A few thoughts on the day before heading to bed and then getting up and hitting it hard in the AM…it’s going to be a short week…
- Excited out of my mind about our Christmas services this Wednesday and Thursday (here are the times and how you can RSVP and let us know what service you are coming to.)
- Do WHATEVER it takes to BRING someone with you to church on Wednesday/Thursday…the Gospel will be presented and we believe Jesus is going to do some amazing things…so…don’t hold back, ASK someone and don’t give up on them…God didn’t give up on us!!!
- I thought today was incredible…especially the worship set…“You Never Let Go” and “He Loves Me” absolutely rocks my world every time we sing them.
- Saw people receive Christ today…THAT never gets old!
- It’s funny how people can be IN church…yet feel so far away from God because of the circumstances they are going through.
- God cares WAY more about our character than He does our comfort…and He will allow us to be COMPLETELY uncomfortable if it means shaping our character to be more like His.
- If we could wrap our minds around this principle - “I was created to bring glory to God” - it would change EVERYTHING!
- Sometimes God will allow us to go through hard times to remind us of the simple fact that “it’s not about us!”
- Psalm 23:4 says that EVEN when we walk through hard times…He is with us!
- Isaiah 43:1-5 is also a must read when you feel abandonded/forgotten by God…notice He says “WHEN” not “if” we go through hard times…
- “Good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people” is not an idea that is found in Scripture…it’s actually something called karma, yet so many Christians believe it’s true!
- Reality is this…we can read our Bible’s, pray like crazy, be more generous that others…and still have all hell break loose in our lives.
- Some people complain to God by saying, “You’re not fair!” Uh…the last thing ANY of us want is for Him to be fair…because if He is then we all get what we deserve…and if that happens—we’re screwed!!!
- No matter where you are…no matter what you are going through…He’s there…He’s not forgotten you!
- God has a far greater purpose for your life than you could ever imagine…what He has in store for you is absolutely amazing! (See II Corinthians 4:16-18.)
- When we seem the most hopeless it is NOT a time to panic but rather to celebrate because situations like that are where God glorifies Himself the most!!!
- His plan is not always our plan (see Isaiah 55:8-9); therefore, we should STOP asking for permission to do what we want and place ourselves in submission to what HE wants!
- Like I said today…I personally would not have chosen the path that it took to get me where I am in life…but as I look back I can say without hesitation that HE IS FAITHFUL and was right beside me THROUGH IT ALL!!! He is AMAZING!
- BTW…I am also PUMPED up about our 10 year anniversary service...I REALLY hope you are planning on being there early…it’s going to be slammed!!!
- BTW…I am also PUMPED up about Unleash…sign ups are WAY ahead of where they were this time last year, seriously, it is starting to fill up fast. (Here is the link if you want to buy someone a ticket for Christmas this year...it would make a GREAT Christmas present!) I talked to a guy on Saturday that said 13 people from his church are coming…that’s awesome!!!
- I am also excited about the fact that because of the amazing generosity of the people at NewSpring Church that each campus (Greenville, Florence, Columbia and Anderson) was able to pick an elementary school in their community and bless each child in that school with a new pair of shoes (and for SOME of these kids it was the first pair of shoes they received this year!)
- Here is the news story that a news station did on the Greenville campus giveaway.
- And here is the news story that a station did on the Columbia campus giveaway.
- AND…yes, I am thinking about attempting another marathon. There is one in Nashville in April that MAY be calling my name!
That’s all!!! Good night!!!