There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up." Exodus 3:2-3
This year's annual spring youth retreat is only days away I thought we might take a second and get ready. I know there have been countless times in my life where I noticed God in different experiences: a beautiful sunset, an intricate flower, the perfect wave, an answered prayer, a bible verse, in a song, in my heartbeat, at a wedding, at a funeral or at a baptism. I could go on listing but I think you get the idea that God is everywhere in the big and small stuff waiting to be discovered by us.
The bible is full of people having encounter's with God, but this weekend we are going to focus our attention on one of them, Moses and the burning bush. The verse above is just the tip of the iceberg for Moses's story but I think it is an important one. Notice that Moses had to make a conscience decision to go over and look for God. Its not like the bush appeared right in front of him or a ring of fire encircled him. I wonder how many times God has tried to have an encounter with me but I was simply too busy to notice Him? What about you?
Think: Have you ever had an encounter with God?
Pray: Ask God to open your eyes to Him at work all around you.
Do: Right now, grab a bible and a pen or highlighter and read Exodus Chapter 3&4. Mark in your bibles anything that stands out to you as you read. Bring this bible this weekend ready to dive into this encounter from 'I AM.'
written by Todd Fischer
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Mission From God
Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
We have been talking a lot about God’s will for our lives over the last few weeks. Last week we really started to develop a picture of God’s “personal” will for our lives, but what if that picture included some things that we didn’t feel comfortable with? How far outside of our little comfort zone are we willing to venture before we modify God’s will to our will.
The verse is a basic one but I think it gets the point home. Christ gave it all up. What will you give up to follow Him?
Think: Am I willing to step outside my comfort zone and follow God’s will if it leads me to serve those no one else will in a place no one else will go?
Pray: Ask God to open your eyes to those who need His love.
Do: If you want to read this article from Relevant Magazine: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/features-reviews/reject-apathy/16054-the-purpose-of-pain
You might also watch Brandon Heath’s video: “Give Me Your Eyes.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ&feature=related
written by: Todd Fischer
We have been talking a lot about God’s will for our lives over the last few weeks. Last week we really started to develop a picture of God’s “personal” will for our lives, but what if that picture included some things that we didn’t feel comfortable with? How far outside of our little comfort zone are we willing to venture before we modify God’s will to our will.
The verse is a basic one but I think it gets the point home. Christ gave it all up. What will you give up to follow Him?
Think: Am I willing to step outside my comfort zone and follow God’s will if it leads me to serve those no one else will in a place no one else will go?
Pray: Ask God to open your eyes to those who need His love.
Do: If you want to read this article from Relevant Magazine: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/features-reviews/reject-apathy/16054-the-purpose-of-pain
You might also watch Brandon Heath’s video: “Give Me Your Eyes.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ&feature=related
written by: Todd Fischer
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Big Plans
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
This verse is so comforting on days when the stresses of life overwhelm me. Many days I struggle to unplug the information pouring into me from my computer, phone, tv and iPod and focus on the little things that God is doing to guide and shape me into the man He wants me to be. No matter if I see the evidence of God's plan right away or many years later, I am confident that He has a plan.
Over and over in the bible God promises me He has a plan for me. Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about how we can know that personal plan for our lives by both getting in line with what He is already doing in the world (Providential will) and obeying His commands as best we understand them (Moral will).
I want to challenge you this week to start mapping out God’s personal plan for your life.
Think: Do I believe that God has a plan for me? Am I willing to search out and follow His plan or will I settle to simply make my own path?
Pray: Ask God to continue to reveal His will for your life.
Do: Take out a piece of paper. Start simple: Write down a few sentences describing where you think God wants you to be in your closest relationships such as family and close friends (Examples: I want to honor my mother and father through my actions, I want to be the type of freind you can call at 3AM). Put it somewhere you will look at it often. Then begin to tweek it as you mature in your faith. Test it against scripture. As you grow in your knowledge of God's personal will for you, begin to add other areas of you life such as school, finances and spirituality.
written by: Todd Fischer
This verse is so comforting on days when the stresses of life overwhelm me. Many days I struggle to unplug the information pouring into me from my computer, phone, tv and iPod and focus on the little things that God is doing to guide and shape me into the man He wants me to be. No matter if I see the evidence of God's plan right away or many years later, I am confident that He has a plan.
Over and over in the bible God promises me He has a plan for me. Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about how we can know that personal plan for our lives by both getting in line with what He is already doing in the world (Providential will) and obeying His commands as best we understand them (Moral will).
I want to challenge you this week to start mapping out God’s personal plan for your life.
Think: Do I believe that God has a plan for me? Am I willing to search out and follow His plan or will I settle to simply make my own path?
Pray: Ask God to continue to reveal His will for your life.
Do: Take out a piece of paper. Start simple: Write down a few sentences describing where you think God wants you to be in your closest relationships such as family and close friends (Examples: I want to honor my mother and father through my actions, I want to be the type of freind you can call at 3AM). Put it somewhere you will look at it often. Then begin to tweek it as you mature in your faith. Test it against scripture. As you grow in your knowledge of God's personal will for you, begin to add other areas of you life such as school, finances and spirituality.
written by: Todd Fischer
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Approved
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Over the last month we have been challenging you to dig into your own faith, rise above the low expectations of this world and seek after God. The only way to grow in a relationship with God is to spend time with Him. Paul instructs us here to do our best for God and to know the truth of God's word.
Often times we get so consumed with the things of life we forget to slow down and draw close to God. As a pastor I am daily doing the work of God, but I have to ask myself, "Am I being a man of God?" It is critical to my faith and to yours that we are routinely reading from God's story so that we can be his men and women.
Think: Do I have a consistent time, free from noise and distractions when I can dive into God's word?
Do: Find a friend who is willing to talk to me about the things God is revealing to me in scripture. Talk, text, email, communicate regularly about it.
Pray: Ask God to provide you time in your schedule to spend time with Him.
written by Todd Fischer
Over the last month we have been challenging you to dig into your own faith, rise above the low expectations of this world and seek after God. The only way to grow in a relationship with God is to spend time with Him. Paul instructs us here to do our best for God and to know the truth of God's word.
Often times we get so consumed with the things of life we forget to slow down and draw close to God. As a pastor I am daily doing the work of God, but I have to ask myself, "Am I being a man of God?" It is critical to my faith and to yours that we are routinely reading from God's story so that we can be his men and women.
Think: Do I have a consistent time, free from noise and distractions when I can dive into God's word?
Do: Find a friend who is willing to talk to me about the things God is revealing to me in scripture. Talk, text, email, communicate regularly about it.
Pray: Ask God to provide you time in your schedule to spend time with Him.
written by Todd Fischer
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Multiply
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
If you have been at Lifepointe on Sunday mornings over the last month then you have been hearing about four of our core values: Simplicity, Growth, Relevancy & Multiplication. As I sat and listened to the message on the last of these values it struck me how critical multiplication was to moving the ‘Rebelution’ from a personal journey to a movement among teens.
In this verse, Paul is instructing Timothy to not just focus on himself, but rather to train someone else in the ways of his faith. You may think that you are not qualified to teach someone else. Well, maybe your not yet qualified to teach them rocket science, trigonometry, or bible history. You are, however, likely qualified to teach them how to have a christian friend, how to be part of a church or youth ministry, how receive this weekly devotional or how Jesus can change their life as He has yours.
Donnie referred to this as the 222 challenge. Are you in?
Think: What talents, gifts, or knowledge has God blessed me with that I can ‘entrust’ to others? Who is one person I know that I could teach this to?
Pray: Ask God to reveal your gifts and the person to whom you will share them with.
Do: Send that person a txt, email, friend request, etc. inviting them to do the things God has laid on your heart.
written by: Todd Fischer
If you have been at Lifepointe on Sunday mornings over the last month then you have been hearing about four of our core values: Simplicity, Growth, Relevancy & Multiplication. As I sat and listened to the message on the last of these values it struck me how critical multiplication was to moving the ‘Rebelution’ from a personal journey to a movement among teens.
In this verse, Paul is instructing Timothy to not just focus on himself, but rather to train someone else in the ways of his faith. You may think that you are not qualified to teach someone else. Well, maybe your not yet qualified to teach them rocket science, trigonometry, or bible history. You are, however, likely qualified to teach them how to have a christian friend, how to be part of a church or youth ministry, how receive this weekly devotional or how Jesus can change their life as He has yours.
Donnie referred to this as the 222 challenge. Are you in?
Think: What talents, gifts, or knowledge has God blessed me with that I can ‘entrust’ to others? Who is one person I know that I could teach this to?
Pray: Ask God to reveal your gifts and the person to whom you will share them with.
Do: Send that person a txt, email, friend request, etc. inviting them to do the things God has laid on your heart.
written by: Todd Fischer
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Get Quiet
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
We all work hard at something in our lives. Whether it is a sport, a musical instrument, art, or even a video game- there is that one thing that we all work hard for. When you are committed to something, over time you generally become skillful and knowledgeable of it. It’s the same with faith. If we are constantly in God’s word and in prayer, we will become knowledgeable of His love for us. Paul knows that being good at something on earth is important and great, but he also knows that growing in our faith is even greater and more important. Our faith will always be with us unlike a skill that we might eventually lose.
So why not learn to be skillful spiritually? If the only thing that we will be able to take with us after our earthly time is gone is our faith, strive to have the greatest faith possible.
Think: Think about the gifts that God has blessed you with and ask yourself how you can put effort into having a healthy relationship with Him. (How can I reach my fullest potential in my faith?)
Pray: Ask God to help you learn how to become a godly person who trusts Him and wants to learn about him.
Do: Set aside a quiet time and read your Bible with your mind open to what God is saying to you. Take in what you read and put it in to action in your life. This is one way for your faith to grow.
written by: Elizabeth Perry
We all work hard at something in our lives. Whether it is a sport, a musical instrument, art, or even a video game- there is that one thing that we all work hard for. When you are committed to something, over time you generally become skillful and knowledgeable of it. It’s the same with faith. If we are constantly in God’s word and in prayer, we will become knowledgeable of His love for us. Paul knows that being good at something on earth is important and great, but he also knows that growing in our faith is even greater and more important. Our faith will always be with us unlike a skill that we might eventually lose.
So why not learn to be skillful spiritually? If the only thing that we will be able to take with us after our earthly time is gone is our faith, strive to have the greatest faith possible.
Think: Think about the gifts that God has blessed you with and ask yourself how you can put effort into having a healthy relationship with Him. (How can I reach my fullest potential in my faith?)
Pray: Ask God to help you learn how to become a godly person who trusts Him and wants to learn about him.
Do: Set aside a quiet time and read your Bible with your mind open to what God is saying to you. Take in what you read and put it in to action in your life. This is one way for your faith to grow.
written by: Elizabeth Perry
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Break The String
"God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)
Do you think that God has the emotion of ‘fear?’ Do you think that He gets intimidated? Do you think that He backs down? NO! He is a powerful, loving , and just God. God is not timid.
I think that a common misconception of Christians is that we are weak because we ‘submit’ our lives to God. What most non-Christians, and many Christians for that matter, don’t realize is that when you begin a relationship with Christ, you are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. And, as the verse says, this isn’t a wimpy, hide in the corner, don’t ever try, I want to give up and run home to mommy spirit. It is the real deal. It is God’s spirit.
I guess if you want to sum this verse up into a bumper sticker it would say “No Fear” or “Ain’t Scared.”
Think: Do you believe that God has given you His spirit which enables you to have the power, love and self discipline to do whatever He calls you to do?"
Pray: Ask God to break the sting on your ankle (remember the elephant analogy) and begin to walk with His spirit.
Do: Ask yourself what am I afraid of that is preventing me from becoming the man or woman that God has made me to be. Submit to God’s spirit and let Him conquer your fears.
written by: Todd Fischer
Do you think that God has the emotion of ‘fear?’ Do you think that He gets intimidated? Do you think that He backs down? NO! He is a powerful, loving , and just God. God is not timid.
I think that a common misconception of Christians is that we are weak because we ‘submit’ our lives to God. What most non-Christians, and many Christians for that matter, don’t realize is that when you begin a relationship with Christ, you are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. And, as the verse says, this isn’t a wimpy, hide in the corner, don’t ever try, I want to give up and run home to mommy spirit. It is the real deal. It is God’s spirit.
I guess if you want to sum this verse up into a bumper sticker it would say “No Fear” or “Ain’t Scared.”
Think: Do you believe that God has given you His spirit which enables you to have the power, love and self discipline to do whatever He calls you to do?"
Pray: Ask God to break the sting on your ankle (remember the elephant analogy) and begin to walk with His spirit.
Do: Ask yourself what am I afraid of that is preventing me from becoming the man or woman that God has made me to be. Submit to God’s spirit and let Him conquer your fears.
written by: Todd Fischer
Monday, January 5, 2009
More Than Mediocre
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)
Paul is talking to a young disciple in training, Timothy, and letting him know that you are never to young to honor God. You are never to young for God to use you. You are never to young to lead others to a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ.
While we tend to focus on the first part of the verse and think about how we can lead others in spite of our age, Paul gives clear direction at the end of the verse on how to effectively do this. He says to set an example, not just to non-believers, but also for fellow Christ followers.
We are to keep a tight reign on our tongue, be careful who and what we love and spend time with, seek after our own faith daily, and remain pure in body and spirit. Basically we need to have control of what goes into and comes out of our bodies and minds so that others will be strengthened by our example.
Think: Do you hide behind your young age, not living the life you were called to because you say you are "too young?"
Pray: Ask God to mold you into the man or woman that He calls you to be, an example that can lead others.
Do: Re-read the ways that Paul says to set an example and focus on one area that you need to become more of a Christlike example. Then work on it.
written by: Todd Fischer
Paul is talking to a young disciple in training, Timothy, and letting him know that you are never to young to honor God. You are never to young for God to use you. You are never to young to lead others to a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ.
While we tend to focus on the first part of the verse and think about how we can lead others in spite of our age, Paul gives clear direction at the end of the verse on how to effectively do this. He says to set an example, not just to non-believers, but also for fellow Christ followers.
We are to keep a tight reign on our tongue, be careful who and what we love and spend time with, seek after our own faith daily, and remain pure in body and spirit. Basically we need to have control of what goes into and comes out of our bodies and minds so that others will be strengthened by our example.
Think: Do you hide behind your young age, not living the life you were called to because you say you are "too young?"
Pray: Ask God to mold you into the man or woman that He calls you to be, an example that can lead others.
Do: Re-read the ways that Paul says to set an example and focus on one area that you need to become more of a Christlike example. Then work on it.
written by: Todd Fischer
Saturday, January 3, 2009
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Starting in early 2009, we will be providing a weekly online devotional to complement our series topics at Fuel on Sundays. All you have to do is add your email address in the top right of this page (http://igniteddevo.blogspot.com/) and keep an eye on your email inbox.
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