The Low Down

Compelled by Love

Last night we kicked off our first series of the fall. Over the past month, God has really been stirring my heart about what we as a student ministry and even more specifically, about what we can do individually for others. We have a major outreach coming up in just about a month that we call, "Battle of the Schools". It's truly the event of the year for us. However, the time in between returning to school and our annual big event is a very important and strategic time to speak into our students' lives about reaching the lost. While we were in Detroit for National Youth Convention, the NYM Team unveiled the new Speed the Light Theme for 2010-2011. As they unveiled the theme "Compelled by Love," I felt as if God was confirming in my heart the direction He had been leading us for our Wednesday night series. Up to this point I knew the theme in my heart, but I just didn't know how to word it. I'm excited because over the next four weeks we are looking at 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 14; and we are going to be talking about four things that Christ's love compels us to do. Last night, we looked at the topic of prayer. Do you realize that because of what Christ has done for us, by dying on the cross and forgiving us of our sins, that we are compelled to pray for others? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 that we have now been given a ministry of reconciliation (which is a big word for saying that God wants us to place importance on reach others for Him). So what is one way that we can draw people back to God? It's through the power of prayer. I know that the topic of prayer comes with all types of anxieties, questions and preconceived ideas. However, over the next few days I'll be posting some practical thoughts and helps about prayer. You'll want to be sure to check 'em out!

Se7en is Back

I'm taking a little time to hang with my family tonight as we watch some TV and veg out. This week kicks off our annual Se7en series. I'm so excited about the messages that have been stirring in my heart. Se7en, as always, will be a blast - and I know this week will begin an incredible life changing series for us! More updates will be posted over the next eight weeks.

Going Public

This evening was incredible. Not only was my good friend and recording artist, Blake Aaron here to lead worship, but God did some amazing things during our service. Tonight, nine students followed the Lord in water baptism. Nine students went public in their walk with God. I'm so proud of Brett, Ben, Katie, Shannen, Starri, Amanda, Erika, Morgan, and Melanie. It was awesome as many parents were there in order to support their student. Many for the very first time. I preached a message tonight called, Going Public and talked about the Ethiopian in Acts 8 who begged Phillip to be baptized. It was along the "dessert road" where scripture says they came upon a body of water. I can only envision a gigantic crowd of people that must have been present by a body of water that was deep enough to baptize someone. A body of water that could be found along the side of a road called the "dessert road". Imagine the surprise the people got when this dark European man was being dipped in their drinking water. Why was he doing it? Because he was wanting to follow Jesus and take his faith public. Many times we are content in having our "personal relationships" with Jesus, but have we ever thought about what it means to take our relationship public? Have we ever stopped to realize that our personal relationship is very special, but that in a different way, our public relationship is just as important? So what about you today? Will you join those tonight who stood up and took their walk with God to a whole new level?  If you have the opportunity, will you do whatever it takes to take your relationship with God public?

Dress for Success

Tomorrow I have the awesome opportunity to share in the Sunday morning service at Central Assembly of God. Pastor is away doing ministry in Boston and he has left me to pick up the sermon series that he began two weeks ago. We are dealing with the Full Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-14, and it is my responsibility to begin tomorrow by looking at the first item of clothing: The Belt of Truth. This world has a skewed view of what truth really is and I can't wait to be able to share about God's truth and what a life of truth can and should look like for a man or woman of God. Hope to see you tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.