Nothing to Share?!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Lifepoint Staff, Random Rants 2 Comments

Nothing to share, you say?! How can you have nothing to share?!

I’ve been wrestling with this thought for a few days as I’ve been pondering what it means to be on staff at Lifepoint. One of the many things I dream about in a staff is that we always have something to share about Christ. Maybe it’s as simple as something I’ve read, something I’ve learned, something I’ve been convicted of, something I’ve awakened to, something I’ve memorized, something I’ve prayed, something I’ve experienced. You get the point.

I look forward to the day that I can ask any staff member, or Christ follower for that matter, at any moment to lead a Bible study or share what they are learning and they just go for it. As if they’ve been preparing for the opportunity.

I wrestle with the follower of Christ that has nothing to share. I’m that way sometimes. What I have learned about myself is that the times I have nothing to share are also the times when I have spent zero time with Jesus. Interesting, zero output usually means zero input.

How’s your input? Just a thought.

Volunteer Spotlight – Office Assistance

Posted on May 3, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Lifepoint Stuff No Comments

Guest Blogger: Brooke Hesson – Assistant to Executive Pastor

I get the awesome privilege of seeing the “behind the scene” teams working in action! Yes, a lot of work goes into our experience on Sundays (and we are so grateful for every volunteer serving in those capacities!) but few people know how much work it takes between Sunday’s to make Lifepoint what it is! We have some awesome volunteers that make all of this happen!

Office Extraordinaire
Let me introduce you to one of these amazing individuals… I officially met Joan Knowles at Roland-Grise about a year ago. I had heard about her and the half marathon she ran despite the bronchitis she was fighting… so when she came up to me in the courtyard of Roland Grise Middle School to ask if she could volunteer in the office, I said “heck yeah!” Joan’s “go get ‘em” attitude has been an awesome attribute around the office. It doesn’t matter if she’s asked to shred papers, clean dishes, run to SAM’s Club and Office Max 3 times a week, scan documents, or fold, address, stamp, and seal 500 church wide letters (that’s right- they don’t arrive in your mailbox magically) …she does it all with a smile on her face!

I’ve had some fun conversations with Joan over the past year and she is one cool lady. One thing I love about her is not only her willingness to serve faithfully, but her determination in everything she does. She has big dreams and audacious goals in life and seeing her charge after them is inspiring. Better yet, I’ve seen her chase after Jesus even when going through difficult circumstances. Joan had the opportunity to go to Lagutu, Uganda last year and when the timing didn’t make sense and the finances didn’t seem to line up, she pushed on knowing that God had called her to go and He made a way. Since then I have seen her grow in her faith tremendously and serve passionately.

Joan inspires me and she is a servant leader!

I’m thankful for every volunteer at Lifepoint Church. They are truly the hands and feet of Jesus. But I’m especially thankful for Joan Knowles and the impact she’s making at Lifepoint.

God Won’t Forgive You…Or Will He?

Posted on May 2, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Quiet Time, Devotionals, Bible Studies and Stuff No Comments

“God could never forgive me for that!” Admit it, you’ve had that thought at some point in your life.

You’ve blown it…again. You said it wouldn’t happened…but it did. You said you’d never do that again…and you did.

What do you do now?

One of my heroes of the Bible found himself in this very situation. Peter promised Jesus that he would never leave Him. He said that he would die with Him if that is what he had to do. As it turns out, Peter not only abandons Jesus but swears that he doesn’t even KNOW Jesus!

HE SWORE HE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HIM!

What did He do? He quit. Peter dropped out as a follower of Jesus. Maybe that’s how you feel after messing up, again.

What does Jesus do? Jesus does for Peter the same thing that He has done for us.

HE PRACTICES PREEMPTIVE FORGIVENESS.

Neither Peter’s sin or yours has caught Jesus off guard. Think about that…Your sin does not surprise Jesus! He knows you’re going to do it and He offers forgiveness anyway!

Before Simon Peter ever denied knowing Jesus and quit, Jesus invited him back. Read it for yourself in Luke 22:31-32, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Hear me loud and clear on this one: YOU MAY HAVE GIVEN UP ON JESUS, BUT JESUS HASN’T GIVEN UP ON YOU!

He has Preemptively Forgiven you!

Going Public

Posted on May 1, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Lifepoint Events 2 Comments

This past Sunday we saw 19 people “Go Public” with their faith in Jesus! This stuff FIRES ME UP!

A relationship with Jesus is meant to be PERSONAL but not PRIVATE. In the Bible when someone repented of their sins and placed their faith and trust in Jesus they were subsequently baptized. This baptism was done out of obedience to Jesus and as a testimony to others.

I believe baptism is a powerful experience for every believer. It symbolizes our “old life” being buried and our “new life” alive in Christ. Another reason it is powerful is simply because we are being obedient to the teaching of Jesus. We are following His example. It is impossible to live a victorious life if we do not walk in obedience to the teaching of Jesus.

But what if I’m not ready? This is a question I have received many times. The only prerequisite to baptism is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If you wait until you “feel ready,” you’ll be waiting for a long time. Remember, baptism is a picture of what Christ has done in you. He has forgiven you and given you new life.

But what if I got baptized as a baby? I hear this question a bunch also. We do not practice infant baptism simply because an infant can not make a decision to place their faith and trust in Jesus. We do however, offer Child Dedication which is a special ceremony where we dedicate a family to raising their child in a way that will honor. Baptism should be the first act of obedience AFTER a person becomes a believer.

What if I got baptized but didn’t understand what I was doing? My recommendation would be to focus on the NOW. Do you understand the sacrifice of Jesus NOW? Have you received Him as your Lord and Savior? If so, I would encourage you to get baptized NOW that you understand. It will mean more to you and it will speak volumes to your friends.

Have you gone public? Don’t wait any longer! This coming Sunday, May 6th we are offering baptisms during both Sunday services. If you need to get baptized, please email us: info@lifepointnow.com and we’ll get you more information.

To view all the baptism pics from Sunday visit our Facebook page.

Check Out Our New Digs!

Posted on April 23, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Greater Things, Lifepoint Stuff 1 Comment

It’s hard to believe that we have been in our new home for 5 weeks now. I wish I could fly all my friends from all across the US to come see it for yourself. Wishful thinking! I did, however, put together this video to give everybody a feel of what our new home is like.

If you prayed or gave to make this become a reality…THANK YOU! God is doing an amazing work through your prayers and generosity!

Face The Facts

Posted on April 19, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Quiet Time, Devotionals, Bible Studies and Stuff No Comments

Face it, you don’t have what it takes. You are under-qualified. You’re too young. Too old. Too inexperienced. Not smart enough. Not talented enough. Too naive. Too poor. The odds are against you.

Admit it, there are plenty of reasons why you can’t do what God has called you to do. But of course, that’s no surprise to you. Everytime you are ready to step out you’re reminded of why it won’t work…can’t work.

You’re NOT alone!

The odds were against David, and Gideon, and Saul, and Noah, and Moses, and Abraham. I’m pretty sure everyone that has stepped into their “God Calling” has felt completely overwhelmed and inadequate.

Let the words of Romans 4 sink into your heart as you step out.

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Abraham faced the facts but believed the TRUTH.

The facts say that He is too old. The Truth says he is just the right age.

Face the facts. Believe the Truth. Step out!