July 3, 2006

HOW GOD TELLS US TO PRIORITIZE THE GREEN.

1. GIVE - Proverbs 3:9, "Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best." (MSG)
2. GET OUT OF DEBT. Proverbs 22:7, "The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power." (MSG)
3. PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. 1 Timothy 5:8, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (NIV)
4. SAVE - God’s Word says, "Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter." (Proverbs 6:6-8-NLT)

Why is what I do with my money so important? Because as Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21-NIV) This week seek to honor God with your Green! I love you and am praying for you!

July 10, 2006

1 Corinthians 3:11-15, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have -- Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials -- gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” (NLT)

God’s Word says that as Followers of Christ our lives are built on the foundation of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection. 𠇊nyone who builds . . .” The building of a life on the foundation of Jesus Christ is done by the lifestyle of the individual Follower of Christ. What are you building on the foundation of Christ? Is it a lifestyle of gold, silver and jewels or of wood, hay and straw? This week GO FOR THE GOLD!

July 17, 2006

Psalms 78:4-8, “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. They would not be like their forefathers — a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.” (NIV)

If you are reading this and are 40 years of age or older, the above passage is written directly to you. We, including myself, who are over 40 are called to reach out to the next generation (those under 40). Ministry, activities and even music should be about reaching out to, teaching and guiding the next generation to Christ. The sad part is that in many Christian’s lives it is all about what this generation wants and not about what the next generation needs, causing the next generation to starve spiritually. This generation (over 40), needs to continue walking with God through prayer and study of God’s Word, this gives us the spiritual food that provides spiritual energy. As we spiritually eat we need to exercise love by reaching out to the next generation, so they will learn to trust Christ and live for Him. This week make a special effort to invite someone who is of the Next Generation (under 40) to your church.

July 24, 2006

This Sunday we began our series “The 5 Bs for Life!” The first “B” that we all need to enjoy life to the full is . . . BELIEVE. However don’t be fooled, to believe is more than lip service. God teaches that the natural response of belief is action. “Just as a person's body that does not have a spirit is dead, so faith that does nothing is dead!” (James 2:26-NCV) How will your actions demonstrate your faith in Christ this week? What will you do that will demonstrate your faith in Christ this week? Are you sure of your faith in Christ? If you are unsure of your faith in Christ, then feel free to contact me at 972.424.1905.

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20-NLT)

August 1, 2006

October 13, 2005, USA Today reports that, “Rafael Antonio Lozano is a man with a mission, albeit a strange one. The 33-year-old computer programmer from Plano, Texas, is on a quest to visit every company-owned Starbucks on the planet.

Lozano, who calls himself Winter, began his mission in 1997, when there were 1,304 such stores worldwide. Today, there are over 6,000 in 37 countries. As of October 31st, 2005, Winter had visited 4,918 Starbucks in North America, in addition to 213 others around the globe.

Despite his impressive pace, Winter is realistic about the nature of his quest, saying, ‘As long as they keep building Starbucks, I'll never be finished.’ He is also realistic about the importance of his mission. ‘Every time I reach a Starbucks, I feel like I've accomplished something,’ he said, ‘when actually I've accomplished nothing.” (Jayne Clark, "Sooner or Latte, He'll Get There," USAToday.com (10-13-05); submitted by Sam O'Neal, St. Charles, Illinois)

Do you ever feel that way? Busy, running here and there, yet accomplishing nothing? That is not how God wants you to feel. You were created for a purpose, not to just be busy. God’s word says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10-ESV) If you really want to have joy and find purpose for living then you need to BE INVOLVED!

To help you find your purpose we offer two classes: The Purpose Driven Life Class (dates to be announced) and the P.L.A.C.E. class (Saturdays August 19 and 26 or Wednesdays October 4 thru November 8).

August 7, 2006

Ephesians 2:19, "Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God's very own family, citizens of God's country, and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." (TLB)

When we have chosen to walk with God, we are made a member of a new family. We now BELONG to God’s family. Belonging to God’s family provides us with support, encouragement, strength, love . . . etc. But in order to receive these benefits and more you have to: Commit to unconditional love toward God’s family (John 13:35), Commit to attending church regularly (Hebrews 10:23-25) and Commit to communicating with God’s family members (Ephesians 4:21-5:2/Matthew 18:15-20). Remember you were created to BELONG! Do you?

August 14, 2006

The Apostle Paul once said, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (2 Corinthians 11:30-NIV) What an odd statement! Especially in our day! We live a time were we don’t want to speak of weakness. Weaknesses are what we all have in common. This past Sunday, Sirak Asfaw, put it this way, "Speaking to one another about our strengths only produces competition, while speaking of our weaknesses produces companionship."

And the great place this companionship is seen is in God’s words to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Paul’s response to this truth, "therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9-NIV)

This week how will your weaknesses shine that Christ’s power may rest on you?

August 21, 2006

"There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul. God is whispering to us well nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear, because of the noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on." —Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863)

God’s great desire is to be with you! He has expressed it from cover to cover in the pages of His Word. He has gone to extreme lengths to be sure you know it. He is showing you signs throughout your day. This week let’s practice together looking and listening to God. Some days it will go well and others not so well, just keep trying. WHY? Because God is Closer Than You Think!

August 28, 2006

In Matthew 13:44, Jesus tells a story about a treasure and how to obtain it. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (NIV) This guy didn’t go out treasure seeking. He wasn’t some Indiana Jones or on a hunt for "national treasure." He discovered the treasure through the natural course of doing life -- of working the fields. He had leased the field and was working it, when he found the treasure. Notice once when he found the treasure, "in his joy" he sold "all he had" to get it!

On another occasion Jesus said, "You cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own." (Luke 14:33-NLT) One of Jesus’ follower, Peter, once said, "We have left all we had to follow You!" (Luke 18:28-NIV)

Now don’t misunderstand what is being said. God is not saying, when we make the choice to be with Him in our everyday lives: we have to give up every possession; sit on a mountain and learn how to chant; eat one meal a week; or read God’s Word and pray twenty-three hours a day . . . NO!

As Christ-followers, there’s a treasure to be found by being with God and it is worth everything that we can invest to spend every moment of everyday with Him. A follower of Christ is someone who seeks continually to make each day and each activity of the day a chance to be with God.

"If God does not enter your kitchen, there is something wrong with your kitchen. If you can't take God into your recreation, there is something wrong with your play. We all believe in the God of the heroic. What we need most these days is the God of the humdrum, the commonplace, the everyday." (Peter Marshall, Sr., Leadership, Vol. 17, no. 2)

God is calling us to give Him every part and every activity of our day, when we do; we will come to realize that . . . God is Closer Than You Think!

September 4, 2006

Over the years of ministry I have heard several individuals say, "I’d give anything to have lived when Jesus did—to hear His voice; to see His face; to watch Him perform miracles. Then I could really live the Christian life!" Yet God’s Word says the opposite.

One of the most amazing verses in God’s Word is John 16:7. It is when Jesus tells His disciples that instead of coming closer to them, He is going away from them. As He tries to prepare them for His departure, He says these words: "I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away." (John 16:7a-NIV)

Just for a moment, consider the disciples’ shock. Imagine if you were in their place.

• Your life has been turned upside down by this Man.
• For three years you’ve been captivated by His every word.
• You lived to hear Him teach.
• You lived to watch Him heal.
• You lived to see His power.
• You left everything to follow Him, convinced that He held the key to the future of the human race. You’ve bet the farm on it.
• You’ve sacrificed everything for Him . . . and now you’re going to see Him leave? Is He giving up?
• That’s the end of your world!

And Jesus has the audacity to say, "It is for your good!"

Sure . . . like when parents say before they spank their child: "I am doing this because I love you!" Jesus is quite serious, however, and gives the reason why it’s a good thing that He leaves. He says: "Because unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7b-NIV)

But Jesus says, "No. It is better to live in the era of the Spirit than it is to walk with Me on the earth." That is exactly what we find in Jesus’ followers, when He was with them we find a confused, arguing, selfish, ineffective band of followers. Yet when Jesus leaves and God’s Spirit indwells His followers they become, powerful, united, selfless, bold and amazingly effective.

You and I have can have the same walk with God! How? Read John 7:37-39, join us Wednesday evening and next Sunday and you will come to realize that . . . God is Closer Than You Think!

September 11, 2006

Because of the importance of this day, will not give review of Sunday’s message. If you wish to get at CD of Ten Ways to Clarify the Voice of God, then contact me at 972.424.1905 or collincreek@juno.com.

Today is Patriots Day; you no doubt have watched and heard much about the events of 5 years ago. There is much to think and talk about on this day, yet I believe the most important thing we can do is express appreciation to all who keep our lives free and safe.

• Say a prayer for the Police officers, Firefighters and Military personnel who are a blessing to us all.
• Bake some cookies or a cake and deliver it to your local fire station or police precinct.
• If you have young children, have them draw, color or paint a picture of appreciation.
• PUT IN FRONT OF YOUR HOME AND/OR WEAR A FLAG PIN.
• Also don’t forget: http://www.usocares.org/

John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NIV)

Join us Wednesday evening and next Sunday and you will come to realize that . . . God is Closer Than You Think!

September 18, 2006

Robert & Judy are enjoying a few days away,

September 25, 2006

In God’s kingdom there are no needs unmet, there are no more tears or which causes tears, there is harmony between all people, there is the fullness of God’s presence and so much more. In heaven God’s will is always done perfectly. Now, with theses truths in mind, what would change in your life if you prayed, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, in my life as it is in heaven."? Be specific what would change? How would things be different: In your home? In your work place? In your conversation? In your relationships? In your checkbook? In your thought life? In your schedule?

This week let’s commit to pray daily, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, in my life as it is in heaven." This Sunday, October 1 is "Open Mic Sunday," plan to come and share how you experienced God this week. Join us Wednesday @ 6:45 PM and you will come to realize that . . . God is Closer Than You Think!

October 2, 2006

The Whisper Test, written by Mary Anne Berg.

"I grew up knowing I was different," she writes, "and I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate. When I started school, my classmates made it clear to me how I looked, a little girl with misshapen lip, crooked nose, lopsided teeth and garbled speech."

When schoolmates asked, "What happened to your lip?" I’d tell them I’d fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident than to have been born different. I was convinced that no one outside my family could love me.

There was, however, a teacher in the second grade that we all adored, Mrs. Leonard. She was short, round, happy, a sparkling lady. Annually we had a hearing test. Mrs. Leonard gave the test to everyone in the class, and finally it was my turn.

I knew from past years that as we stood against the door and covered one ear and the teacher would sit at her desk -- whisper and we would have to repeat it back -- things like "the sky is blue" or "do you have new shoes."

I waited there for those words that God must have put into her mouth, those seven words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard said in her whisper, "I wish you were my little girl."

And the little girl who thought of herself as a reject and a loser, as someone outside, as unacceptable, found out somebody wanted her, and it changed her life. And so it is in the kingdom of God. And so it is that on the cross God whispered to the human race, "I wish you belonged to me."

And when you made the choice to belong to Him, you began the journey of learning that . . .

God is closer than you think.

October 9, 2006

Plants with Perches for Pollinator Birds

Psalm 148:7, 10, "Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths . . . wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds." (NIV)

Could a plant devise a special growth for itself so that it becomes inviting to its only pollinator? If evolution was true, how could such a plant survive until it could learn enough about its pollinator, and about genetics, to evolve a special growth just for that pollinator.

Those sound like silly questions, but if evolution is true, they must be answered, and answered scientifically. A South African plant called the "Rat’s Tail" grows a seemingly purposeless spear that extends near its flowers. Theorizing that the spear might be a bird-perch for a pollinator, scientists closely watched some of the plants in the wild. They learned that the only bird that seems interested in pollinating the plant is a bird called the "Malachite Sunbird." The scientists then removed the spikes from some of the plants. The result was that male sunbirds were far less likely to visit and pollinate those plants. As a result, perchless-plants only produced half as many seeds as plants with perches. Researchers pointed out that this arrangement makes sense because male sunbirds have long tails that can be damaged by ground landings.

However, if we conclude that the Rat’s Tails were created for the sunbirds, and the sunbirds for the Rat’s Tails, we don’t have to find natural explanations for such silly questions. This is simply another of God’s clever designs.

Prayer: Lord, Your caring hand is all around us. I thank You especially for caring for me by forgiving my sins. Amen.

References: Science News, 6/4/05, page 365, "Built-in bird perch spreads the pollen." and www.creationmoments.org

Join us Wednesday for "Answers In Genesis" at 6:45 PM.

October 16, 2006

J. F. Powers, in Wheat That Springeth Green speaks of a ship that could easily describe the church: "This is a big old ship, Bill. She creaks, she rocks, she rolls and at times she make you want to throw up. But she gets where she’s going. Always has, always will, until the end of time. With or with you."

The church is far from perfect, that is because people are far from perfect, and people are what make up a church. Why is it that some quit attending church because people don’t act perfect or act hypocritical, when they don’t quit other organizations that have imperfect people and/or hypocrites? Government, sales of any kind, family, sports teams, Hollywood, your work . . . etc. all have imperfect people and/or hypocrites in them and we don’t quit them.

When we say we don’t want to attend church because of all the hypocrites, we are committing idolatry. "Idol worship, how?" you maybe asking. God teaches that we should all attend church, that it is for our good (Hebrews 10:24-25), yet when we disobey God and let the hypocrite keep us from church – who are we really obeying/worshiping? We are letting the one we don’t like control our lives. Why? Why don’t you attend church, obey God and be what you should be and stop pointing fingers. Let God deal with the hypocrite. He is great at it!

Join us next Sunday as we look at CHURCH: WHY BOTHER? Making Church Meaningful to Me!

October 23, 2006

One of the reasons people don’t attend church is because we tend to look at others and their faults. We let their misbehavior keep us away from church. Another reason people don’t attend church is when they attended, it was not enjoyable to them. First, let me say I believe we can and should be more creative in our worship services and we have a responsibility to seek to engage those who are there, but this is not the primary reason to attend church. Church is about worship! Not worshiping other or even self, but God and God alone. Jesus said, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." (Matthew 4:10-NIV) Philip Yancey said, "Church exists primarily not to provide entertainment or to encourage venerability or to build self-esteem or to facilitate friendships but to worship God; if it fails in that, it fails."

When we take our eyes off the faults of others and our selfish wants and wishes, they are then open to see God in all of His power, majesty and wonder. Then we will truly worship and church will come alive! Walter Wink said, "To worship is to remember who owns the house!"

Join us next Sunday as we look at CHURCH: WHY BOTHER? Making Church Meaningful to Me, part 2.

October 30, 2006

Last week we talked Making Church Meaningful to Me. The first step in Making Church Meaningful is to . . . LOOK UP! Look up to God and Worship Him alone. This week as we continued to talk about Making Church Meaningful to Me, we saw that we need to be . . . LOOKING AROUND! Learning to appreciate the differences in one another.

One of the aspects of Church that turns people off is that the Church is not like them. Not the same: Race, Education, Financial status, Music style, Worship Style, Age . . . etc. We tend to look for a Church that is full of people like us! But that isn’t what God had in mind for His Church!

God’s Word says, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other." (1 Corinthians 12:4-8-NLT)

Three times God says, "I do things different!" Animals, plants, people -- each is unique. None are exactly the same, each is different from all the others. Like the fall leaves -- difference can make a beautiful picture. God has created each individual with different personalities, gifts and talents. And when we learn to appreciate the differences in each other and learn serve the Lord together, we will make a beautiful picture of God’s Church to the world.

Join us next Sunday as we HONOR OUR HEROES.

November 6, 2006

Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13-NIV) Thank a Vet and/or soldier today! Below is the contact information for the soldiers from our church, let them know you are praying for them and are proud of them.

November 13, 2006

November 20, 2006

November 27, 2006

December 4, 2006

December 11, 2006

December 18, 2006

December 27, 2006