- Wednesday we had a super ACTION Night...and it never gets old seeing people GROW in Christ!
- We continued our series "The Making of a Leader" with an emphasis on "The Ministry of Helps." ANDREW was our focus and he was a great example of someone who is CONSTANTLY bringing people to Jesus!
- On Thursday evening we gave hope and assistance to 98 people in our FOOD PANTRY OUTREACH! Sharing Christ's love in tangible ways is important in fulfilling Jesus' mission!
- Saturday was full with a JOY Fellowship Luncheon (Just Older Youth 60+) at Gray Brothers Cafeteria & UPWARD Flag Football! Fellowship & Outreach - a winning combination!
- Sunday - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Our Connections Cafe served Fresh Fruit & French Toast...YUM!!! It was great connecting with new families and seeing families celebrate MOM! It was also a special time as we dedicated children unto the Lord. My heart was full to share a message "Enlarge Your Territory" .... here's some highlights:
- Expansion - this always involves stretching.
- Lengthening - cords in the Scripture represent relationships.
- Stakes - (strengthening) speaks of our foundation.
- Our expansion is often limited because our mind still carries it's old value system and personal ethics. Even though we're saved and have entered into the Kingdom of God - we bring that stuff with us. This is where we need to be modified by the Holy Spirit for the "new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17) to prevail.
- God is trying to push us past COSMETIC THEOLOGY to a HEART THEOLOGY.
- So along comes the ENLARGEMENT PROCESS which begins with a breaking of our limitation thinking.
- If we can breakthrough the dysfunction we've carried - we'll understand the real MEASURE of our INFLUENCE!
- Apostle Paul was crystal clear about his SPHERE OF INFLUENCE! He knew what he was called to do and where to do it! His influence caused others to find their own MEASURE as well!
- When it came full circle it produced what we call SYNERGISTIC POWER OF ALIGNMENT!
- This is where real FATHER/SON Relationship plays out!
- The son fulfills the father's vision till the son's vision comes to fruition...which in turn fills the father's vision.
- Paul described this in 2 Corinthians 10:15-16 when he was ENLARGED to reach them...they too were increased...and thus ENLARGED his measure once again!
- The goal after you discover your INFLUENCE is to avoid INTERRUPTED PROGRESS! (I shared FIVE FACTORS that can interrupt your progress)
- Finally, I shared an important principle about being "FREE" from people. I know that sounds funny - but the essence is that sometimes, the very people you are called to reach can, knowingly or unknowingly try to superimpose their own limitations on you.
- If you are going to be able to help people get FREE...you have to be FREE of people. Free of their subconscious fears of abandonment and change that are projected on you to hold you in a place they are comfortable with - rather than pushing you into the place God has called you to.
- We wrapped up Sunday with some exciting news about BFWC's 2013 Church Planting Initiative! Planting churches, mothering churches, partnering with churches, etc., is something BFWC has done and plans to continue doing! These are exciting times for BFWC as we've been planning for a new church plant for more than two years. Stay tuned for more exciting news!
The best is yet to come...special thanks to everyone for your passion, fervor and generosity! God's Kingdom is advancing because of it! I love what God is doing at BFWC - I especially love the great team we serve with!
Dreams do come true and principles, if lived out, actually do prevail! :-) To God be the glory!