Howdy NewSpring Church, EIGHT things I want to share today…
#1 - “The Life of Job - A Story Of Hope” has been my favorite series we’ve ever done here at NewSpring. It’s so awesome that a story written thousands of years ago can impact us today in such profound ways. This past Sunday we saw hundreds of people commit to take their next step in their walk with Christ as many prayed to receive Him, some signed up for baptism, others signed up for an ownership class, others were moved by God to go on a foreign mission trip and many other decisions were made as well. The service was amazing…major props to our campus pastors for sharing very specific vision as to how each campus will impact (not isolate from) the community they are in. AND…major props to our video production team for their excellent work on the foreign mission footage…hands down one of the most moving things I’ve ever seen.
#2 - Don’t forget the main point from this Sunday was - “IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!” (Jesus said something about that in Matthew 22:36-40) WOW…what if we approached life, where we work, our marriage, parenting, our friendships, the way we handle our finances and so on with that attitude (it’s not about me!) THAT COULD CHANGE THE WORLD!
#3 - As I said Sunday, I really do believe that every single follower of Christ should go on a foreign mission trip at least one time in their lives!!! Trust me, it will forever impact the way you view life…and I know from personal experience that Jesus unlocked some things in my life that I know I would have never discovered about Him, the church, the world and people that I would have never seen if I had been more obsessed with my comfort rather than His commands! (See Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8)
#4 - This coming Sunday we will be concluding the Job series with one of the most amazing things that blew me away personally when I studied this book. So far, we’ve seen seven things that Job understood that led to him living a life that was blessed more in the second half than the first (Job 42:12 )...and #8 has the potential to absolutely change your outlook on life, the way you see and treat people, and also it can and will absolutely change this entire state. I can’t wait!!
#5 - The next series we are going to be diving into is entitled “PARTY” and it will run through January 1st!!! The way I read the Scriptures…heaven is NOT going to be boring but rather will be an eternal celebration! YET…in spite of the fact that Jesus promises those who follow Him abundant life in John 10:10 why do so many IN THE CHURCH never seem to feel that at their deepest level…we will answer that on Sunday, December 11th with THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE LORD’S SUPPER SERVICE we’ve ever had at our church…can’t wait!
#6 - For those who have been asking/praying about the book I am writing, I’ve got one chapter left and then the entire rough draft is COMPLETE! :-) After that we begin the editing process, which I am REALLY looking forward to! I have an excellent editor who has a passion to make sure this is a great book…and I am looking forward to learning more and more from her in regards to how to be a better writer. I will keep you posted as this project progresses along.
#7 - For those still looking for a Christmas gift idea…there are still spots available for the trip to Israel this spring…it’s going to be amazing. Here is where you can get more info.