Thursday, April 11, 2013

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF YOURSELF AS A LEADER?  Even if you’ve never even remotely perceived yourself in this way … you can be a leader in your own right, you know.  No, you don’t necessarily need to stand behind a pulpit or a podium, or even lead a group or teach a class.  You do not have to hold an office in any organization.  It is not required that you are known as the life of the party.  You did not have to be the most popular in school – or now in your present circles.  You could have even held the title of “wallflower” – and there’s still hope for you!  How is that, you ask?  Well, let’s look at the possibilities this way.  You believe in something, right?  We all believe in something – or several things.  You believe in someone, right?  We all believe in someone – or several people we know.  Many of us believe in Someone.  Yes, that’s right – with a capital “S”.  That denotation translates into someone who we’ve had a genuine, personal experience with … meaning the God of Heaven and earth, the Lord God Almighty!  And if you ask me, personally knowing Someone like that, Someone who is above all others, Someone who loved us enough to give His very Son for our redemption, makes it pretty easy to be passionate in our belief level.  What happens when we believe in something so strongly?  What happens when we get excited about a relationship that means so much to us?  It’s hard for us to keep quiet about it, right?  We want to share about it (something) with anyone who will listen!  And we want to introduce this special person (someone) to everyone else, right?  Now translate this into your belief level in God’s present work on this earth.  Translate this concept into your present relationship with God.  You see, if your beliefs about God’s Word are passionate, and if your commitment to your relationship with Christ is solid and growing – you will sense an excitement that cannot be contained.  It has to spill out and overflow naturally – from your lips, your heart, your very lives.  And that’s where the “leader” part comes in.  I believe that anyone who lives a life completely sold out, completely in love with God … will become a natural leader as they express what is alive within their soul!  And if you don’t think that describes you, how about praying this prayer that was offered by Pastor Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit some time ago?  This would be a powerful prayer to incorporate into our time spent in God’s presence as we seek His face, no matter how we have perceived ourselves in the past!  If we believe it as we pray it, it will be life-changing not only personally, but also corporately within our church!  We will be transformed into spiritual leaders in God’s Kingdom here on earth.  I invite you to pray this with me right now:
 
“God, this is a new day.  I freshly commit myself to the role You have invited me to play as You are building Your church in this world.  I am awestruck again today that You include me in this grand life-giving, world-transforming endeavor.  So today I joyfully offer You:  my love, my heart, my talents, my energy, my creativity, my faithfulness, my resources, and my gratitude.
 
I commit myself to the role You have assigned me in the building of Your church so that it may thrive in this world.  And I will bring You my best today.  You deserve it.  Your church deserves it.  It is the hope of the world.  Amen.”
 
Like someone else has said, “Let’s be the generation that we’ve been waiting for!”  Let’s not wait for everyone else to step up and become the leaders that God has ordained for us to be … let the leading begin – with US!  Use us, Lord … we are Yours! 
 
 
 
 IN A NUTSHELL . . .
 
A SPECIAL WELCOME to Richie, Alicia, Lucas, Marsella, LaMar, & LaVon, who worshipped with us for the first time on Sunday!
 
SUN, APR 14TH:                                                         
10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP                                              
10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHURCH                                                 
MON, APR 15TH:  NO RE:FUEL YOUTH                                     
WED/THU, APR 17TH/18TH:
7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDIES                                
Check the church calendar for locations!                                     
FRI, APR 19TH:                                                                 
7:00 P.M. – LADIES NITE OUT
Join us at 905 El Dorado St. SE
 
 
ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!
 
Ladies, we hope you will join us for Ladies Nite Out and have fun with the facials and fellowship coming up next Friday night, April 19th at 7:00 p.m.!
 
All you motorcycle lovers ... and others, be watching for info about this year's Christian Motorcyclists Association "Run for the Son" fundraising event!
 
Be sure to sign up for the Ladies Vintage Tea that will be held on Saturday. April 27th at 2:00 P.M.!
                                                  
REMEMBER . . . You and I leading others is God’s idea as recorded by Paul in Philippians 3:17:  “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”  Are our lives worth following?
 
 
 
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
 
 
Pastor Doug and Debbie
 
 

 

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