Weekly Challenge

Fantastic discussion last night on Isaiah 41:8-16.  A quick recap -  Chapter 41 finds Israel under oppression, with Isaiah looking forward and prophesying about a time when Israel will experience redemption.  The message is pretty simple:
1) Israel is the chosen servant of the One True God
2) God's command for them to follow is to "Fear not!"
3) The means by which they can obey this command is bountiful: God will strengthen, uphold, be with, help, redeem, shame enemies, protect, hold their hand, and more...
4) Meanwhile God will transform the "worm" Israel into a "threshing sledge" that will shatter mountains.  The fact that they will be transformed into a threshing sledge tells us that there will be much work to do.  While God does in fact go before them, He will put them to work albeit His work and it might not be easy.
5) The purpose of ALL of this however has nothing to do with them, the purpose is to ultimately "rejoice in the Lord" and "glory in the Holy One of Israel."

The Challenge:
As the King/Swanson Life Group transitions over the coming weeks and months it is very natural for many if not all of us to experience fear.  Those of us being sent off fear the unknown, those of us remaining in place fear change, those of us who are unsure what to do fear making the wrong decision.  The fact of the matter is this:  God is at work at Lake Pointe Church.  God is at work in the King/Swanson Life Group.  God is at work at Crosspoint Community Church.   God is at work in Rockwall, Texas.  God is at work just as we saw in Isaiah 41:8-9.  Joining God in His work is not the wrong decision, therefore FEAR NOT!

We are all "worms" before the Almighty Creator of the universe.  However, we are His servants chosen by Him and He has "threshing sledge" work for us to do.  Whatever building you decide to practice corporate worship in I challenge you to step up and step into "threshing sledge" work.  There is no shortage of need in the King Life Group, whether it be teaching, coordinating, planning events, running the facebook page, greeting, following up with visitors, praying, the list goes on and on and on.  There is work to be done.  If you know what you are good at, tell Travis or Jamie.  If you don't know what you are good at but you wish to offer your services, tell Travis or Jamie.  Crosspoint Community Church has 1 paid staff member who will do about a 3rd of the preaching.  Therefore everything else will be done by volunteers....every week...and that means EVERYTHING, because they don't even have their own building, they are at the mercy of a middle school.  There is "threshing sledge" work to be done.

But no matter what, no matter where you "attend" church, no matter what building you sing worship songs in, no matter what class you are a part of...we are ALL a part of the universal body of Jesus, equipped and sent to share Christ and build believers, and as we saw in Isaiah 41:16 the ultimate purpose is to "rejoice in the Lord" and "glory in the Holy One of Israel."  It doesn't matter whether Crosspoint reaches a certain number of members or if the King Life Group reaches some ideal, what matters is that we rejoice in the Lord and glorify God.  So fear not and get to work!

In Him,
Aaron

Weekly Challenge

The Weekly Challenge:

Challenge 1:
Read Isaiah 41:8-16 and meditate on it this week in preparation for class this Saturday.
If you did not read Isaiah 40 last week, I highly recommend you do that as well.

Challenge 2:
Over the past 3 weeks we have discussed the leading we feel and subsequent decision to step out in faith to help launch a new church called Crosspoint Community Church.  Mike and Jennifer Henry as well as Will and Cortney Schale also shared that they will be doing the same.
Pray:
- For a teacher and coordinator to step up from the Life Group to co-teach and lead with Travis
- All of us, regardless of what church building we call home, will continue to live out Ephesians 4 as a "Community of Unity"
- For wisdom for the leaders of the new church
- For the hearts and minds of those stepping out to help launch


In Him,
Aaron

Weekly Challenge

I will just get right to the point.


The Challenge:
We start a new series next week called "Messiah's Coming" which will focus on the latter parts of Isaiah.


Challenge 1:
Read Isaiah this week
OR
At least read Isaiah starting in chapter 40 through the end of the book.


Challenge 2:
Over the past 2 weeks I have discussed that Priscilla and I feel led and are stepping out in faith to help launch a new church called Crosspoint Community Church.  Mike and Jennifer Henry also shared last night that they will be doing the same.
Pray:
- For a teacher to step up from the Life Group to co-teach with Travis
- All of us, regardless of what church building we call home, will continue to live out Ephesians 4 as a "Community of Unity"
- For wisdom for the leaders of the new church
- For the hearts and minds of those stepping out to help launch


In Him,
Aaron

Weekly Challenge

Psalm 1:1-3 tells that those who delight in and meditate on God's law are blessed.  How often do you meditate on God's Word?  How often do you find yourself delighting in God's Law?


The Challenge:
Spend time this week meditating on God's Word.  If you find being delighted doesn't come easily, spend time in prayer asking God for His delight.  Here are some verses to consider:
James 1:25
Galatians 5:14
Roman 3:27
Romans 13:8-10


In Him,
Aaron