The past few weeks, I have been visiting our LifeGroups during the fellowship time and to share with the groups the direction that we are going. The one thing that seems to be very common with all of our groups is, everyone that comes through the door seems excited about being there. Fellowship is happening.

I feel very strong about this issue of fellowship within our groups. Genuine Fellowship has a way of squashing the “Me Church” mentality, and focuses more on the other person that God has placed in our lives. You are most likely tired of hearing me say this, but I see small groups as a priority for every Christian, and every church. Why? Scripture constantly underscores the centrality of relationships and fellowship.

J.I. Packer says:
“We should not think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotions. Fellowship is one of the great words of the New Testament: it denotes something that is vital to a Christians spiritual health, and central to the Churches true life… The church will flourish and Christians will be strong only when there is fellowship”.

My prayer and goal is to have a place for everyone in LifeGroups. We are not there yet. We still need more homes to meet in and more people to Host the group for bible study.

Further Study:
How ought Christians to relate to one another in order to experience fellowship?
See 1 John 1:7

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Who’s in your wallet?

If you are in one of our LifeGroups, you have been or will be given a card to carry in your wallet. It is called the 3-1-6 card. It is a tool for you to use to pray for 3 people 1 time a day, for 6 days. Your group has also been given a list of businesses located in Lyman, which needs your prayers. You can select a business and add it to your card. Prayer for those who don’t know Him yet, as well as those who know, but have no relationship with the father, is extremely important. Don’t leave your card in your wallet…show it to the Father.

A few weeks ago Pastor Jeff shared in his sermon about giving God your firsts. Here is the list:

Give God the first day of every week.
Give God the first part of everyday.
Give God the first portion of your income.
Give God FIRST consideration of every decision.

Acts 4:29-31
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

NKJV

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Are you experiencing everything you should be?

Communism falls. In Romania there were many orphans who were warehoused in huge orphanages. They were understaffed and were only able to provide for the physical needs of the babies, such as food, and shelter. The babies were very hardly ever picked up and were never cuddled or played with at all. This neglect led to a condition called "failure to thrive syndrome". Whether they were several months old or even years old they still looked and acted like newborn babies. What they were missing was a family, even a surrogate family that would encourage growth through consistent contact.

Christians can have that same "failure to thrive syndrome" in our spiritual lives. Have you seen this Syndrome in any of your family or friends, which you believe to be Christian? I am of the opinion that if Christians that join a church, and don’t get connected in a smaller body of believers, will eventually leave that church and go into isolation.

Once in isolation it is very difficult to convince someone to come out of that lifestyle. Why? It’s a safe place where there is no effort needed for relationships. No one can hurt you therefore you don’t have to worry about forgiving others. If that sounds a little selfish, that’s because it is. Since Jesus defined forgiveness with His life, shouldn’t that thrust us toward relationships with others?

This is why Paul teaches that it is so important to be adopted into a fully functioning body of believers, a small group for instance.

In Ephesians 4:14, Paul says "Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."

Praise!
There is a very special person in my life that I met in 2003 at my second job - BMW. He is a husband, father, and grandfather. He is also a person that others seem to be drawn to. Why? He is a person of Love. Plain and simple “Love”. He and I have and many conversations concerning Faith, God, and what in means to be a Christ follower. Two weeks ago I had an opportunity to share or answer a few of his questions concerning being a disciple of Christ and having eternal life in heaven. That day, he became more than a special person… he is my brother in Christ!

Praise #2, that weekend, he shared with his wife his good news. They attended church that Sunday, and you guessed it, she became a Christ follower as well. It’s funny how our love and Christ’s love seems to be contagious.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Below is a preview of Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer

Across North America many churches are experiencing explosive growth because they are learning to connect with their communities. Pastors and churches are breaking the cultural codes of their communities. People are responding to biblical faithful and culturally relevant outreach.
Breaking the code means discovering the principles that work in every context, selecting the tools most relevant for your context, and then learning to apply them in a missionally effective manner.
There is not just one white, young, cultural code to be broken. Every culture needs to be exegeted [de-coded] for the gospel.
Breaking the code is a missionary’s work, and it should be seen [even in North America] as a missional process. A commitment to the integrity and authority of the Scripture, combined with a passion for reaching people to whom you are called, requires a commitment to prayerfully create a plan and strategy to reach your community.
Code-breaking churches must be indigenous in their context, and indigenous churches look different from culture to culture.


Attendance for August

1st Sunday 242
2nd Sunday 276
3rd Sunday 285
4th Sunday 297
5th Sunday 242

Average is 268

Gather Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Promises

This past Sunday, Jeff preached on "Covenant" then we eyewitnessed Jon & Karen Ives make a covenant at the end of the service as they became husband and wife. Promises. How many have I made, and how many have I broken?

I was reminded this morning by someone about God's promises. Today was I day that I needed to remember:.

Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free."

Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Matthew 28:20 And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jeremiah 29:13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

John 14:18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans-I will come to you.

Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. will advise you and watch over you.

John 6:40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."

Psalm 37:39 The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

2 Samuel 22:31 God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking

I could go on with scripture. This is not a complete list that is recorded in God's word.

Ask your self this question that I have asked myself the past weeks:
Have I been remembering Satans lies or God's promises. Why has it been easier to see the faults of men and not the promises of God. Is it because we see what we are looking for?


Gather, Grow, & Go


Pastor Tim

Study

When Matt & Andrew were younger, I helped coach their Soccer & Baseball teams. One of the things that always stood out to me is that parents would drop their kids off for practice, but never invested in practicing with their kids at home.

The result was that the child couldn’t perform on game day to the parents’ expectation, and the parent(s) would get ripped out of the frame because “we” haven’t taught the child to shoot from the 3 point line.

What about bible study? I would guess that not many of us have been taught very specifically how to study the bible. I want to share a few tips with you in this blog update

Reading Old Testament
Read the complete Old Testament at least once a year. As you read, note in the margins any truths that you want to remember, and write down separately anything that you don’t immediately understand. Questions that you can not find answers to, become starting points for more in-depth study, using commentaries and other reference tools.

Reading New Testament
Read one book at a time repeatedly for 30 days or more. This will help you to retain what is in the New Testament and not always have to depend on the concordance to find things. Try this with 1 John. Write on index cards the major theme of each chapter, and use those as you re read. This will help you develop a visual perception of the book in your mind.

One of the things that has me so hyped up about our Life Groups, is the new bible study curriculum from http://www.lifebiblestudy.com/ . I hope that if you are not part of a Life Group, you will contact me, and I will get you into a group. We still have space available for you!

Pastors Blogs
Lastly, I want to refer you to (Dying Church) Pastor Jeff’s & (Missional Church) Pastor Brian’s blog for this week, just incase you don’t go to them on a regular basis. http://www.jeffhickman.blogspot.com/ / http://www.briangeorge.blogspot.com/

1 John 2:5-6
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Scripture

Scripture

How has scripture affected your life today? Do you view scripture as a historical note, or do you see it as the very word of God? Is reading the bible part of the things that you “check off” your to do list? Is it even on your list? As teachers taught in the temples of Christ time here on earth, it is said that children were taught the sweetness of the Torah (the first writings of the Old Testament), by placing honey on the scroll, and the children would take their finger and dip the honey from the scroll, place it to their lips and say “His Word is sweet like honey”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(NKJV)

Profitable for Teaching (what is right)

Profitable for Reproof (what is wrong)

Profitable for Correction (how to get right)

Profitable for Training in righteousness(how to live right)

Scripture has the potential to make us adequate, equipped FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.

Scripture is complete and is all that we need to have a right relationship with God. We don’t need a vision. We don’t need a new revelation or a voice from heaven.

Daniel Webster (1782-1852) emphasized the importance of THE TRUTH: "If truth be not diffused, error will be. If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy. If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will. If the power of the gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land...corruption and darkness will reign."

I have witnessed some good, well intentioned Christ Followers make some pretty bone head decisions in their lives, and the one thing that seems to come to the surface each time, is when God’s word is absent in a persons life, Satan is pretty quick to replace that void with a “Holy” looking substitute, that when consumed, damages that person and their witness.

Last Question:
So, why are we listing to Oprah & Dr. Phil for answers to Truth and Life?

2 Timothy 3:16-17
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
The Message

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Doing Life Together

Wow!
GroupLink this past Sunday was amazing. I want to thank everyone evolved in setting up the sign up areas, but more importantly I know that many of you had soaked the whole event in Prayer. The response reconfirmed to me that God is again moving people to Himself, and maturity and commitment is happing. By saying that you want to be in a Life Group, you are saying “YES!, I want to strengthen your hand in God, and I need you to strengthen my hand in God”. Not all share that ordination from God as truth, but God’s word is clear. The question that we must ask ourselves is “who’s hand can we strengthen in God today?”

I want to encourage the 124 (adults = 78% adult membership) of you that set aside your fears and took the first step in sharing life with others, in order to Grow toward a right relationship with Him. The next 2 weeks Satan will plant crazy thoughts in your mind that you must deal with, like “why did I sign up for a Life Group?” Make No Agreements with Satan, and don’t get robbed of a major blessing in your life, by NOT doing life with others.

1 Samual 23:15-16
15 So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest. 16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.

Gather, Grow, and Go
Pastor Tim

Holy Discontent

Its great being back home, in the USA, in the greatest town in the world. Lyman. Now having a week of allowing my mind to process what Lynn and I experienced in Scotland, I would like to share some thoughts with you.

The Scots are some of the most wonderful people that I have met. They are people that I loved sharing life with. They are also a people that need Christ. In terms of hearing the gospel, they are not part of the 10/40 window (see definition at bottom), but a people that live in a country where some of the most important events took place in terms of the expansion of Christianity throughout the world, but less than 5% of the population have a personal relationship with Christ.

Why?
In general the church has become irrelevant. Just like the States, the church has focused on gardens, choir robes, stained glass, and not people. The result is you have a people group that lives in a country where the gospel is in print, access to it is possible, but people are lost and are just doing time. Their degree of lostness carries the same weight as the 10/40 window.

Holy Discontent Definition
Being so broken hearted about something, which causes you to do something to make a difference. Discontent without “Holy” means you turn and walk away, or you get it out of your eye.

Ever been discontent with family? Did you resolve that this is just the way it is, or did you seek to make a difference in your own family? Have you ever been discontent with church? In my past, I have been part of “big” church and church government, and that prepared me more to be a Senator than a Christ Follower. It brought me to a place that a decision HAD to be made. Get it out of my eye, or go and make a difference. Getting me to the place of my Holy Discontent was painful and I lost friends & community along the way. But had it not been for those experiences, I would be just “doing time”.

I told Jeff Hickman a few days ago that LifeSong for me is what it looks like when a group of people say “No More”. No more going on mission trips, but living a missional life. No more superficial relationships with people, but living in each others lives through Life Groups. No more of doing the things that the church has always done (internally focused programs) and call it outreach or evangelism. I want my church, my family, to get close to the “hurt and pain” of this world and engage in kingdom work. That my friend, is true Contentment. We will be most content, when we are giving or lives away.

I have a burden in my heart for the Scots and I am in prayer for them. I will continue to listen and pray for any opportunity that the Lord may present to me and LifeSong to make a difference in the land of Wallace.

John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

The 10/40 window is simply a term used to describe a region of the world within 10 and 40 degrees latitude from Western Africa to Eastern Asia. If you were to draw it on a map, the top would go from Portugal through Japan and the bottom would go from Guinea through the bottom tip of India all the way to the Philippines. Most of the people who have not had an opportunity to hear the gospel, live here. The 31 least reached countries in the world are in this "window."

Praise from Scotland

A few days ago, Lynn and I were making our way back south from the Highlands. We found a costal town called Kirkcaldy, and decided to stay the night there. Once we got settled in, we realized it was one of our least favorite towns/village to be at. It was time for dinner and walked for a good while before we found any thing open.

There was a small pizza place called “Elevens”. A young lady waited on us. After talking with her, we found out that she was a young single mother, which lived in this small town her whole life. I sensed that God was doing something here. I asked her if she knew if she would go to heaven or not. Kelly said “I hope so”. We asked her if she could sit with us while there were no customers. Kelly allowed me to share the Gospel with her, using the bridge method, which many of you have seen in small groups.

Monday June 30th, Kelly gave her heart to Christ. I told her that many of you at LifeSong will be praying for her and her son.

Kelly,
WE are so happy for you and your new life in Christ. AS you read this blog, please know that Tim & Lynn, and your brothers and sisters in the U.S.A. are praying for you. Remember to listen to God by staying in His word (Bible), and talk to Him daily.

Love in Christ,
Tim & Lynn Lyda

John 10:27-30
27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
30. I and My Father are one.”