Thursday 1-24-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

We round out our look at God's guidance with this study from Charles Swindoll. It reminds us of just how close God, our Shepherd, is when we need Him.

TENDER MERCIES
by Charles R. Swindoll

Read Genesis 41:41-46

Pharaoh swept his hand out wide, so as to include all that vast land of Egypt, and said, "It's all yours, Joseph." Then he took off his signet ring and put it on Joseph's hand.

You know what that ring signified, don't you? It was the platinum charge card of that day. It was the way the king stamped the invoices, the laws, or anything else he wanted to verify or validate with his seal. Now Joseph had that ring on his finger, placed there by the Pharaoh himself. Joseph wore the authority of the king's imprint.

Joseph's Cinderella-like promotion was incredible. But when God determines the time is right, that's the way He operates.

When the reward comes, thank God without pride. Only God can bring you through and out of the dungeon. Only God can reward you for your faithfulness. If He has, be grateful, not proud. Remember, with humility, that it is God who has put you there.

Some of you are on the verge of promotion and you don't even know it, because God doesn't announce His appointments in advance. What you have to do, while you wait, is to believe His promises. While in the darkness of your dungeon, by faith, trust him to bring the light of a new dawn. In the winter of your discontent, believe there'll be a spring.

The God of Joseph will stay beside us during the dungeon days; He will not forsake or forget us. He will be there during the blast of the winter storm, holding out the promise of springtime. He will be there through the darkest night, quietly reminding us of the promise of morning light.

Joseph learned that a broken and contrite heart is not the end, but the beginning. Bruised and crushed by the blows of disappointment and unrealized dreams, he discovered that God had never left his side. When the affliction ended, he had been refined, and he came forth as gold. He had become a person of greater stability, of deeper quality, of stronger character. God's promises are just as much for us as they were for Joseph. His grace is still at work. His tender mercies accompany us from the pit to the pinnacle.

I'm praying for each one of you. I pray that you feel God's presence whether you are on the mountaintop of life right now...or the deepest hole. Remember our theme this week...you are NEVER alone!

Write it Down: Pray over this question... How has God, our Shepherd, used trials and challenges to reveal His path for your life? Could He have used any other way?

See you in the morning,

Pastor Brian

Monday 1-21-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

This week we are going to take a look at last weekend's message: A sheep without a Shepherd. Each day we're going to take a look at different Biblical examples of how God, our Shepherd, looks for those that might consider themselves "lost"

The Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15: 8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

If you're anything like me...if I have a lot of something and drop one....I really don't think much of it. If I'm counting change and drop a penny, I usually let it roll under the couch to be found later by the vaccuum...it's only a penny.

That's what today's parable is all about...Jesus tells us about a woman who loses a coin and searches until she finds it. Not only does she find it...she has a PARTY about it! Wow! That is one important coin!

You are one important person, too.

Isn't it awesome to know that we serve a God who will turn the entire house upside-down to find that one lost coin? Or that lost soul? He never writes off a life that has fallen...never gives up on those who seem to have no hope. And guess what happens when that life turns around....

He, too, celebrates. God loves and values you so much. Feel lost? Know somebody who does? Share this parable with them...let them know that God has His flashlight out and is ready to turn everything over to find those that appear to be lost forever.

Challenge Question: In your journal today, write down the name of someone that God is actively looking for...someone who doesn't know Him yet. Pray for them. Then pray again, with more intensity. Someday you will celebrate with the angels when they are found.

See you tomorrow!
Pastor Brian

Friday 1-18-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

Today is our last day looking at the fears of the follower...us...the sheep. From now on, for our last post of the week, I will be giving you a verse to memorize and pray over for the weekend as well as some follow up questions to answer in your journal.

Here's the verse:
Matt 9:36 “Jesus had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Ask yourself these questions for growth:
FEAR
1) Why do I get scared about things I can't control?
2) What can I remember about God to help me deal with my fear?
FRUSTRATION
3) Do I get frustrated waiting on God? Why?
FAMINE
4) Has there ever been a time in my life when I didn't have what I needed?
5) Which list in my life is longer: wants or needs?
FIGHTING
6) Is there something inside of me that hurts?
7) Am I hurting others as a result of my own inner pain?

I hope this week has been a growing one for you...remember, take on one growth change at a time...pray over it...put it into practice...teach others.

Please share your comments with me about how things are going! I'd love to hear from you!

See you on campus this weekend...don't forget that we are streaming the FUEL class at 8:30 on Saturday morning!

Pastor Brian

Thursday 1-17-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

Today we continue our look at being a "sheep." One more thing that we don't need to fear as a follower of God is friction...fighting.

James 4:1 "What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?"

Do you know someone who is prone to fighting? Enjoys uneasiness? Happy when they are combative? I do. Why are people like that?

Today's verse explains exactly why...it's inside them. Something inside is hurting...something within their soul is in pain. The problem comes when that internal pain surfaces to hurt others: both verbally and/or physically. How do we as sheep control this "inner turmoil?"

Easy.

We need to look to the Shepherd's example and trust in His ability to heal. If we are the one struggling with fighting and anger, the first plan of action is to do anything we can to be more like Jesus. Handle situations like Him...treat others like Him...use words like Him... I'm going to warn you, this isn't always easy. Most of us use excuses like "I was just born that way" or "I can't help it...my parents were like that" You can help it. If you are a grown adult, you get to choose your reaction to what goes on all around you. Want to be less angry? Actively seek the Shepherd's behaviors for your life...go after what may seem impossible right now...and keep at it. Pretty soon, your natural reaction to things will be the Godly one.

Also, we have to trust that God can heal that inner pain. What makes us prone to anger CAN be reversed...it can be changed...we can be different than our parents...it just takes a day-by-day commitment to follow the Shepherd's example and course for our lives.

When we find ourselves fearing friction...either as the cause of it...or hurt by its effects...we need to remember that the Shepherd is still in charge...and we, the sheep, aren't finished yet.

Pastor Brian

Wednesday 1-16-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Today we're going to look at yet another thing we don't have to fear as sheep following God, our Shepherd: famine....not having enough.

Let's take apart today's verse...it gives us two conditions:

1) Seek God's First - Every decision, every spoken word, every relationship, every reaction, every thought we have is supposed to be intentional. Have a purpose. What purpose? To bring us closer to God....closer to His character, His perfect will for our lives, and His protection...in other words...to live righteously. Pastor Troy once told me that if I want to be blessed...I have to live a life that is blessable. I believe that a blessable life seeks God's heart first over anything else. What would God want me to do, say, or buy? Did Jesus give His life for me to think those thoughts? Does this relationship that I'm in demonstrate that I sought God's approval first? When we make moves in any other direction, we put ourselves in a position to worry. If we, as sheep, don't want to be concerned that we won't make it or have enough....we need to shift our focus to the Shepherd's direction...and believe that God alone is the centerpiece of our lives.

2) God's Provision - If you are a Christ-follower, God will provide for your needs. He cares more about you than anything... He loves you. He made you. He cries with you. Just imagine with me today what life would be like if our every thought was angled in the direction of God. If we lived lives that were totally subjected to God's desires for us instead of our own...if we followed the Shepherd with a single purpose and determination...what then? I'll tell you. You will find your life's purpose...you will end up where God leads you...and you will receive all of the blessings that God has in store for your life...His provision.

Daily Challenge: In your journal, answer these questions:
1) Is there an area in your life that God is NOT providing for you (be honest!)

2) Is that the result of God's lack of provision or your lack of focus on His plan over yours.

I know this is tough...pray right now that the Holy Spirit will remind you that seeking the Shepherd's path always leads us to the greener fields.

Tuesday 1-15-08

Greetings Internet Campus...

Today we are going to talk about frustration...

Blessings,

Pastor Brian