Acts 11:19 NIV

Stephen died for the cause of Christ. He followed his Lord unto death.  His sacrifice had many fruits spiritually. Lord teach me how to live and die for Jesus. With every breath let me obey you…with my last breath let me glorify you.

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.”

 
We will be going into our Easter Weekend.  This year I am praying for  breakthroughs to happen in GCC.  Breakthrough in circumstances that need to be removed, breakthrough in personal intimacy with God, and breakthrough over temptations in our lives…Lord send your Holy Spirit and breakthrough!!!  I am not sure how your fasting and feasting has been going.  I was so encouraged that so many are joining us as we get ready for Easter. If you want it is not too late to join as we approach our Easter Weekend….here is what the Staff is doing but you can modify it as you pray.  Let’s pray that the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon us this weekend!!!

AMI TM 626 Mandate – March 19-23, 2012 The 626 Mandate is a 24 hour prayer chain based on Isaiah 62:6 (“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest”). Sign-up and join us with all the other AMI churches in passionate pursuit of God in prayer. More details to come and sign-ups will begin soon! http://www.amichurches.com

On my B-Day my kids decorated the house with signs, balloons, and old pictures.  They also gave me home made cards and got Annette to buy me a present with their money.  I was really touched.  Honestly, some of the things they said in the cards were so encouraging and blessing.  Among the decoration were these pictures.  I know whenever you take a picture of a picture it is not the best quality but I was thinking as I looked at these pictures….God is good!!! God is so faithful!!! He can be trusted!! I am a blessed man.  All the more I want to be a blessing to others!!! Lord help me to be a blessing to others!!! Time goes by too fast and my prayer is that Jesus will give me the grace to serve Him and others for His glory!!!

Daniel and me

Sarah and me
 
Family…not sure when this was??? Sarah’s B-Day???

This years Christmas photos 2011

The Young Adults of GCC will be going on a retreat this weekend.  It is exciting because this is the biggest turn out ever for this ministry.  The GCC staff will be the main speakers and I know this retreat is going to be a blessing for all who attend.  Please pray for us!!!

I thought that this is interesting…we are to test a deacon. Also the character of the wive matters. It seems like a wise thing to do. In AMI we actually interview the couple for ordination. I really think this was a good idea. Many times we talk more with the wife than the husband. The more I do ministry I realize that both must be sold out for Jesus or there is going to be many issues. I thank God for the GCC staff that God provide the right person for the men!!!

1 Timothy 3:10, 11 NIV84
“They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/1Tim3.10.NIV84

The relationships we develop with one another can be used by God to pour out His grace. Timothy and Paul’s relationship was an example of this. We need to find and develop relationships that gives us biblical courage in Christ to fight the fight together. I see so many undeveloped relationships in the body of Christ. Praying God will raise up Christ focused friendships!!!

1 Tim 1:2,18
To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong– that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

When you find a church or friends that can encourage your faith…you are blessed!!!  I am praying that through GCC many mutually encouraging friendship will arise. This is an old picture. Dan is no longer at GCC but I still get encouraged by him as I think back to the beginning days. I also get encouraged to hear how Dan and others from GCC is living for Jesus.

John 21:17 NIV84
“The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Peter was hurt. Jesus hurt Peter. Here Jesus is restoring Peter and he hurts Peter. Interesting…when we think about helping someone to restoration we only think about encouraging them with nice words. This is fine and has its place but here Jesus hurts Peter. Why? Peter needed to be challenged. He need to dig deep into his soul and test his own motives. This can hurt. When someone questions our sincere heart we feel hurt but many times good intentions needs to be challenged or it is just wishful thinking. It takes discipline, difficult questions, and the Holy Spirit to examine a man’s heart.  We are sneaky and fickle people at times.

Jesus was pruning Peter. It hurts but it is good for you. I have been pruned and I hated going through it but by his grace I made it. When you go through pruning the biblical way….you get stronger in Jesus. Don’t be afraid of being pruned….be challenged and rise up in Christ’s strength and grace. Amen!!!

GCC News:

We have finished our 21 days of feasting and fasting!!! I know it was great for me and the staff.  I heard a lot of positive things from different people.  We will do this every year please join us next year.  Because the chapter a day of Bible reading was so good we will be continuing in Bible reading.  The staff will be in the book of Philippians since we are done with the gospel of John.

John 20:25 NIV84
“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.””

Is this a good thing or bad thing? Thomas seems to be doubting.  He said he needs proof. Is that the right attitude or not?  I am not sure but it is a real one.  I see this a lot in ministry.  I am personally glad Thomas struggled.

And Jesus met Thomas where he was at….Jesus did correct and challenged Thomas but he still met him in his doubts.

This is Jesus… he meets us where we are.  He loves us too much to leave us there. But he mets us when we seek him even in our struggle to believe.