Going Public

Posted on May 1, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Lifepoint Events No 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 No Comments

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!

You’re Just Like Your Mother!

Posted on April 17, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Family Stuff, Quiet Time, Devotionals, Bible Studies and Stuff No Comments

I’ve got a bunch of things to be thankful for in my life, like my mom! This week we celebrated her birthday. I have been blessed my mom in more ways than I could count.

One of the ways that my mom has made the biggest impact on me is through her devotion to God. I have never had a bigger cheerleader or prayer warrior than my mother. I have images of her studying her Bible burned into my mind. I can hear her asking me if I read my YouthWalk devotional every morning growing up. I can picture her sitting in her blue recliner praying.

Thank you Mom!

This morning I read Psalm 116:16 which says:

Truly I am your servant, Lord;

I serve you just as my mother did;

you have freed me from my chains.

Like it or not, our kids are going to serve Jesus in a similar manner that we do. I am eternally grateful for a mother that set the bar high! I pray that my kids will one day say, “I serve Jesus just as my father did…”

Thank you Mom for serving Jesus!

Volunteer Spotlight – Care Ministry

Posted on April 5, 2012 by jeffkapusta in Lifepoint Stuff No Comments

Guest Blogger: Eddie Williams – Care Pastor

Last year we were just beginning to organize and cast vision for the Care Team Ministry of Lifepoint Church when we held our very first team meeting. That is where I was introduced to Gina Coulter and first encountered that now familiar smile that encompasses her entire face, and often the entire room. It did not take long to understand that Gina had come, not only to the Care Team meeting, but also to Lifepoint Church with a purpose on her heart and mind and a calling to serve the Lord Jesus Christ on her life.

Gina Monticello Coulter and her husband Dave moved here, bringing with them their two boys, Joey and Michael from Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Gina says (often with tears flowing) she knew from the start that God had a specific purpose in bringing their family from Florida to Wilmington. After being told about Lifepoint Church by her sister-in-law and her husband, Susan and Michael Naylor, she also knew very quickly that serving at Lifepoint was a major part, if not the primary reason for their coming to Wilmington.

It did not take a lot of time or brain power for me to recognize in Gina someone who genuinely desired to be used by the Lord, and was prepared to selflessly make sacrifices to do just that. Since that first meeting, Gina has been instrumental in the formation and the application of practically all of the various teams that make up the Care Ministry. She serves as the Leader/Coordinator of the Experience Care Team who are seen every Sunday after each worship service, praying and counseling with any in attendance who have need or desire to meet with them. In addition to the ECT, Gina also lends her unique servant’s heart and talents to the Prayer Team, the Life Coach Team, and the Communion Team. If those were not enough, late last year she agreed to serve as volunteer assistant to the Care Pastor, and that makes my job tremendously simpler and easier.

This wife, mom and business woman (she owns and operates “You Glow Girl” bath salt scrubs) leads not one, but two Life Groups (I Am Second and Run to WIN), and is also a certified fitness instructor in her “spare” time. I frankly get exhausted just writing this post about her. Gina came to Lifepoint in obedience to God and showed up one night at a meeting looking for someplace to serve. I’m pretty sure that she found what she was looking for and much, much more. I am grateful that she did, and I’m sure proud to introduce her to you so that you can be grateful for Gina too!

Get Off Your… Donkey!

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

I believe Jesus was the Rob Reiner or M. Night Shyamalan of his day. The stories he told were so vivid and moving. I think often times we blow right by them without considering the emotion in which they were told.

Go back and read in Luke 10 the story of the Good Samaritan. I parked out in that story recently and let it begin to soak in. I love it. The beauty of the story is that the most likely becomes the least interested and the least likely becomes the most involved. You’ve got a Priest, a levite and a Samaritan. Or you could say, a Pastor, Associate Pastor, and a Deacon (no offense Deacons). What I love about the story is that the least likely candidate to offer help to someone in need turns out to be the one who rises to the occasion.

I love this story for several reasons. The first is that you don’t have to have any training, seminary, or education to be used by God. Just a side note, but studies show that 80% of seminary graduates drop out of the ministry within the first 5 years.

The second is that it is not just enough to see an opportunity, you have to seize the opportunity. All three saw the beat up guy. The Priest walked to the opposite side of the road. The levite looked and left. But the Samaritan approached and engaged.

The third is that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to get off your…DONKEY. Let me repeat myself. GET OFF YOUR DONKEY! The samaritan got off his donkey, bandaged the wounds, and gave of his own money to care for the man.

Jesus wraps up story time with a simple phrase, “Go and do the same.” I love it.

Moral of the story…it’s amazing what you can do, or better yet what God can do through you if you are willing to get off your…DONKEY (oops, I almost slipped that time). Dismount!