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”.

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.

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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?

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.

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!

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.

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.”

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?

What a crazy series. When I was planning for the series the Lord warned me that it was not going to cause people to start having sexual issues but the Light was going to come and sexual immorality was going to be exposed. One thing I can tell you about the Lord is that He never lies. I think I was up every night dealing with one person after another who wanted to be free from some sort of sexual immorality. I know that my leaders where dealing with multiple issues also. So that shows me one of a two things.

1. We have a lot of horny people in our church who have not dealt with sexual issues and our church is abnormal.
2. We are not that abnormal and most churches are not dealing with sexual immorality issues and deciding to just keep it under the rug.

I have to say I believe #2. I am so thankful that we did this series we want to be a church that desires a pure heart. In this house we will continue to confront sin and will endeavor not to cover sin. We will expose sin and cover repentant people. I hope that you where challenged and blessed by this series as much as I was.

What is a testimony of something God did in your life through the summer sex talk series?

Summer Sex Talk Podcasts

• Part 1: Good Sex vs. Bad Sex as defined in scripture – Video / Audio
• Part 2: Fighting the idea that sex is no big deal – Video / Audio
• Part 3: Purity is an issue of the heart – Video / Audio

pastoraarond.wordpress.com

We Raised $25,000 of the $30,000!!! What a awesome thing! Praise the LORD!!! We still have a few things to finish but we are in and we are loving it. We are still accepting donations but make sure to mark it building fund as we are not taking anymore special offerings for it. If you give over the net please send a e-mail and let us know it is for the building fund. Thank you soooooooo much we truly love you and we are thankful for your gifts whatever size it was.

Make sure to go and check out the pictures.
PA

http://web.mac.com/pastoraarond/Site/Photos.html

Pictures Taken by Mark Rohl

One more week until the opening day and God is really blessing. We are getting real close to completing but we have a big week of work ahead of us. It has been one real crazy month!!! People of the church have been giving hours upon hours to build out what is going to be a very amazing space. We are so blessed! It is really coming together. I cannot wait to see it all done and to rejoice in the completion of what has been a huge undertaking for just one month.

I wanted to first off thank all who have stretched and given above and beyond to get us to the place we are. We are very near to $22,000 which is a huge blessing in just three weeks. I am still amazed to see how God has put together people who are so amazing to give gifts ranging from 1 dollar up to 10,000 dollars and everything in between. Dana and I where talking the other night about this being the first time we have felt such overwhelming support from people who have done so much for us. So thank you!!! We only need $8,000 and we have reached our goal of $30,000 that is awesome. Thank you!!! and most of all THANK GOD!!!

Anything that can be given will be a huge help! If you want to give there are a few ways to do that…

#1 – Online at lifeconnectionchurch.net
#2 – Send a check or Money order to life connection church PO Box 2205 Phoenix Az 85002
#3 – Give at one of our services

Thanks you so much for your prayers and support we truly are thankful.

Aaron

If God has given us such leaders then we need to rise up to the standard that has been set and be willing to invest into our own soil. I believe we are going to see from the leaders and the local body the rest of the $18,000 come in. So please lets continue to pray and continue to be obedient. Let’s Stretch together!

Just wanted to write and testify what God is doing and give you an update. Love you all!

PA

This letter comes to you with much excitement and mixed with that excitement is nervousness. Have you ever had that? Where you are so excited and nervous you are not sure where excitement ends and nervousness begins but it is all like washed together. I am overwhelmed with blessing but I am in need of help from as many people who can.

Ok here is what I am talking about… for the last 2 and half years we at life connection church have been praying for a new building location. Something that would be around 8,000 sq. feet and have more class space for our kids, seat about 250, have some offices, and something that would represent excellence a lot better. Every door that opened before seemed to close and so we would just turn from it believing that God would open a door and we would see Him work it out. The door has been opened to us!!! Our landlord came to us about 2 weeks ago and asked us to move to a bigger building just a block away from our current location and it is a great space with all that we were needing for this season. Because He came to us it gave us a lot of bargining power and we reached a deal that we are excited about. So we will moving into a new location Dec. 1 and have our opening service Dec. 2nd. THANK YOU, LORD!!!

Well all that is the exciting part and this is where nervousness meets excitement, but the peace of God passes all understanding. We need $30,000 this month for build out, furniture, decoration, media equipment, chairs, and the list could go on. This is where I am asking for your help. We need as many people who are in our lives on many different levels to give. If you know me at all you know that I hate writing letters like this because I do trust that God will provide but I also know that God provides through His people who are moved by His spirit to give. This is all I am asking, pray and ask God what to do, and do that! I know that it will help big time! I know many of you have helped us in the past and I am so thankful for your help and would not want to do anything that would offend you or push you away. If you feel like you should not give then by all means do not give, but If God’s spirit moves you to give then please do so as soon as possible.

Here is how you can give…

(1) By cash or check given in the sunday morning offering
(2) By mail to Life Connection Church at PO BOX 2205 Phoenix, AZ. 85002
(3) Go to lifeconnectionchurch.net click on the giving tab and give by card and all internet giving this month will go towards the building.

Please make all donations to Life Connection Church marked as building fund in some way.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! All of you mean a whole lot to me and I am thankful to have you in my life.

Love you and God bless,

Aaron Dailey

Love you all and I know you are going to be praying… check out princessbypurpose.com

I am very much missing you all, my babies, and my home. I am finished with what I was sent here to do and that is a good feeling. I leave tomarrow and I am soooooooooooooooooo ready! I Pray that all of you will be at church tomarrow and will prepare your hearts for what God has for you through brother Ralf. I will see you all next week with a word that God has birthed in my spirit that I can not get out of my mind and heart. Please be ready to recieve and hear what God is speaking to us! I love you all and thank you for your prayers!

See you soon!
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Love ya,
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Love,
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Think about it,
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Love ya,
Pastor