: Divine Appointments

Have you ever wondered whether God has a specific purpose for your life? Are seemingly random conversations with people where you just seem to have the right words to say to bring comfort, encouragement, or accountability really just coincidence? This weekend we are going to look at the powerful ministry of a man named Phillip, and see so clearly that God had a specific task for
him, at a specific time, to a specific people, for a specific reason.

Read Acts chapter 8 this week and come ready to discover the power of divine appointments.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: June 13, 2010

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Being a Christian in a non-Christian Culture
Acts 6:8 – 8:3

This passage reveals a turning point in the development of the Christian church. Stephen, a man full of the Holy Spirit, is martyred for speaking about his faith in Jesus. Jerusalem at that time was a non-Christian nation on the road to becoming more Christian. As we fast forward to today and look at America, we see a nation that was founded on Judeo-Christian values on the road to becoming less and less interested in these original values. But does it matter to our message?

Is it more important for us to return to becoming a “Christian” nation (if we ever really were) or is it more important for us as Christians to carry out our assignment of changing people's lives with the message of Jesus? I choose the latter. History shows us that the Christian church has flourished under persecution. Now I’m not looking for persecution, but whatever our society is and is becoming, our assignment as Christians remains the same – change people's lives with the message of Jesus. You can bet though I’ll personally do what I can to uphold those Judeo-Christian values. I will also encourage Christian involvement in places that can make a difference for these values, including politics and social causes. But my hope is first and foremost in Jesus, not in returning our country to the values of 200 years ago. I’m so very thankful for this country, its founding, and its history. I have lived in other countries and I think America with all its weaknesses is still the place to live. But I want to be careful not to misplace my priorities. I don’t want to lose the message of Jesus as I live in this 21^st century culture. What do you think? 

This Weekend's Message: Our Assignment

Being a Christian in a Non-Christian Culture

Acts 6:8 – 8:3

 

At this stage in my life I have a few years to look back on and reflect about how different life is now than when I was younger. Things have definitely changed, and my guess is that they’ll continue to change. With the changes in culture has come a feeling that what people used to believe as a Christian society has become less and less Christian. This means that Christians today must interact with the culture differently than they used to.

 

Jesus has given every Christian an assignment. If we are going to carry out our assignment it is important for Christians to learn how to live in a non-Christian culture. This week we will learn about another first-time event with a man named Stephen, and from him learn some things about being a Christian in a Non-Christian culture.

 

Gary

Reflections: June 6, 2010

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

So...what’re you gonna do about it?

I believe God moves on the hearts of people with the desire that they will follow through with the passion that He has given them. There are so many in our church that have stepped up to serve and minister as God has put it on their heart. And I know that there are so many more who feel a desire to be involved or make a difference, but are unsure of where to start, so they don't. This weekend’s message showed us an example from the book of Acts of how every member can be a minister. It does not always require a seminary degree or special training. In many cases, dare I even say most cases, it simply requires a heart that is willing to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's
leading.

So...what’re you gonna do about it? There are needs in our church. There are needs in our community, and there may not be a church-sponsored program to meet those needs. May I encourage you not to sit around and wait for someone else to go first. If you have a heart for something, or are aware of a need that you feel needs to be met, step out and do something with that desire! We at the church will do all we can to support you and encourage you, but it will mean deciding that you are going to get moving on the thing that God has laid on your heart.

I was so encouraged Sunday after church when I talked with a man as we walked out to our cars in the parking lot and he told me that he and a couple other people were headed down to a senior center where they go every Sunday to have a Bible study. This man did not wait for the church to
initiate a ministry to senior homes, he simply knew of a need and got to work on meeting it. So rather than believers sitting in a church or at their house thinking how there "should be" a ministry, there is actually ministry that is happening and people are being blessed!

Remember, the message of Christ did not spread because a bunch of professional, seminary-trained, church employees created programs. It spread because believers whose hearts were open to the move of the Holy Spirit stepped out and took action on the things that God put on there hearts. So...what are you gonna do about it?

This Weekend's Message: Breaking the Rules

Have you ever broken the rules? Come on, you can tell us, we won't call your parents. :) Well, this week we are going to once again see the Apostles breaking the rules. They continue spreading the news of Jesus and this time there is a price to pay.

We will also look at a concept of ministry in Acts chapter 6 that we at LBF hold very tightly to. There are 5 statements associated with LBF's vision for our church and what God has called us to be. Check out our vision statement and see if you can see which one matches what we see in Acts 6:1-7.

See ya Sunday!

Jeff

Reflections: May 30, 2010

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Got Generosity?
Acts 4:32-5:11

For years now milk producers have used the slogan, “Got Milk?” to encourage people to buy milk. On Sunday I used that slogan to encourage people to consider the value and importance of being generous. As we go through the book of Acts verse by verse, learning to be the church, the topics that come our way are directed by the text. I find it interesting that very early on in the history of the Christian church Luke records for us contrasting examples of generosity. My guess is that becoming and staying generous is hard even for us Christians. I’m also surprised that Luke records the events of Ananias and Sapphira. It’s not the kind of story that would encourage belief in Jesus – I mean really – one lie and you die? Or does it?

Why do you think Luke recorded this story? Do you have trouble with a merciful and loving God doing this? Why or Why not? Let’s talk!