It’s Back!!!! Our DVR is set to record LOST tonight . . . is yours? Here’s a teaser of what tonight’s episode looks like! If you want to watch it late, your welcome to come hang out at our house for a LOST party! We will start it at 9:15 pm!!!!
Author: dgould77
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ESL – hanging with the kids at Meadows Elementary
Yesterday, was the first day of out ESL service project at Meadows Elementary and let me say this, It was Awesome!!!! We didn’t know exactly what we would be doing but once we got there it was so easy. The kids were a little stand offish at first, but once we started throwing the football outside things opened up. There were 8 of us, teens and adults from Fusion, and about 25 of them, kids ranging from k-7th grade. It was so awesome seeing how our students loved on these kids. It reminded me as to why I got involved in student work.
The two hours went by fast! We played football, played on the Jungle gym, played freeze tag, played Jenga, played with Play-dough, played Connect Four, played Jax, and attempted to play soccer in the gym. Some did crafts while others played computer games or did homework. It was a great opportunity and relationships are being formed. I am excited that we get to do this once a month!
If you want to get involved its really simple. Show up at Meadows Elementary at 4:50 on the third Tuesday and Thursday of each month. We will serve for two hours on Tuesday 5-7 and 3 hours on Thursday 5-8. It’s a great time and the kids appreciate it so much!! Join us this Thursday!
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Acts 22
“‘Brothers and esteemed fathers,’ Paul said, ‘listen to me as I offer my defense.’ 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language,[a] the silence was even greater.” v. 1-2 (NLT)
The power of a Story! When standing in front of the crowd Paul shared his story of how he came to faith in Christ. The crowd was silent and listened intently, until he declared that God had told him to go to the Gentiles. Upon hearing this the crowd was angered and wanted to kill Paul. They rejected the fact that God would send someone to the Gentiles, therefore they rejected Paul and the message.
Sometimes when we share our story, people may reject it, or even reject us. However, that shouldn’t stop us from sharing. I don’t know if the stat is still true, but it was said, that it takes a person 7 times to hear the Gospel before they put their faith in Christ. Every time you share the Gospel, remember it not you who saves that person, it’ Gods work. We are simply supposed to be faithful and share so God receives the Glory. If they accept Jesus as their Lord, praise God! If they reject Jesus as Lord, pray for them that someone else would share with them the good news. Let’s do our part and let God do his part!
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Acts 21
“But he said, ‘Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.’ 14 When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’” v. 13-14 (NLT)
How do you handle bad news or tough situations? Lets face it Paul hasn’t had an easy time sharing the Good News of Christ! He has been beaten and left for dead, questioned by other believers, and now told that when he goes to Jerusalem, he is going to be bound by chains.
However, Paul considered all of these things (jail, beaten, out-cast) better than not being faithful to the Lord. He knew that God had called him to preach and teach about Jesus, it wasn’t going to be easy but he also knew that’s what God had called him to do!
What has God called you to do? Are you doing it faithfully? Have you run into some difficulties that require you to be faith-filled and faithful? Don’t give up, stay the task, ask God for help, let Him be your strength and press through. You do your part, and let God do His!!!
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Weekend Rewind
Had a great day yesterday at Fusion! The Guys put together an awesome announcement video
We looked at the Life of Noah! If there is one word to describe Noah it’s the word perseverance. This guy had it and it wasn’t easy to do what he did, but he remained faithful. I am still thinking about this statement from yesterday!
“Faithfulness is the Fuel to Perseverance”
I challenged the students to write that on their mirror at home so they see it every morning when they are getting ready for school. If we could learn to practice it, we would see God in a whole new way!!!!!
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Acts 19:21-41
“About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. 24 It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis.[b] He kept many craftsmen busy.” v 23-24 (NLT)
Not everyone responds to the Gospel in a positive way. People look at the cost, (how it impacts their life) and make choices whether to believe or not. Demetrius was looking to protect his lively-hood. Sadly, many times when we are presented with the Truth, we make decisions based on past experiences, people of influence, and the affect it has on our immediate future. The truth many times goes against the grain of popular belief. But it is in the Truth, that we find Gods eternal peace, forgiveness, and love.
Today, what are you trying to protect? Will you surrender it to the Lord?
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Acts 17
“So Paul, standing before the council,[e] addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.” v. 22-23 (NLT)
Paul explained the one true God to these educated men of Athens; although these men were, in general, very religious, they did not know God. Today, we have a “Christian” society, but to most people, God is still unknown. We need to proclaim who He is and make it clear what He did for everyone through His Son, Jesus Christ. We cannot assume that even religious people around us truly know Jesus or understand the importance of faith in Him.
Here are some things that might help:
- Be observant (Paul noticed all the idols around the town)
- Create a common ground (the people of Athens were very religious, but they didn’t know God)
- Tell them about Jesus (Paul talked about some of their religious beliefs and used it to tell them about Christ)
- Leave the details up to God (Paul had some believe, but others rejected the message and him)
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Acts 16
“Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers[a] in Lystra and Iconium, 3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.” v. 1-3 (NLT)
Paul and Silas take off on what is known as Pauls second missionary journey. On the start of this journey we hear of a boy name Timothy. He has a Godly mother who heard about Jesus from Paul on his first missionary journey. She and her mother have taught Timothy these things and Paul as well as everyone else is impressed by him and asks him to go with him. Paul has Timothy cirrcumsized because of the stigma he faced with having a Jewish mother and a Greek father. Paul knew that this could be a hinderance later on so dealt with it then. Timothy would learn and become very influential for the early church at a young age. We know this because of Pauls 2 two letters to Timothy encouraging the young Pastor.
Thought for the today: Timothy had great encouragement from Paul and Silas, however, his relationship with Jesus started from his mothers faithfulness. God used her to teach and model what it meant to be a believer and he responded. What are you doing to reach your family? If you are a parent, are you teaching your kids about Jesus? We don’t know what God might have prepared for them, but let’s try teach and model for them what it means and looks like to have a relationship with Jesus!
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Daily Devotional: Acts 15
“So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue.” v. 6
Conflict! I hate it, but the Bible does teach us how to deal with it. We see the early church putting Jesus words into practice (Matthew 18). There is a situation, they call together a meeting, all parties get to share their side of the story, and a conclusion is made based on the Word of God.
Sounds simple, but in everyday life, conflict is very difficult. Isn’t this the way it goes many times, we have disagreement, we raise our voice they raise their voice, and then we get mad and stop talking. Or we just try to avoid the person or situation.
Conflict is difficult and puts us in uneasy situations. However, learning how to communicate and talk through the conflict will help find a solution. Try this:
- Identify the source of the conflict
- Find a time to talk
- Share your concerns
- Listen to their concerns
- Come up with a solution together
- Pray and ask God for help
The next time a conflict begins, try to see if this help resolve it or bring clarity to the situation.
