Shortcuts

I remember one time when I was dating my wife Julie in college, we were going from Springfield MO, to Branson, to Joplin and my roommate and I mapped out a "shortcut" to save time. Well, it may have been less distance but it probably took twice as long and we barely found our destination while it was still light out.

Shortcuts...we all try to find them. With summer construction, lane closures, crazy drivers and accidents, any chance we can take a shortcut we are all over it. However, just like my shortcut to Joplin, if we aren't careful the shortcuts can be dangerous and sometimes even derail us from our destination.

Matthew 4 is the story of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Why don't you pause for a moment and take a minute to read the chapter. If you don't have a bible, just check out http://www.biblegateway.com/ and type in Matthew 4 in the passage search. Did you read it?

3 times Satan tempts Jesus with a shortcut. The ironic thing is that the shortcuts didn't seem that bad in the natural. The first one was to turn the stones into bread. Jesus was fasting so he was extremely hungry...food isn't a bad thing right? Then he was tempted to show off the glory of God and His power. It's not a bad thing for people to see how powerful he was right? Finally, he was tempted to bow down to Satan so he could have control of the earth.

Jesus was tempted to take the easy road but I'm so thankful he didn't. He eventually got all 3 of those things but not the way Satan wanted him to. He eventually finished his fast and we read that he broke bread symbolically teaching His disciples of how his body was going to be broken on the cross for our healing. Later on we see that Jesus raised the dead man Lazarus back to life and showed everyone His power and glory. Finally, after He died on the cross He rose again in 3 days defeating death, hell and the grave taking rightful ownership of this earth and our lives.

What shortcuts are you being tempted with? Shortcuts are just distractions from the real thing! Let's follow God with all our hearts and stay committed to what He has called us to do!

No meeting tonight so families can spend time together!! Happy Fathers Day. See you next Sunday, 27th @ 5pm "lessons in leadership."

2 Buildings

Today we are looking at two buildings in Wyandotte as
places to meet when we launch September 12th. Both
are close to the downtown area which is where we want to
be.

We appreciate your prayers as we look for God's direction
and provision.

PS. I can't find my personal notes on the book "Do Hard Things."
The book must be in storage right now so I will have to
revisit this theme at a later time

Do Hard Things

I got a chance to watch the grand finale of "The Biggest Loser" last week. The irony of it all is that I hadn't seen one episode all season. Yet, I sat there in amazement watching recap videos of every person and where they started. One lady in particular was so big and so out of shape she fell off the treadmill and started weeping she couldn't do it and wanted to quit.


What would of happened if she would have quit. She would have joined the rank of thousands of other average people living in mediocrity and probably would have been consoled and patted on the back. However, they got in her face, strongly encouraged her (lol) and she didn't give up. She did hard things and came out on top and was extremely satisfied with the results.


Doing hard things isn't popular these days or promoted. When is the last time you have seen a product advertised on TV that is going to make you work harder? Most inventions are made to make life "easier" and less work (remember the Clapper?). However, if you study the life of men & women who changed their world, they all did hard things. I red a book a few years ago called "Do hard Things" by Alex & Brett Harris. Over the next few weeks I am going to challenge you and use experts from this book to do hard things.


1 Corinthians 9:25-27 says--Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize



Get ready to do hard things!!

Book Review

Even though this book is written for Pastors, if you are in leadership of any kind, this is a great and easy read. Its broken down into short chapters yet each chapter deals with important & strategic issues of leadership. I recommend this book for those who are busy yet crave leadership growth and guidance.

Dick Hardy has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. He has stayed faithful to God and in serving others throughout his entire ministry. In 27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask, Dick Hardy deals with the tough aspects of leadership and the necessary components for success. I wish the book had little bit more practical action steps to tackle some of the issues that are presented. Nevertheless, I still recommend this read.

Price Tag

How many of us love to get a good bargain? I'm just curious...are you one of the crazy day after Thanksgiving and Christmas shoppers too? I love those two days more for the free snow globes at JC Penny's than anything else (lol)

I was reminded of another quote from Dave Williams as I was reading the Bible this morning..."We all understand the value of something but we very seldom want to pay the price."

Deuteronomy 7 reveals this principle about understanding the value but not wanting to pay the price. God was revealing Himself to the entire nation of Israel though fire on the mountain. Out of the fire the tangible voice of God could be heard. They were the first people to actually hear the voice of God and to encounter the glory of God and not die. A GREAT THING, right? Something to get excited about, right? Wrong!

Instead they approached Moses and asked him to talk to God for what they saw and heard was too much for them. In other words, they understood the value of hearing God's voice and being in His presence but they didn't want to pay the price to do so.

What was the result of them delegating the presence and voice of God to someone else? While Moses was on the mountain encountering God, they were at the bottom making an idol (golden calf) and growing further apart from Him!

Anything in life that is significant comes at a price. No one can run a marathon by watching the fitness channel. No one can lift 300 pounds by only lifting Twinkies. We all understand the value of things but often don't want to pay the price. Let me encourage you today, nothing compares to knowing God and walking in His presence. It's worth the price of dropping everything else for a moment to read His Word, pray and listen to His voice. It's worth setting aside time to get together with other followers of Christ once a week to worship and encounter His presence together. ITS WORTH IT!!!! Don't delegate the most important things of life to someone else.

District Council

Every year all of the Assemblies of God churches come together for a time of prayer, worship and business. I wanted to share a few powerful quotes from this past week that have challenged me!!!

We do the faithful, God does the fruitful--Scott Wilson
*So many times we try to bring results. We forget that all God asks of us is to be faithful. We want God to say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."


There is a difference between working for the Kingdom of God and working from the Kingdom of God--Dave Williams
*So many times we strive to work for God instead of seeking His face and then doing what He
tells us.


Brainstorming brings the results and thoughts of men. Praying brings the results and thoughts of God--Dave Williams
*I have been challenged to pray more. There is so much potential & opportunity to connect
with God and hear His voice.