Transitioning to weekly services…here we go!

As 2007 winds down, we are hopefully getting some rest and refreshment with friends and family in anticipation of the good work which lay ahead.  The core members of LLG understand all too well that setting up for the weekly services at the Fairview Twin is a lot of work!  Therefore, let me insert a prayer request right off the bat (for all you prayin’ folks)…that more able and willing bodies would come into our church family with a mind to serve.  We would like to have two different set-up teams alternating weekly so that no one would be unduely taxed by the labor the theatre set-up calls for.  That means two different groups of 15 people.  So, thank you for helping us pray those people in!

As we get ready to commence weekly services, I am sensing that the Lord Jesus will do amazing work among us.  With our emphasis on the LLG Kidz Club (as our “Family Service”), I know that God will do some incredible things to strengthen and support families, in particular.  Unfortunately and so sadly, families continue to split apart all around us.  Family strife and divorce, however, are quite uncommon in the context of JOY.  One of the by-products of our fun Sunday mornings together will undoubtedly be JOY.  Oh, that LLG would always be a place of JOY!

As 2008 approaches, please continue to pray for us to fulfill our mission of compelling people to Jesus Christ, maturing them through discipleship, and assisting the world through acts of love.

Love ya,

Pastor Dave

Devotional-”The Three Primary Ministries of the Holy Spirit”

Hey Everybody,

As I was having my devotional tonight, I had some thoughts that I want to
share with you regarding the Holy Spirit.  First of all, the Holy Spirit
is a commodity that we hope to be RICH in.  We, as a church want to full
of all the gifts and graces that the Holy Spirit brings.  Yet there is so
much confusion as to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  For instance, if we
have the gifts of the Holy Spirit in abundance, does it mean we will be
rolling around on the floor and barking like dogs, like some have
done…attributing it to the Holy Spirit?  Fortunately, the answer is
“No”.
  
According to J.I. Packer, the Holy Spirit’s presence brings three primary
things.  First, the Holy Spirit makes and keeps us conscious that we are
God’s Children by free grace through Jesus Christ.  In this way, the Holy
Spirit supplies faith, assurance, and joy.
Second, the Holy Spirit compels us to view God more and more as a
perfectly loving Father.  In this way we show “ABBA” (the Hebrew
word for “daddy”) respectful boldness and unlimited trust as
would children secure in an adored father’s love.
Third, the Holy Spirit sanctifies us.  In this way we conform to the image
of Christ (manifest the “family likeness”), and further the
family welfare (love our brothers and sisters in Christ).  This occurs as
we pursue the things God loves and avoid the things God hates.

I hope this encourages your hearts today.

Love ya,
Dave