Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #11

Hi Friends!

As we study the words of Jesus from the cross, I was reminded of a verse in Ephesians where the Apostle Paul instructs the church about our speech.

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

We should be most grateful that Jesus had no corrupt communication from His mouth: He completely embodied truth and grace (see John 1) which edify and minister the gift of God to those who hear.

Isaiah 53 (see that passage below) speaks about how no guile was found in Him and Jesus tells us why: Jesus said "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

I am most grateful that Jesus had a heart filled with truth and grace and modeled the communication needs of humanity: even from the cross.

Join me in asking God to renew His Spirit within us to continue to speak His truth in ways that edify and minister with His grace to those who hear: may our hearts model His as we speak.

We are all sinners saved by the gift of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ from the cross: the words we speak as a church should model the forgiveness and assurance we find in Him even in a culture of crucifixion.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Isaiah 53 (NIV)

53 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
³ He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
⁹ He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
¹¹ After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #10

Hi Friends!

As we journey through the Lenten Season to Easter we will be exploring the 7 life-changing statements of Jesus from the Cross. The first statement is one of forgiveness.

“Finally, they came to a place called The Skull. All three were crucified there—Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side. Then Jesus said, ‘FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:33-34 (NLT)

Jesus spoke these words during a time of intense pain and supreme self-sacrifice leaving us an example where excuses for resentment and bitterness wane. If there is a person in your life that would benefit from your forgiveness please pray and ask God to empower you through His Spirit to model Jesus and extend compassion to them.

I understand this can be a really huge challenge for people who have been significantly wounded by another but I would ask you to consider a couple of truths: 1) we serve a really huge God and 2) each of us have at some point significantly wounded another. The latter makes our need as great as those who have hurt us and the former makes forgiveness possible.

May we all celebrate the Lenten Season by fasting from bitterness and extending the forgiveness Jesus affords to us to others.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #9

Hi Friends!

It won't be long and people will be looking to cool off in a pool as opposed to warming up by a fireplace with a steaming cup of cocoa after shoveling out of the seemingly never ending accumulation of snow. See blog entry #8 below for a "forecast" of ministry opportunities at Connections and continue to pray and read the Bible (see Ephesians 6: 10-19) for strength and encouragement in Christ.

Speaking of encouragement in Christ, I want to encourage you to continue to look for ways to share your faith with others. Consider inviting a family member, friend, co-worker, or classmate to see the movie Son of God. Offer to purchase the tickets and then sponsor a trip to an eatery and enjoy some refreshments and conversation about the show. Imagine what God might do? Please pass along your praises as the Lord leads.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #8

Hi Friends!

For the next two weeks our focus at Connections Christian Church is on Modeling Jesus with respect to His handling of temptations as described in Matthew Chapter 4: Verses 1-11.

This week (Sunday February 23) we'll look at Verses 1-2 and see that the root of temptation is selfish pride and the ax that severs that root is the humility of Christ-like   faith.

Next week (Sunday March 2) we'll look at Verses 3-11and see that even though Jesus was tempted just as we are, that He never sinned, in part because He disarmed our adversary by quoting and obeying God's Word.

Then (Sunday March 2) we'll also attend the new movie release "The Son of God" and look to discuss the movie with respect to Christ's sinless life and perfect humility. This movie comes highly recommended by many of my peers that helped shape it and I trust it will bless all.

As we process this passage in Matthew Chapter 4 over the next couple of weeks, I put together the graphic above to remind us that as we come to the fork in the road, that God's Word should serve as our guide for each step we take. The Bible teaches that we live in a fallen world with trials that by nature come to us all, and with tests of faith designed by God to bring the best out in us.

And then there is temptation that comes to us courtesy of Satan who lives to entice us to sin and bring the worst out in us and ultimately kill us and have us experience eternal death and separation from God. And so for the next couple of weeks my blog post and my daily devotional emails will be centered on the graphic above and the accompanying Scripture from Ephesians 6:10-19.

I have posted the Scripture below and the link that follows will take you to an on-line reference where you can study this contextually and find many other resources to assist you in overcoming temptation by humbly and fully relying on God's Word.

My encouragement from Scripture is for you to do everything you can do to stand firm in God's Word and to ultimately enjoy His affirmation as Jesus did: to hear your Heavenly Father say and to fully know that you are His child whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased.

God's Peace,
Jeff

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A+10-19&version=NIV

Ephesians 6:10-19

New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #7

Hi Friends!

Bible Commentaries remind us that when Jesus said, “But I tell you,” he was not doing away with the law or adding his own beliefs. Rather, he was giving a fuller understanding of why God made the law in the first place.

Sometimes I think we feel righteous for having never done a certain sin. We sometimes feel like we can put a notch in our belt for that accomplishment so to speak. But I wonder if there is a blind spot where we are keeping God’s rules but have closed our eyes to His intent?

Jesus teaches that we miss the intent of God’s Word when we read the rules for living without trying to understand why He made them. My conviction from Scripture is that God made rules for living to help us love Him and love others as He loves each of us.

And so with this entry I just pass on to you what I trust is true of the majority of people reading this blog: murder has never crossed my mind but I do find myself being angry from time to time.

And yes, there is such a thing as righteous anger, where we see Jesus being upset over actions and attitudes that are contrary to the will of God. But what I'm talking about here is personal anger, where I get upset because something is contrary to the will of Jeff.

If you struggle with personal anger from time to time, join me in praying that we will see   the resolution to this sinful root to be the unconditional love of our great Savior and in praising Him that through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we can root out our personal anger with His great love.

Thank you Jesus for your intentional love!!

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #6

Hi Friends!

The comments below are centered in some thoughts I shared by email earlier this       week with those who receive the CCC Daily Word. Should you like to receive those daily devotional emails just respond to jeff@connectionscc.org and let me know and I will add you to the distribution list.

The above verses are the beginning of what is commonly called The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) because Jesus shared these teachings from a hillside near Capernaum. Most scholars believe the sermon was given over an extended period            of time, perhaps days.

Imagine sitting with Jesus on a hillside for several days—imagine hearing Him speak and explain the teachings of God ? If you believe that would be better than anything in this world then continue to read and obey His teachings and be found ready to sit with Him and listen to Him when He returns for His church.

Imagine sitting with Jesus in heaven and listening to Him speak—will you live for that opportunity today and every day of your life? I encourage you to listen to the song "I Can Only Imagine" by the group Mercy Me as it serves well to help us focus today on eternity.

The following link to the song may contain an ad before playing but I hope the lyrics and images will enhance your imagination and inspire you to continue to live for Jesus every day of your life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII&feature=kp

God's Peace,
Jeff
 

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #5

Hi Friends!


The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:18).

The cross confronts us with the reality of our sin (Romans 3:23). It calls us to repent: to turn away from sin and turn toward Jesus (Acts 2:38). It challenges us to trust Jesus as the perfect embodiment of absolute truth (John 14:6).

Why do people refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior and often react with hostility at the mention of His name? Because the modern mind has been conditioned by moral relativism to believe the cross is foolishness and that truth is self-defined. The problem with such a worldview is that it continually and consistently compounds sin and its consequences.

For example: how many shootings have occurred over the past 14 days on college campuses in America? How many young people have died? Is it because there are guns available to students or is it because shooting someone is a matter of morality and the heart?

Has it occurred to anyone that we are becoming increasingly desensitized to man's inhumanity to man because we have been taught to believe that higher education is possible apart from absolute truth?

Has it occurred to anyone that America led the world in civility, creativity, intellectual construction, and humanitarian compassion when Bibles were open and prayers were offered in public schools?

Could it be that the modern mind conditioned by moral relativism is running out of answers for the consequences of education devoid of absolute truth?

Perhaps we'll pass another law...

Perhaps we'll do some more research...

Perhaps we'll spend some more money...

Perhaps we'll repent and readily admit that higher education apart from absolute truth is in effect lower education with diminishing civility, creativity, intellectual construction, and humanitarian compassion.

Perhaps rather than perish and accept man's escalating inhumanity to man as the social norm and measurable outcome of education apart from God, perhaps rather than being foolish, we once again will see the cross as the power of God that saves us from our sin.

My heart breaks for the diminishing returns in education devoid of absolute truth.

My heart breaks for young people who desire significance and have been conditioned to believe they will find it apart from God.

My heart breaks that we fail to see that education apart from the absolute truth of God's Word is rendering the lowest test scores for humanitarian harmony in American history.

I believe at some point absolute truth will prevail over moral relativism and eliminate the futility of education apart from God. My prayer is that the church be courageous and gracious in modeling Jesus in hopes of returning communities across America into safe havens of higher education.

I've shared this before but in the link that follows Ravi Zacharias speaks to the root issue of sin and waywardness in our culture. May the applause and laughter signify that the battle for the human heart is ultimately God's and we are called as followers of Christ to simply be compassionate stewards of His truth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Y9bR3zcAcDY


God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry#4

Hi Friends!

I want to encourage you to take a moment and read Matthew 2: 1-12 which is the passage we'll be leaning on and learning from this week at Connections Christian Church. www.connectionscc.org

This passage is often examined in the Christmas season and rightfully so as it speaks to both the natural and supernatural events surrounding the birth of our great Savior Jesus Christ. But let me ask  you this: do you think we might miss something that God would have for us when we limit a particular Scripture to a particular season? If so, read the passage above and I believe you will be blessed with some wonderful truth from a glimpse of Christmas in one of the coldest January's on record.

I was impressed through prayer, Bible study, life experiences, the Holy Spirit (pretty much every pass that I took at this text) with a single word: worship. The word shows itself multiple times throughout this short passage and as a Christ-follower I believe it is a word (an experience) that is to show itself with my every thought, attitude, action, and even my every breath.

Compare and contrast the differences between the way the Magi and Herod use the word. Ask yourself whose example we should follow? Then ask yourself if we are following it? My thought is that we should see the Magi pouring out praise to Jesus expecting nothing in return as a model we should ask the Holy Spirit to reproduce in our lives. And what of Herod?

Well, I'm convicted there's more of Herod in us than we might care to admit. Our worship seems to be something along the lines of what we can get from Jesus as opposed to what we can give to Jesus. In effect I think that's why many people in American culture tend to see the reality of church as a day at the mall. If I can't find what I want at store A then I just go to store B. We tend to be consumers of worship rather than givers of worship.

How will you worship today? tomorrow? Tuesday? Wednesday? Thursday? Friday? Saturday? and next Sunday and everyday thereafter? Will praising God for who He is vs. what we can get from Him be the heart of our worship? Will our worship be more like the Magi and less like Herod or will we come to Jesus in an attempt to have our way with Him vs. letting Him have His way with us?

Don't get me wrong: because of God's inherent nature we will always receive much in worshipping Him. But the reason we worship (the motive if you will) should be something other than looking to swipe our card with the supernatural cashier, trusting we got what we paid for and will be happy with it. And if not, well then, we'll just return it or pitch it as it is no longer useful to us.

Where's your heart when it comes to worshipping God? Are you looking to make a transaction or are you looking to offer your life as a gift of gratitude for the inherent nature of God our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and Friend?

I remember my childhood preacher and I've heard many other preachers say "wise men still seek Him." I'm thinking wise men (women and children) still worship Him as Magi. My prayer is that we might be found worshipping Him in Spirit and Truth in every season of our lives just because He is who He is.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #3

 

Hi Friends!

Each morning this year I have been sending out a daily email to a group of you as requested. I've expanded the email from simply providing a Scripture verse to also providing a short introduction to the verse as well as some possible applications from the verse. I will do my best to be consistent with this and ask for your grace should there be a day from time to time where I am unable to do so.

Should you not be receiving the email and would like to receive it, please click the following link: jeff@connectionscc.org and let me know. My goal in sharing the Scripture verse each day is to help others 1) go deeper in The Word and 2) go deeper in the world without becoming part of the world.

As stated in prior posts, these are my goals for Connections Christian Church in 2014 or stated another way, we are looking to "Model Jesus" and have His "Love Take Us Over." Thank you for your positive feedback about our goals and lesson series from the gospel of Matthew. This week we will be reflecting upon the miracle of the virgin birth of Jesus.

Matthew 1:18 says, "This is how the birth of Jesus came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 1:22 says, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'-which means, 'God with us.'"

Do you believe in miracles? If you desire to "Model Jesus" you must believe in miracles. A miracle is literally an act of God contrary to the laws of nature as we understand them. Some skeptics, even some scholars, mock the virgin birth of Jesus. What about you?

Thanks to modern medicine a virgin can give birth today through artificial insemination. In light of what man has learned to do, should anyone really doubt what God has already done? The miracle of the virgin birth is critical to salvation.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a virgin giving Him a sinless nature that manifest itself fully on the cross of Calvary with His humble, atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therein lies another miracle of life.

We celebrate The Sanctity of Life this Sunday at Connections Christian Church. We also celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this Monday. We celebrate both knowing that the miraculous story of Jesus allows every conceived child of every race the opportunity to be one in Him.

Long before there was legalized abortion or even a formal civil rights movement there was a song that I learned as a child. It says "Jesus loves the little children; all the children of the world; red and yellow; black and white; they are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world."

That song is still true and the miracle of Jesus' birth, death, burial, and resurrection prove it. The only thing I would add to the song is a lyric that says, "Jesus loves all the children of the world; children of all races; all born and all unborn; all nurtured in their mother's womb; Jesus loves all the little children of the world."

If you believe in miracles, please join me in asking God to supernaturally bring all people to saving a relationship with Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel and the ministry of His Church. In so doing, abortion clinics would shut down and racial harmony would just be known as harmony amongst all God's children.

God's Peace,
Jeff

FOCUS '14-MODELING JESUS-ENTRY 2

Hi Friends!

People awake every morning and immediately check the weather, the stock market, sports scores, you name it. I want to encourage you each day to check your heart...not the physical health of your heart that is best assessed by an MD...but the spiritual health of your heart which is best assessed by the teachings of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you have a pulse for God's Word?

More specifically do you have a pulse for the teachings of Jesus Christ?

Consider reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapters 5-7) this week and reflecting upon what Jesus has to say about the Christian life. Warning: not all of His teachings are easy! Reward: all of His teachings are completely true and profitable for right living on earth and eternal life in heaven!

Having read the Sermon on the Mount take a few moments to record your spiritual pulse. Where by God's Grace and Obedience to His Word can you overcome sin and live a healthier spiritual life? Pick a pulse point and focus on your faith in Christ and ask Him to put you in perfect rhythm with His Will. The joy is in the journey...just check your spiritual pulse daily.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry 1

Hi Friends!

Matthew (Levi) was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. Once he was a despised tax collector, but his life was radically changed by Jesus. Matthew wrote this Gospel to his fellow Jews to prove beyond doubt that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah and Savior of the world) and to explain God’s Kingdom.

This Gospel forms the connecting link between the Old and New Testaments and is filled with Messianic language (“Son of David” is used throughout) and Old Testament references (53 quotes and 76 other references).

KEY VERSE

 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;

I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

 References: Matthew Henry Bible Commentary; NIV Study Bible and Commentary

  APPLY

 

What does it look like for Jesus to fulfill the

Law and the Prophets through us (His Church)?

See last week's blog and listen to the lyrics of "Love Take Me Over" by Stephen Curtis Chapman. This continues to be my prayer for the church as we seek to go 1) deeper in the Word and 2) deeper in the world in the New Year!

God's Peace,
Jeff

2013 Christmas at Connections-entry 5

 

 



Hi Friends!

Just reflecting upon the fact that there is so much build up to Christmas...and then in a single day most move on to the pace we call life...someone once said (I'm paraphrasing to the best of my memory) that life is what happens while we're busy making plans how to live.

I'm not ready to say so-long to Christmas this year...when a child is born is when others have the opportunity to enjoy the life conceived...that's my focus in transitioning to the New Year...I want to take the life conceived in Christ with me and enjoy life in Him.

My goals for the church in 2014 center around that journey...they are two-fold with the theme of "Modeling Jesus"...and a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman "Love Take Me Over" serving as the rhythm for our days.

Goal 1: Go Deeper in the Word (allow His love to take us over)
Goal 2: Go Deeper in the World (share His love in the world without becoming worldly)

So in essence I want to continue to Celebrate Christmas...to make a Crescendo for Christ in the New Year...I'm not ready for Christmas to end when the Christ-child was born so I can live each day like Him...what of you?

The lyric video for "Love Take Me Over" is posted below...I hope you will be blessed by watching and listening to it...to Model Jesus I know I must rely much less on me and much more on His Spirit to produce love in and through me.

Will you join me in committing to rely more on Him in 2014?

God's Peace,
Jeff

2013 Christmas at Connections-entry 4

Hi Friends!

Christmas week is one of the busiest and most exciting of the year and sometimes I find myself rushing only to realize that I am running after good things instead of the best thing. How about you?

I can't help but wonder if Joseph rushed to Bethlehem with respect to Mary's condition or if he took his time?  I'm thinking he did his best to get there as quickly as possible. What would that look like in the church? the world? if people did their very best to deliver the good news of Jesus in the most timely fashion possible?

I encourage you to measure your steps and check your pace. Are you running after the best thing this Christmas? If so you are sure to find the firstborn Son of God wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Jesus is still the best thing of all the good things in Christmas so continue to run to Him and share His love with others this Christmas.

Merry Christmas and God's Peace,
Jeff

2013 Christmas at Connections-entry 3

Hi Friends!

 

In last week's lesson at Connections Christian Church, I mentioned on a couple of occasions my disdain for the abbreviation "Xmas" in our culture for the word Christmas. I succeeded in making a "crescendo" as it was a topic of discussion after the service, although in reality it was just a minor thought in relation to the Christmas Carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," which was our theme for the day. You can research the origin of the abbreviation on several on-line sites for additional information but the section highlighted below is from dictionary.com and I believe accurately reflects the origin and also speaks to my concerns.

 

First of all, the abbreviation predates by centuries its use in gaudy advertisements. It was first used in the mid 1500s. X is the Greek letter “chi,” the initial letter in the word Χριστός. And here’s the kicker: Χριστός means “Christ.” X has been an acceptable representation of the word “Christ” for hundreds of years. This device is known as a Christogram. The mas in Xmas is the Old English word for “mass.” In the same vein, the dignified terms Xpian and Xtian have been used in place of the word “Christian.”  As lovers of the alphabet, we are transfixed by the flexibility of “X.” The same letter can represent the sacred, the profane (“rated X”), and the unknown (“X-ray“).

So to clarify, I consider it a sacred privilege to have studied Greek (many moons ago) under the late Dr. Donald Nash, a scholar considered by most of his peers to be an authority on the New Testament use of the language, and to actually (with the grace and help of God) have received an "A" for my understanding of the language at that time. That does not make me an expert by a long-shot and admittedly my use of the Greek today is mostly from a Lexicon or Greek Grammar as opposed to my ability to freely translate or otherwise use the language.

 

That said, my thought is that few people in America are reading Greek today and few people know the origin of the word, and that most advertisers are cutting corners with Christmas to play the game of political correctness. In hindsight, I need to be more careful to represent the truth with greater compassion (not just passion) as my passion in that moment probably outweighed my compassion with respect to seeing the word Christmas spelled out in English in our culture.

 

To summarize my thoughts...

Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins and I'm a sinner and you are a sinner and everyone born into this world except Jesus Christ is a sinner. And so I am most grateful Jesus Christ was born sinless to God and the Virgin Mary and that He willingly died by crucifixion on the cross of Calvary to pay my sin-debt and yours and arose from the grave to give us eternal life. It gives me great joy to know that Jesus is looking down from the right hand of His Father in heaven and is pleased when ministers of the gospel passionately and compassionately preach "Joy to the World" which is the next carol in our Christmas series.

Forgive me if you must for assuming that while Jesus not only can read the Greek but also authored the language, that while looking down on America in 2013 that He just might prefer His name to be included in full in "Xmas" as the Christ of Christmas. I believe few Americans in the 21st Century know that "X" is Greek for Christ rather than a commercialized substitution for the word Christ in English speaking America. That is my opinion pure and simple and I should have stated it more clearly and much more compassionately as such.

 

Speaking of JOY...our son gets to come home for Christmas before heading off to a College Bowl Game with Ball State University. We are pumped about seeing our son and I am equally pumped that he recently sent me the link below to increase my JOY! I hope by watching it that it will increase your JOY too and that you will keep "Christ" in the center of your life and your Christmas! As Ravi Zacharias points out in the video clip, I don't really need to worry about God taking care of His name in culture. EnJOY!

 

God's Peace,

Jeff

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Y9bR3zcAcDY

 

 

 

2013 Christmas at Connections-entry 2

Hi Friends!

We begin our Christmas Series at Connections entitled "Crescendos from Carols" on Sunday December 8, 2013. See the prior blog entry below (November 30, 2013) for an explanation of the theme.

In our first lesson we will look at the word "hark" which means to "pay attention" and the word "hail" which means "to acclaim or acknowledge" and suggest applications of those directives during this Christmas season.

I hope you'll join us as we enjoy some insights from some of the most prolific hymn writers in history. My prayer is that the "Crescendos from Carols" will overflow from your heart into your homes and neighborhoods and around the world!

Luke 2:8-12

New International Version (NIV)

 

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

God's Peace,
Jeff

2013 Christmas at Connections

Hi Friends!

Have you ever wanted to turn the volume down? I would really like to turn the volume down on some noise this Christmas season: things like consumerism, over-eating, road-rage for parking spaces at the mall, to name a few. On the other hand, I would love to turn the volume up, to literally crescendo in culture, as a part of Connections Christian Church.

Dictionary.com defines crescendo as follows:

cre·scen·do
/ckrɪˈʃɛndoʊ, -ˈsɛndoʊ; Italian krɛˈʃɛndɔ/ Show Spelled [kri-shen-doh, -sen-doh; Italian kre-shen-daw] noun, plural cre·scen·dos, cre·scen·di /krɪˈʃɛndi, -ˈsɛndi; Italian krɛˈʃɛndi/ Show Spelled [kri-shen-dee, -sen-dee; Italian kre-shen-dee] adjective, adverb, verb, noun

1. Music.

a. a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force.

b. a musical passage characterized by such an increase.

c. the performance of a crescendo passage: The crescendo by the violins is too abrupt.

 

2. a steady increase in force or intensity: The rain fell in a crescendo on the rooftops. 

 

3. the climactic point or moment in such an increase; peak: The authorities finally took action when public outrage reached a crescendo.  adjective, adverb

 

4. gradually increasing in force, volume, or loudness (opposed to decrescendo or diminuendo ).

verb (used without object) 

 

5. to grow in force or loudness.

 

My goal this Christmas Season for Connections Christian Church is for us to embrace the crescendos of Sacred Christmas Carols and apply them with increasing volume in our culture. Try to imagine what the final crescendo might be?

 

• Hint...there is a Contemporary Song by Steven Curtis Chapman with this title?
• Yes...it's Love Take Me Over!

 

And so the invitation is to embrace the crescendos of Sacred Christmas Carols, learn how they find their origin and application from God's Word, and allow them to peak through your life.

 

My hope is as "Love Takes Me (Us) Over" at Connections that the crescendo in our culture will be more people accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord and allowing His love to flow through them.

 

We'll launch the series on December 8th...so come ready to sing...come ready to crescendo...think love with lots of volume being played out in culture as empowered by the Holy Spirit living in you!

And remember...some people may want you to turn the volume down while others will want you to turn it up...so pray specifically that God's love will take you over in such a way that more people will desire to tune into Christ Jesus!

 

God's Peace,

Jeff

 

ACTS of Kindness-Praying for Silver Saints

Hi Friends!

The above prayer was offered by the Apostle Paul in antiquity for the church and contextually from Romans 15 is relevant for unity and harmony and spiritual health in the church for eternity. To that end I am adopting this prayer for some members of Connections Christian Church during this season of Thanksgiving.

Specifically, I am asking you to join me in praying for our Silver Saints by inserting their name where the above text says you and then offering this prayer in entirety with Thanksgiving for their faithfulness to our Lord.

A suggested prayer schedule is listed below and can be printed by right-clicking on this page. If you would like a daily email contact me at jeff@connectionscc.org and I will add you to a growing list of Christ-followers who are seeking to love others as God does.

Please accept my sincere apology and let me know if I inadvertently omitted one of our Senior members from the prayer schedule below. My heart is filled with gratitude this Thanksgivng for our Silver Saints...for your trust in God and your joy and peace and hope in His Spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving and God's Peace,
Jeff

Monday November 25, 2013

Wanda Allman
Marlene Collier
Martha Downing

Tuesday November 26, 2013

Wanda Dunn
Richard Hiatt
Marlynn Hill

Wednesday November 27, 2013

Russ Hoffer
Joanna Jones
Nancy Langdon

Thursday November 28, 2013

Irv Maxwell
Mary Maxwell
Virginia McHargue

Friday November 29, 2013

Helen Nicholson
Vera Schmueszer
Larry Stivers

Saturday November 30, 2013

Wayne Spry
Gwen Spry
Glenn Vearil

Sunday December 1, 2013

Donna Weitzel
Floyd Wulfeck
Judy Wulfeck

The Principle of First

Hi Friends!

There are so many competing priorities in life that we sometimes forget that our personal relationship with God is to be FIRST! The Principle of First was established by God in the Old Testament and carried forward in the New Testament.

The FIRST of Ten Commandments in the Old Covenant is for God is to be FIRST (Exodus 20:3) and the FIRST and Greatest Commandments in the New Covenant is for God is to be FIRST (Matthew 22:36-40).

God so loved the world that He gave His FIRST Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice to redeem us from our sins (John 3:16). Jesus Christ reminds us (see Matthew 6:19-34) not to lay up treasures for ourselves or worry about competing priorities in life but to seek God FIRST and everything will be taken care of in its proper order.

During this season of Thanksgiving I am compelled through prayer and Bible Study and the Holy Spirit to remind the church that our relationship with God is to be FIRST! I'm reminded of the hymn that says "I'll put Jesus FIRST in my life...in all that I say and in all that I do."

Check out the link below and by doing what it says you will be putting Jesus FIRST and you and your family and your church will be blessed for your faithfulness to His Word. Our relationship with God is to be FIRST in all that we say and do including the stewardship of our finances.

God's Peace,
Jeff

http://www.ccvonline.com/Arena/default.aspx?page=14868&item=262

ACTS of Kindness

Hi Friends!

So many people traverse through life and especially the holidays with little joy, little peace, and little and sometimes no hope. If you read the headlines, listen to sound bites, follow twitter and facebook, or just look into the eyes of colleagues or cashiers, then you know what I'm talking about.

We live in a culture that is filled with countless commercials and cunning campaigns that promise to radically rock and elevate the mood meter in the world. Why? No gurus needed as the answer is pretty straightforward: people lack joy, lack peace, and lack hope.

We tune into Reality TV to fantasize about celebrity to learn that much of celebrity has been nipped and tucked to look and feel worse rather than better with age. We idolize athletes who are payed millions of dollars to play childhood games to learn that some star in racism and vulgarity and even murder.

Do you believe people in the world need authentic hope?

Yes or No?

If so, as we enter into a special season of thanksgiving for God's goodness, fully realized in the incarnation of His Son and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the church, would you join me in praying the prayer outlined in the Scripture above? Imagine the impact you can have in the world as the Holy Spirit infuses the joy and peace of Jesus through you into others!

Here are some opportunities @ Connections Christian Church to allow hope to overflow...

*Soles-4-Souls: donate shoes for those who have none: November 10th @ 12 PM
*Veterans Day: honor Veterans at Madeira Elementary School: November 11th @ 2 PM
*Connect-2-Adults: Bible Study and Prayer Groups: November 14th @ 7 PM
*Operation Christmas Child: donate gifts for orphaned children: November 17th @ 12 PM
*Senior Citizen Honors Luncheon and Care Baskets: November 24th @ 12 PM

I'm convinced, if you look closely, that you'll see the cry for the hope of Jesus Christ in celebrities and athletes and headlines and tweets. And what's more, if you look closely, you'll see the cry for the hope of Jesus Christ in many of the people you share life with every day.

So let's pray this prayer and allow the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus to overflow into the world. Envision joy in the world. Envision peace in the world. Envision hope in the world. Envision all these gifts of God in Christ Jesus in the world through you (the church) by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Kingdom Initiative-My Hope America

Hi Friends!

History teaches that oftentimes the most profound teachings are afforded near the end of one's life as maturation and life experiences provide greater wisdom and conviction about that which matters most with respect to all other matters.

We've seen that in our current lesson series (The Kingdom Initiative) at Connections Christian Church www.connectionscc.org as we have studied the Epistles of the Apostle John which he wrote near the end of his life as the elder statesman of the 1st Century Church.

In light of our studies we have been praying to be filled daily with the power of the Holy Spirit. Specifically, we have been asking the the Holy Spirit to empty us of our own agendas and empower us to be fully surrendered to God's agenda.

I John 4:4 tells us that the one living in Christians (the Holy Spirit) is greater than the one living in the world (the spirit of Satan) and will empower us to overcome evil and share the love of Christ with everyone in the world (God's agenda-initiative).

To that end, I encourage you to listen to Dr. Billy Graham on Thursday November 7, 2013 @ 10 PM EST on Fox News as he shares his wisdom and conviction about the "The Cross" and about Jesus Christ being the hope for America!

I believe the opportunity to hear Dr. Graham as a now elder statesman of the 21st century church who is nearing the end of his earthly life will inspire Christians to courageously love others as Jesus does through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

See the trailer below and if you miss the broadcast on Fox you can view it on-line or via a free DVD at the following link: http://myhopewithbillygraham.org/programs/ Continued prayers for the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh to fulfill God's Iniatitive in the world.

God's Peace,
Jeff