Amazing truths on Grace from Steve McVey

Trying to overcome sin by focusing on it has the exact opposite effect of what we want in our lives. If we fixate on what we do wrong and try to figure out how to conquer the bad behavior, we will always come up with some sort of plan that involves our own willpower and determination.  We are setting ourselves up to fail no matter how sincere we are and no matter how much we ask for God's help as it is an unbiblical approach and is a human method.  Any approach we take in overcoming our own sins through self discipline is legalistic because it stirs up within us the false hope that there is something we can do to defeat it.  We don't have to conquer sin because Jesus already has.  We try to do what he's already done, we are then denying the sufficiency of His grace and are attempting to utilize a legalistic method to do it ourselves and it dooms us to failure.  The only way to enjoy victory over sin is to rest in the victory that is already ours because of Christ's finished work. He defeated sin. Transformation comes to our lifestyle when we simply believe that reality and stop trying to do something he has already done.  We rest in his victory and (GET THIS PART!) DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO HIM.  When we do that, the sins that have wielded power over us fall aside into impotency. 

Jesus fully dealt with the matter of our sins so that we don't have to focus on them anymore.  Then He sat down by the right hand of God, not because He was tired, but because there is nothing left to do regarding the matter of our sins.  The lie that we need to focus on overcoming our sins is so dangerous because it takes our eyes off of Jesus and puts them on our sins and an imaginary ability we think we have to solve the matter ourselves.  Don't ever think that sin is so weak that it can be overcome by religious self discipline.  Only one person can effectively deal with yours sins and He did—perfectly and completely.  If you fall down, He will pick you up, dust you off, and set you back on your course again.  With assurance of that reality, you never have to focus on sins again.  Just focus on Him, and as you do, you'll be amazed at the way sinful inclination and temptations lose their power over you.  Like the hymn: Turn your eyes to Jesus, look full on his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace. 

 

 

Great quote on Prayer

Prayerlessness is our declaration of independence from God.  The only motive for prayer is that God is worthy to be sought. 

 

How to Study the Bible- Notes from the youth conference breakout session I just did.

Edification of a Nation: Modified IBS- How to Study the Bible

A.     Our Foundation-  Biblical worldview.

B.     Preparation!- Understand this is a spiritual battle so prayer and praise start us off (Ps. 100:4)

C.     Observation (read)

a.       Read multiple times

b.      What does text say

                                                     i.     First impressions

                                                   ii.     Record who, what, when, where and how

                                                  iii.     retell logical events out in your head. What does the author see, think, feel. 

D.     Interpretation (think):

a.       Go with the “natural” meaning first.

b.      Context *

                                                     i.     Historical/Cultural-

                                                   ii.     Literal – Understanding the Genre (poetry, narrative, etc). 

c.       Scripture interprets Scripture-

E.      Interaction- Read relationally.

a.       What are the Key words/Thoughts

b.      What is the authors intent?

F.      Application (Live)! 

a.       Examination-

b.      Memorization-

c.       Pray Scripture-

d.      Respond in Obedience by faith

G.     Realization (Putting into practice)

a.       Repentance-

b.      Regular Reading -

c.       Don’t be legalistic.  Grace based!

d.      Journal 

e.      Accountability-

f.        Location- Find a quiet spot

g.      NT Takes precedence-

h.      Interpret your experience by scripture not the scriptures by your experience. 

i.        Drink from the Well, not from the streams that flow from the Well. 

Mission Quest Adventures

Our new outreach/fundraiser - Mission Quest adventures is going very well.  We have our new taggers in and they are an improvement on the old ones, if you desire to do a birthday party, let us know!  wwww.missionquestadventures.com   We have one going on today.  We are also looking for volunteers.

Interesting story of an Atheist who becomes a Christian

Two months after he threatened to sue a Texas county for allowing a Nativity scene on public property, longtime atheist Patrick Greene has announced that he is not only converting to Christianity, but also plans to become a pastor, the Christian Postreports.

Greene, an Air Force veteran from San Antonio who has a history of activism,threatened in February to file a lawsuit against Henderson County, Texas, if they did not remove a Nativity scene in front of the courthouse, Malakoff News reported.

But he was forced to drop the lawsuit after doctors told him that he had developed eye cataracts and was in danger of losing his vision, according to the Houston Chronicle. Shortly thereafter, Greene's failing vision forced him to quit his job as a taxi driver and he was left with the challenge of supporting himself and his wife of 33 years.

That's when Jessica Crye, a Christian woman who read about Greene's troubles in the paper, went to members of her church and asked if they would be willing to donate money to help Greene. They ended up raising $400 in donations for Greene, which left him "flabbergasted that Christians would help atheists," the Athens Reviewreported at the time.

Both Christians and atheists alike ended up donating to Greene through a fundraising account he set up on the site GoFundMe.com.

It's that compassion that Greene says compelled him to start rethinking his religious beliefs. He told the Christian Post that after thinking deeply about Christianity and reexamining his views on evolution and animals, he decided to start practicing the religion.

"There's been one lingering thought in the back of my head my entire life, and it's one thought that I've never been able to reconcile, and that is the vast difference between all the animals and us," Greene told the Post.

He added later, "I kind of realized that the questions I [was] asking you just had to accept on faith without doubting every period and every comma."

Now Greene says he plans to use some of the money he received from good samaritans to move out of San Antonio and buy his wife her "dream" mobile home, according to the Christian Post. He's also planning to write a book about the donations he received that he's tentatively titled "The Real Christians of Henderson County."

Here is the post on the internet http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/04/patrick-greene-atheist-christianity-conversion_n_1404196.html?fb_action_ids=3361463009330&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_source=other_multiline

MAY 17 WORLD PRAYER ASSEMBLY

.http://www.globaldayofprayer.com/

World Prayer Assembly
What impact could tens of millions of Christians from across the planet and united in prayer, have on the course of history? 


Momentum is growing for the World Prayer Assembly (WPA) gathering that is being co-hosted by the Indonesian and Korean Prayer movements, two of the most powerful prayer forces in the world. On May 17, 2012, 100,000 believers will be gathering to pray in the national stadium of Jakarta. It is estimated that another five million Christians, from 400 cities throughout the nation, could also be participating. Global Day of Prayer will be broadcasting the event globally through satellite TV to tens of millions more believers. The result of this venture will mark the WPA as an unparalleled day of united prayer around the world.

We expect at least 5 million believers in Indonesia on that day will pray together.



Indonesia already stands as a powerful nation in prayer. They currently have fifty-two "prayer towers"that are continually manned by intercessors praying 24-7-365. There are almost 1100 "prayer bases"where believers and leaders meet weekly to pray together. However, they are increasing the effort before WPA with a further 2000 believers gathering weekly in Jakarta until May 17th.

Prayer Points:

· That the people the Lord is calling from every nation will be able to come to WPA.

· That hundreds of children and youth from all 12 world regions would be able to take part.

· That the WPA would be abundantly financially supplied for every individual need.

· Unity between the leaders of the co-hosting countries, Indonesia and Korea.

· Humility, joy, unity, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit during the planning process.

· Continued favor of the political authorities and the people of Indonesia.

· Protection over the people and WPA venues and a creative solution for Jakarta's legendary traffic problem.

· A great wave of the spirit of revival and transformation to be released during the WPA to flow through Indonesia and all the Nations of the Earth.


 

Prayer for our City!

I just signed up for this after the National Day of Prayer… Let’s cover Pinellas County in prayer! http://www.transformourworld.org