Taking The Limits Off

When it comes to God, He can do more in our lives than we could ever imagine. But sometimes we are so preoccupied with our problems that we only see then mediocre. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” This word “according” actually means “to the limit of.” In other words, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, to the limit of the power that works in us. So what, or who, limits God’s power in us? According to Ephesians, we do.

There are five ways that we can limit God:

1. Sin – Isa. 59:1-2 (CEV) “ The Lord hasn’t lost his powerful strength; He can still hear and answer prayers. You sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That’s why He doesn’t answer prayers or let you see his face.” Sin separates us from God and stops the flow of His blessing in our lives. We got to repent and turn away from sin.

2. Thoughts – Isa. 55:8-9 (CEV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘ As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’.” Our small thinking, reasoning and logic limit the power of God in us.

3. Choices – Deut. 30:19 (AMP) “I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses; Therefore choose life, that you and your Descendants may live.” Out future is determined by all the choices we are making today. Choose life

4. Experiences – Heb. 3 7-8 (NCV) “SO it is as the Holy Spirit says: ‘ TODAY listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn as in the PAST when you turned against God, when you tested God in the dessert’.” We allow past experiences to harden our hearts – both success and failure. Don’t get stuck in the past.

5. Unbelief – Matthew 13:58 “and he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Out ability to believe gives God something to work with – our inability to believe God takes that something away.

God is not limited because He does not have the ability to do what He wants to do, but because He is not given the opportunity to do it. If we allow these barriers to remain and linger in our lives, then God can’t exceed beyond the mediocre to do greater things in our lives. We should not limit God where He has not limited himself; in the words of Martin Luther, we need to “Let God be God!”

Adapted from Pr. Viviane’s

Friday night message.

Don't Let The Secret Out

Facebook. It seems that nowadays everyone has a Facebook page. We spend a big chunk of time going through Facebook, checking notifications, viewing recent pictures, liking interesting posts, catching up with old friends and family, and simply chatting with a friend.

But how much Facebook is too much Facebook? The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23 (AMP) that “all things are legitimate [permissible--and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful…constructive [to character] or edifying [to spiritual life].” In other words, through the grace of God, we have the free will to do anything we choose, but the choices we make should be governed by a right standard. When on Facebook, there are things we need to be aware of.

First, Facebook is a time waster. Checking one harmless picture can lead to another picture which leads to a Facebook page which leads to countless hours on Facebook. The Bible in Psalms 90:10 that time “[passes] quickly, and then we are gone.” Time cannot be accumulated or replaced; it is always passing, whether we make the most of it or not. We need to manage time and limit ourselves when on Facebook so that we aren’t couch potatoes on the internet.

Second, Facebook connections can prove to be hurtful. Although Facebook is a great way to stay connected to family and both old and new friends, it also allows us to be connected with some unfriendly “friends.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NCV) warns us to “not be fooled: ‘Bad friends will ruin good habits.’” Not everyone on Facebook has pure motives; some just gossip and spread rumors, and many post compromising things on their pages. We need to be careful who we accept as a “friend” because that person could be anything but a friend.

Finally, Facebook is one of the main invaders of our privacy. It is up to us to check our privacy settings to manage who we want viewing our information, but, more importantly, it is up to us to decide what we should share on Facebook. Not everyone needs to know that we “checked in” at “home,” how bad we think parents, bosses, or teachers are, or about that embarrassing moment at the party or in the bathroom.

So, what secrets are you letting out through Facebook? Don’t broadcast every moment of your life – it’s your life. God has called us to live in a way that pleases him: “…live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

Based on Pr. Viviane’s Friday night message “Don’t Let The Secret Out.”

DO YOU HAVE A VISION?

God's word says:"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18 
Let me ask you a question where you want to be 2 years from today? What Kind of relationship you want to have with your savior? Do you have a vision to be more for God and His kingdom, or are you satisfied with your relationship with Him right now and don't want to seek anything else? Or you do have a vision for your life and the type of relationship you want to cultivate with Him?


God is a marvelous God and His mercies renew every morning, as a matter of fact God has something new for you every day. He wants your relationship with Him to grow and mature. He expect you to seek Him with all your heart, with all your soul and understanding. He is expecting your to set goals for your life, It is good to set goal and have expectations of what God will do, it is called HOPE! Now faith will bring it to pass...


If you don't have a vision, you will lose your focus and eventually the Hope that something good will happen. You will live life just letting time pass you by. Without a vision (goal) we will perish and not accomplish anything in God. So Today let us aim for a vision to believe in, a goal to run after and a dream that will hold us grounded and focused in Him. A God's purpose driven dream to win the nations for Christ!

KARAOKE NIGHT

Karaoke Night calls for some laughs, and more laughs! No matter if you are a talented singer, or if you won’t even sing in the shower for fear of breaking the mirror in the bathroom- this activity is for YOU! Come together for a night full of singing your heart out (and possibly breaking a few ear drums-depending on who is singing). Don’t be shy, stay positive and sing-a-long! And remember, this is the night to be a STAR! Show what you can do! Sing along to your favorite contemporary 80's & 90's  music! It doesn’t matter what genre it is-- it just matters that you have fun!


April 29th, at 8:00 pm $5.00 per person. 


Come and enjoy! Fundraising for Forward Conference...

FORWARD CONFERENCE

Wow!!!  Forward is gaining on us!  It will be here before we know it!!  Just so you know we are less than 5 months away. Please don't forget to sign up as soon as possible.

This year, can we come prepared to Forward?  Can we bring the evidence of revival to Forward?  Can we experience God in an incredible way before we even step into Gwinnet Arena?   That way when we step onto the campus of the arena even more can take place.

Don’t let Forward be the place where you finally get to know God, experience His power and love, or get pumped to evangelize.  Let’s do those things before we get to Forward this year, so that we can tap into a whole new level that Forward has never been to before!  Waiting till we get to Forward to do these things just hinders us from all that we can be for God TODAY, the goals and plans He has for us TODAY, the amazing opportunities that could face us TODAY if we would only let Him take control NOW!

Prepare yourself by getting closer to the Lord and allowing him be your all in all!

May God take control today!