Left Overs 2

Hello Everyone,

For us to Leave Left Over’s we must Live with Integrity - Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.”

No amount of money can buy you a good name. No amount of power can fix a reputation.

Bill Clinton will forever be the man “who never had sex with that woman.”

And Richard Nixon will always be the man “who was not a crook.”

They might for a time have been the most powerful leaders in the world but their legacy will always be polluted by their inability to live with integrity.

If you want to live with abundance live a life that lets you be proud of the man in the mirror. You may be able to fool everyone else about who you are - but you will always know who you are.

Let integrity not failure define your life. Abundance is found in being able to look at yourself in the mirror and look God in the heart.

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil

Left Overs 3

Hello Everyone,

For us to Leave Left Over’s we must Live by Principle - The Apostle Paul says: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15

Be guided by principle not by popularity - and even more crucial is to let God and His Word guide your principles.

Your principles are not going to always be popular because Godly principles cut against the grain of today’s me society.

Living a legacy means providing a steady hand at the wheel of life - one that guides us through the storms and through the calm waters.

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil

Left Overs 1

Hello Everyone,

Ok - Ok so I am finally going to wrap up this series this week.

“Having Your Cake and Eating it Too” or “Secrets for Abundant Living”

Remember that this whole series is based on 3 very important principles.
1. God has a plan for your life - Jeremiah 29:11 says “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”.

2. There is a battle engaged for your life - Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

3. Too many of God’s people are losing the battle - Marriages, children, finances, life. Matthew 9:36 - “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

This week I want to wrap up this series with one last simple ingredient to you from scripture.

Leave Leftovers - What I have found is that living an abundant life is not so much about what we have today as it is about what we leave for tomorrow. Live a Legacy

In the end I never hear people boasting about how much money they had in life, how big a house they lived in, or what a nice car they were driving.

What I hear them talk about is the legacy they are leaving behind - in children, friends, accomplishments, and lasting value that was added to the world around them.

I think we get our wires crossed today and only the view of impending death begins to right our priorities.

If you want to live in abundance - the kind of abundance that Christ offers – there are some last key ingredients that I want to share this week.

See you tomorrow,

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil

never quit 5

Hello Everyone,

As I said yesterday it is difficult to reach the abundant life that God wants for you at any time but it is almost impossible outside of fellowship with the local church. Here’s are some other reasons:

• Community is Passion - Acts 2:46-47 - “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

It’s here when we are together that we find the passion of our belief - the energy for service - and the strength to do it.

Through our worship together we find an enthusiasm for ministry that helps us live this life. Life groups, Life Learning, Christian friends, and Celebrations, all help to build our hearts with the passion to carry on.

• Community is Service - I Cor 12:4-7 - “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Listen you will never find abundance until you find your place of service. Jesus said to His disciples after washing their feet at the last supper - “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

You can be a Christian outside of the Christian community - but you will never find the abundant life in Christ outside of regular fellowship with other believers.

The world is conspiring against you - the enemy is battling on every front - it is in our community that we find the strength to fight the battle day by day.

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil

Never Quit 4

Hello Everyone,

One of the most discouraging things that we do as leadership is, every year go over the Membership roll and move people from active members to inactive then removing the ones that have been inactive for a year completely.

I run into people all the time who have not been a part of the church for years who still say they are members.

I have people all the time tell me they don’t need the church. Listen the church is not a building it is a people!

I fear for this next generation that has no church Family. I have seen their parents and grandparents walk away from the church but at least they had that sense of community.

Their children and grandchildren will never experience the POWER and PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit THAT happens when the church gathers together.

What I am saying is that it is difficult to reach the abundant life that God wants for you at any time but it is almost impossible outside of fellowship with the local church. Here’s why:

• Community is accountability - It is in the local body of believers that we find accountability and challenge for our spiritual walk.

Solomon wrote “Iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.”

Galatians 6:1-2 - “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Woe to the one who falls who does not have another to lift him up.

• Community is encouragement - When we come into community we find encouragement to go through difficulties of walking a Christian walk.

We pray with each other, counsel each other, comfort each other and challenge each other. The writer of Hebrews encourages us with these words.

Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil