Legacy Faith
Hey Friends,
All week we have talked about believing and trusting the Lord for great things. I have laid out some stuff I am having faith for God to do and have been asking you the same questions. Some things I am sharing with you are firsts! This week I have made some new declarations and I pray you have done the same thing. Today let’s go for broke and give it all to you – here are the 2 areas in which I believe God will work the major miracles:
1. Faith Promise Church – I believe God is going to build one of the greatest churches since the day of Pentecost. I believe we are going to touch a generation for the Lord. I believe we will see more saved that we can count. If you read the book of Acts, you see that they couldn’t keep count for long – they just said the numbers were increasing… God is building a staff that will be creative, multi-generational, anointed, and so in love with Jesus they will draw the multitudes to Him. At the end of the day the ministry will be so supernatural that only God can take the credit.
2. Partnering with Pastors and Church Leaders – I am starting a ministry to help churches reach their full redemptive potential. This ministry is another area of faith I have in the Lord to accomplish what is in His heart. I have tried to drop this issue. It has caused me heartache, loss of money, and countless hours of lost sleep. I am convinced God is at the center of this ministry. It will launch with a conference in the spring of 2010 at FPC. I am not leaving Faith Promise, but will trust God to move in both areas and to use me to touch more leaders than I can count. I want to do for Pastors what was done for me in the past. Help me go to the next level in leadership so the church can reach more people bound for hell.
I could list the needs and all I am trusting God for today, but you wouldn’t read it due to its length. Trust me when I say I am trusting Him for A LOT!
How about you? What are you trusting the Lord for? Some people have listed great things on this blog this week. Keep it up. God responds to faith.
Yours to count on,
Pastor
11 Comments
I am trusting God for the full measure of faith He gives us, has Paul stated in Romans 12:3. God is calling me out of the secular world to fulltime ministry and I believe it will lead me to FPC. That’s my hearts desire. My heart and soul or so in tune to what God is call FPC to be and do. I am busting free and seeking God where he wants the overflow to run.
No longer am I under the illusion that I am not smart enough or educated enough I have waited to for those degrees to come but, I end up frustrated and thus I allow the enemy to beat me up. I was striving for the applause of man and not for the affection of our Heavenly Father. I place myself on the alter, surrendered everyday, every hour to whatever God desires to do in me and through me. God’s favor is on us and now is the time for your heart to beat to the rhythm of THE King.
Okay Pastor Chris, you said that you believe God wants us to confess publicly, I will say that constant seeking God to release me from timidity has been quite a chore.
I do BELIEVE that God is building His church and that it will be as in the days of Pentacost. That it will be protected from the perversions that men have made, because it is His “building”. This Church, will reflect what the Word says the Bride of Christ is. That this is the season that we move foward and do the work as harvest workers. That believers will see, as the angels gather, that we have not laboured in vain and we were saved for a purpose of Love. That NONE that belong to Jesus will be lost, no matter the enemies threats of failure. That we will be able to see God’s supernatural movements, by way of annointing and gifts through His Ultimate Gift…HIS SON and not doubt. That His Church will not be hindered by the spirit of religion that has crippled it in past generations and rendered it ineffective to a world who refuses God’s Miraculous LOVE. It is just, that God’s judgement first begin at the House of God because among us are the eyes, ears, and hearts that search and long for Him, THERE IS NO OTHER…
Song of Solomon 6:9-10 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, AND terrible as an army with banners?
She is we. AND…Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was LOVE.
God gave us to Jesus, His Holy Spirit birthed us and Jesus covers us…as His army we cannot fail because we believe. And this is what we rely on as we do the work of God….BELIEF. John 6:28-29.
There, I said what I believe. And my FATHER will not let me be ashamed because I believe and wait on Him. This is what He is doing through me, so I know it is not of me because I would be more comfortable to keep these things in my heart and not step foward. I would rather let someone else and then follow them and let them take the fallout of the unbelievers that surround us.
But then if I did that would I not be an unbeliever in heart? And a wicked servant? He did not save me and teach me only to watch me shrink back in fear and timidity, so I honour HIM in obedience by belief because He first loved me ,I am able to love Him and forsake the nature of flesh that says:”It’s safer to remain anonymous.” Jesus says different, we are to go forth, becuase He sends us into a dieing world, we will be victorious: because HE SENDS US.
Sometimes trusting God goes way beyond what we need or think we need. I am trusting God for that extra measure of His grace that allows me to forgive myself for the things that He has placed under the Blood.
God has so been faithful to me.
Pastor time to think about what you are saying.
1. You said God is going to build one of the greatest churches since the day of Pentecost. News flash God has already been building His church. Faith Promise is only a speck of dust in the big picture. Faith Promise is doing good things in the community and it peoples lives but I do believe that you are giving the perception of how great you are and what a great work you are doing at Faith Promise and perhaps you need to sit back take a breath and take a reality check as to the perception you are giving people by your words. As we have seen it from attending Faith Promise there is a pep session going on to a group of people that do not even bring bibles to church. We have attended a small group and there was no bible study going on there either. when we asked why they did not have a bible study we were told that they did not feel they could do that because they did not know God’s Word well enough to do that.I would suggest that you step back a minute and if you want to build a large church that does the things of God then you need to regroup. I believe you are getting off track and focusing on too much. Churches can have great programs great staff but hey if the people do not feel the need to study the bible or even bring a bible to church then the big church, great staff are for nothing more than employing people to run a social club. Perhaps you feel called to go in another direction with a new program and our prayer is perhaps someone will step to the plate and inspire the word of God to be studied by those attending Faith Promise. Too many people too many programs too much going on. And I have to wonder what God will say on the day of judgement when you say but I had the greatest church since the day of pentecost “perhaps but You got off track on being the greatest and your people did not focus on My Word. When people do not study God’s Word and Know God in a personal way then it is all for naught.
If we will hear a word of encouragement, please permit me.
A quote from “Dreaming With God” by Bill Johnson. We have been given the opportunity to shape the course of world history by learning to bring into our day, things that were reserved for another day./ We own in the present what is not yet./But the greatest honour bestowed on us as stewards is the responsibility to steward tomorrow, today. Our role in shaping the world around us through creative expression is never more at the forfront than when we joyfully learn to pull tomorrow into today. God trains us for this role whenever He speaks to us, for in doing so He is working to awaken and establish our affections for His kingdom. A people whose hearts are anchored in His world are best qualified to serve in this one./ It is interesting to note that we have already inherited tomorrow- things to come. That makes us stewards of tomorrow in a profound way. God reveals coming events to us, and we steward the timing of those events. This amazing privilege is exemplified in Scripture and gives insight to passages that might otherwise be hard to understand.
End Quote.
An admonishing exhortation as follows, THE RED OF MATHEW CHAPTER FOUR.
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God./ It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God./ Get thee hence, satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve./ Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand./ Follow ME, and I will make you fishers of Men.
Phil. 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and recieved, and heard, and seen in me do: The GOD OF PEACE shall be with you.
Which is cross-ref. in Rom. 15;31-33 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of Peace be with you all. Amen.
To Heb.11;1-3 & 6 Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders recieved a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 6 BUT without faith it is impossible to please Him: For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
To Rom. 8:24-28 For we are saved by HOPE: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.
And as for me…..Eph. 4:25-29 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members of one another. Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Nether give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
So I also believe….Math. 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
And…. 1 Cor. 1:13 Is Christ divided? …. Lk.11:17 But He knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
And…. 1 Pet. 4:17-19 For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
And….Heb. 12:27 And this Word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made,that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
FAITH will not be removed. As the circumstance is: this is my bible study for today. I can not watch dissention and do nothing when His Word brings comfort to my heart for those things that concern me greatly. I call on HOPE, as it is freely given, that His Bride will be as His Word describes her…. One. United. Built by God.
Dee,
It sounds like you are very frustrated with your experience at Faith Promise. I’m sorry that it has not been what you were looking for. I hope that you find a place where you can worship and be fed the way that is best for you.
I have been attending Faith Promise for a little while now. Your post, although very blunt, made me think of a lot of stuff…It sounds like you might be able to help me with some questions. (ps…I am not on staff…I do serve there though)
- Is his mindset wrong? Why?
- Should he aspire to lead a church to be the greatest church since Pentecost?
- Is Faith Promise only a “spec of dust” in the bigger picture? The church of Acts started out small right?
- Is he giving the impression that he is great and doing a great work? Or does he say “God is doing a great work at FP”?
- Is bringing a bible to church a pre requisite to being a Christ follower? Or does it show the depth of maturity of a church?
- What if the reason that the staff or servants at the church didn’t carry Bibles with them is because they were serving on that day…or they took notes and researched them when they got home…is this the wrong approach?
- Is he responsible for whether or not bible study is going on in small groups? Is bible study the main focus of small groups? Should it be?
- What is he getting off track of? What is he focusing too much on? Building leaders?
- Did Jesus open his bible every time he had “small group” with his disciples? I know he did it in the temple…but did he do it in their homes? What was he mainly focused on?
- What have the last 6 weeks been spent on? (Cultivating, Fertilizing, watering, pruning, serving, trials) was there not enough bible verses in them?
- Are there “too many people” serving at Faith Promise? Is there a cut off for how many can serve in God’s church?
- Are the people at Faith Promise not focused on God’s Word? How can someone tell?
- I believe what Pastor Chris does with this blog (along with a hand full of others from FP staff), audio morning devos, suggesting books to read (bible and others), weekend and midweek services ….all reveal a love for teaching, feeding, and spreading God’s Word. Am I wrong?
It sounds like you might have some good suggestions on how he and Faith Promise can improve things…can you give a few? Thanks for the thought provoking comment. looking forward to what you have to say!
I just spent a weekend with a bunch of kids that love God. I am excited to see what God is doing with them at FP! The 2 things you set out above show me a true heart that is seeking God. I will pray that these and greater things will be accomplished through God’s power. I can’t tell you how much I admire any church leader who is willing and excited to reach out to help other churches. I firmly believe that God never intended for us to separate like we have done.
I also know that the enemy will find all resources available to come against this. I know this because I read the bible
. Be encouraged! There will be many behind you in prayer for this.
In the words of Paul “grace and peace to you” !
I would like to see the 2010 Conference reach out to deaf pastors across the Southeast as well as the entire U.S. Deaf congregations are generally a small group of people with “growth” potential limited – or so it seems; however, at the same time the deaf population is one of the most “unreached” people groups in America. Why? Simply because they don’t have access to the Word in their first language, American Sign Language. Inviting some deaf pastors could spark a renewal/revival in the deaf congregations across the board. In fact, wouldn’t it be grand to ignite a FIRE inside of hearing pastors who have GREAT churches but that are not accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing population in their area. An unreached people group here in America – ought not be.
I am grateful for FP making a step in the right direction. The next step – make the 2010 Conference accessible to that unreached group of pastors. SMILE!
I just returned home from the Vol-Link and I must say I am MOST excited to see the opportunity to be used in His kingdom with people who so wish to facilitate HIS freely given talents; that as HE created me, equipped me with, to be used. Used to enrich others lives, bringing joy to not only myself but to all others that I touch. Life is not all about struggle is it? Living in a world that is all about dog eat dog, we as the bride have a world of support, perfect fits, and fulfillments. What our leaders strive to do is all about enabling us to believe that God created beauty in each of us and that we are needed. That we BELONG. When all who come to understand that we do not have to live a life of halves but wholeness in Jesus….Oh what a wonderful world it will be! Yes?
God is growing this church; reaching people in ways traditional churches do not. People of different personalities, especially the creative types we have here in abundance, are often not attracted to traditional churches. Many are baby-christians, and those who are mature need to step up to the plate and not only offer solutions when issues are brought to notice, but be a part of the solutiong acting out faith. If you have noticed a lack, be a solution.
FPC is non-traditional to the point that at the last women’s dinner, I sat at a table with 4 other women, one of whom had a traditional bible because the remainder were looking at their bibles on PDA/phones (which even carry more than one translation and study notes!)
It is good to be a part of God’s ever-expanding out-reaching church. I hope to be very much a part of whatever God has in store for FPC, whether it is re-stocking restrooms or singing in a Praise Team.
I am trusting God for Peace & Joy – regardless of circumstance (or as the case often is, regardless of consequence)! I am also trusting Him to keep me on my toes for times when I can be taught and times I can teach. I pray to be filled with love of others and emptied of pride.
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