Rising up a risen Savior
April 3, 2010 by Deb Foos
Filed under Encouragement
As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this Easter season, I am drawn, time and time again, to those three words. I realize that I have held onto this knowledge as something that happened far off….in another land, in another time. While I rejoice in the living Jesus, who continues to sanctify me and astounds me with His Love, the act of His resurrection was somehow detached from my everyday view.
I am only just beginning to realize a different perspective regarding the importance of recognizing that special day in my everyday life. Moreover, God is showing me the importance of actually performing that act, myself; that is, lifting up Christ high above all else.
I’ve found that so many of us say we hold Christ higher than anything else in our lives. But when I ask myself if Christ is more important to me than my children; my comfort; my pride; my desires, I must repent. All too often, I realize that my own desires are elevated at an unhealthy level and THEY are what become risen in my life.
I was praying recently about a situation in which I wanted Jesus to intervene. I asked for all the “right things” – a changed heart; a godly perspective; kind actions; but my motives were not pure They were merely to exalt myself by making a difficult situation easier for me to handle. When His Holy Spirit revealed this to me, I knew that I had erred and needed to exalt Christ! I had to perform the act of rising Him up in this situation and not myself.
I am still dealing with and working through this situation I mentioned. God didn’t take it away, or change it to make it more comfortable for me. But I am now able to see that my eyes were focused on how it could be easier for me if only Christ were there, instead of focusing on lifting Him up and seeing that He already was. By His grace over me, I am able to view evidence of His mercy, His grace, and the gifts He bestows upon His children. His Holy Spirit has allowed me to see that I had raised my own comfort above Christ. And, although the circumstances haven’t changed, Christ is now being glorified. All because He led me back to ponder those three words, “HE HAS RISEN”.
My Christmas Wish
December 23, 2009 by Deb Foos
Filed under Encouragement
So here it is, Christmas time again. As much as we try to keep our focus on Christ and his birth during this time of year, it seems we still manage to get caught up in the commercialism of the season. Christmas trees attract our attention; shopping for gifts becomes a pastime; and many of us look forward to a couple of extra days off from work to spend with our families. I, too, enjoy these same things myself. I look forward to pulling out my Christmas socks to wear and driving in my neighborhood to admire the houses all decorated with splendid light displays. Nonetheless, I was challenged today when the question was posed, “has Christ been forgotten and selfishness crept in?” Our first reaction to such a question would likely be that we, as Christians, haven’t forgotten Christ! Of course not! However, listening to our Pastor this morning preach about Immanuel, and the meaning of the name, challenged me even further, and brings about my Christmas wish for you.
Isaiah 7:14 foretells the birth of Christ, and that “…His name shall be called Immanuel”. Isaiah 9:6 says, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”. Now, we know that Christ wasn’t actually named any of those names, but was named Jesus. But He is known by those names, as well. When we consider the name Immanuel and its meaning, God is with us, we come to a point that we really have to ask ourselves if we have forgotten Him. The question posed today was, “If God was right next to you, how would you behave?”
My Christmas wish for you is one that carries through the entire year. My wish, and my prayer, is that we all remember that Christ is with us – every day. His spirit indwells within us; he is standing right next to us when we avoid that person we don’t want to make eye contact with. He is right next to us and hears us scream at our children. He is watching our response when we are asked to give. Have we forgotten this when we chose not to share His good word with our neighbor, or when we curse at the drive who cut us off? My wish for all of us is that we conduct ourselves in such a way that if Jesus were standing next to us, he would smile and pleased; every day of the year.
Merry Christmas to you and to your families. Rejoice with gladness from the abundance in your hearts.
Sunday Wrap-Up 4/12/09
April 14, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Sermon Wrap Up
Wrap-up 4/12/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Sunday Wrap up – 4/5/09
April 7, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Sermon Wrap Up
4/5/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Sunday Wrap Up 3/22/09
March 23, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Sermon Wrap Up
Sunday Wrap Up -3/22 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Sunday Wrap up 3/15/09
March 17, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Sermon Wrap Up
Sunday Wrap up 3/15 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Sunday Wrap up 3/1/09
March 2, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Sermon Wrap Up
Sunday Wrap-up 3/1/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Vintage Jesus notes for connection groups.
Pastor Aaron’s Twitter account.
Sunday Wrap-up 2/22/09
February 24, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Sermon Wrap Up
Sunday Wrap-Up 2/22/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Click Here for the Vintage Jesus notes.
Anthropology 2009 info. & sign-up
Sunday Wrap-Up 2/15/09
February 16, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Notes, Sermon Wrap Up
Sunday Wrap-UP 2/15/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Click here to download this weeks connection groups study notes.
Sunday wrap up – 2/8/09
February 9, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Notes, Sermon Wrap Up
Untitled from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
Connection group questions:
(1) What is a testimony of something God has started in you in the past few weeks?
(2) Do you have a fear of not being able to complete what God has started in you?
(3) Do you see a pattern of quitting, burn out, or back sliding in your past?
(4) What did God teach you on sunday about endurance?
(5) What are the biggest things that keep you motivated in hard times to keep going?
(6) What are some areas of prayer that we can join with you in that you are facing right now?
Sunday Wrap Up – 2/1/09
February 2, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Notes, Sermon Wrap Up
This series has really challenged me and this fast really opened my eyes to an error in the thinking of this church. Many people, including myself, were having a hard time asking God for good things that they felt as if they did not deserve, therefore trying to carry the punishment for themselves and diminishing the work of Jesus and the gospel. We know that God is sovereign and in control but do we believe that He is good and merciful? A good and loving Father who we can run to for everything? I think this error in our thinking has effected our worship, prayer, and faith. Today we spent time just praying and asking God for good things, not that we deserve it or that He has not already done enough for us, but that we believe that our God is good and His mercy endures forever. We are going to continue asking Him for grace and kindness. We had so many people coming up for prayer today crying and asking for God to show up in their lives and asking for miracles, healings, restoration, provision, peace, and the list could go on. I thank God for the good and gracious things He did this week and I know that something has been stirred in me so I want to run to him for continued grace. Thank you for being a good and merciful God.
My prayer for this church is that we would get a bigger picture of God. In the connection groups we are going to be spending time in prayer for each other and just asking for God to meet you at the point of your need. Then we will also be talking about a few other thoughts concerning these things. Look over these questions think about them and when you go to your connection groups we will discuss them.
(1) How do you view God?
(2) Do you believe your view of God effects your prayer life and worship?
(3) Do you know God is good and that He loves you?
(4) What are somethings that you are having a hard time trusting God for?
(5) What can your group be praying about for you?
Really think through these questions and in your groups you will be tackling some of these topics. Bless you and make sure to stay connected in your groups. If you do not have a group check the web page for days and times. See you sunday as we start a new series.
Hunger week – Day #6
January 31, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Announcements, Notes, Prayer
Philippians 1
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
This verse really hit me this week. The Love that Paul had for that church was deep and he always prayed for them with joy because of there partnership. He said he had them in there heart. I have to say that I was truly touched by this an encouraged because I really feel this way about the people God has put in my life. The partnership that I get to have with the people in this house to carry out gospel is one that I am blessed to have. I thank God for you! I love the partners that God has given to me and I want you to know that you are in my heart.
I also want to encourage you with verse six as I was encouraged he who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. We have to know if God is author he will finish it. If He is the one who began it then He will finish it. We need to put our faith in Jesus and the unity that He has brought into this house by the spirit and watch Him carry out in us the vision that He started.
I love you and thank you for partnering with me in the gospel and I carry you in my heart. What a great fast!
Hunger Week – Day #5
January 30, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Announcements, Notes
Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.
When we believe and follow Jesus there will be signs that accompany us. We are told that when we lay hands on the sick they will recover. We, by Jesus, have been given authority over demons, poisons, and sickness. If these are signs that follow those who believe why are we not seeing them follow us? I think it has to do with our lack of belief. Do we believe that in the name of Jesus we can be healed? God has power over all disease and He has told us to lay hands on the sick and they will recover.
Jas 5:14 – Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
God is the one who does the healing but the word of God tells us to to lay hands on sick and anoint them with oil. I think we should just do it and believe that He can and will heal. Today as we are praying for healing I want you to meditate on a few things.
(1) Do you believe you have authority in the name of Jesus over all demons and sickness?
(2) Do you put that belief in action by laying hands on people and praying for them?
My challenge to you today is simply to ask someone if you can pray for them, and then lay hands on them and pray and believe God will do a miracle.
Hunger Week – Day #3
January 28, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Announcements, Notes, Prayer
Mark 9:29 - So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
I was thinking about this verse as we are fasting and praying. It’s interesting how there are certain demons that only come out when we starve our flesh and feed our spirits. What is it about fasting and prayer that takes us to another level of authority?
Julio C. Ruibal said, “Our greatest victories are won on our knees and with empty stomachs.”
Hunger week – Day #2
January 27, 2009 by Aaron Dailey
Filed under Announcements, Notes
2 Chronicles 7:14 ”if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
To turn from our wicked ways or to repent is usually a big part of our prayer life. We know that when we have sin in our hearts, or lives, that there is a block between us and God. Every time we come before Him (if we do) we are confronted with the ugliness of our sin. Most of us cannot even focus in our prayer life if we know we have unrepented sin. Many times I find my self praying like David.
Psalm 139: 23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
What I am learning about repentance is it is something that I have to continue in. Not only do I need to continue in prayer all day and it is not just a one time event but I need to have my heart in a humble and repentant state on a continual basis. I also need His Spirit to search me and show me sin otherwise I might excuse it and call it normal. I cannot even know my sin unless the Holy Spirit and or the Word reveals it to me.
Romans 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
I am thankful that it is the kindness of God that leads me to repentance. I thank Jesus for being patient with me and not destroying me but showing me mercy. I not only need to repent but I want to because He is so kind and merciful.
Today ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any sin that is in you. Ask Him to lead you to a hatred of your sin and a repentant heart. Let Him do a work in your heart and lead you in the way of everlasting. Think of the kindness of God and meditate on His mercy and let that lead you into repentance.
questions to meditate on…
(1) What is the biggest block in your spiritual life?
(2) What sins do you see in your life that you need to repent of?
(3) What do you deserve for all the sin you have committed and why have you not received what you deserve?
(4) What kindness has God shown to you?