It is a new week… a new day…
“God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning.”
(Lamentations 3 – Message).
It is reassuring to know that God’s mercies and love is new for us EVERY morning. That, not our abilities or talents, gives us confidence…
This is from Perry Noble dot com… It is VERY, VERY good… I thought of Rockford First when I read this. God is doing something in our church and it is beyond human sweat and effort. More is around the corner!
Leadership Thoughts From Acts – Part Three
Posted: 22 Apr 2009 04:08 AM PDT
#3 – A Move Of God Cannot Be Planned…But It Must Be Prepared For - Acts 2:1-5
What happened in this section of Scripture was both unexplainable and undeniable…and it made the church unstoppable!
YET it wasn’t something that the leadership got together and put on the church calendar…(does it bother anyone besides me that churches actually schedule revivals?)
IT JUST HAPPENED…the first word in Acts 2:2 is “suddenly!”
The leadership received the vision from Jesus, began to pray and dealt with the leadership issues in chapter one…and then kept doing what they knew they should be doing until BAM…God moved in an incredible way.
When we begin to plan moves of God I believe we are walking on dangerous ground. His plans and ways are so much higher than ours - Isaiah 55:8-9
I remember seeing this with my own eyes in the fall of 2002 when we were meeting in rented facilities at Anderson University.
We had been running around 400 – 500 people that spring and summer…and on August 11th of that year we had 504 people…the next weekend 970 people showed up…and within five weeks we had 1,600 people and were in two services.
People always ask, “What did YOU do?” (Because the church in America believes that a move of God can be reduced to a formula.)
We always answer, “We have NO IDEA!”
- We didn’t launch a new series (in fact, we were in the middle of one of my least favorite series of all times!)
- We didn’t send out a direct mail invite.
- We didn’t have a special speaker.
- We didn’t have “pack a pew Sunday.”
We seriously cannot explain what happened. All we know is that from the start we were dogmatic about the vision God had given us…we knew we weren’t going to please everyone…we wanted to see people come to know Jesus…we believed the church was His idea to reach AND change the world…and we were dedicated to keeping the vision simple and only doing what we knew He had called us to do…
And He moved! It was unexpected…it can’t be explained…but I am so glad He did!
Church leader–your job is not to orchestrate a move of God…but to get ready for it!!! I believe God wants to move in awesome ways in our churches…we just need to be willing to do whatever it takes to get ready for HIS moving!!!
On Sunday, we begin a brand new sermon series called “Vintage Jesus.” Many are asking what the title means. In short, we are going to spend the next seven weeks talking about the simple, yet powerful, stories (called parables) that Jesus shared. I purposely have picked obscure parables that we might really learn what was in the heart and mind of Christ. Be ready to be surprised at what Jesus says… let’s just say it is going to be vintage Jesus…
Rockford First – 10:15 AM
How do we say “thank you” for taking this amazing journey over the last six weeks? Terrain has truly been life-changing! Your involvement and investment in Life Groups has not only made this “big church” feel a lot smaller, but has connected thousands people who would probably never otherwise link up.
Question: What is the result of over 140 Life Groups discussing the navigation of life’s landscapes?
Answer: God showed up!
It is our prayer that the messages, discussions, and devotionals you experienced will continue to shape you as the weeks, months, and years go on. Please think often about and reflect on what God spoke to you through Terrain! Don’t let these truths be forgotten.
Lastly, it is our prayer that you continue to be involved in a Life Group. God wants us to be in connection with those of faith. There are powerful things that happen when we regularly meet…. God shows up! We encourage each other! Lasting friendships form!
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Many Life Groups are continuing. Some are multiplying and others are taking a break. What is important is that you find a Life Group that fits you!
Thanks again for an amazing journey and see you on Sunday!
Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt
Lead Pastor, Rockford First
If you need any assistance in finding a Life Group, please go to www.rockfordfirst.com/lifegroups
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
This is a pretty straightforward command. The Bible doesn’t say “rejoice when everything is going well” or “rejoice when God does something for you.” It says, “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.” How are we supposed to do that?!
There are times when the last thing we feel like doing is rejoicing. Sometimes our lives feel common. Sometimes there is nothing bad happening, but nothing particularly good is happening either.
Every day is a gift from God. None of us know how long we have on Earth. We have to live life to its fullest each day. Even the most common life can be a life of purpose.
Psalm 43:5 (NIV)
Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
There will be times you have to almost force yourself to praise God. It is in those moments when you make the decision to trust God because of who He is, not what He does.
Whatever you’re going through, praise God! Rejoice in the Lord always.
1. Do you have a hard time praising God, even when times are hard?
2. Do you trust God for who He is or for what He does?
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, help me to remember that even the most common life has a purpose. May I rejoice always because of who You are and because You are worthy. I love you. Amen.”
Have you ever felt like you were the only person around when a difficult job had to be done? Suddenly on the Saturday you’re supposed to clean out the attic or organize the basement, you look around and can’t find a single soul to help?
Luke 10:2 (NIV)
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Sometimes it can feel like we are the only one making the right decisions, the only one choosing to “do it right”, the only one willing to do the work.
God has a very important, and often times, difficult job for us. We are to “go into all world and make disciples.” That is a big job and needs a lot of people to accomplish! Sometimes it seems like an overwhelming task. There are too many people needing help. There are too many hurting, devastated people in the world. How can I make difference?!
One person at a time. Changing the world happens one person at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed at the task at hand. Accept God’s challenge. Don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged by what God is asking us to do.
You will be able to influence people that no one else and like no one else could. Take a risk. Even if you feel you are the only one out there, God is always with you. We are never, ever alone.
Easter is a great time to invite people to church. Strategically pray about who God would be leading you to bring next Sunday. Most people are open to attending church, especially on Easter, but need that personal invitation to make them feel comfortable. So don’t come to church alone on Easter. Begin this week to practice what the Bible says. The harvest is plentiful; choose to be a worker.
1. What does it really mean when the Bible talks about “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few?”
2. Are you ready to accept God’s challenge and influence the people around you?
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, help me to not get overwhelmed with the task at hand. Help me to love people one at a time, and send me the people You want me to influence and love. Amen.”
There are no coincidences in life, only times when God chooses to remain anonymous. Everything happens in our lives for a reason. Even when the purpose may not be clear, the reason is still present.
Take a moment and think about your life. Where do you go to school? Where do you work everyday? Who are you surrounded by? None of these are accidents or a surprise to God. You are exactly where you are for an exact purpose at this exact moment in time.
It’s our job to discover, with God’s help, what that purpose is.
In Esther 4, we read that Esther was called to be in her royal position “for such a time as this.” The same can be said for you. You are where you are because that is where God wants you to be.
We’ve talked a lot about “blooming where we’re planted.” It is in these times when we feel as if we are in a place for no reason that this truth is tested. God knows exactly what He is doing, and has a specific plan for your life. Trust that where God has placed you right now is exactly where you are supposed to be.
1. Are you happy where you are right now?
2. How can you better invest yourself in the place you are (school, work, etc.)?
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, help me to bloom where I am planted. I know you have me here for a purpose. Help me be confident that You have placed me here for such a time as this. Amen.”
Even if you’ve never seen the movie, “Field of Dreams”, you can recite the famous passage…
If you build it, they will come.
In the film, Kevin Costner’s character rebuilds the baseball diamond of his youth and discovers the important men in his life that have passed away return to the diamond to meet with him.
Obviously, this is a fictional story…but the passage contains a spiritual truth.
It is often said, “friendship is the bridge Jesus most likes to travel.” God wants us to live a life that is intentional when it comes to our friendships. Our faith in Jesus should not be kept within the four walls of the church, but taken and shared with the people we come in contact with everyday. For some people, we may be the only glimpse of Jesus they will see. When we genuinely care for and love people, a “bridge” is built from our heart to theirs. Personal connection is the single most influential way people will come to know Christ.
If we intentionally build a bridge of friendship, God has a way of softening hearts and opening minds to His ways of living.
If you build it, they will come.
1. Who is a person you need to build an intentional “bridge of friendship” with?
2. Who built that bridge to your heart that eventually lead you to a relationship with the Lord?
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank you that someone loved me enough to build a bridge of friendship from their heart to mine. May I do the same for those people around me. Use me to show people who You are. Amen.”
One of the best parts of Christmas is being able to give gifts. It feels good to give to other people. We as Christians are supposed to live a selfless life. What is one of the greatest gifts we can give someone?
Prayer.
It feels good when someone says, “I’ve been praying for you.” There’s something comforting and encouraging in those words. Prayer bonds people together. Prayer unlocks compassion. Prayer moves the hand of God.
If you really want to enjoy your life, serve others.
Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)
…those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
We are obviously supposed to pray for the issues in our own lives. But if your entire prayer time is taken up with prayers for yourself alone, you’re missing a huge part of what it means to be a Christian. We can support people, uplift people, and fight for people, all through prayer. God wants to change us, but He also wants to change those people we love and care for. Prayer is a great way to affect that change.
1. Is there someone you know you need to pray for more?
2. What is a time in your life you have discovered that the verse is Proverbs is really true?
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank you for everything You have done for me. May I not only pray for You to move in my life, but also in the lives of those I love and care about. Use me to refresh others. Amen.”
Over 140 Life Groups and thousands of people took a six-week journey that God used to change our lives! The Terrain series was a great expedition through the different landscapes of life and now we find ourselves ready to take the next step.
Now that we are concluding this series, many are wondering what to do next. It is simple.
1. We STRONGLY encourage you to continue to meet as a Life Group! God has brought you together and given you authentic connection with one another. As Rockford First continues to grow, it is vitally important that each person has a friendship group, centered on God, that they “do life together.”
2. Jump into another Life Group! You may find yourself at a place where you would like to try out another Life Group. As soon as your “Terrain” group is over, feel free to visit the Life Group section of our website and choose another group. www.rockfordfirst.com/lifegroups
3. Take a break! You might say you want to take a break from Life Group and join one later. That is absolutely acceptable as long as you make sure that you prioritize friendships at Rockford First. We want to make sure that everyone under the care of our church has other people of faith with whom they connect. Our relationship with God is personal, but the Bible says we are to pursue God TOGETHER!
Thank you again for your participation in Terrain! We thank God for everything He did over the past six weeks! See you on Easter Sunday!
Best,
Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt
Lead Pastor, Rockford First
www.rockfordfirst.com
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