I’ve heard it said that “discouragement is an occupational hazard of ministry.”  I think it is an occupational hazard of life.  I have definitely had days where I couldn’t believe the junk I had to endure.  Sometimes it was my own stupidity and sometimes I was on the receiving end of someone else’s.  Let’s face it, “LIFE CAN BE TOUGH!”  If you are in that place right now than read this over and over until you believe it.

“We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” 2 Cor. 1:8-10

read it again.  and again.

Now get up and get going!

Take a second and listen to some weekly updates as well as a short sound byte about living a life of NO Compromise!

Attention Lifepoint Church,  our ROOTS series is underway and I am excited about what God is going to teach us throughout the next 6 weeks.  I want everybody to take a few minutes this week and read Genesis chapters 1 & 2 and memorize Colossians 2:7.

Here is a link for Genesis 1 & 2.

Here is Colossians 2:7–⁷ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Here is a link to download a really cool wallpaper for your computer.

See everybody on Sunday!

While reading this morning the words of Peter in 2 Peter 3 resonated within me.  He said, “This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.”

One of my greatest privileges as a pastor is to preach the Word of God in such a way that it stimulates wholesome thinking (that we might have the mind of Christ) and to remind people of the amazing things God has done.

What an incredible honor it is to be able to do such a thing!

After spending several days learning from my friend Hezekiah I am extremely grateful for our friendship. The following are the 8 principles we can learn from Hezekiah.
Choose your legacy.

1. Choose your legacy.
2. Do first things first.
3. Beware of Ministry Negligence
4. As goes the leader so goes the team.
5. The underdog isn’t always the underdog.
6. In leadership, you will be lied about.
7. Let God fight your battles.
8. Pride rides on the heels of victory.

Have you ever had a vision for what could be?  Have you ever felt as if God was giving you a picture of a better future for your Marriage?  Your Career?  Your kids? If so, then you know the enthusiasm that comes from a renewed sense of purpose and passion.  It is exhilirating.  Unfortunately it is usually temporary.

Every great vision is followed by opposition. The moment you begin to step up to what God is calling you to do somebody is waiting to knock you down.  It’s true.  There are vision vandals out there that want nothing more than to keep you from achieving God’s best in your life.  The Bible says that there is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy…and he’s good at it. You may face opposition from someone in the community or another church or you may face opposition from those close to you, your friends and family.  Opposition may come internally with doubts and thoughts that you aren’t good enough.

Opposition happens! We would be wise to learn from the Old Testament Character, Nehemiah.  He received an incredible vision to rebuild and restore the wall around Jerusalem.  No sooner than he casts his vision talk to the people his vision is quickly attacked.  His opponents “jeered and despised” their plan.

The true test is not what you do with your vision, but rather what do you do when your vision is attacked?

Nehemiah 2:30 says, “Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

In the face of opposition Nehemiah returns to the initial vision that God gave him, he rose up, and he started to build.  When your vision is challenged will you rise up and build or shrink back and postpone?