Search my heart...

Read: Psalm 4:1-5, 139:23-24; Jeremiah 17:10.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." King David - Psalm 139:23-24

When we talk about media, being in this world and not of, being above the culture and holiness we have to talk about the attitude and the heart. Our desire for holiness cannot be driven by religion or guilt. It cannot be quest we take because of all the wrong we've done. In fact it should be driven by a desire to be with God, hear His voice and to be used by Him and that alone.

In order to walk holy, be in this world and not of it and be above the culture we have to have the same attitude that David had. In fact it was said about David by God that He was a man after God's own heart. Why? Because David was willing to let God search him and test him. He was willing to open his heart to God for God to examine Him and point out anything that needed to go!

In order to walk holy and be used by God we have to have the same heart. We have to be willing to expose to God our deepest and darkest secrets (He knows them anyways). We have to be willing to, like Abraham was willing with Isaac, sacrifice anything. We have to be willing to put anything God wants on the alter and sacrifice it to Him. Often that thing he wants us to sacrifice has something to do with media.

This is the heart and attitude of those who are used by God, hear from God and have His presence in their life. God will search you and point out anything that offends Him. When you remove that from your life it allows His presence to come because God does not hang around things that offend Him.

This is a dangerous prayer to pray because God will take you up on your offer. He will ask you to sacrifice things in order for you to walk with Him. The great thing about God though is that the pain of sacrifice is always dwarfed by the power and pleasure of being in His presence. His blessing and favor come to those who are willing to lay it all out for Him.

Let God in today to search you and point out anything that offends him. He may ask you to get rid of some hard things, but the joy of accomplishing His will for your life will far outweigh the price you pay to do so!

Prayer: Search my heart, try me and see if there is anything in me that shouldn’t be. Give me the strength to remove it from my life!

Bleeding love Christmix video

Jon sent me this video and I thought I'd share it with everybody. It's a pretty cool remix of the song bleeding love. Check it out.

Be Holy...

Read: Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:2.

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

I've had a lot of people ask me how do you hear the voice of God? I've also heard a lot of people say that they desire the presence of God in their life. So how do you have God's presence and hear his voice? Read these scriptures:

Rom 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Without holiness no one will see the Lord - Heb 12:14

These scriptures tell us that it is holiness in our lives that will allow us to hear God (know His will for us) and see Him in our life. God commands us to be Holy as He is holy! Holiness is not a set of regulations. It's not do this, don't do that, but rather it is becoming more like Christ. Every time you obey the voice of God you become more holy.

Like I said I cannot give you a list of do's and dont's that are not in the bible, that would be religion, but holiness will cost you. To be holy God will eventually ask you to give up different types of media. This will allow you to become more like Him and will allow more time for Him to speak to you.

I look at it this way. The media I let in my life is a voice. Depending on how much I watch, listen too and see depends on how loud that voice is in my life. Well God has a voice too! From 1 Kings 19:12 we know that His is a still small voice. If our life is consumed with all these other voices how are we going to have the time and the quietness to hear God's voice?

Holiness is also a revelation. As you go on your journey in this Christian life God will reveal to you the level of holiness that He wants you to walk in. I honestly believe that there is a perfect level of holiness for you to walk in right now. I believe people can try and be holy which leads to religion and pride because it's on your own strength and therefore they cannot be used by God, nor will they hear Him. And other people are not holy enough, so they cannot be used by God, nor hear Him in their life.

If you are wondering if you are holy enough or not, go to God and ask Him. Ask God if there is anything in your life that is holding you back and be willing to give it up. He may want you to give up R rated movies, or secular music or something. Ask Him and He will tell you. You can only be as holy as God has revealed to you and given you the power to be.

If you are a student you need to obey God and your parents. If your parents say no more of this music or TV show, don't tell them that God hasn't spoken that to you. Parents are the voice of God in our lives. Hear and obey and you will hear God!

Prayer: Lord make me holy as you are holy! Give me a greater revelation of your holiness and the power to walk in it. I want to hear your voice and be in your presence.

In this world but not of it...

Read: Hebrews 11:13; John 17:14-19

"Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very soul. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors..." 1 Peter 2:11-12.

The moment we open our heart to Christ and invite Him in we change. 2 Corinthinas 5:17 says we become a new creation. In fact we are engaged in a battle for the souls of mankind and when we choose Christ we switch to the winning side. In this process of switching sides we become temporary residents and foreigners. We are now in this world, but not of it.

When I look around today at many Christians I am overcome with grief, sadness and sometimes an anger because of what I see. I see many people squandering the gifts and callings God has placed in their life all in the name of entertainment and it tears me up! I see people who are supposed to be in this world, but not of it, yet when you take a closer look they are in this world and of it.

There has got to be a difference between someone of faith and someone of no faith. If you go to all the movies your friends of no faith go to, listen to all the music, watch all the shows they watch and visit all the websites they do and the only difference between you and them is that you go to church once a week on a Sunday, is there really a difference between you and them?

Sure you may not be at the parties and you are not committing the same sins they are, but in their eyes they see someone who is no different. Holiness is not committing no sin it is committing your life to God and only Holy people are powerful people.

I'm not saying that you should never see a movie, listen to music, watch TV, go online. I'm saying that you need to examine your life and your choice of media and ask yourself if God would be pleased with your selection. Ask yourself will this movie, TV show, Music, internet site help me or hinder me from the call of God on my life. Will it make me more effective in fighting the battle for souls or destructive towards fighting that battle.

There are many people that need the message you have received, but in order to have a platform to speak that message to them you have got to sacrifice some things out of your life and one of those things is your choice of media. Are you in this world and not of it or do you look exactly like those you are trying to reach? It's time to live properly!

Prayer: God help me to be in this world, but not of it.

Be above the culture!

Read: Proverbs 4:23-27; 1 Peter 2:9-13

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23. "Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very soul. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors..." 1 Peter 2:11-12.

Live properly, guard your heart. What does this mean? What does it mean to live properly and guard our heart?

When talking about media: movies, music, TV, internet, etc, we have to address culture. Pastor Jeff says that movies are the art of our present culture. Media is the art of our culture. It is what people are talking about, thinking about and sometimes acting out. In fact I cannot hang out with a group of people and not hear from someone about a movie, TV show, song or internet site. It is in our minds and therefore in our hearts.

As Christ followers we are called to live properly, keeping away from worldly desires and we are called to guard our hearts. This means we need to be above the culture. When culture tells us its okay to watch this and listen to that and act it out we've got to go to the Bible and find the truth. If the Bible tells us something different we have to make the choice to be above that garbage and not allow it into our heart.

Just listening to music for the beats, or watching movies for the laughs, or watching TV to have something to talk about can still allow the junk that's being spit out to get into our hearts and we have to guard our hearts.

I'm not saying or even suggesting that you should not watch TV, movies, get online, or listen to music. I'm saying examine what parts of the culture you are allowing into your life and be open for God to instruct you on what you should and shouldn't do. When in doubt, be above the culture. If we will be above the culture those that are lost in the culture will have people to look to for help!

Prayer: God help me to be above the culture living Holy for you!

Media Reading Plan

MEDIA Reading Plan

Monday: Be above the culture. Read: Proverbs 4:23-27; 1 Peter 2:9-13

Prayer: God help me to be above the culture living Holy for you!

Tuesday: In this world but not of it. Read: Hebrews 11:13; John 17:14-19

Prayer: God help me to be in this world, but not of it.

Wednesday: Be Holy. Read: Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:2;

Prayer: Lord make me holy as you are holy!

Thursday: Search my heart. Read: Psalm 4:1-5, 139:23-24; Jeremiah 17:10;

Prayer: Search my heart, try me and see if there is anything in me that shouldn’t be.

Friday: It may not be sin, but... Read: Proverbs 3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-12, 10:23-24.

Prayer: Help me to know what you want and do not want me to have in my life.

Saturday: What would Jesus watch, listen to, play…. Read: Matthew 4:19; John 14:6

Prayer: Give me a standard and desire to be like Jesus.

Sunday: Media’s view of Christianity Read: Matthew 5:43-48, 19:19, Matthew 22:37-38, Galatians 5:14

Prayer: Don’t let me give into the medias view of Christianity.

A burden of prayer

What tears you up inside? When you see something and it causes you to get a little angry and it breaks your heart you have a burden for that situation. Maybe when you see a fatherless child struggle to find self worth and identity it breaks you. Maybe is a sick person, or a poor person. Whatever it is we all have burdens that God has placed on our hearts so that we will help those in need.

Matthew 11:30 promises that the burdens God gives us are easy and light. Even though something tears us up inside we are not crushed by it. That is how we know it is a Godly burden and not something placed there by man.

We ought to have a burden for our generation, for those who have no faith, for vision, revival, the broken, the poor, the hurting and our city. Jesus had a burden for all of these people/things and more. We need a burden for these to pray for them to be fulfilled.

A burden of prayer is what it will take to see God move in our city. When His people pray, He listens and God is quick to answer. All throughout the psalms we find the word prayer and cry used together. Each of the psalmists cried out to God for Him to do the impossible in their lives. It was a burden of prayer.

We too need a cry, burden for our generation. 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that if we will humble ourselves and pray, God will hears us and restore our land! We are in need of restoration and salvation in our land and it will only come through the burden of prayer.

Go to God and ask Him for a burden to pray for the above things and when you receive it be faithful to cry out to Him. He will do the impossible through your prayers!

Prayer: God give me a burden to pray for vision, my generation, and revival.

A life of prayer

"Never stop praying" 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Prayer is not something you do to fulfill some righteous holy check list for God, your pastor or anyone else. Prayer is a lifestyle. Prayer should be a daily appointment with God that kicks things off followed up with a whole day spent being mindful of the things of God, praying to him and thanking him at every moment you get.

When you read through the New Testament you find that beginning with Jesus and continuing through all the disciples and apostles they didn't pray, they lived a life of prayer. Jesus often withdrew by himself to spend all night in prayer.

Peter, James, John and Paul all spent countless hours praying. Prayer is the key to unlocking God's grace in your life to do extraordinary exploits. Prayer unlocks the supernatural and makes the way for you to walk in the power of God.

If you will devote your life to prayer, you will overcome and walk in power. How do you live a life of prayer?

Here are some ways:

• Pray in the car.
• Pray in the shower.
• Pray while you are doing menial tasks that take no brain power.
• Pray in the Spirit.
• Pray before every meal.
• Pray before going to bed.
• Pray for people when they are sick, depressed, going through difficulties...
• Pray when situations arise that would cause you to freak out or worry.
• When in doubt... pray.

Don't just pray. Live a life of prayer!

Prayer: Lord I don’t just want to pray, but live a life of prayer!

Teach us how to pray

The disciples came to Jesus at one point in the Gospel and asked Him to teach them how to pray. From this passage we have what is called the Lord's prayer. This is not a specific prayer we memorize and pray over and over, but rather the format for prayer. Here is how you pray:

Matthew 6:9-13 NLT:

"Pray like this:

Our Father In heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."

Begin with praise! Our father in heaven, may your name kept holy. Don't begin your daily prayer with repentance or asking God for your needs. Praise Him! Tell Him how much you love Him and need Him. Psalm 100:4,5 says enter with thanksgiving and praise. Begin with praise.

Ask for God's will to be done in your life, school, church, pastors, friends, family. "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done..." Pray for God's will to be done in your life. Ask Him to reveal His will to you and let Him know you are willing to do His will.

Ask for your daily needs. "Give us today the food we need." Ask for love, joy, peace, finances, faith, strength, favor, grace, friendships and on and on and on. Now it's time to let your request be made known to God.

Ask for forgiveness. "And forgive our sins, as we have forgiven..." Ask God to forgive you of everything you did wrong since the last time you repented. Say out loud that you forgive others around you that have hurt or wronged you. Now is the time for repentance.

Ask for strength and protection. "And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." Ask God to keep you from temptation. Speak out loud that you crucify the flesh and that you walk in the Spirit. Pray for protection and deliverance.

End with praise. Finish your prayer with praise again. Thank God for doing these things in your life. Praise Him again and go out with a heart of thanksgiving and praise!

Prayer: Jesus teach me how to pray. I want to pray powerful and effective prayers like you did!

I heard a teaching on this long ago and cannot remember who I learned this from and therefore cannot give proper credit. However since that time I have come upon what is called a "Rhema Card" written by Pastor Wendell Smith of The City Church. He has one called the Daily Prayer card which helps you pray through this. You can purchase one of these here. I use this in my prayer life and want to give him the credit for the above teaching.

The Word as a light

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5 Have you ever been in the dark, been afraid, you turn on the light and the darkness and fear leave? I know I have. In fact I have never turned on the light, had it shine brightly and then all of the sudden while it's still shining the darkness wins and it's dark again. It is impossible, light always wins over darkness.

I've also thought I saw shadows, or monsters when your a kid, I turned on the light and the evil had to flee. This is what God's Word does for our life. His word shines a light in our heart and begins to expose sin and other things that should not be there. When we spend time in the Word these things are revealed and through the Word we overcome.

Psalm says that the Word gives us insight for living, it shows us how to live our life. It shows us what is right and wrong, good and evil. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path guiding us on our journey of faith towards God.

This is one reason it's so important to read the Word. It will show you the darkness in your life and give you the power to overcome. The Word is a light for you guiding you, protecting you, and empowering you in this life. Read your Bible everyday and let it be a light for you!

Prayer: Let your Word guide me and expose anything in me that is not of you.

The most important meal of the day!

Growing up I always heard that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. It gets your metabolism kicking and gives you energy to set out and conquer the world! Or go to school; you choose :-). I'd like to propose a different meal as the winner of the title for most important.

In Exodus 16 we find the account of the Israelites in the wilderness. They were miles away from any source of food and a couple thousand years away from a McDonald's. They had to depend upon God to provide food for them.

Everyday they went out and found manna (bread of heaven) on the ground for them to eat. If they tried to save some to eat the next day it rotted. Everyday they had to depend on God to feed them.

The same is true in our life. The most important meal of the day is the meal we spend in God's Word, the Bible. His Word feeds our souls and gives us the spiritual nourishment we need to accomplish the task at hand.

Everyday we need to go to God, read the Word and receive the fresh manna He has for us. We cannot live off of yesterday's quiet time, we need a new one everyday. It is the most important meal of the day.

Prayer: Open your Word to me. Let it be my daily bread. Help me to be more desperate for your Word than anything else.

Hunger and Thirst

All throughout scripture God promises to fill, satisfy and feed those that are hungry and thirsty. Spending time in prayer and the Word is about getting to know God and getting filled with His presence, therefore we need to be hungry and thirsty for the Word, prayer, and his presence.

Psalm 42:2 says my soul thirsts for God. When can I get into his presence? This is the place we need to get to. When we are so hungry and thirsty that we cannot wait to get in the Word or get in prayer or get into God's presence we will be filled!

When someone is recovering from an eating disorder where they don't eat food they have to force themselves to eat because they have lost the ability to be hungry. After forcing themselves to eat for a while their body begins to crave food again and the hunger returns.

This same principle applies to our spiritual lives. We've gone so long without a regular diet of prayer and the Word we no longer crave it, we've lost our hunger. If we will force ourselves to read the Word and pray eventually we will crave it, our hunger will return and we wont find it so hard to seek after God!

You need a hunger and thirst for the living God. Make yourself read and pray and watch a hunger for the living God grow in your life!

Prayer: Father place a hunger and a thirst for your Word and prayer inside of me.

Everyday no exceptions!

If you had a choice between eating a meal and spending time in prayer and the Word what would you choose? If you thought or said the Word or prayer repent because you are lying! I'm just kidding maybe you really feel that way, but most people do not and that is natural. When faced with TV, food, internet, talking on the phone and every other thing there is to do most people choose these things over spending time in prayer and the Word.

This is the natural choices many people make, but if you want to walk in the supernatural seeing God use you to change your world you've got to make supernatural choices. That choice is everyday no exceptions I will spend time in prayer and the Word. All of us can carve out 15 to 20 minutes a day to spend time in prayer and the Word, the choice is ours.

The bible tells us that Job treasured the Word of God more than the food he ate everyday. He made a supernatural choice and as a result he saw supernatural blessing and increase. The Word tells us that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out of God's mouth! (Matthew 4:4) In order to walk in the supernatural we've got to live off of the words from God's mouth.

Our natural tendency is to allow life to distract us from God's presence and the Word. In order to walk in the supernatural we've got to make the hard choices. Everyday no exceptions is a hard choice that will cost us some natural things, but in the end the harvest of the supernatural will far out weigh anything we give up.

This summer I've chosen to fast TV for our 93 days of devotion. This elimination of a natural thing has allowed me the time to add the supernatural. With this void I've been able to read the Word and spend hours more in prayer and my life has never been better.

I want you to consider giving up something natural to make room for the supernatural. Make the choice today when it comes to spending time in the word and prayer, everyday no exceptions!

Spending time in prayer and the Word reading plan

Spending time in prayer and the Word
In order for you to get all of these topics and receive all of it you'll need to check back everyday!

Monday: Everyday no exceptions! Read in NIV: Job 23:12; Proverbs 30:8; Matthew 4:4; Exodus 16:21-26.

Prayer: Lord I will meet with you everyday no exceptions. I am willing to pay the price to meet with you.

Tuesday: Hunger and thirst Read: Matthew 5:6; Psalm 17:14, 107:9; Nehemiah 9:15; Proverbs 10:3, 15:14.

Prayer: Father place a hunger and a thirst for your Word and prayer inside of me.

Wednesday: The most important meal of the day. Read: Luke 12:22-31; John 4:31-34; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebrews 5:14;

Prayer: Open your Word to me. Let it be my daily bread. Help me to be more desperate for your Word than anything else.

Thursday: The Word as a light. Read: Mark 7:17-23: Psalm 19:8, 43:3, 37:30-31, 119:105, 130; Proverbs 6:23; John 1:5;

Prayer: Let your Word guide me and expose anything in me that is not of you.

Friday: Teach us how to pray. Read: Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13. Go to blog for explanation on how to pray.

Prayer: Jesus teach me how to pray. I want to pray powerful and effective prayers like you did!

Saturday: A life of prayer. Read: Matthew 26:41; Acts 10:9; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:16; Jude 1:20; Colossians 4:2.

Prayer: Lord I don’t just want to pray, but live a life of prayer!

Sunday: A burden of prayer Read: Psalm 17:1, 39:2, 61:1, Colossians 4:12; Matthew 11:30.

Prayer: God give me a burden to pray for vision, my generation, and revival.

MIke Wallace

This Sunday we took time to honor a man in our church who was of the highest caliber. Mike passed away Saturday night in a motorcycle accident on highway 2. When I received the call I was in total unbelief and in deep pain because Mike was a part of my family. He was an incredible man of God and an incredible servant. I never saw him have a bad day and there was never a time where he didn't take a moment to make me smile. He was always full of faith and always saw the best in every person.

This tragedy brings a lot of questions. There are a lot of why questions that I and others want to know. Why did this, why didn't this? We will never have the answers to these questions, but one thing is true, God is still good in the midst of all of this.

It will take some time to grieve for our friend and family member. I love you Mike and I know that you are in the presence of Jesus right now. We will all miss you!

Here are some of Pastor Jeff''s thoughts.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Part 2

Our first experience with the Holy Spirit is being born again which is a one time occurance. Our second experience with receiving the Holy Spirit is an everyday occurance and it's called being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Everyday we have a choice to make will we walk in the Spirit or in the flesh. Everyday we get to make the choice and the way we make that choice is through being filled through prayer, worship, and praise. Everyday when we choose to pray and spend time in God's presence we are filled with the Spirit.

Galatians tells us that the fruit of the Spirit which is produced by being filled is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. When we get into God's presence and get filled these attributes become the way we live.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit will transform you into the image of Christ. This is why it's so important to spend time in prayer, worship and praise everyday. It fills you and transforms you into the image of Christ.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Spend time everyday in His presence through prayer, praise and worship. In His presence you are filled and transformed!

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Part 1

The very first experience in receiving the Holy Spirit is at salvation. The Holy Spirit draws you to a place where you recognize the need for salvation. Revelation 3:20 says that he stands at the door and knocks and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in. The Holy Spirit knocks on the door of your heart and when you open it He comes in.

Ephesians 2:1 tells us that we are dead in our sins. When we receive Jesus we come alive in the Spirit of God. This is what it means to be born again. We receive the Holy Spirit when we are born again. Our spirit comes alive when the Holy Spirit comes into us. Love, joy and peace come alive. Faith comes alive. A knowledge of sin and righteousness come alive when the Spirit of God comes into our lives.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Respond to his knocking and receive Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior, then the Holy Spirit will flow into you and you will be born again.

If you've never received Jesus before pray this prayer and tell someone you prayed it;

Jesus, I open the door of my heart and invite you in. I ask you to forgive me of all my sin and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe in my heart that you are Lord and I confess with my mouth that God raised from the dead. I receive you today, I am yours. Amen!

Why do I need the Holy Spirit?

I'm saved. I've got Jesus that's all I need right? Well... no actually. The Holy Spirit is not just a gift He is a necessity. He is as much a part of God as the Son and the Father. In fact 1 Corinthians 12:3 says that no one can say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit. This means that you cannot be saved with out the Holy Spirit drawing you to a place where you cry out for salvation. Without the Holy Spirit you would never have known that you needed salvation.

I like to explain it this way. The Holy Spirit leads us to Christ. He convicts our hearts of sin and shows us that we are in need of a savior. Once we have Christ He is the way to the Father. So the Spirit leads to the Son who leads us to the Father. God gave the Son so we could be with Him just as Christ gave the Spirit, so we could know Him. We need the Holy Spirit. Here are some other reasons we need the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14-16 tells us that the Spirit leads us and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life gives us confirmation that we are children of God and therefore will spend eternity in heaven.

The Holy Spirit is our power according to Acts 1:8. He is the power for healing, salvation, boldness, overcoming, etc...

The Holy Spirit gives us the words to say in the midst of persecution and testing. When we witness to others as well the Holy Spirit gives us the words to say. Mark 13:11

He teaches us and reminds of the words that Jesus has spoken. He brings to remembrance the Word of God and teaches us to live righteously. John 14:26.

He fills our hearts with love! Romans 5:5. We are commanded to love God with everything and love our neighbors as ourselves. This is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit. He gives us this love to fulfill the Word.

Through the Holy Spirit we have confident hope. Confident hope that God will take care of us, love us, spend eternity with us. Romans 15:13

We have new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5.
Helps in our weakness by praying for us – Romans 8:26-27
He is our freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17 – where the Holy Spirit is there is freedom!
He transforms us into the image of Christ – 2 Corinthians 3:18

These are only some of the reasons we need the Holy Spirit. There are so many more that one blog or one lifetime of study couldn't bring them all out. The point is we need the Holy Spirit in our lives!

Here are more reasons we need him from a post on who He is.

Thursday - Is He for everyone?

We already answered the question is the Holy Spirit for today. According to the Bible and not the opinions of man we find that yes He is. Now since He is for today is He for everyone? Can every person who is gives their life to Christ be a candidate to receive the Holy Spirit? Lets again see what the Bible says...

Matthew 7:8 says "everyone who asks , receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-13 tells us that if we ask God He will not give us something weird or different that what we ask for. Instead our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

The Holy Spirit is for everyone who asks! In fact Acts 2:38 shows us how to receive. Peter tells the crowd to repent of your sins and turn to God, get baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This tells us that every person who has given their lift to Christ can enjoy the Holy Spirit as the gift He is.

Is He for everyone? Yes! All you have to do to receive the Holy Spirit is ask. It is a gift from God! The Holy Spirit is for every Christ follower regardless of what they've done. He is for you. You can receive the gift of The Holy Spirit today! Ask and you will receive.

Wednesday - Is He for today?

There are some out there that might try and tell you that The Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit were given to the early apostles and after they died, so did the gifts, baptism etc... I would like to offer a different perspective and answer the question is the Holy Spirit for today? Check out the video.

Reading Plan

I totally forgot to put this weeks reading plan on the Blog. There are hard copies for pick up at the GRID. Here is this weeks reading plan:

Monday Who is The Holy Spirit? Read: Acts 1:8, 2:3; John 7:37-39, 14:16, 26, 15:26. 16:13;
Prayer: God reveal to me The Holy Spirit. Let me know Him for who He really is, not my past thoughts or feelings about Him.

Tuesday Who is the Holy Spirit? Part 2 Read: Romans 8:9, 15; Hebrews 10:29; 1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 44:3.
Prayer: God give me a desire to know the Holy Spirit like I know my friends.

Wednesday Is He for today? Read: John 14:16-18; Hebrews 13:8-9;
Prayer: God help to see that The Holy Spirit and all that he offers is for today!

Thursday Is He for everyone? Read: Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-13; John 14:15-18; Acts 2:38
Prayer: God I see that the Holy Spirit is for everyone. Let Him come and touch everyone around me!

Friday Why do I need The Holy Spirit? Read: Romans 8:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Acts 1:8; Mark 13:11; John 14:26; Romans 5:5, 15:13; Titus 3:5
Prayer: God I need the Holy Spirit. I need power, authority, comfort and strength.

Saturday How do I receive The Holy Spirit? 1st Born of the Spirit (salvation) Read: 1 Corinthians 6:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:11; Ephesians 2:6
Prayer: Jesus I believe that you are Lord! I receive salvation and am now a new Creation! I have been born of the Spirit!

Sunday How do I receive The Holy Spirit? Part 2: Be filled! Read: Acts 1:4-8; John 16:5-15; Luke 11:9-13; Galatians 5:22-25
Prayer: God fill me with your Spirit and let me walk in the fruit of the Spirit.

You may have to play a little catch up, but it will be good!

Tuesday Bonus - Who is the Holy Spirit? Part 3

Here are more attributes of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit:

• Is the giver of Spiritual gifts – 1 Corinthians 12
• Is the way to Jesus – Romans 8:11
• Is the revealer of the deep things of God – 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
• Is our guarantee of Salvation – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
• Is our freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17 – where the Holy Spirit is there is freedom!
• Was present at creation – Genesis 1:2
• Calls us and qualifies us for ministry – Acts 13:1-2
• Hears, speaks, and he teaches. He guides us to truth. He glorifies Jesus. He brings all of Jesus’ words to our remembrance. He shows us things to come. 1 Corinthians 2:9-15
• Is our instructor, teaching us God’s ways – Nehemiah 9:20
• Is our sanctifier – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
• Fights for us – Isaiah 59:19

This list only begins to scratch the surface of who He is. Only an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit will reveal to you how incredible He truly is and everything He has to offer you!

Tuesday - Who is The Holy Spirit? Part 2

Who is The Holy Spirit? Today we will answer more and reveal more about his nature and character.

He is the life of God that keeps us from being controlled by our sinful nature (Romans 8:9, 15). When we are controlled by the Holy Spirit we are not controlled by our sinful nature, so we do not walk in sin. Verse 15 promises that we are not fearful slaves, but rather God's children because of The Holy Spirit. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit is the greatest freedom you will ever enjoy!

The Spirit brings us mercy and makes us holy (Hebrews 10:29). In and of ourselves we cannot measure up to God's standard of morality and holiness, but through the power of The Holy Spirit we can. He makes us holy by convicting our hearts of wrong doing and giving us the power (Acts 1:8) to do right.

Finally He is the oil of anointing in our lives (1 Samuel 16:13). Isaiah 10:27 NKJV tells us that the anointing breaks the yoke. The Holy Spirit is the one who breaks bondages and chains that are upon our lives!

The Holy Spirit desires to have a deep and intimate relationship with you today!

Pray:

"God give me a desire to know the Holy Spirit like I know my friends. I want a deep and intimate relationship with you Holy Spirit."

There is so much more about Who the Holy Spirit is. Check back later today for a bullet pointed list of more about who the Holy Spirit is.

Monday - Who is The Holy Spirit?

This week we are going to read about, talk about then learn about next Sunday the topic of knowing the Holy Spirit. In order to do this we have to answer the question who is the Holy Spirit? Is he some mystic force that floats around giving us goose bumps when the music at church sounds good? No, the Holy Spirit is the third part of the trinity, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), God the Holy Spirit. He is God! He is the Spirit of God. He is so much more!

The Holy Spirit is a person that presents himself as many different things, but know he is not a dove or a ghost or anything weird he is a person that comes in the form or other things. For instance Acts 1:8 tells us that He is power! When we have the Holy Spirit we have power.

Acts 2:3 tells us that He is fire! When we have the Holy Spirit we have a fire in us, that is passion. Also as a fire the Holy Spirit burns away sin and wickedness in our lives.

John 7:37-39 and Isaiah 44:3 tell us that He is living water. When we have the Holy Spirit we are refreshed and revived. He takes away weariness.

John 14:16, 26 and 15:26 tell us that He is the Comforter. The Holy Spirit brings us comfort and peace in the midst of any situation good or tragic.

John 16:13 tells us that He is the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit is truth. He guides us to truth, showing us what is right and what is wrong. He brings truth to our lives, so that the deception we once believed an walked in must go.

The Holy Spirit is so important to our life in Christ. He presents himself in many more ways. We will continue to dive into it tomorrow. For today though pray:

"God reveal to me The Holy Spirit. Let me know Him for who He really is, not by my past thoughts or feelings about Him!"

Day 7 Bonus

What happened at the Cross? We've been discussing this and reading about this all week and I wanted to break it down for you. Below is a list of what Jesus did for you on the Cross.

What happens when I go to the Cross?

Jesus Takes He Gives Me

My sin His righteousness 2 cor 5:21
My foolishness His wisdom 1 Cor 1:24
My Weakness His strength Heb 11:34
My inadequacy His adequacy 2 Cor 3:5-6
My poverty His riches 2 cor 8:9
My defeat His victory 1 cor 15:57
My sickness His Healing 1 Peter 2:24
My anxiety His peace Phil 4:6-7
My limitations His potential Phil 4:13
My bondage His freedom John 8:36
My curse His blessing Gal 3:13-14
My mourning His joy Isaiah 61:3
My will His will Luke 22:42
My desire His desires Psalm 37:4
My emptiness His fullness Eph 3:19
My failure His success Ps 103:4
My rejection His acceptance Isaiah 53:3
My fear His power 2 Tim 1:7
My insecurity His confidence Eph 3:11-12
My guilt/shame His forgiveness Rom 9:33

If you've never gone to the Cross and made the trade, you need to!

Get on your knees and pray:

Jesus I come to you today at the foot of the Cross. I need you and desire you to be the Lord of my life. I trade everything I am, have done and desire to be for all that you have for me. I exchange all of me for all of you. Today the old me that is full of sin and wickedness dies and I am alive today in you as a new creation. Thank you for all you've done for me. Thank you for the Cross. I love you and need you! In your name I pray amen.

Day 7 - Healing

I hate being sick! I hate sickness and disease. I have known many people whose lives were tragically cut short because of sickness and disease. Sickness was never a part of God's plan, but was introduced to the earth when Adam and Eve sinned. Yet when we search the scriptures we see that God had a plan all along.

Not only does the Cross bring us eternal life, freedom and forgiveness of sin, it also brings healing. 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:1-5 both tell us that Jesus bore our sickness, like our sin, upon the cross. I always like to say that they died with Jesus and when He rose they didn't rise with Him. Jesus did not have to be whipped and beaten, but His body was broken, so ours could be whole. Through the Cross we can be healed!

Jesus went from city to city healing all who had diseases. On the Cross he purchased victory over sickness and disease once and for all. Like He told those He healed, "your faith has made you well." Your faith in God as a healer is what will make you well. Here are some ways to see healing in your life!

• Believe! Faith is what will make you well. If you don't have the faith pray like the father in Mark 9:24 who had a sick child, "Lord help my unbelief!"
• Pray every day! Stand upon the promises of God's Word for healing and speak it everyday that you will be healed.
• Get prayer! James 5:14 tells us if we are sick to call on the elders and have them pray for us and we will be healed. Go to an elder in your church and get prayer!
• Never give up! Even after death people were still healed by Jesus. It doesn't matter if you or someone you love is about to die, Jesus can still heal! Don't give up if the healing doesn't come immediately. Believe!
  

God has healing for your mind, your heart, your body and from your past today! He has healing in His wings for those you love. Believe!

Day 6 - Victory over the Devil

Sometimes we struggle with the same sin over and over and over. Maybe it’s lust, maybe it’s gossip, maybe it’s addiction, it could be anything. The point is when we struggle time and time again, even though we try to overcome and yet we fail it can leave us feeling defeated. It can leave us with questions about why we can't overcome and after defeat after defeat we may give up all together. Have you ever asked why do I struggle with the same thing over and over?

The reason people fall prey to the same sin and weakness time and time again, is the Devil has a stronghold in their life. At one point they opened the door of their heart to him and since then he has had a grip of an area of their life. 1 Peter 5:8 says that the Devil searches like a roaring lion for people he can devour. As long as we let him we will continually be devoured by sin. He will continue to devour our joy, peace, love, future, destiny, finances and life.

It is through the Cross that we get victory over the Devil in every area of our life. The Cross will free us from the grip the enemy has over our minds, hearts and lives. Revelation 12:11 says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb... Matthew 28:18 tells us that Jesus has all authority and power and when we go to the Cross and turn our lives over to Him he gives us that power and authority.

Romans 6:6 says that when we choose Jesus we are crucified with him (our sinful nature that is) and no longer are we a slave to sin. No longer does the enemy have a foothold in our lives. You don't have to fall time and time again. Below are some ways to get victory over the devil!

• Pray! Go to Jesus and ask him to crucify your sinful nature, so you are no longer a slave to sin, doing whatever it desires not what you desire.
• Stand on the Word! Read these scriptures and the reading plan scriptures here. Speak them over your life and believe them.
• Ask God to renew your mind. Often the enemy has a hold of your mind and that is where the mistakes begin. Read Romans 12:1 and 2 and pray this for your life.
• Confess your sins to one another and you will be healed (James 5:16). Find someone who can hold you accountable, pray for you and challenge you to overcome your sin. Don't pick someone who also is going through this, but someone who has overcome.

You can have victory over the devil in every area of your life because of the Cross! Don't go another day without walking in it.

Dr. Dave Martin this Sunday!

I just received word that Dave Martin will be speaking at our church this Sunday! If you have or have not ever heard him be here and be ready to receive an impartation.

Hearing him speak is always incredible and life changing. Not to mention he's very funny!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Summer Camps

One month until camp and it is getting exciting around here!

In Acts chapter nine, Saul (later called Paul) had and encounter with Jesus that forever altered his life. Every person needs an encounter like Paul’s in their life in Christ to solidify a devotion to Him. Summer camps provide an atmosphere for students and kids to have an encounter that leaves them changed forever. Your students need to be at camp!

Here are the camps:

Accelerate Kids Camp – Grades 3 to 5 - $100 – August 13th-15th Register here.

There are many fun activities planned for Accelerate!

Ignite Camp – Grades 6 to 12 - $215 – August 11th-15th Register here.

At Ignite Camp we will have Paintball, Tubing, and more!

This Sunday is the final Sunday to sign up! There are many scholarships still available here.

Also we are doing a garage sale fund raiser to help sponsor kids to camp. If you have an items that you could donate please do so!

Hide and Seek

This morning I spoke to around 70 3 to 8 year olds about the topic, "Hide and Seek." I love speaking to kids and seeing them worship because the bible is clear. Out of the mouths of children is perfect praise and we must have child like faith to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is inspiring to watch kids love Jesus with everything!

In Psalm 119:11 the psalmist writes, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I shared with the kids that we have to play hide and seek with our Bibles. We've got to take the scriptures we hear our teachers (or in your case pastors) talk about and hide them in our hearts. This is why reading the bible is so important. When we read we hide the scripture in our hearts.

When scripture is hidden in our heart then we will respond correctly to situations that arise in our lives. When we are sick scriptures that have been hidden can now be sought, found, believed and applied. During financial difficulties scriptures hidden can be found, believed and applied.

When was the last time you hid some scripture in your heart by reading the Word? I want to encourage you to get a daily reading plan and let the Word of God be a seed in your heart that protects you and brings you life!

Play Hide and Seek this week with the Word of God!

Day 5 - Forgiveness through repentance

We all mess up! We all make mistakes and are in need of forgiveness (Romans 3:23). The guilt and shame that we feel from our past can be erased by forgiveness. When we are forgiven we are free, but in order to be forgiven there must first be repentance.

Repentance is the road that takes us to forgiveness. Repentance is no just feeling bad for what we done, so we say we are sorry. It’s not asking for forgiveness because we got caught. Repentance is a complete turning from our sin. It is a 180 degree turn from our wrong doing. We were once walking towards sin, now we turn our back completely and go towards God. This is repentance and true repentance brings forgiveness and a new chance.

People are looking to “make it right.” They want to “start over” and forgiveness through repentance offers this. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if we are in Christ we have become a new person. The old life we used to live full of our past failures and mistakes is now erased and a new life has begun. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hebrews and Psalms all promise and erasing of sin and guilt. True repentance erases your sins and guilt and allows you to walk free.

Ephesians 1:7 says that Jesus is so rich in kindness and mercy that this forgiveness and freedom we have was purchased through His blood. It is through the Cross that we can start a new life and find forgiveness through repentance.

How to repent:

• Confess your sins. Go to God and ask Him for forgiveness.
• Confess your sins to those you’ve wronged. Go to those you’ve hurt or wronged and ask their forgiveness.
• Turn from your sin. Don’t go back. Don’t go back to that place or situation where you sinned.
• Ask God for a hatred for your sin. The Bible tells us to love God and hate sin. True repentance is a righteous hatred for sin.
• Walk in the freedom from guilt and shame that repentance brings.

Day 4 - Defeat death and receive eternal life

When the day comes that our natural bodies expire and we pass from this life to the next we will be faced with two paths based on our choices here on earth, life or death. Many people struggle with the assurance that when they die they will spend eternity it heaven. I've seen many people wrestle with their salvation because they've sinned or didn't pray or did something they shouldn't have and I want to offer some ways to know that you are saved and that you have eternal life.

First, when we sin it does not disqualify us from spending eternity in heaven. Even though we feel separated from God for the moment that doesn't mean we will be separated from God for eternity. When we sin we need to ask forgiveness and move on, not "get saved" again.

Through the Cross Jesus has defeated death and provided for us as a free gift, eternal life! All we have to do is believe that He is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead and confess with our mouths that He is Lord and we will be saved (Romans 10:9) or have eternal life. The next step is discipleship. Salvation is free, it costs you nothing.

Whether or not you have eternal life is based upon belief. Do you believe that Jesus is Lord? Do you believe He is the Son of God? Deuteronomy 30:19 says that God has put before us the choice; life or death... then it says choose life. Eternal life is your choice.

How to know you are saved and have eternal life:

• Do you believe? Have you prayed to God, told Him that you need Jesus in your life and that you turn your life over to Him? If so then you are saved.
• Do your actions believe? Are you beginning to look like Christ? This doesn't mean you are perfect, but you are day by day growing closer to God and dealing with weaknesses in your life through the Cross. This is what it means to become a disciple.
• Do you feel God's presence in your life? The presence of God, The Holy Spirit, is our guarantee that we have been saved. If you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life then you are saved and you have eternal life.
  
• Ask God for the peace and the assurance that your eternal destiny is secure.
• Stand upon the Word. Romans 10:9, John 5:24, 6:40, 47 all talk about believing and having eternal life. Believe and receive the free gift offered to you today!
  

If you believe, you are beginning to live like a disciple and you feel the presence of God, you have eternal life. It is a promise from God to you!

If you've never asked Jesus into your life pray this prayer and believe. Afterwards tell someone. The bible tells that if we confess Jesus before men and He will confess us before the Father. You can email, or send a comment, it won't be published or tell a friend that is a Christ follower.

Pray:

Jesus I ask you to come into my life. Forgive me for rejecting you with the way I've lived my life. Forgive me of my sin. I believe in my heart and I confess with my mouth that you are Lord and that God raised you from the dead. I need you. I turn my life over to you today. Make me your disciple. In your name I pray. Amen!

Day 3 - Overcoming fear, anxiety and worry

Throughout the bible we are commanded by the likes of Jesus, Paul, Peter and others to walk in faith. To live a life of faith. In fact the Word promises that if we live by faith we will have everything we need (Matthew 6:25-34). However, the opposite of faith is fear and I have found that it is much easier to live in fear than faith. It's easier to worry than to rest and believe God has it all taken care of.

We worry about what we are going to wear, how we are going to pay for this, will I get a date for prom. We worry about family, friends, finances, and on and on and on. You name it and somebody worries about it. Yet worrying about these things will not bring the results you desire. In fact when you worry that something is going to happen or not happen often it does or doesn't. We've got to walk by faith and stand upon the Word of God.

I love Philippians 4:6 in the New Living Translation; it says, "Don't worry about anything, instead pray." In other words what are you worrying about. That fear, that anxiety is not of God, for He will not give you fear and worry, but power, love and a sound mind. Living a life of worry and in fear is no life at all. Here are some ways to overcome worry, fear and anxiety.

• Pray! When you begin to worry or have fear pray until it goes away. 1 Peter 5:7 says to give God your burdens, your worries. Pray to God and give your worries to Him. The greatest weapon we have against fear and worry is prayer!
  
• Read the Word! All throughout the bible there are promises in scriptures to help you through your situation. Find the promise, believe it and let it be the anchor that holds you steady during the storm of fear and worry.
• Get prayer! Go to your Reach Team leader (if you don't have one, find one), or another person full of faith and have them pray for you. Let them encourage you with prayer and the Word. Sometimes we need reassurance from others that it's all going to work out.

There is no reason for you to live a life of fear, anxiety and worry. Proverbs 28:1 tells us that the righteous are as bold as a lion. If you have Christ in your life, you are walking in forgiveness and freedom from guilt, condemnation and your sinful nature you are righteous and therefore have nothing to worry about or fear. Through the Cross Jesus offers you a life of peace and faith, not fear, worry and anxiety.

Day 2 - Deliverance from sin and temptation

The number one thing we will struggle with in our Christian life is sin and temptation. Temptation is the vehicle that drives us to the end of the road which is sin and sin always leads us to a dead end, leaving us crippled to be who we desire to be. Sin entices us, looking like its going to be fun and when we go over to sins house, it beats us down, leaving us broken and ashamed. Sin always promises us a good time, but costs us more that we are willing to pay in the end. So in order for us to grow and become who God has called us to be we have got to overcome sin and temptation in our life.

Jesus was tempted like we are and did not give in, so we have power through the cross to overcome temptation and kick sin in the butt! Paul writes in Romans 7:15-25 about the sinful nature. In all of us there is something inside that pulls us towards sin. Even though we want to do what is right we find ourselves drawn to sin and ultimately falling into it. That is the sinful nature and we have to overcome it.

My favorite scripture in dealing with sin and the sinful nature is Galatians 2:20. Jesus overcame temptation and did not sin, so if we follow Galatians 2:20 we also will follow in his footsteps. This verse is all about the sinful nature dying and Christ coming alive in us. "It is no longer I (my old sinful nature) that lives, but Christ (the power to overcome) that lives in me." You don't have to be a prisoner to sin and temptation any longer. Through the Cross there is freedom.

Here are some ways to overcome sin and temptation in your life:

• Repent for all your past mistakes. Repentance removes the stain of sin in our life, allowing us to get up and walk away.
  
• Pray for it every day. Jesus commanded in his model prayer that we recognize we are tempted and ask God to not let us yield to temptation.
• Pray Galatians 2:20 over your life. Say, "I am crucified with Christ, it is no longer (inert your name) who lives but Christ who lives in me." Everyday you have got to crucify the sinful nature that lives in you. List your weaknesses by name. I crucify anger, I crucify lust, I crucify gossip, I crucify depression, etc...
  
• Flee temptation! Don't walk right up to temptation, give it a shove and ask it show me what you've got. You will get knocked down! Instead run from it. Don't put yourself in places you could be tempted.
  
• Believe the promise that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what He has given you the strength to handle and He makes a way out. (1 Cor. 10:13)
• Receive forgiveness for your past mistakes and don't allow guilt or condemnation to drag you back into your former state.
  

Day 1 - Freedom from guilt and condemnation

One of the number one reasons we do not overcome sin and weakness in our lives is we still feel guilty or what the bible calls condemnation for those things we've done. Guilt will hold you back and rob you from the destiny God has placed in your life. Today because of what Jesus did on the cross you can be free of all guilt and condemnation. In fact God wants you free of guilt so that you can life a life of peace and freedom.

I love what David says in Psalm 32:5 NLT, "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord." And you forgave me! ALL MY GUILT IS GONE.

Here are some steps to getting free from guilt:

• Confess your sins. Tell God, He already knows anyways, what you've done and that you are sorry for it. Ask for forgiveness. If we do this according 1 John 1:9, God is faithful to gives us what we ask for... forgiveness!
  
• Confess your sins to a leader in your life (parent, youth leader, pastor, mentor) James 5:16 tells us that when we confess to each other we are healed. Healed from what? The guilt and weight of our mistakes. It also says that then our prayers become effective because we are righteous and we can overcome much.
• Walk it out. Many people are forgiven and free, but thoughts creep into their minds about their past and they begin to choose to feel guilty and they allow the devil to heap condemnation on them. When you feel guilty for something you've already repented for declare the Word. Say out loud if you have to "I've confessed my sins, so I am forgiven, I am in Christ, so I do not accept this condemnation!" Don't receive it!
• Go and sin no more. Now that you've confessed and are forgiven, don't do it again. Walk in the power God has given you over sin. Not falling into it again will help you no longer feel guilty. Do like Jesus said to the woman who was about to be stoned for her mistakes and Jesus forgave her, "Woman your sins are forgiven you, now go and sin no more."
  
• Believe the promise of His Word. You have to believe that when God says you are forgiven and that your guilt is gone it is. I love this scripture, Psalm 103:12, David writes, "He has removed our sins as far from us as teh east is from the west." Your sins, your past failures and mistakes are gone, erased by the blood of Jesus. Now believe it and walk it out!

Today is your day for freedom from guilt and condemnation. Jesus paid for your freedom on the cross, now receive it and no longer be held captive by it! Your destiny is too important for you not to walk in freedom!

GRID Prayer and Reading Plan

The following are seven victories that the cross brings to us. This week read (I recommend the New Living Translation, but any will do) and pray about these victories that you might see them in your life! Check my blog TravisWarren.com for a little devotional everyday; also if you have questions about the material call your group leader or comment on the blog and you will have an answer. We will discuss this next week at GRID.

Day 1 Freedom from guilt and condemnation. Read these scriptures and pray for forgiveness, forgive others that have hurt you and ask God to free you from the guilt of your mistakes and any condemnation. – Romans 8:1, 2; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5; Matthew 6:14-15;

Day 2 Deliverance from oppression of the devil which is sin and temptation or our sinful nature. Read these scriptures and pray for freedom from sin, weakness and temptation. – Ephesians 2:1-5; Galatians 2:20; Romans 7:15-25; Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Day 3 Overcome anxiety and fear. Read these scriptures and pray to overcome anxiety and fear. – 1 John 4:18; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 41:10

Day 4 Defeat death and eternal life. Read these scriptures; pray that you would know that God has given you eternal life! – Romans 6:23; John 10:10; John 5:24; Romans 10:9-10; John 6:40, 47; 1 John 5:12

Day 5 Forgiveness through repentance – Read these scriptures and ask for forgiveness and receive it. – Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 1:18; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12; Psalm 32:1, 5; James 5:16

Day 6 Victory over the devil – Read these scriptures and pray for victory in areas of your life that you need it. – 1 John 3:8; 1 John 5:4; 1 John 2:12-14; Revelation 12:11; James 4:7; 1 Corinthians 15:57

Day 7 Healing Read these scriptures and pray for healing in your body, mind, heart, soul, wherever it is needed. – 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:1-5; Jeremiah 17:14, 33:6; Psalm 30:2, 107:20; Acts 4:30.

Schools Out For Summer

Friday June 13th 6-11pm Schools Out For Summer... LEGIT!!! We had our party to kick off summer and leave school behind. It was an incredible night with somewhere near 100 people hanging out.

We had a BBQ, Sumo Suits, Four person jousting, human foosball, video games, a 10 minute message on evangelism with a couple of salvations and a scavenger hunt. It was an incredible night with tons of fun.

The event was put on by our incredible volunteers here at the church. I had very little to do with any of it! Great job all!

Here are some pictures and captions and a video I made:


Landooooooonnnnn!!!


Ladies

Cook meat son!

Batman!

My beautiful wife getting ready to sumo!

More ladies

More ladies... this is what happens when a girl takes all the photos :-)

SUMO!!!

Winners of the scavenger hunt and $50

Here is a highlight video and my first try at editing a video:

To the interns!

I'm so proud of all of you. I'm sorry I couldn't be there and that it took so long for this to work! Here is a short clip to you...

FOLLOW ME.... on twitter that is.

Ever wonder what it's like to be a youth pastor? Or how about, what would Travis do (wwtd)? That sounds like a cool bracelet idea... I'll have to talk to my marketing agent ;-). Well now you can have the answer to those questions. Click on this link, create an account and follow me on twitter. To follow me click here.

DISCLAIMER - if you want to get a text every time I update you can but be forewarned... if you do not have unlimited texts the chances of you going over with me twittering is very high :-).

Guam Snapshots

From June 14th to June 22nd I embarked on my first journey to preach at a camp for a whole week. It has always been a dream of mine to travel and speak and I had a great time. We were actually the first group to visit this church with the sole purpose of ministering to them. It was an incredible honor and there was great unity! The power of God and His presence were so powerful at the camp. We saw kids who didn't want to be there the 1st day, crying out for more of God the last. I am still getting messages for the students about what God did and is doing in their life. It was an amazing trip with too many stories to tell. With that in mind here are some photos, videos and snapshots from each day.

Saturday June 14th

• Fell asleep at 2am
• Woke up at 4:30am, grabbed my stuff and met Terryl, Kat, and Tim at the church.
• Drove to the airport
• Boarded flight to Hawaii at 8pm.. 5 hr flight
• Slept for a couple of hours
• Met a Christian couple celebrating their 25th anniversary. They own a huge onion farm in Quincy, WA and supply Fred Meyer with onions. Pretty cool!
  
• Landed at 11am Hawaiian time
• Grabbed some Chinese food and Starbucks
• Boarded Flight to Guam at 2. 7 hr flight no sleep.
  
• Crossed the international date line it's now Sunday.

Sunday June 15th

• Landed in Guam at 5:40pm (12:40 am at home).
• We were met by a huge reception of people (see pic).

• Drove to hotel, changed, checked out their church, went to dinner.
• Fell asleep at 10:30pm (5:30 am Sunday Morning at home)
  

Monday June 16th

• Woke up at 8! (3pm Sunday at home)
• No jet lag yet!
  
• Packed up our hotel to prepare for camp.
• Picked up at noon to head to lunch then camp.
• 3pm drove into camp. It was on an airforce base so we had to pass security. Jets flying overhead all the time.
  
• Drove towards camp and saw the most breath taking view! See video.

• Helped set up sound and put my stuff in my tent.

• Ate the best dinner that night! Sashimi (raw fish) and a whole host of other Guam and Yap dishes. It was awesome!
• Service began at 8pm (3am Monday morning at home), helped with worship and shared my testimony that night.
• Took a shower because it is so hot and muggy.
• Fell asleep around 12:30 (7:30am at home) missed my wife like crazy!

Tuesday June 17th

• Woke up at 6am to this:

• Showered and had my quiet time down this path:

• Eggs and rice for breakfast. I was allergic to eggs as a kid and I still hate them, so rice for breakfast with finadeni (Guam's special sauce pronounced fin-a-denny and its awesome).
• Small group time at camp.

• Played a team game.
• Ate at Burger King for lunch, jets flying overhead... Crazy cool!
• Went to the beach to swim and play a little of this:
  

• Great dinner again! More Sashimi and finadeni!
• Service at 8pm! Felt a little tired before because of the sun. As soon as I took the stage to preach I was totally rejuvinated by the Holy Spirit.
• Spoke on making adjustments in your life. Great alter and prayer time. Lots of tears and decisions were made.
• Shower then bed around 1am (8am Tuesday morning at home)

Wednesday June 18th

• Woke up around 7am. Here is the view from my tent window:

• Shower and breakfast. Bacon, rice and... finadeni.
• Small group time!
• Another team game!
• Lunch
• Bowling - see pic

James and Paul - My friends from Guam

• By the way I bowled the highest score for the camp. Had to represent for Washington State!
• Dinner - one of my favorite times of the day ;-).
• Service at 8! Preached about having an encounter with God and the need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit because of the fire or boldness that comes with it.
  
• 8-10 kids got baptized in the Holy Spirit. Andrew was one of them then he began to pray for others to receive the same. It was incredibly awesome.
• Great alter time!
• Witnessed someone not with the camp nearly drown, but was saved by Paul the guy above on the right.
• Fell asleep around 2:30am.

Thursday June 19th

• Last full day of camp
• Great Quiet time and breakfast... rice and finadeni.
• Small groups
• Tropical storm rains.
• Students played a game in the rain and I took a nap for an hour.
• Played Volleyball after the nap in the pouring down rain... very cool!
• Had lunch
• Went to the beach and swam
• Dinner - Pizza, but I had fried fish that Paul caught, super tasty.
• Service at 8pm
• Tons of students gave testimonies of what God had done in their life - Highlight of the trip!
  
• Preached a message that God wants you to go from island to island on your journey and at each island you arrive at you have got to burn your canoe. Told the students it will be easy to go back to who you were before camp (the island you just left), so you have to burn your canoe.

• Had a burn barrel and a power time at the alter again.
• Andrew and Tim got rocked by prayer - Another huge highlight for me from the trip. I wanted these guys to have fun and get rocked by God.
  
• I got rocked by prayer
• I had the opportunity to prophesy into the lives of Pastor Kenny's leaders.
• I got to share some words of encouragement withe Pastor Kenny and Carmen.
• Couple of guys heard I liked fire, so they did a fire dance for me. I also tried it, but the video failed, so no footage. Here is a clip of one of them perfoming:

• That night was prank night and one of the kids was going to prank me with my arch nemesis, pictured below, but they announced no pranking Pastor Travis... Thank God!

Banana Spider! Super creepy.

• Fell asleep around 2:30... Still no jet lag. It was totally a God thing!
• The kids pranked each other all night. I don't think Andrew even went to bed.

Friday June 20th

• Up at 7:30am.
• Shower, Quiet time, breakfast... :-) rice and finadeni.
• Mad dash to break down camp.
• One last meeting and prayer.
• Group photo:

• Headed to church office to put stuff away.
• Grabbed lunch at Denny's? In Guam its actually edible and is in fact very good!
• Checked into our hotel. Pastor Kenny and Carmen put us up and the Hilton right on the beach! Thank PK and Carmen!
• Watched a lady run into Kenny's truck. No damage done and very funny!
  
• Hot Shower! All the showers at camp were cold
• Coffee for the first time in several days!
• 20 minute nap - I was exhausted, but couldn't sleep because I drank the coffee :-)
• Watched ninja warrior with Andrew. Very cool and funny show.
• At 7pm they picked us up for an after camp party with some of the leaders.
• Ate Lasagna, very, very good!
• Hung out with my peeps from Guam!
• Went spear fishing that night! - From a fun perspective this was the highlight of the trip.
• Shot a couple of fish, one was a parrot fish and they cleaned it, chopped it up and we ate it right on the beach Sashimi style!
• Andrew shot a blow fish. Here is a pic of the hunters and the blow fish:

• God to our Hotel around 4:30am

Saturday June 21st

• Up at 11am (6pm Friday night at home), great quiet time with God
• Filmed a video for the interns that graduated and couldn't get it posted online... grrr!
• Packed up our stuff and checked out of our room.
• Went to their church for a birthday party for one of their church members.
  
• Back to the hotel, we swam in the pool for awhile.
• Tiff and Kat took us to some cool places around the island. Sat on a cannon rodeo style:

• Went shopping at their mall
• Dropped by one of their elders house to pick up some stuff.
• Arrived at PK's house.
• Stayed up till 1:30am packing and getting ready to go home, then fell asleep.

Sunday June 22nd

• Woke up at 3:30 am to go to the airport.
• Tons of people saw us off at the airport. Gifts and hugs galore, oh and pictures too.
• Andrew got stopped at security for about 10 minutes :-).
• Flight left at 6:25 am (1:25 pm Saturday afternoon at home).
• Slept half the ride, watched movies the other half.
• Landed in Hawaii 5:40 pm Saturday June 21st... weird huh?
• Flight left 9:20 pm.
  
• Got a middle seat... lame... still i slept the whole way home, waking up to shift or move.
• Landed in Seattle at 5:50 am Sunday morning.
• Grabbed a grande soy caramel latte while I waited for my bags.
• Andrew's mom picked us up and drove us to the church.
• Went home, showered, unpacked a little, got dressed and went to church.
• Two great services that day! Dan Hudson spoke for GRID:

• CORRECTION: Forgot to mention I went to a local business that is owned by some incredible people in the church and dedicated it. It's called Angels among us! It's a dog grooming place in Monroe. Check it out if you have a dog, they do awesome work. Here is a pic of the ice sculpture at the grand opening.

• Went home and slept for about 20 minutes
• Hung out with my wife and my dogs.
• Headed to the church for the 93 days of Summer.
• Great service that night!
• Red Robin afterwards with a bunch of people.
• Home, bed, and sleep around 1am!

Monday June 23rd

• Day off!
• My Dad's birthday
  

PHEW! What an incredible week. It was so God ordained and powerful. I had an incredible time! No jet lag or anything there or back. Thank you Pastor Kenny and Carmen for making me and my team feel right at home. You guys are awesome.

It was a power packed and fun filled trip and hope to do it again someday. Next time I'm taking my wife for sure! Here's some more pictures of the incredible people I met: