2009-12
25

Merry Christmas everyone…

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christmassnow210_me_12-25-09_jfsstandaloneprod_affiliate81Wow…did you make it to GracePointe Community Church last night?

If you did, you didn’t heed the warning signs…but bravely went when no one was going!  I believe we were one of the few churches in Lee’s Summit, MO (maybe KC) that had Christmas Eve services…so for those of you who came, I offer this commendation–Thank You!  And for those who were willing to come and the snow storm of ‘09 prevented you from coming, we missed you and hopefully you’ll come real soon! (maybe on Jan 3, ‘10 for our first Sunday morning service…8:30-10 AM…hint- hint)

Where is the baby?  As I drive down Chipman Rd, I see a nativity scene on one of our neighbor’s yard, but the baby is missing?

That vivid picture captures the essence of the lie that the enemy of our souls perpetrates in my life, as well as yours.  In times when all is well, I hardly recognize or even care if the baby is present or absent.  But in times of fear, doubt, panic, want, and desperate need, there is that powerful lie, where is the baby?

You know, is God present right now?  Where is the baby?

Isaiah 7 declares that He is Emmanuel, God is with us!  Matthew 1:23 declares the same thing…the child will be called Emmanuel! The truth is the baby is here with us!  God on that Chrismas morn decided to become flesh, like us so that He can forever settle the question of His presence…will God be there?  The answer is a definitive YES!

Tear down the powerful lie–replace it with truth…Emmanuel is right there near you and in you!  Speak His powerful name! So if you missed last night, this is the message for you!  Emmanuel is there for you…He is not missing!

So enjoy His presence.  Be filled with Emmanuel!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

2009-12
19

Christmas Eve Service

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carols-candles-and-communion2Come and join GracePointe Community Church in Lee’s Summit, MO for their first Christmas Eve Service, “Carols, Candles, and Communion.”

As I make my way to this time of the year, I am often reminded of this simple fact…that Christ comes to earth in human form–flesh like you and I.  Matthew says that he is to be called, Emmanuel–God with us!  Matthew 1:23  This simple statement is utterly profound and incredible.  The Creator of the universe, the God of all creation, The Everlasting One, has come to us in flesh!  Can you believe it?

GracePointe Community Church welcomes Him in our midst!  We declare that Christ is Lord of all!  Christ our Savior is born today!

We invite you to join us at 6 PM to 7 PM for our “Carols, Candles, and Communion” Service  2305 NE Douglass St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064.

Here’s the directions:  http://tinyurl.com/ycgmyxs

2009-11
30

independence…not when it comes to God!

Category: Spirituality | Tags: , , , , | No Comments

cross_clingFor some of us, independence is a huge issue in our lives…we can’t wait for us to leave our parents and be on our own…to drive our own car and not be driven by them…to have our own job so that we don’t have to depend on an allowance…

There was a time in our lives where dependence was a necessary part of growing…we were dependent on our mother’s womb as time took its necessary means for growth…dependent on our parents to feed and nurture us…and so on…

Independence and/or dependence…it is quite an issue in our lives!

My thesis for today’s thought is:  Growing up is not about being independent, but rather dependent on God!

Let me prove my point:

1.  Our growth process leads us from moving from a dependent position to one of independence.  As we grow older, we assume that we can make it on our own.

2. We move from being reliant on others to being self-reliant.

3.  As we grow older, our capacity increases and we no longer need help from others…it would really be unusual to see a 40 year old man needing his mother to spoon feed him, don’t you think?

4.  Our mindset is self-directed.

5.  Physically, mentally, and emotionally, we can almost predict that growth moves us towards independence.

Not so, when it comes to God…we must always be dependent on Him!

“15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17

Are you moving towards dependence on God or are you moving towards independence? Are you self-reliant or relying on God?  Are you self-dependent or God-dependent?

I suggest that growing up to the full stature of Christ is becoming more and more like a little child who needs Abba!  As my faith increases, I understand that I need more of God in my life!  As I become more spiritually formed, I sense my reliance comes as Peter declares…”Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.   We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”  (John 6:69)

2009-11
28

a divine mystery…

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lg_beachPaul writes, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (I Corinthians 11:23-26)

Have you taken communion lately? Have you read this passage before?  I was really intrigued as I was in a service this past week as we participated in a communion service in another tradition.  We celebrate this wonderful ordinance of the Church in various and unique ways.  But my spirit connected to the words that were spoken in the text of I Corinthians…

Take eat; this is My body which is broken for you…here is the divine mystery in the Communion Service!  Christ’s broken body is spiritually and divinely present in a divine mystery as we partake together in Communion.

This cup is the new covenant in My blood…Christ’s blood is poured out for us in a divine mystery spiritually present in our participation of Communion.  What an incredible mystery!  Oh how marvelous, oh how wonderful is the Saviour’s love for me!

Communion shows us that God is ever present in our lives. When we come together as the Body of Christ, we show that God is ever-present in the lives of His people.  Communion reminds us that the ever-present God loves you and I,  and is actively involved in our lives.  If God be for us, who can be against us?  If God is among us, who or what can defeat or overtake us?

I invite you to come and join us this Sunday as we participate in Communion.  See you at 6 PM!  GracePointe Community Church 2305 NE Douglass Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO.

2009-11
18

i am blessed…not wicked!

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blessed211 Oh, the joys of those who do not
      follow the advice of the wicked,
      or stand around with sinners,
      or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
      meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
      bearing fruit each season.
   Their leaves never wither,
      and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked!
      They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
      Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
      but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

The entire passage of Psalm 1 describes two kinds of people:  Wicked or Blessed!   As you read the text, it seems as though one is juxtaposed against the other.  There is no in between, riding the fence, one foot in and the other out—you are either wicked or blessed!  It is clear that there is only two sides to this psalm.  You are either wicked or blessed!  So this is what it means when you are blessed. 

So here’s the description of the blessed:

1.  You are not wicked!

2.  You do not follow the advise of the wicked.

3.  You don’t stand around with sinners.

4.  You don’t join in with mockers.

5.  You delight in the law of the Lord.

6.  You meditate on God’s word.

7.  You are rooted in a place of sustenance.

8.  You are fruitful in each season.

9.  Your leaves don’t wither.

10.  You prosper in all you do.

11.  You are not like a worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

12.  You are not already condemned at the time of judgment.

13.  You have place among the godly.

14.  You have God watching your path.

15.  Your path does not lead to destruction.

I am living my blessed life! Understanding the biblical truth gives me the foundation to stand on.  Psalm 1 declares that I can live the life that is blessed. 

I am choosing to live a life that is blessed!  Each day, you are given the opportunity to change.  To walk through an open door which could ultimately change the circumstances that surround you.  Choose today to live a life that is blessed.  The glory of God is revealed in you!

2009-11
9

i am wicked…not blessed!

Category: General | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

wicked 

Psalm 1 declares a powerful description of two kinds of people—wicked and blessed!  As you read the text, it seems as though one is juxtaposed against the other.  There is no in between, riding the fence, one foot in and the other out—you are either wicked or blessed! Here is Psalm 1:

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
      follow the advice of the wicked,
      or stand around with sinners,
      or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
      meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
      bearing fruit each season.
   Their leaves never wither,
      and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked!
      They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
      Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
      but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. (NLT)

So here’s the description of the wicked:

1.  You are not blessed!

2.  You are like a worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

3.  You are already condemned at the time of judgment.

4.  You have no place among the godly.

5.  You don’t have God watching your path.

6.  Your path leads to destruction.

7.  You follow your own advise.

8.  You stand around with sinners.

9.  You join in with mockers.

10.  You do not delight in the law of the Lord.

11.  You do not meditate on God’s word.

12.  You are not rooted in a place of sustenance.

13.  You are not fruitful in each season.

14.  Your leaves wither.

15.  You do not prosper in all you do.

Don’t be deceived, it’s not a game…if you are wicked…you are not blessed!

2009-11
7

GracePointe Update

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I just wanted to let you know that God truly ordains our path. Just today, I had an opportunity to hear Pastor Jose Joao of Manuas Brazil…he is known as the “Apostle to the Amazon,” and he and his congregation has planted 160 churches in his district! Did you get that? 1 6 0 churches! ! ! Amazing! What a humble servant and man of God!

Here is what he said: Prayer and fasting is the key to revitalization and church planting!

We are doing just that! We are praying! And now I want to call you to fasting! Can you give up one meal or one day and pray and fast for GracePointe Community Church? Will you join me on Thursdays as I fast and pray for our church plant?

I believe that we are positioning ourselves for the move of the Holy Spirit. God needs us to pray and fast. Psalm 2 declares that we should ask and God will give us the nations as our inheritance.

We will now be praying for the fourth time together. We are bathing GracePointe Community Church in prayer and fasting! I believe that God hears and will answer our prayer. Expect and believe!

Come and join us again as we come together and pray…I will see you on Sunday, November 8 at 6 PM for our meeting with God! I want to have a spirit of expectation and believe for what God has for you and for GracePointe!

See you this Sunday evening!

Pastor Fel and Dianna

2009-10
25

don’t be a quitter…

Category: General | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

gallery-quitter-500I am amazed how God can encourage and prod us to keep running the race!  Paul writing to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 8 describes the churches in Macedonia:  “that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality…” 

Here’s what we know about the Macedonians from this text… 

1.)  they were suffering “great” ordeal of affliction–the NLT says that “they were tested by many troubles”

2.) they were in “deep” poverty–what they had was “they were poor…”

3.)  they had abundant joy–they weren’t singing the old He Haw song (remember that song…poor, despair, and agony on me…)

4.) they overflowed in the “wealth” of liberality–in other words, they were not stingy!

Of all people, it would be easy for us to understand the Macedonians would quit and give up!  Here they are poor and suffering great ordeal of affliction!  Yet, their response is that of abundant joy and an overflowing wealth in liberality!  Wow!  Their circumstances produced a different attitude, an overcoming spirit! 

So many of us understand the pressures and trials of life.  In today’s economy, job loss is inevitable for many of us!  Trials come in different forms and faces!  We are pressed on every side!  It is easy to give up and throw in the towel!  We can all commensurate and cry moans of despair and negativism!  But what does that mean?

Rev 20 says this, “6Then He said to me, It is done I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7“He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 

John clearly writes that those who occupy the New Jerusalem, whose names are written in the book of life are OVERCOMERS! 

I translate that to mean that they are not quitters…they didn’t give up, but overcame!  Can you identify yourself with the church in Macedonia?  Are you tested by many troubles?  If so, then I have good news for you!  The Macedonians didn’t quit!  They overcame!  And so can you!

Don’t be a quitter!

2009-10
16

God had you in mind

Category: General | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments

god-thoughts1 Paul writes “…he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love…” (Message Eph.1:3)  Did you hear Paul’s statement…God had you in mind!

Isn’t this a wonderful passage of Scripture…God had us in mind!   He decided to “settle on us as the focus of his love…”  Wow…what an amazing God!  As humans, we only focus on people that we feel close to us (our spouses, children, close friends), those who might help us or need their help (like a boss, a pastor, the cop who pulled us over); rarely do we focus on people who are strangers, bystanders, an acquaintance…

God on the other hand thinks and acts differently!  He decided long ago to keep us in mind, to settle the focus of his love on us!  The reason for Jesus coming to earth is this truth…God had us in mind!  He continues to show us that His love is focused on us!  For God so loves the world that He gave us His only beloved son…John 3:16 Throughout eternity, since the garden of Eden, God has continued to prove this point over and over again.  He has not stopped to show us His love!  His constant thought is toward us…

“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
      you formed me in my mother’s womb.
   I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
      Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
      I worship in adoration—what a creation!
   You know me inside and out,
      you know every bone in my body;
   You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
      how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
   Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
      all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
   The days of my life all prepared
      before I’d even lived one day.” Psalm 139: 13-16 

 
Think about that right now…as we prepare to have others in mind…

I want to invite you to come and pray for others…keeping others in mind, this Sunday at 6PM at GracePointe Community Church 2305 Douglass Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO. 

To pray with others in mind is to extend the life of God and God’s destiny for us…God blesses us so that He can bless others through us! 

As God has us in mind…let’s have others in mind as well!

2009-10
8

every spiritual blessing

Category: Spirituality | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

christ-blessing1I am typing this blog on a cold (54 degrees), dreary, rainy day in Kansas City.  It’s a day when laying down on a couch and watching the fire in the fireplace, couzied up in your sleepwear, dozing on and off,  just letting time slip by, is the best idea…(some of you are already saying, I’m there!) I paint that picture to say, it would be easy to fall into the pit of despair and frustration in this kind of a dismal and gloomy day!

Then this morning, I was reading a passage of Scripture that was in my lesson to a faculty group of elementary teachers. 

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”  (Ephesians 1:3)

Can you take a second look at this text?  Wait a second and ponder it again!  Take a glimpse and let the passage soak your spirit.

I am wondering how my life would be changed, altered, and different if I truly believe what Paul is declaring to the church.  What about yours?  How would you be changed, your circumstances altered, your self-talk be different if you grab hold of the truth of this text?

Here are a few observations from this passage:

1.  The blessing comes from God!  God has blessed us!  The creator of the universe, the great I AM, the infinite Wonder, Awesome God, who knows all, sees all, understands all, willingly chooses to give, pour out, bless (what a great word!) us!  The truth is, no matter what voice is speaking to you right now, God is NOT mad at you!   As I have said before, God is not mad at you, He’s mad about you! God wants to bless you! 

2.  Blessed– “a thing conducive to happiness or welfare” is Webster’s definition.  God desires to give blessing–that which brings happiness and welfare to us!  This word comes with the idea that God acted on our behalf in the past, but continues to act in the same way in the present.  It literally means that the past action of God is presently active in our lives.  God blessed us (past tense) and is (present tense) continually blessing us!  Is that a picture of a God who despises you?  Angry at you? 

3. Us–that means you and I…God is specifically targeting you!  It’s not just for the person who deserves it more, God is not leaving you out!  He is choosing to bless you!  YOU are the object of His affection and blessing!  Can you receive that today?

4.  Every–that means ALL!  There is not one that is lacking!   What can you be experiencing today that He does not know about?  What are you feeling at this present moment that He does not feel as well?  How can God feel what I am feeling?  At the root of what we believe is a God who knows and understands all.  If you believe that, why is it difficult for you comprehend that God feels what you feel?  (Hebrews 4:15)  Every means every!  God is an every God!  What you needed yesterday, what you need today, and tomorrow can be found in EVERY!  Your possibility of every is not God’s possibility of EVERY. God gives every spiritual blessing!

5.  United with Christ Jesus–the cornerstone of Paul’s appeal is this statement!  You and I must be united with Christ…every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms are there because “we are united with Christ.”  This means that our identity and self-hood is found in Christ Jesus alone.  From a practical aspect, Paul says for me to live is Christ!  (Philippians 1:21)  I must be united with Jesus!  I don’t have to be perfect, have it all together, but I must be living with Christ!  The ultimate question I ask you is this:  Are you united with Christ?

If your answer is in the affirmative, listen to Paul’s words and let the Spirit bring a revolution in your soul!  You are blessed!  With every spiritual blessing!

If you are unsure and doubt fills your life, I would love to carry on a conversation with you…you can be blessed with every spiritual blessing!