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G90X – Day 21

Jan 25, 2012 9:30 am by Paul Jenkins in G90X

DAY TWENTY-ONE (1 Samuel 16 – 1 Samuel 28:19)

The common denominator in all of David’s battles? The Lord and David’s trust in Him. (1 Samuel 17:37)

Jealousy is a very bad thing. (1 Samuel 18:8-9)

I always chuckle when I read 1 Samuel 20:33. Saul tries to kill his own son with a spear and then Jonathan knew that his father really did want to kill David. You think?

I love the fact that David and his men were committed to daily, ordinary holiness. (1 Samuel 21:5)

When jealousy turns to paranoia, trouble is ahead. That’s the main theme of 1 Samuel 22.

I want to spend my life fighting God’s battles, not mine. I want to know what He considers worth fighting for, and then give my life away in the fight for those things. (1 Samuel 25:28)

From Me to The G

Jan 24, 2012 11:52 am by Paul Jenkins in Church stuff, From Me to The G

Church stuff From Me to The G

My thoughts on Tuesday about Sunday:

1. Am I the only one who feels the incredible move of God that is building in our church? I think not! I am CONSTANTLY ENCOURAGED by the stories I hear about how Jesus is meeting so many of us RIGHT WHERE WE ARE and loving us! There is so much confidence that comes when we know that we are loved and accepted by Him.

2. This week is the week many of you need to go ahead and give up! That’s right, GIVE UP putting off getting involved in one of our Community Groups! We get it – there’s always the fear that you’ll be sitting there holding a cup of coffee staring awkwardly at faces you don’t know. The reality? Once you go, you’ll find it almost impossible to resist because they are so unlike that awkward situation you’ve envisioned. I can almost guarantee you that once you join a C-Group, you’ll start liking it more than Sundays (and Sundays are PRETTY DANG GOOD!!).

3. People ask me all the time how the church is going, and I always feel like telling them that we aren’t starting a church as much as we are starting a MOVEMENT. Not that there’s anything wrong with church, but so often people equate church with religion, while what we want is to see a movement of redemption! Religion SETTLES; Jesus REDEEMS! You can help keep this movement growing by simply sharing us with your friends. In fact, make it a priority this week to go to our Facebook page and share it with your friend list. We believe that the resources He gives to us are meant to be shared as widely as possible, and you play a big part in that.

4. Finally, I want you to do everything you can to MAKE SURE YOU GET PEOPLE TO CHURCH THIS WEEK! I’ll be wrapping up our “new” series and know that God has a special word of hope about the future for those who feel that they have been left behind by God. I am expecting a packed house and a full altar. We live near God so that we can be sent to those far from Him. BE SENT THIS WEEK and come expecting new beginnings!

G90X – Day 20

Jan 24, 2012 7:24 am by Paul Jenkins in G90X

Bible reading G90X

DAY TWENTY (1 Samuel 2:30 – 1 Samuel 15)

Interesting that God seems to put an end to the “automatic in” to the priesthood based on bloodlines and instead chose men based on the heart. (1 Samuel 2:30)

Never noticed that the Lord saw to it that SAMUEL’S MESSAGES were fulfilled. Do I proclaim truth with that awareness and expectation? (1 Samuel 3:19)

God’s presence isn’t a magic formula, and having the ark in their camp didn’t necessarily equate to His provision. (1 Samuel 4)

Being in the presence of God without the presence of God being in us doesn’t always work out well. (1 Samuel 5:5-12)

1 Samuel 6 and 7 shed a lot of light on the story found in 1 Chronicles 13. I’ll make the points when I read that in the plan.

Bad things happen when we’re motivated to be “like all the other nations.” (1 Samuel 8:5)

This was a bad trade. The King for a king. (1 Samuel 8:7)

It’s so easy to hide from God’s destiny behind the baggage. (1 Samuel 10:21-22)

Leadership question: will we wait for God or be moved by the reactions of men? (1 Samuel 13:8)

In 1 Samuel 15 God gave a very clear command (v. 3) and Saul found at least 5 ways to botch it. All of it led to one of the saddest verses in the Bible (v. 35).

G90X – Day 19

Jan 24, 2012 7:00 am by Paul Jenkins in G90X

Bible reading G90X

DAY NINETEEN (Judges 15:13 – 1 Samuel 2:29)

There is so much hope and grace and promise in Judges 16:22. Even after all that Samson had done wrong, even in his broken and captive condition, his hair began to grow again!

It is the way of the kingdom. God accomplishes more through our brokenness that our strength. (Joshua 18:27-28)

Ruth is a great book that makes even more sense when you’ve read through to this point as quickly as I have. What a loyal woman Ruth was!

I am amazed at the desperation Hannah felt for a son in 1 Samuel 1 and yet how equally passionate she was about giving him to the Lord once the Lord had answered her prayer. Hold things (even people we love) with an open hand.

There is always a spiritual reality behind the gifts that we give. Leaders need to honor that. (1 Samuel 2:17)