This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Everyone Can!

Acts 13

This week we started on the first of three road trips that will eventually finish up our study of Acts. My proposition for this week is that we are all missionary Christians, whether we like it or not – that is part of the responsibility God has given us – to be messengers of the good news. With that in mind, I’d love to hear your approach to sharing the good news. What is it you say? How do you start a spiritual conversation? Let’s share this on the @LBF Blog and learn from one another.

On Sunday I suggested that what people want to know today is how the story of God fits into the story of Jesus. Have you found that to be true? Download the attached pdf, “A Christian Meta-Narrative,” written by Millard Erickson in his book, “Truth or Consequences.” This meta-narrative helped me tremendously in knowing how to share God’s story with people. What do you think about this telling of the story of God?  

The bottom line though, is that as messengers, we are ready. Are you ready? If so, great! If not, I encourage you to get ready and see how God works through you – your life will never be the same – trust me!

In Acts 12, we can wonder about James' death, as Herod Agrippa stretched out his hand to vex the church. We can wonder why James was saved and Peter was released. Ultimately, God is sovereign.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13: Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great
and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Even as God is sovereign, we are called and taught to pray. Luke, the book of Acts’ author, makes it clear in verse 5 that prayer was a catalyst in Peter's release. It was a fervent, "stretched out" type of prayer. It's one of passion, compassion, and authenticity. It's prayer that realizes the stakes are high. Their prayers were answered as Peter was released from bondage.

Thousands of years later, their story depicted in their faithfulness to pray stretched out is still an encouragement, testimony, and model to believers today.

It makes me wonder about the areas in our lives where we feel caught up and imprisoned. In some of these areas, only God will see us through. And as we stretch out and pray, God is writing new stories for the generations to come.

This week’s “Reflection” by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

So, what's your label? I'm interested! This may take some vulnerability, but I'd like to challenge you to write here what you believe your label would be right, this moment, if people were asked to tell us how they see you or what you are a devoted follower of. Then you can include what you would like to strive to have your label to be.

I'll go first just to get the ball rolling...

I could see my current label being "the guy who talks a lot." I would like to see my label become "the guy who cares about people."

Ok, your turn! We can all grow from understanding the journey that others are on toward being labeled "Christian, and living lives devoted to Christ.” Share your label with us, and what you hope one day your label will be.

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Parting with Our Prejudice
Acts 10

On Sunday in our continuing study of the book of Acts, we looked at Chapter 10. In this chapter Peter learns how to part with his prejudice. God’s plan of salvation was for all people and God used Peter to present the gospel to the Gentiles. Peter, being a Jew, had prejudice against the Gentiles and yet God uses him to bring the gospel to this hated people group.

In 10:34 we learn that “God does not show favoritism.” The issue of prejudice was alive and well in the first century and it is still alive and part of our world in the 21^st century. So the question becomes, "If I’m going to reflect the heart of God, what do I do to rid my life of prejudice?" For those who read this web reflection, I want to challenge you to think about this and to ask God to help you with the areas of prejudice you currently have. May God rid us of prejudice and build in us heart and love for all people.

Jesus Christ is the center of our life. It's all about Jesus. With that in mind, what is the spiritual focus in your life and your life purpose? 

We know we are to love God and love our neighbor. We are also commanded to go out and make disciples. But we all have different backgrounds, upbringings, careers, talents, strengths, and spiritual gifts. Is your gift teaching? Evangelism? Outreach? Mentoring? Prayer warrior?
 
If you are called and gifted in teaching, are you ready to lead a Bible study? Are you more of an organizer, developer, worker, or people person? Use those skills to organize a church event. Or would you enjoy visiting people in the hospital, praying with people, or encouraging those who are going through a tough time?
 
This week pray about your passion in life. What creates joy, excitement, and expectancy in you? What sets your heart on fire for Jesus?
 
We are currently study Acts. Dave Kraft in his book, Leaders Who Last, says, "When I read Acts, what I see is boldness, fire, fearlessness, and convictions worth dying for; not obsession with safety or comfort, but pure unadulterated love for Jesus and for the vision he left with us. Passion needs to be recaptured in all its fullness within the ranks of Christian leadership. Away with the ice! Bring on the fire, that consumes, burns away the dross, and gives light and life to a dying world."
 
Is Jesus the center (the power plant, the driving force) of all of your thoughts, decisions, and actions, all the time, always?
 
What is the purpose of your life?

What is your ministry?
What is your passion?
 
To Jesus be the glory, always!

Russ Anderson, Men's Ministry Leader

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Really Changed!

Acts 9:1-31

One of the points of the message on Sunday was that God doesn’t waste anything in our lives. Saul was chosen by God to bring the message of Jesus to people he could relate with. Saul brought his life experience, his education, his skills, and abilities to God’s service. That led me to the question, why did God choose you? God has chosen to use people to get His message of Jesus out to a lost and dying world. Take a few minutes this week and reflect a bit on your life experience, your education, your skills, and your abilities and ask, "Who does God want me to reach with the message of Jesus? Who are the people already in my circle of influence? What can I do to help them see and know Jesus?"

What do you think about this idea?