Heroes of the Faith Part 4

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40

The author of Hebrews is not saying that those Old Testament heroes of the faith who did not receive what was promised somehow missed out on God's blessings. Just because some of them died while being tortured, some lost their kingdoms, and some didn't see fulfillment of prophecies while they were alive doesn't mean they failed or got ripped off by God.

You see, all of these people of faith entered the afterlife with great reward. But it was not until us, the age of the church, that the work was completed. It was not until Christ's work on the cross that perfection of true sinlessness was attained.

The Bible shows us that before the cross, those people who were counted righteous by faith went to Paradise. But although Paradise was a place of comfort (Luke 16:25), it was not in heaven, it was in the center of the earth, across a large chasm from Hades, the place of fire and torment.

It was not until Christ was crucified that the sins of those faithful were paid for. It was then that he led those Old Testament saints to heaven, giving them the true gift of resurrection into eternal life.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw Therefore off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Let's make this personal. How can we be God’s heroes by living by faith?

By faith you make a commitment to worship at church each Sunday.

By faith you make being a part of a small group a priority in your life.

By faith you dedicate yourself to an ongoing ministry within the church.

By faith you give at least 10 percent of your income to Christ and His church.

By faith you teach your children the Scriptures, by reading them Bible stories

By faith you get involved in discipling others and find that great joy of Christ of pouring your life into the lives of a few other people.

By faith you invite friends, coworkers, relatives and neighbors to join you to grow and serve and be a blessing to others.

By faith you … You fill in the blanks. Forgive your spouse, discipline your children, adopt a child, accept rejection and mocking for Christ's sake, stand alone for God's honor when everyone else seems to be going with the crowd, replace a job that expected you to compromise with another job that doesn't make as much, but let's you have a clear conscience. By faith you pray, read your Bible, worship God, and seek to share the gospel. It's all by faith! Faith in what? Faith in the reality of who God is and what God has said in His word and done in our lives.

Be a hero for God by faith.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Moving In Help
Kael & Sara Bloom and family will be moving back to Hays around 12 noon THIS SATURDAY. The address of the new house is 2021 Metro Lane (over by Sternberg museum). They would sure appreciate our help in cleaning, organizing, and of course moving everything in.

Sara says, “We don't have a lot of stuff so if there's lots of hands it won't take long at all, 30 mins to an hour max! Thank you for everything! We can't wait for Saturday!

Heroes of the Faith Part 3

Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷ They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. Hebrews 11:35-37

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews reminds us of Old Testament heroes who remained faithful even in the face of persecution. First Century Christians were fed to lions, tigers and wolves for spectators pleasure in the circus at Rome… and while they awaited their death, history tells us that they held hands and sang hymns.

It is unfortunate that much of the so-called "gospel" that is proclaimed nowadays tries to convince people that by becoming a person of faith, you can avoid all of life's difficulties. "The man with faith will never be sick, only healthy! The woman of faith will never be poor, only rich! The person with enough faith will experience only blessings, and no problems!"

It sounds like a good deal, but it is far from the truth. As a matter of fact, the Bible says, in 2Timothy 3:12 And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” Even Jesus said, John 16:33 “...In the world you have tribulation...”

Many think that pain is the exception in the Christian life. When suffering occurs, they say, “Why me?” They feel as though God deserted them, or perhaps they accuse Him of not being as dependable as they thought. In reality, however, we live in an evil world filled with suffering, even for believers. But God is still in control. He allows some Christians to become martyrs for the faith, and he allows others to survive persecution. Rather than asking, “Why me?” it is much more helpful to ask, “Why not me?” Our faith and the values of this world are on a collision course. But God’s promise is rock solid, that He will be with us in the midst of trials.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Heroes of the Faith Part 2

³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

³⁵ Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷ They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. Hebrews 11:33-38 (NIV)

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews reminds us of Old Testament heroes who experienced great victories through their faith. We too, can experience victory through faith in Christ. Our victories over oppressors may be like those of the Old Testament saints, but more likely, our victories will be directly related to overcoming personal, relational and financial obstacles. In the promised resurrection, even death will be defeated and Christ’s victory will be made complete.

The same power that shut the mouths of lions… The same power that brought down the walls of Jericho….The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us. Our faith can resurrect our marriages, overcome addictions, bring back our financial lives. That same power is available to us to restore relationships, renew our health, reclaim that which was lost. Faith in the power of God’s Spirit through Jesus Christ is the power to change our lives.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Moving In Help
Kael & Sara Bloom and family will be moving back to Hays around 12 noon THIS SATURDAY. The address of the new house is 2021 Metro Lane (over by Sternberg museum). They would sure appreciate our help in cleaning, organizing, and of course moving everything in.

Sara says, “We don't have a lot of stuff so if there's lots of hands it won't take long at all, 30 mins to an hour max! Thank you for everything! We can't wait for Saturday!

Heroes of the Faith Part 1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

In the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews the author gives us a definition of what faith is.

Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character—he is who he says. The end point is believing in God’s promises—he will do what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.

The King James translation of Hebrews 11:1 says faith "is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

"Substance" means faith grasps God's promises and brings them right into the present moment of our experience. Faith is the act of grabbing hold of that which has substance.

Faith does not operate in the realm of theory but in the realm of practice. Faith is not uncertain. Faith and its basis—the promises of God—have as much substance and reality as this Blog you are reading with your eyes. Faith is reading the Word of God, believing it by taking it at, and then responding in obedience. These are the characteristics of the people listed in the 11th Chapter of Hebrews. The Bible’s “Hall of Faith”.

Throughout this week we will look at some of these Heroes of Faith.

Your pastor and partner in ministry, Kyle

“It’s a Beautiful Day for a Ballgame”

Having grown up in Chicago, I have been a Cubs fan since before I ever put on a Little League uniform. I learned the expression “Die Hard”, not from a Bruce Willis movie, but from what it means to root, root, root, for the home team, year after year whether they are in first place, or in the case of the Cubbies, mostly in last.

The last time the Cubs were in the World Series was in 1945. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was 1908. As a result, I live in a state of optimistic, “maybe next year” anticipation. I believe being a Cub fan and being a Christian are closely related because they are both subject to persecution and both are awaiting with great expectation a “glorious appearing”. Christians await the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Cub fans await a World Series appearance.

Growing up a Cub fan there was one player who became my hero. His name was Ernie Banks. He played for the Cubs from 1954-1971, breaking the color barrier in Chicago after playing for the Kansas City Monarchs in the old Negro League. Banks hit 512 homers and was named the Most Valuable Player in the National League in 1958 and1959, all while playing on the last place team!

Ernie Banks was a great player, elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. But what made Ernie Banks my hero was not his prowess on the field, but his attitude off of it. Every year he would optimistically predict, something like, “The Cubs are going to shine in 69” or “The Cubs will be heavenly in 1970”. Every game day, when asked by reporters what he thought about the teams prospects, Ernie would respond, “Lets Play Two!”

Even in the cellar of the National League playing nothing but day games in the sweltering heat of August, optimistic Ernie wanted to play a doubleheader. Ernie Banks never got to a World Series but his attitude remained eternally optimistic earning him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award an American citizen can receive. During his Hall of Fame acceptance speech He thanked God for the talent he was given, his family for the support they showed him and to the organization and teammates who gave him the opportunity to succeed. That is the proper order of things. Seeing Ernie’s love and positive attitude was great role model for me as I grew up. Ernie Banks my hero passed away this last weekend at 83.

I have difficulty finding heroes in the sports pages today but I know I can always find them in the Bible’s pages. Throughout the scriptures we are introduced to dozens of heroic characters.

In the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews some fifteen heroes, men and women of the Old Testament are listed as being exemplary in their faith. A lineup of Biblical greats like Abraham, Moses, David, and the Jericho prostitute Rahab are forever remembered in a Hall of Fame like gallery for us to look up to and emulate with our lives. These heroes of the faith displayed characteristics of courage, perseverance, sacrifice and with great faith in God who wrote His story on their hearts and lives. Who are your heroes of the faith?

Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle

State of the Church (Part 3)

Last week the pastors of Celebration Community Church met again with Todd Brown, CEO of Brown Church Development Group. We have partnered with BCDG to provide a ministry assessment of where we are as a church and what we need to do to fulfill our vision of being a church of 2000 in worship attendance by the end of this decade.

BCDG has compiled extensive information in what they call their GPS-Growth Positioning Study and the results are OFF THE CHARTS PHENOMINAL!

Todd told a gathering of our church board, staff and ministry leaders that C3 is the most balanced and healthy church he has ever had the pleasure of working with. We could not be paid a greater compliment than that. We have strived since our inception at being a church that was evenly balanced when it comes to the five purposes our church is built upon. Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Evangelism and Ministry.

I want to take this opportunity to remind you that:

It is through the church that Christians plug into God’s power.
It is through the church that Christians connect with God’s people.
It is through the church that Christians study God’s principles.
It is through the church that Christians learn God’s plan.
It is through the church that Christians fulfill God’s purpose.

This Sunday at all five of our services Pastor Brant Rice and I will deliver the annual C3 State of the Church address while continuing our series on telling “My Story”. I encourage all of you who can attend to do so.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

State of the Church (part 2)

Once a year the United States’ constitution requires the President of the United States deliver an annual State of the Union message to the joint houses of Congress.  We have a tradition here at Celebration Community Church where once a year, the pastors deliver a State of the Church message.  

This Sunday as a part of all five of our services Pastor Brant and I will show the highlights of much that went on in 2014 and then share some of the things we have to look forward to in 2015.

As a part of our State of the Church we review, we remember and we reinforce why we do what we do. We also reconnect with our mission and purpose.  What is the purpose of our church?

With a Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, God will grow a Great Church.

Please accept this invitation to be a part of the State of the Church address this Sunday at C3 Hays.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

State of the Church

Traditionally the State of the Union is the address presented by the President of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress, in January each year.  The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows presidents to outline their legislative agenda (for which they need the cooperation of Congress) and their national priorities. The address fulfills rules in Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, requiring the President to periodically give Congress information on the "state of the union”. Last night President Obama delivered his State of the Union address.

For some time now at the beginning of the year I have delivered a report to  the congregation of Celebration Community Church on the progress of our ministry and mission while previewing what is to come at C3 in the coming year.

This Sunday at all five of our services Pastor Brant Rice and I will deliver the C3 State of the Church address while continuing our series on telling “My Story”. I encourage all of you who can attend to do so.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Congratulations to Erin & Manny Hernandez on the birth of their daughter Julieta Liz born on 12:01am on Jan. 19, weighing 7# 14oz, 20"

The Passionate Pursuit of God

Yesterday during our church staff meeting I spoke of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his passionate pursuit of fulfilling his purpose as a minister of the Gospel of Christ by seeking equality among all God’s children, winning him the Nobel peace Prize in 1964. Mother Teresa was passionate about serving the needs of the poorest of the poor. Gandhi, though Hindu was passionate about following Jesus’ example of nonviolent confrontation to bring about change. Jesus, himself is the ultimate example of being passionately in pursuit of the saving of your soul by his full on surrender in  the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary, sweating blood and tears to set you free from your past so that you and I may have life abundantly though Him.

I’ll ask you now what I asked our staff yesterday. What are you that passionate about?  Many people might answer by sharing a sports fanaticism or a recreational pursuit. But what I am asking is, what God given pursuit are you so passionate about that will effect change in your immediate world?  Your unique gifts, personality and passion are tailor-made to fulfill your God-given purpose on earth. Only when living and operating toward fulfilling God’s purpose for your life, will you experience true success, happiness and the prize of peace that awaits those who pursue it.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

I have a dream

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." Acts 2:17 (NIV)

Today we remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a leader of the American civil rights movement, a political activist, and a Baptist minister. In 1964, King became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (for his work as a peacemaker, promoting Jesus’ teaching of non-violence and equal treatment of all.

King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to a gathering of over 200,000 people on August 28, 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.

In these last days King’s words and message still ring true for us and continue to inspire us to dream great dreams for God today and everyday.

… "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring — when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children — black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Today we remember and pay homage to the only Christian Pastor to have a National Holiday named after him who followed the non-violent tenets of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

B.E.L.O.N.G. Part 2

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. Ephesians 2:19 (TLB)

Being a Christian isn’t just about BELIEVING it is also about BELONGING to a church family. The word “B.E.L.O.N.G.” lends itself to being used as a strategic tool for understanding what it means to be a member of a church family.  

BECOME a believer and follower of Jesus Christ through salvation and expressed through the ordinances of baptism and communion.

EMBRACE a life of purpose through the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

LIVE life together in the context of a small group.

OFFER your time, talent and treasure.

We do this to advance the Kingdom of God and to build up the body of believers at the Celebration. Jesus teaches us that “it is better to give than it is to receive”.

NURTURE relationships within the community.

We do this by sharing our faith and inviting our friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers to church to experience what we have found in Christ.

GROW through spiritual next steps.

We provide all you attend our Connection Class the book, “Fresh Start With God” which gives you practical steps to help you grow and become all that God created you to be.  

This Saturday January 17th at 10am we are holding our next Connections Class. If you have now yet taken it I want to encourage you to contact ericka@celebratejesus.org to RSVP. Refreshments will be served and child care is available upon request.

Tomorrow in this blog we will conclude what it means to B.E.L.O.N.G.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

This Saturday 7:30aM

C3’s Membership Class This Saturday 10am

Refreshments served /Childcare upon request

Memorize it. Meditate on it. Mark it on the wall of the service you attend.

B.E.L.O.N.G. Part 1

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. Ephesians 2:19 (TLB)

Being a Christian isn’t just about BELIEVING it is also about BELONGING to a church family. The word “B.E.L.O.N.G.” lends itself to being used as a strategic tool for understanding what it means to be a member of a church family.  

BECOME a believer and follower of Jesus Christ through salvation and expressed through the ordinances of baptism and communion.

For us at Celebration Community Church, the first part of helping people belong and is to help them take their first steps in their commitment to follow Christ and be baptized. We teach this this through our CONNECTIONS Class which provides spiritual growth resources for new and re-committed believers. This 90 minute class also provides opportunities for new folks at C3 to get acquainted with other believers.  

EMBRACE a life of purpose through the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).These scriptures are at the core of who we are at C3.   

LIVE life together in the context of a small group. This is another core value for us. Clearly, a large part of belonging to a local church is building strong, healthy relationships with others within the Body of Christ. At Celebration, we clearly express our expectation that every member will be committed to being in a healthy small group.

This Saturday January 17th at 10am we are holding our next Connections Class. If you have now yet taken it I want to encourage you to contact ericka@celebratejesus.org to RSVP. Refreshments will be served and child care is available upon request.

Tomorrow in this blog we will conclude what it means to B.E.L.O.N.G.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

This Saturday 7:30aM

C3’s Membership Class This Saturday 10am

Refreshments served /Childcare upon request

Memorize it. Meditate on it. Mark it on the wall of the service you attend.

What FEAR Is

1933 in the midst of the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his Inaugural address told a country desperately in need of hope, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

We live in a time of terror.  Global terror,  cyber invasions, financial uncertainty, These problems can rock our world and In leave us in a perpetual state of apprehension, trepidation and fear. We fear for our families, our jobs, our health and well being. This is not some minor issue. Fear affects everyone everyday and God wants to put a stop to that and set us free from all our fears.

A definition of fear that I heard some years ago.

F-E-A-R -- False Evidence Appearing Real.  

It looks like it's true but it's not.  Most fears never really happen in the first place. One study discovered that forty percent of all fears are about the future and never happen.  Thirty percent of the fears you have are about the past and can't be changed.  Twelve percent are needless fears about your health that you don't need to have. Ten percent are petty fears that are not worth worrying about. Which means that there are only eight percent of your fears that are legitimate fears and those can be dealt with by taking the appropriate steps of action.

An antidote for overcoming our fears  "I prayed to the Lord and He answered me; He freed me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4 (GN)

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

This Saturday 7:30aM

C3’s Membership Class This Saturday 10am

Refreshments served /Childcare upon request

Daniel Part 2

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8

There are a couple of things we can learn from Daniel’s response to the king’s decree that the young men in his court were to eat certain foods and to drink wine (Daniel 1:5). First, we learn that Daniel remained faithful to God when it seemed as though God had not been. Daniel had just seen his home destroyed by the King of Babylon and was subsequently taken into captivity and forced internment. (Daniel 1:1-4). To many of us it may seem as though God had not taken care of Daniel and his fellow Israelites, allowing the Babylonians to conquer and disperse them. Even though it appeared that way from a human perspective, Daniel stayed faithful to God and his commandments; even when it came to the food he ate and what he drank.

Secondly, we learn that Daniel looked for God’s favor above man’s favor. We know that he was displaced because of his handsome appearance and knowledge (Daniel 1:4). He possessed what was required to succeed in the Babylonian King’s court. But, instead of kissing up his way through the ranks, as all the other young men undoubtedly tried to do, he chose to find favor with God by obeying his commandments. He did this rather than doing whatall the others around him were doing. This is similar to what many of us have had to deal with in school or in our workplaces. Decisions like, “Do I stick with my morals, or do what all the others are doing to be popular and successful. We may even try to justify our actions by thinking, “Is God really going to care about this minor detail I don’t obey if I use my new found position to positively influence others?” Resolve, like Daniel, to seek first God’s favor over those around us.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Come get support for Healthy Living TONIGHT 6:30pm in the Pond@ C3

This Saturday 7:30 am

C3’s Membership Class This Saturday 10am

Refreshments served /Childcare upon request

RSVP to ericka@celebratejesus.org

Meditate on it, Memorize it, Mark it on the wall.

Daniel

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10b (NIV)

Have you ever been in a pinch? Usually for me it comes when there are circumstances in my life that I can’t control. Circumstances that affect me, but that are beyond my control, make me want to find comfort in things I can control like eating things that are sweet and salty. This feels like an easy way to get some comfort but in these situations, what feels comforting going in my mouth doesn’t do anything else that is good for the body.

In Daniel 6:10, Daniel had just learned that if anyone was caught praying to anyone else besides King Darius, they would be thrown into the lion’s den. Now that’s a serious pinch! But Daniel’s reaction is amazing. He went home, threw his windows open, and prayed anyway. I’m not thinking he did this because he felt good. I’m imagining he felt like anyone would feel in overwhelming circumstances. But he rose above his feelings to make a choice. A choice he has made over and over again habitually” And do you know what he chose to pray? “God, save me!” “God, it’s not fair!” “God, this is too much!” “God, smite my enemies and wipe them out!” “God, You know I can’t handle this without bags of chocolate chip cookies and gummie bears.” No. None of the above. What Daniel prayed is a powerful lesson for us all. Daniel 6:10b tells us that Daniel spoke prayers of gratitude. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” “Just as he had done before”, Daniel was in the habit of praying daily. Since Daniel’s response is so opposite of the way most of us would react, it makes me stop and ponder. Our initial responses are usually a by-product of lives right under the surface of our emotions. Since Daniel was a man who continually sought God in prayer thankfulness to God and God’s nature and how He provides was front and center in Daniel’s heart—even in the midst of uncontrollable circumstances. I am challenged and inspired by Daniel’s response and hope you are too.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

My Story, Living the Story You Want to Tell

Who were your role models as you were growing up? A bigger question is, Why were they your heroes? Odds are that as you read their stories you came to respect what they did with their lives. What will your story be? What legacy are you leaving? Maybe you’ve never considered yourself as the “role model” type. But your life is still telling a story. It’s never too late to take control of your life and begin to live the story that you want to tell!

Beginning this Sunday January 11th at all five of our services Pastor Brant and I will start a new teaching series called. “My Story, Living the Story You Want to Tell.” Join us as we explore 4 great decisions inspired by HIS story that will help you write the next chapter of your life in a new way.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Memorize it. Meditate on it. Mark it on the wall of the service you attend.

Spiritual Checkup

One of the great traditions we have at C3 is choosing a Scripture Verse of the Year to help guide us through what the New Year brings. The process we have been using for sometime now is called a Spiritual Check-Up. Like going to the Dr. yearly to check on your physical condition, a spiritual check up helps us diagnosis our spiritual condition.

SPIRITUAL CHECK–UP 2015

(Five questions to ask yourself to help you lead a healthy, purposeful life)

1. What was my scripture verse of the year for 2014?
If you chose one last year why did you choose that one? Reclaim it as your own.

2. Through what difficulties last year did God try to teach me to rely on Him?
Remember some specific difficult times you went through and look back to see how God was with you through them.

3. What fruit of the Spirit does God want to grow greater in me this year?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

4. What ministry gifts does God want to develop greater in me in the coming year?
The way we develop gifts is to use them in service to others find a ministry in the church and help others. Find them Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:28.

5. What is God putting on my heart to be your scripture verse of the year for 2015?
Take time this week to turn off your t.v. and computer, open up God’s word and ask him to lead you to a verse that will lead you in the coming year.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Memorize it. Meditate on it. Mark it on the wall of the service you attend.

Thursday’s 6:30pm
This Thursday Matt Dumler leads on Abraham

Choosing Your Scripture Verse

What joy I have felt during the last week while fellow staff members of Celebration Community Church have taken over the responsibility for these daily blog posts. I have enjoyed reading about their spiritual journeys and why they have chosen their Scripture Verses of the Year. I am so proud of them all and encouraged by this team who are fully devoted to Christ and to you the people of the Celebration. The Bible is the foundation upon which we build our lives. Last year I chose 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (NLT)

As you think this week about choosing your scripture verse of the year remember:

1. “All scripture is inspired (God breathed)

2. All scripture is useful to teach us what is right and wrong.

3. All scripture prepares and equips us to do God’s will.

God wants us to put into practice what we learn. He gives us a message to not just to listen but to obey.

The Bible is an intensely practical book. It tells us what to do, and it tells us how to do it. It prepares and equips us. It contains God's practical plan on how to build a successful life, on how to build a family that God can bless, how to be happy, how to live a life of significance. All of the messages that Pastor Brant and I are basically "how to" messages. Why? Because the goal of the Bible isn't to make us more knowledgeable. As 2 Timothy 3:17 says "It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do."

As you choose your Scripture Verse of the Year pick one that will equip you for what God wants you to do.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Hope (n) confident trust with the EXPECTATION of fulfillment.

When I was praying about my scripture verse for 2015 I felt led to a verse I’ve chosen before, in 2007, after my husband and I had the heartache of a miscarriage. It was a verse that comforted me and gave me hope. We were blessed with our daughter Chloe the following year. She is a good reminder that God’s plan is perfect, and I need to trust it. Now 8 years later, I’ve felt led to that verse again.

On February 11, 2011 my son Kelby, then 7 years old, had a stroke at the kitchen table. Through a whirlwind of doctor visits in Kansas City we were sent home, with the doctor saying to “enjoy him while we have him.” We were broken and our hearts hurt but we knew God was still in control. We continued to pray and felt led to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. We went in April and heard the words that we longed to hear from the Pediatric Neurosurgeon, “I think we can help your son.” Six neurosurgeons before him had said they couldn’t do anything to help him, so you can imagine how ecstatic we were. Kelby had Gamma Knife brain surgery 9 days later. This surgery is a slow solution to the problem, meaning we’ve had to learn a “new normal” at our house while we wait for healing. During this time of waiting I adopted a quote:
“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to Dance in the Rain.” – Vivian Green

This quote reminds me that during this storm that started 4 years ago my responsibility is to put my Hope in God and Trust Him with this, therefore letting go of the overwhelming burden of it and being able to enjoy my life just as it is right now, therefore, “dancing in the rain,” enjoying life in the midst of the storm.

As we prepare for another trip to Mayo Clinic over Spring Break for another angiogram and Gamma Knife Brain Surgery scheduled, I need to be reminded “For I know the plans I have for you”- God knows what the doctor at Mayo will see in March, it’s not going to surprise God, and I trust Him and His plans, so I can rest in the assurance that God has this planned out, exactly as He sees fit according to his purpose. His word says “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I trust His plans. They may not look exactly the way I would have written them (I’m pretty sure I would’ve left this chapter out if I were writing the plans for my life!) but I know his eternal perspective is so much better than my earthly one.

Someone shared with me this quote that describes this difference in perspective:
“Our life is like a stained glass window; sometimes all we see is a broken shard of glass, but when God looks at the big picture of our lives that shard of broken glass fits into the picture to create a beautiful masterpiece, and without it, the picture would not be as beautiful.”

What I sometimes see as broken glass, God sees as a vital piece to His masterpiece! So, even though I may have preferred to keep this chapter out of my life story, God’s plan is perfect. His plans promise hope and a future.
“Where there is Hope there is Faith, Where there is Faith, Miracles happen.”

My verse for 2015: Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“

DeLynn Rice

What is your Scripture Verse of the Year?

Memorize it. Meditate on it.

Mark it on the wall of the service you attend.

Time

We all have the same amount of it each day.
24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86400 seconds.
When we become adults, time seems to speed up. I find myself thinking things like, “where did the time go?” And “wow, time flies!”

I've realized in searching for my scripture verse of the year that I need to take more time to play and enjoy this wonderful life God has given me.

The verse I have chosen this year is psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

With the best of intentions you may tell yourself to work now and play later, not remembering that work sometimes takes up all the time, leaving no time for play, not realizing that you haven't played for a long, long time. But play is a reflection of God’s ways just as much as the most serious prayer or good work. Your whole person needs the alternating rhythms of activity and rest, work and play.

God is playful. He delights in us, his creation. He gave us a playful side so I can only think that he has one too. We who are made in God’s image are meant to play—not just when we were children but also now as an adult. We are meant to look at things with childlike wonder and joy. My niece Bella asks me to play with her a lot and I have learned to embrace my inner child by saying yes more often than not.

If you have been too busy giving your life over to work, you are missing out on the glorious gift of play. Playing refreshes the spirit. Play helps you break out of the box and think in unexpected ways.

I encourage you to let your inner child come out and play, often. Play can restore the joy in your heart and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

“Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.” Psalm 5:11 NLT

May you all have a playful 2015!
Ericka Pfeifer
Pastors Assistant

What is your Scripture Verse of the Year?

Memorize it. Meditate on it.

Mark it on the wall of the service you attend.