Self Feeder
Welcome back! After the long August break and the mind-blistering speed that comes with the start of school we’re finally back in the saddle again and we’re starting with a BANG!
Before I go on I need to say thanks to everyone who participated in Fresh Fish – everyone did a phenomenal job. The spirit was sweet and I think the people of our church began to catch the idea that you’re not just a volunteer; you’re on mission with God and one another! I hope as this semester unfolds you will pursue your mission with God with your whole heart, that you won’t hold anything back, but that every week you’ll go home exhausted and spent, not because of wasted or pointless effort, but because you are pouring yourself out on the altar of sacrifice in the service of the faith of others. As you do, you may go home tired and spent, but you will also go home filled and excited because of all the great things God has accomplished through you. It’s amazing the strength that comes from pouring yourself out for God’s sake and the faith of others.
This brings me to my thought for the day – and for this season really; SELF FEEDER. Doctors tell us that in the 21st Century medicine won’t be about curing disease, it will be about preventing it. Scientific discovery is moving at a remarkable rate. Did you know that by 2010 (3 short years from now) the amount of knowledge and information available to our world will DOUBLE every 72 hours. That means every 3 days you’ll be behind the learning curve. Einstein said, “We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t yet been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.”
With this abundance of knowledge and scientific discovery Doctors tell us that the greatest challenge to making people healthy won’t be our ability to cure disease it will be changing the CHOICES, LIFESTYLES and HABITS of people so they never get those diseases in the first place – in others words it’s about INDIVIDUALS taking RESPONSIBILITY for their OWN health in order to prevent disease rather than trying to cure it.
The same is true for you as a Believer and for our CHURCH. There seem to be four stages people go through in their spiritual journey. There are those who are Exploring Christ – they may not be Believers yet, but they’re searching for the truth. There are those who are Growing in Christ – these are relatively new Believers who generally have a hunger for God’s Word, but don’t yet know how to feed themselves. There are the Close to Christ – these are more mature Believers who know the basics of feeding themselves but still often are tripped up by the temptations of the world. Finally there are the Christ-Centered. We would call these people fully devoted followers of Christ. Generally, they are self feeders. They have grown close to Christ in their walk, not simply because of the assistance of their church, but because they have learned to pray, study, meditate and memorize Scripture as well as how to apply it to their lives…thus the words SELF FEEDER.
I wonder where you are in this spiritual continuum. As you evaluate yourself keep some things in mind.
1. Don’t CONDEMN yourself if you’re not where you think you should be. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now NO condemnation to those who are in Christ.” Don’t make yourself a harsher judge than God himself.
2. Don’t OVER ESTIMATE how much you know. The Bible says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” Spiritual maturity is not about what you know. It’s about what you DO and how and why you do it.
3. COMMIT to take whatever steps are necessary to move to the next level. This is what SELF FEEDING is all about. The church is here to help. There are a thousand programs, Bible Studies, Worship Services, Support Groups,
4. Finally CONSIDER one another in order to stir up love and good works. That’s Hebrews 10. As you grow into a fully devoted follower of Christ your love for people should increase. None of us can make it on our own. As you self feed on the spiritual disciplines seek out someone who is one step ahead of you, someone you can learn from and imitate. At the same time prayerfully consider those around you, those you may be one step ahead of. Make yourself available to them. Be someone they can come to for answers. Be someone they can imitate.
This season we’re going to dive in and learn to become self feeders. It’s going to be an exciting journey. I’m excited that we get to take it together!
Notes to Notice
Tonight during rehearsal you’ll receive a CALENDAR of every rehearsal and sing date as well as the NEW PRAISE TEAM list and schedule. Everyone did a great job! It’s going to be a fantastic season!
Every Wednesday and Sunday that we rehearse the times will be the same:
6:00 – 7:30 Instrumental Ensemble
6:30 – 7:30 Celebration Choir Room 800
7:30 – 8:00 ALL CAM Rehearsal
7:30 – 8:30 Cast for Christ DRAMA Room 800
8:00 – 9:00 Praise Team and Praise Band
7:30 Tech Call
7:45 Praise Band, Praise Team, & IE Sound Check
8:20 Celebration Choir
8:30 Breakfast & Devotional
I would love to hear from you…see VIDEOS that will make you think. Discover more about what’s going on…make COMMENTS or ask questions about what’s been written here. It’s all in theScore ONLINE! www.fbcowasso.org/thescore - VISIT TODAY!
The goal of the Christian Arts Ministry is worship. Our desire is to teach Believers to delight the heart of the Father with every area of their lives, passionately expressing their love for God through the use of every talent and resource He’s given us for His glory and His pleasure.
Sunday AM – 09-09-07
The Spirit Filled Life
IE | Countdown (Bulletin Misprints)
Spirit of the Living God – F, BH – 244
All the Way to Calvary –
Friend of God – E, CHART
Dr.
At
In My Life Lord, Be Glorified – C > D, SPW – 196 90
Come Thou Fount – D, CHART 90
My Heart, Christ’s Home – F, CHART
Spirit of the Living God – F, BH – 244
Dr.
I Will Never Be the Same Again – D, on file
Presentation of New Members
Close
Friend of God – E, CHART
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