Get Stronger: Here are some exercises

We are one-third of the way through 2016. Since January we have been focusing on being stronger spiritually as individuals and as a church family. I pray that you have been seeing some growth. Over these four months we have been seeking to be stronger in prayer, stronger in discipleship, and stronger in faith. These journeys of growth are ongoing. In this life we are never finished growing. So let’s do some exercises. Spend time today praying. Use Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 as your guide to pray about the things of God first, then for what you and others need after that. Make a decision to be a Jesus follower. Let’s make our decision to follow Jesus more than just lip service. Let’s show that we are Jesus followers with our hands and feet, with our words and our attitudes. We live in a world that desperately needs to see and know genuine Jesus followers – not just “church-goers,” not just a demographic called “evangelicals,” but genuine Jesus followers whose actions and attitudes are in line with the Scriptures. If we will follow, Jesus has promised that He will help us (Matthew 4:19). Trust Him.

To grow stronger requires discipline and commitment. It’s not easy, but it is simple. (I think we have often made things too complicated in church.) We encourage three simple things that will help you grow stronger as a Jesus follower:

1. Large group/small group – make a commitment to be in worship and Bible study each week.
   • Worship and Scripture are at the heart of all we do as children of God. Without worship and Bible study we will never grow stronger spiritually.
2. Mentoring – Seek someone to help you grow spiritually and help someone to grow spiritually.
   • We are not made to go on this journey alone. We need each other.
3. Talk about it – Have a meaningful spiritual conversation with an unbeliever each week.
   • Develop the “habit” of including your faith in everyday conversations. Let’s learn to include Jesus in everyday conversations. Conversations, not just declarations. Engage people in conversation. Ask them what they think. Don’t just unload what you think.

These are not easy things to do, but they are worth the discipline and effort to be on a path to growth and spiritual strength. As the year progresses, I look forward to hearing back from you about how you are growing.

Pastor Durwin

https://marshfieldfirst.org/1004-2/

 

Stephen Nutt – Discipleship Pastor

Strive for Excellence

Some time ago I read an article that explored the topic of how we are to serve God; more specifically, serve with excellence.  (I cannot find the article to reference now though.)    Several questions were brought up that really make you think about this topic.  As we strive to reach out and minister to those in the neighborhoods around us, what must our attitude be? An attitude of doing things with excellence.   I have to admit that I don’t always do it but must strive for it.  My desire is to see this church continue to reach out and minister to those around us for many years to come.  To do this we must have more people stepping up to lead in vital ministry areas and to serve with excellence.  Consider how you would answer these questions, then seek God’s guidance on what is next for you.

• If I am serving with our young people (or any age), do I see my service as doing something ok or do I see it as impacting eternity by the quality of my service?
• At my place of employment, do I work just to get a paycheck or do I see my work as if I am working directly for God?
• Do I place most of my attention on what I am to be doing or do I spend more time being concerned about what others are not doing?

Let’s serve with excellence; God deserves it. 

Stephen / Colossians 3:23

 

April 2016

Andrew Lewis, Worship Pastor

Jesus Christ came to earth approximately 2,000 years ago. Being fully God, and fully man, He lived a sinless life. Before Christ, God accepted sacrifices from man. Only the best animal offerings were acceptable. A lamb, perhaps, spotless and without blemish. When Jesus came, He accepted His fate as our sacrifice. No longer would an animal be needed for this task. Jesus became the spotless lamb of God on our behalf.  He endured the agony of the crucifixion for our sake, so that we might have eternal life through Him. On Easter we will celebrate him rising from the dead. Just a short time from now, we will be lifting our hands in excited wonder of the empty tomb! On Good Friday, however, we give full recognition to the death of Christ. We will focus on the pain He endured so that we didn’t have to and His great love for us that led Him to the cross. Our Good Friday program ‘Tis Finish’d will be a great time of worship, and a difficult but necessary time of reflection. It is wonderful to celebrate the resurrection, but perhaps sometimes we can overlook the crucifixion which had to happen for our sakes.  On March 25th, let us gather to honor the death of our Savior, to mourn his passing, if you will. We have the benefit of knowing what happened. We know he didn’t stay in the grave, and on Sunday, the 27th we will celebrate that; but at the time of Christ’s death, there was no darker moment in history. The Earth itself wept for the Son of God. We will honor the death of Christ during our musical program, and celebrate the resurrection on Easter morning and every day after. In this way we can truly appreciate the power and glory of what the Lord has done for us. Our silent remembrance on Good Friday will resemble a funeral. And our loud and boisterous celebration on Sunday will resemble a wedding as the bride of Christ longs for the return of its groom. I hope to see you and your invited friends on Friday, March 25th at 7:30pm.