Detours

Last Wednesday night I shared a message from the life of Samson. Here are some of the lessons that I learned.

1. Stay Humble - In Judges 15:16 Samson gives no glory to God for this amazing feat of strength.

2. Satan is relentless in his pursuit of your destruction. There are 4 different times in chapter 16 that Delilah asks Samson for the source of his strength. Verse 16 illustrates how relentless the enemy is.

Judges 16:16
16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.
NIV

3. We are often detoured from our purpose with baby steps not large leaps. Samson was getting closer and closer to the secret of his strength with each temptation.

5 Consequences of a Detour (16:21,22)

1. Loss of Control - "Then the Philistines seized him..." The thing he once controlled is no controlling him.

2. Loss of Vision - "...gouged out his eyes..." When we sin we do not see clearly!

3. Loss of Position - "...and took him down to Gaza." He was in control as a Judge but now he was subject to those he stood in judgement over.

4. Loss of Mobility - "Binding him with Bronze shackles..." Sin restricts while holiness brings freedom.

5. Loss of Status - "...they set him to grinding in the prison." The once famed and feared Samson is not doing the work of a common animal.

This a great quote from Francis Chan:

"You don't need the Holy Spirit if you are merely seeking to live a semi-moral life and attend church regularly. You can find people of all sorts in many religions doing that quite nicely without him. You only need the Holy Spirit's guidance and help if you truly want to follow the Way of Jesus Christ. You only need him if you desire to "obey everything" He commanded and to teach others to do the same."

We need the Holy Spirit to avoid the same mistakes that Samson made. Be a radical for Jesus. Choose to follow in Jesus' footsteps. Blessings!

Pastor Chris

A sobering dose of reality!

We have had some pretty powerful services lately. I love being a people led by the Spirit of God. No two services are alike. We started a new series called {proof}. We dealt with the stronghold of fear this last Sunday. God did some cool stuff in the lives of people. I left church a little tired but charged up in my spirit. I was reminded today that no matter how much we enjoy church there is still an enormous task to be done. We relish and boast in what God does but we must keep our task before us. It is great to be blessed and enjoy His presence but I read a sobering statistic today.

Here is one thought concerning the Northeast from a study done by the Southern Baptists' on the Great Commission: 83% of people in Northeast are lost. The population of these states (basically Pennsylvania and north) is 55 million. 83% of this population will be in Hell unless we do something.

We had a great Sunday but I am reminded that there are millions in my part of the country that haven't even had a chance to meet Jesus yet. We have to do what it takes to reach those who are lost in our community here in the Northeast. May the love of Jesus COMPEL us. Blessings!

Pastor Chris

Taking Invetory

In the past my wife has worked retail and on a scheduled basis they would take inventory. This would often occur after hours and would usually take place over several days. The purpose is obvious to find out what stock is available in the store. Inventory checks what needs to be replenished, cut back on or to determine what has been stolen. I saw a quick personal inventory test that would be good for all of us to do a couple of times a year. Here are the questions:

1. Is my PACE sustainable? Where do I need to cut back? Where do I need to step it up?

2. Is my PHYSICAL body healthy? Eating habits? Exercise?

3. What are the sources of PRESSURE? What can I do about it? Can I delegate? Do I need to trust God with something? What 'wisdom-steps' do I need to take?

4. Where is there PUSH-BACK from the darkness? We are in a spiritual war? Where is the devil resisting me? What do I need to overcome his attack? Prayer? Fasting? Mobilizing some prayer partners?

Take time to make the necessary changes today. Like everything in our lives it does no good to ask questions in these areas unless you intend on making the changes needed. "Reject Passivity" Blessings!

Pastor Chris

Have you ever argued with God? There have been times in my life when what God was asking of me seemed too much. I know from experience that I can't realistically win an argument with God. I find solace in the fact that Moses and other men of God wrestled every once in a while with God. My argument was a lot like Moses'. God You can't use me. "I am not a gifter speaker." I was kind of shy maybe even a little wierd. Some would say that hasn't changed. Listen to what Moses said to the God.

WHEN GOD CALLED MOSES: Exodus 4:10-11

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

WHEN MOSES OBEYED - AND THINGS GOT WORSE: Exodus 6:12


(Pharaoh ordered Israel to make bricks without straw)

“But Lord!” Moses objected. “My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker!

WHEN GOD TELLS MOSES TO SPEAK TO PHARAOH ANYWAY: Exodus 6:30

But Moses argued with the Lord, saying, “I can’t do it! I’m such a clumsy speaker! Why should Pharaoh listen to me?”

Here is the lesson I learned from Moses. As much as some make our abilities the issue they are not. It really is about our capacity. Everything that I have ever done for God required that I first get stretched in my capacity. I wasn't ready 10 years ago to pastor New Life. God first had to stretch me in my capacity to lead before he could release me to do what I am doing now. I know it is trite but "It's not about our ability but our availability." It really is about God working through us. It is His power at work in you that accomplishes great things. If you want God to use you prepare to be stretched. Blessings!

I know I am going a little video crazy but I love this video. This is the biblical view of Jesus. I know we don't know this Jesus because this Jesus isn't preached very often. I wonder if we had this kind of vision of Jesus if we would live differently? Blessings!

I have heard a lot of controversy about this comment made by Pat Robertson. What do you think? I will tell you what I think after I hear from you. Blessings!

I just wanted to give my props to a young man who has continully been a witness for Jesus. In a day and age when many athletes are poor role models Tim Tebow has taken a stand for Jesus. I am praying for him. He is doing a pro life commercial during the Super Bowl sponsored by Focus on the Family. Pro choice supporters can't stand it. Awesome Tim! Blessings!