Freedom Worship Center

WHAT IS YOUR TEMPERATURE?

2009-01-24T07:27:00.002-05:00

In Scriptures, there are only 3 spiritual temperatures that you and I can live as:

1- Cold. If you are spiritually cold, you are dead to the things of God. The Lord is not first place in your life, you don't care to hear him, nor do you have any interest in Him. When you are spiritually cold, you refuse the gentle, yet strong convictions of the Holy Spirit. In fact, you may not even feel convicted by things that are not pleasing to the Lord. A cold heart is heart that is dead.

2- Lukewarm. You may think this is better than being cold, but the word says that one who is lukewarm is makes God sick. If you are lukewarm, you are saved but like the world. You are not completely abandoned or surrendered to God. You like what you like and you make your own decisions in life, leaving God at a distance. You are unwilling to get very close to Jesus. In fact, one foot is in the Lord, and one is in the world. If you are lukewarm, you are ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Though you brag of your relationship with God, no one is attracted to this God of yours. The verdict is in the evidence of your lukewarm temperature.

3- Hot. This is God's will and desire for you. In fact, He wants this to be your desire. The Bible says in the book of Acts that Apollos' temperature for the Lord was fiery hot! He had great passion for the Lord and it was evident in his passion to teach the Word. His life was Christ. When you are fiery hot spiritually, you surrender and obey, not matter what. You look different than the world. Your convictions overcome compromise. Your life is Christ, not wrapped up in yourself. People are attracted to this Savior of yours. You refuse to be private about the Lord, but are unashamed of the gospel.

What's your temperature?

WE ARE BACK!

2009-01-03T17:31:00.002-05:00

It has been a long while since we have been bloggin. We are back for some thoughts on the Word for your devotions, church announcements and calendar updates, testimonies...

Please use this too as a soundboard, feedback, testimonies, or even prayer requests.

Check the blog daily, at least weekly!

God bless and enjoy!

BELIEVER'S SCHOOL STARS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

2008-06-09T21:39:00.003-04:00

Don't miss Believer's School starting on Wednesday, June 18, 7pm. We are starting Discipleship Track #1 with "A New Beginning."

This is a foundational class for the believer and will answer many basic questions since coming to faith in Christ. Whether you have been a Christian for 1 day or 50 years, you will be encouraged and challenged in your faith.

See you there!

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT

2008-03-12T14:55:00.002-04:00

Why do we limit God? It's amazing how we put our natural tendencies onto God. We can't so He can't. Or we say God can't so we can't.

Have you ever really thought about God lately? I mean really understand His reputation? Speaking the universe into being? Parting the Red Sea? Placing the earth in its perfect orbit and rotation? Creating the Grand Canyon? Placing our sun in its place without getting burned? Being born through a human being? Raising a dead girl to life? Telling a man held to his wheel chair to get up and walk suddenly? Walking on water without skis? Telling a thief on the cross next to Him that he will go to Paradise with Jesus soon?

I mean what's the deal? It's true what God's word says: nothing is impossible with God!

So why are we insecure? Why aren't we bold to do what God wants us to do? Why do we think that the world is the only that excels to be bold, creative, fun, excellent, and memorable? Why can the church still act so sheepishly when the Lion of Judah reigns in their hearts? Why do we think so little of ourselves and what we can accomplish when God orders our steps, fills us with His presence, promises us the grace and wisdom to do it, and exhorts us to get God's vision for our lives?

We limit what we can do cause we limit God. We stand sit in the seat of mediocraty because we think God wants great things only for other people. But God wants us to get His vision. Imagine that! God has a vision for your life- one of purpose, power, blessing, and one that brings glory to His name.

The sky's the limit. Nothing is impossible with God. So stop planning and living your life based on you and get His vision and will for your life. When you finally take the dip of surrender to His purpose and perfect vision for you, life will never the same. Neither for you or others. Dream, believe, obey, and worship an incredible God!

A GENEROUS HEART

2008-02-27T19:15:00.002-05:00

Have you ever prayed to the Lord, "Lord, I want to be like you." When praying that prayer, we desire to think, say, and act the way God does. We want to take on His nature: to be loving, full of grace, all wise, power, etc. But did you know that God is generous? To be like God is to be a generous giver.

Think about it. God gives us life, food, shelter, clothing, laughter, every spiritual blessing, finances, rest, and the list goes on.

What about you? Are you always looking to see what you can get, receive, and take? Is your heart selfish, only thinking about your needs and desires?

Or do you think of others? Even in your need, do you think of how to bless someone else less fortunate than you? Are you looking for ways to bless others?

God's word says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. God knows better! He gave us His one and only Son so that we can have eternal life. In the same way, when we give back to God with our tithe, and when we look for churches, ministries, and people who are in need and we give according to what God says to (not because of guilt or being manipulated), God is pleased, people are ministered to in a huge way, and you will get a return much more than what you give.

Remember, whatever is ours is not really ours, it's God's. He is looking to make you like Himself, a generous giver. He rewards faithful stewards of what He owns. And He is longing to give you much more than what you can even long to give!

COMMIT

2008-02-18T07:16:00.003-05:00

Commitment today is not a popular word nor is it a popular practice. If you were honest, you would see a lack of commitment in many facets of life.

People go into marriage not committing, but just trying. Many say they "fall out of love," not understanding that marriage is a holy covenant. Many can be called "church hoppers" or "church stoppers." People go from church to church, following any emotional hipe and never getting grounded in one local assembly. The church stoppers just quit going to church, not wanting to build relationships with others because of hurt, mispriorities, and/or false expectiations that the church will be absolutely perfect. Parents may not commit to their word to their children, letting them down continually. Businesses don't keep their commitment to consumers. And the list goes on and on.

You may be the kind of person that says you don't like commitment. Actually, you do. What do I mean? Well, do you like it when someone follows through with their promise to you? Are you glad when the bank tells you something and follows through? You are probably thankful that every Friday your employment is committed to paying you. Your grocery store is committed to providing food. The post office is committed to delivering mail every day. God is committed to loving you each day. And so on.

You see, we like commitment when we are the recipient- it's powerful and a blessing. But it's another thing to be the one who commits to someone or something else. Just remember, when you don't stick to it, when you lack commitment, you remove the opportunity to be a great blessing and testimony of God's nature to someone else. As tough as it is to take, bottom line, that is complete selfishness and pride.

Are you committed? To be committed is to be like the Lord. God's nature is to be committed, not matter what happens. Be like Jesus. Commit to your spouse, your family, your church, your God. An abundant life awaits those who commit!

DO YOU LOVE TO SERVE?

2008-01-30T10:05:00.000-05:00

God's kingdom is so different and at the opposite end of this world's kingdom.

For instance, to be a servant of someone here in this world is to be of lesser value and position many times. Everyone here would rather be waited on instead of wait on someone else. Think about it. Would you rather cook a big dinner and serve people, buy the meal, wash dishes, etc? Or would you rather go to your favorite restaurant and just order your favorite meal and relax? To me, a waiter or waitress serving me dinner is much more fun than cooking my own has been meal!

In God's kingdom, serving is greater than being served. Interestingly enough, Jesus actually says that the greatest in God's kingdom is the one who serves! Jesus as our example says that He didn't come to be served, but to serve! Incredible! The King of the universe, the One who is all-powerful and alone worthy of worship and the one who deserves to be served, actually served even the dirtiest of sinners. He served His disciples, the unlovely, the hurting, the unpopular, the sinner, the sick.

What about you? Do you find yourself complaining about serving people? Do you find that doing something for God is a burden rather than a joy? Are you hungry to serve in the church where there is need and where you are gifted?

When you know where you've come from and appreciate God's grace for your salvation, serving will come naturally. When you realize that all who you are and all that you have comes only from the God who created you, you will have humility to serve. When you love people and want the best for their lives, you will serve. When you hunger to be Jesus to people to give hope and encouragement, you will serve. When you realize that nothing can be added to your salvation or God's love, you will serve with joy and freedom! When you focus on the Savior who served to the point of a brutal death, you will serve with no complaining or serve because of guilt.

"And whatever you do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23)

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 6:30PM

2008-01-22T13:54:00.000-05:00

Freedom Worship Center is having a Fellowship Dinner at the YMCA, 797 Monroe Ave. This will be a time of fellowship, great food, and an opportunity to hear what God had done this past year, what God is doing, and hear the vision of where this church is going in the upcoming year and years to come!

The good news is that the dinner is absolutely free! Please make reservations by calling the church office by Sunday, February 24. We'll see you there!

THE NEW MAN

2008-01-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

In Ephesians 4:22-24 commands us to do three things:

1- Put off the old man. What is the old man? Is it referring to your "old man" who raised you at home? Of course not! Paul is saying to remove the works, attitudes, words, thinking, desires, way of life of your life before Christ. The sinful nature of man dominates man without Christ. So Paul is saying to cast off those things in your life that don't line up with Jesus.

2- Renew the spirit of your mind. God never tells us to just remove sin, stop doing bad things, put off the former ways of living. In addition to putting off, God says to invite and receive a renewal of the mind. The way we think and what we are focused on is the way we will live. Our old way of living is attached to a wrong way of thinking. God says to renew that filth and the lies in our mind with the truth of God's word (Romans 12:1-2).

3- Put on the new man. The new man is your new nature you received when you received Jesus as your Savior. When you repented of sin and trust Jesus for salvation, something dramatic happened spiritually. The old nature died with Christ and your spirit was now raised with Christ. Paul said in Galatians 2 that it was no longer him who lived but Christ who lived in Him. Jesus, who is righteous, crucified the old sinful nature (now he can't dominate you) and replaced it with His holy nature. So Paul is saying that now that you are made new in Christ, live like it. You are changed, walk like it. A butterfly doesn't want to nor does he become a caterpillar again. No way! Now's he's free to fly! Paul says put off, renew, and then you are able to certainly put on the new man and live the way you think- in the truth!

PERSISTENCE PAYS

2008-01-14T10:23:00.000-05:00

Persistence, perseverance, endurance. Words that make the flesh cringe, but are necessary to experience the harvest of God's blessing and goodness.

God's will for you is never to give up, throw in the towel, stop, or quit. The tragedy is that quitting forfeits what could be, should be, and will be. Many times we are going along in a direction God is leading us and the trials of life, pressure, stress, and the absence of blessing causes us to stop rather than persisting. So we stop praying cause we see no answers. We give up on our marriage because we simply "fall out of love." We quit serving in the church. We stop going to church. We refuse to read the Word of God. And the list goes on!

What we need to realize is that the requirement to what God wants to bless us with is persistence. Abraham persisted in waiting for his promised son. David waited to take the throne after he was anointed to be king of Israel. Jeremiah preached for 40 years without a person repenting. Namaan had to dip in the river 7 times before his healing. Jesus said to persist in prayer in the parable of the unjust judge. Paul said not to grow weary in doing good for at the right time, the harvest will come.

Are you persisting? What you give up? What great blessing are you forfeiting because you want to quit? God never said he would answer right away, but He does promise to be faithful and bless you as you consistently obey and follow Him.

Persistence in one's life is the proof of one's faith in what God has said. Be persistent, endure, persevere. The blessing is worth the wait!

ANY ROOM?

2007-12-11T08:55:00.000-05:00

I wonder how Joseph felt when the innkeeper told him that there was no room for his exhausted wife and newborn baby to stay. Was he frustrated? Perhaps he felt powerless, embarrassed, or even inadequate knowing that the only place to put Jesus was a manger- a feeding trough for animals. Oh how he must have wished that there was someplace comfortable and secure for Mary, let alone the Son of God! Yet there Jesus lay, in a manger, for there was no room at the inn.

Have you said that to your heavenly Father: "No, God, I will not make room for your Son in my heart. Forget it, God. There is no room for Him in my marriage or my hobbies. I don't want Jesus to make conversation with me nor do I invite Him at my job or school. There is no room for Jesus with my children or anywhere at home. No, I certainly won't make room for Him in my finances, nor will I invite Him in my goals, my dreams, or my desires. God, there is no room for You or Your Son here. Go elsewhere."

I wonder what the Father's reaction is when He so desperately longs to fellowship with His creation. Do I see a tear or sense a grieved heart? Is the Father at all frustrated knowing that He alone can bring meaning and joy to his or her life? And what about the Son? Will He forget and give up? Will he in turn reject the one who rejects Him?

No. God will never give up calling His creation to Himself until death seals his or her fate. Why? Because there is always room at the cross. God's love never fails- it's eternal and it's unconditional. And until the day that you lose your breath, you have the wonderful priviledge of making room for the Savior. Make all the room for Him today and enjoy the greatest gift for all seasons.

PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF

2007-11-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

God has been speaking to me lately about the perseverance and persistence. These qualities are necessary and crucial to succeed in many facets of life. Giving up shortcircuits the enjoyment of God's blessings and opportunity to do the miraculous.

There may be a voice speaking to you right now saying, "Stop, quit, you'll never make it, look at your failures, don't give your best or energy." It could be about getting in to an elite university, a promotion at work, the call to full time ministry, praying for your family member, etc.

God never calls us to quit but to endure, persevere, and persist. When you see those in scripture who have persevered and endured, even in the hardest of circumstances, God came through. Why? Well, one reason is that it takes great faith to keep on going when the going has no sign of improving. God honors and responds to faith. Persistence and faith go hand-in-hand.

So what are you tempted to quit and stop just because you haven't seen the reward yet? It's a lie. God wants to show you so much during your perseverance and the reward of enduring may come at any moment. Believe me and more importantly believe God- you don't want to miss it!

"Indeed we count them blessed who endure" (James 5:11)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18

2007-11-09T13:40:00.000-05:00

Come on out to service at 10am for a special Thanksgiving Service. Zion's Call will be our guest band to lead us in a time of worship. Pastor Matt will be sharing a message called THE POWER OF HOPE. You will be blessed, encouraged, and truly thankful for a God who loves you.

CAN YOU HEAR HIM?

2007-10-31T20:52:00.000-04:00

There is no greater joy than to have a relationship with God. Nothing! Within that relationship, there is no greater joy than to hear God speaking with you, conversing with you, hearing His voice speak powerfully, yet personally to you.

God's voice gives faith, confidence, stillness, peace, and unspeakable joy. God's voice gives direction, affirmation, confirmation, and even impartation. God longs to speak to you and I on an ongoing, daily basis.

But there's one problem. God does not shout and scream like the world does. Responsibilities scream to hurry up and finish. Work shouts, "Come on, another day." Temptation yells from the top of its lungs to take part. Stress is like a loud clashing cymbal. People's voices are always heard. The television screams, "Don't be disciplined." The newspaper ad yells, "You must buy!" The problem is that we listen to these voices and most often follow them if we are not careful.

In 1 Kings 19:11-12, God reveals to the prophet Elijiah how He speaks. God sent wind, earthquake, and fire. These were obvious signs. No one in their right mind would miss such an obvious and spectacular experience. But God was not in them. Then God sent a still, small voice in the quiet. Hear that? QUIET. That's right. God's voice is such a joy and we need to hear Him and when He does speak to us it is powerful. The fact is though, you will never experience His voice on a consistent, powerful basis until you get with Him and get quiet.

God doesn't shout nor does He force Himself on you. He calls you and waits for you to be wise enough to be quiet, listen. He will speak, and you will be in awe.

COMMUNITY GROUP

2007-10-23T16:16:00.001-04:00

Our Community Group meets this Thursday, October 25, 7-8:15pm. Call the church for more info and directions.

ABOVE

2007-10-23T15:54:00.000-04:00

This life is too short. The Bible talks about life as being a vapor, here for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:14). We are finite. I humorously, yet seriously, heard a stat one time that 10 out of 10 people die. Death is inevitable. Our lives that we enjoy and may even struggle with here on earth will one day only be a memory. The relationships you enjoy will be a memory. Your job will come to an end. We will one day breathe our last breath.

You may say, "Why in the world would you think this is encouraging news?" Well, let me ask you a question out there in cyberspace. Have you ever planned for the future? In other words, did you ever sit down with a financial advisor before to plan your life insurance, your retirement, or even your child's college tuition? How about your plan career-wise? Did you ever take time to plan out a great vacation? That included time, effort, wise financial planning, etc. The fact is, we plan for many things in life and we all have found that to plan for the future is a blessing and for our benefit!

Yet, the greatest impact on your life is not your job, your money, your vacations, your house, etc. Why? Because these things don't last forever. It all comes to an end with we face death. There's a very important principle: the bigger the impact something is, one better make an investment. If you knew of a stock that would someday make you mega-rich, wouldn't you invest in it? Well, when death comes, where are you going to spend eternity? Shouldn't eternity be the most important investment to make since it will last longer than planet earth?

It's amazing that many people, including believers in Christ, are deceived and distracted into investing more here which passes away than eternity, which has no end! Even logic would say to invest in the things that last longer and stronger!

Question: Have you trusted Jesus to save you, knowing that you can't earn salvation but must receive the free gift of eternal life through the work of the cross? If you have trusted Jesus for salvation personally, are you laboring only for here? Have you lost sight of Jesus? Are you storing up treasure here or in heaven where neither moth or rust destroy? Where's your focus? Are you making an unwise investment or an eternal, wise investment? Are you living for stuff that you can't take, or are you living for Christ and the call He has for your life?

"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:2-3).

YOU CAN DO IT!

2007-10-17T10:44:00.000-04:00

Jerusalem was without a temple. In 536 B.C., the Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of the governor, Zerubbabel. The priority? To build the temple once again in Jerusalem. However, as soon as the Jews began building the temple, enemies against the reconstruction caused the people to become discouraged and apathetic spiritually. The Samaritans who were at odds with the Jews were able to get an order from the Persian government to halt construction of the temple.

God raised two voices during this time: the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. God encouraged and reassured Governor Zerubbabel with this word, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord (Zech. 4:6). It's a popular verse. Oh how we can apply it to our lives today! God spoke to Zerubbabel to reassure him that it wasn't his power, strength, wisdom, wealth, or creativity that would build the temple once again. It was only done through the working of the Holy Spirit. Zerubbabel must rely on the Spirit of God, not himself.

Isn't that the Christian life though? God desires that we obey Him, follow Him, resist temptation, live according to the word of God, obey the call He has for us, but not in our own flesh or striving, but by depending and resting in the Holy Spirit.

Are there people that need to be changed by God that you are praying for? Is there a task at work that is overwhelming and the deadline is soon? Are you intimidated by the call of God? Does your family need to be built up? Is there sin that must be overcome? It's not by you; it's by the Spirit of the living God! Let Him do what He is able and willing to do. Surrender, yield. Then walk in His leading and power to accompish His good purpose in you and through you.

THE NEGATIVE AFFECT OF COMPLAINING

2007-10-09T13:00:00.000-04:00

Can you believe that the Word of God tells us in Philippians 2:14 to do ALL things without complaining? Did you ever complain before? (If I asked you this face to face you probably would just be staring at me with no response). The fact is, there is much to complain about in life. We complain about anything that doesn't feel comfortable, something that isn't our taste or way of doing things. We complain about struggles, disappointments, and trials. We even complain when we are fully blessed. We complain about people, work, churches, pastors, weather, bad experiences on vacations, spilled milk, AND THE LIST IS ENDLESS!

God not only commands us not to complain, but actually HATES complaining. Why does the Lord actually detest a complaining spirit? He seriously dealt with the complaining Israelites. The consequence of Miriam's complaining of Moses' leadership cost her to be full of leprosy. OUTCH! You may say, "just because she complained against Moses?" Yep.

God can't stand complaining because one who complains does not represent God's nature. I've been around complainers myself and let me tell you- complainers are not the type to get close to. Complainers have a negative spirit. Complainers crucify faith and belief and exchange it for "that will never happen." Complainers are full of pride, not humilty, thinking that it's their way or no way! Complainers can't submit to authority God has placed in their lives. Complainers are focused on how things affect them, not on how things affect God's will or kingdom. Complainers can never be pleased. Complainers are not worshipers but unthankful in life. Complainers look for the wrong when there is so much right to be appreciated. Complainers are not a witness of God's holy nature. Complainers don't encourage those around them, but tear people's sprits down, being more of a burden rather than lifting the load.

The deceptive truth about complaining is that you can not complain without adding other fleshly works to the list. Complaining hurts you, your relationship with God, and your relationship with others. Clearly complaining is not the will of God for your life. It does not bless you, but causes more harm.

Are you a complainer or a praiser? Are you thankful, submissive, joyful, encouraging, full of faith? As you lay a complaining attitude down, may you surrender to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to FILL you. When you are full of the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, complaining will have no part in you.

DESTROY!

2007-10-04T13:42:00.000-04:00

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).

We know all too well the destructive power of the devil. Scripture refers to him as an angel of light who deceives, a liar, deceiver, a lion seeking someone to devour, a thief, a murderer, and the list continues. His nature is to strip people of innocence, freedom, joy, strength, faith. He then moves in and wounds us with weapons such as crime, fear, doubt, addictions, broken homes, separated relationships, wrecked finances. He then leaves us for dead, powerless, hopeless, unable to cope or even survive life. Perhaps this sounds like you. At least you have seen this society and know what I'm talking about. The devil seeks to destroy people and the will of God, longing to rip His glory that alone belongs to God.

The good news is that Jesus, the Son of God, was manifested about 2,000 years ago. His purpose? To destroy the works of the devil's destructive affects. The Greek word for "destroy" in 1 John 3:8 is the word luo. This word refers to the act of untying or unloosing something. Actually, this word was used in Luke 3:16 when John the Baptist talked about Jesus as One whose shoes he was not worthy to unloose.

The purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to die for the sins of mankind, thus, destroying, or unraveling the bondage, or hold the devil has on humanity. Our liberty and freedom was purchased with the precious blood of Christ on the cross.

The question today is, "Do you feel bound, tied down, unable to be free?" What are you experiencing that is destroying you? Alcohol? Pride? Fear? Anxiety? Guilt? Lust? Materialism? Whatever it is, God desires that you know the freedom, the unloosing of your bondage through the power of the cross. Jesus came to destroy or unloose Satan's hold on your life, your soul, your relationships, your finances, etc. By faith, know and rely on the truth that in Christ, the devil's works are destroyed, have no hold on you. You are an overcomer!

INSECURITY

2007-09-25T13:46:00.000-04:00

Did you know that it is not the will of God to be insecure? When someone lives by insecurity, they are not free to live by the Spirit of God. The reason is because insecurity's focus is on self; the Holy Spirit's focus is Christ. When one is led of the Spirit, they are free from insecurity because his or her focus is on Christ, not self.

Insecurity is very dangerous to a person's life. What are the affects of insecurity? Insecurity keeps you in the state of fear and anxiety. Insecurity keeps you thinking negative thoughts about yourself which can turn to false guilt. Insecurity can keep you from taking initiative or taking steps spiritually, perhaps in your relationships, or even your career or calling. Dangerously, insecurity keeps you from being corrected, even from those who love you and want the best for your life. This can be dangerous since refusing to face the truth about things in life is pride. And we all know what follows pride- a fall. The one who is controlled by insecurity and never deals with it will be tormented, live in deception, confusion, and in turn will hurt and even deceive others around them. Bottom line, insecurity is a prison God never intended for you.

How do we get out of insecurity? Rest in God's love. Be assured of your salvation by grace through faith alone. Be confident in what God says you are and what you have in Christ. Don't focus on yourself but focus on Christ. Rely on God's Word, His voice to you. When you find your security in Christ, there is nothing to be insecure about. Only then will Christ fill you with His confidence, faith, and boldness through Himself.

Insecure? Destroy it before it takes its toll on you and others around you.

Read 1 John 5:13, Hebrews 11:6, Isaiah 26:3

(Again, feel free to respond to any of these blogs, perhaps you have a testimony of how God has spoken to you or what He is doing in your life. This blog is intended for encouragement, information, but also for your INTERACTION. God bless)

THIRSTY

2007-09-18T08:57:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been thirsty? Dumb question! I mean, do you remember a time when you were so thirsty that it pained your body? Perhaps it was after a day of labor in your yard, or playing hard on the playing field or basketball court. Maybe it was just walking in the high heat/high humidity. You were so thirsty that you wished that your spit can be your drink! (Pretty disgusting blog, I know).

But when you finally got that cup (or gallon) of water, how did it feel? I'm sure very thankful, extremely satisfied, even revived physically, refreshed. Nothing mattered in the world in that moment but drinking a cool, refreshing drink.

Do you have that kind of thirst when it comes to God? Are you thirsty to know Him, to hear His voice daily, to do whatever He tells you to do?

Or are you content with the status quo of just being a Christian. Perhaps your Christian life can be explained as mundane, the same. You know enough to get by. You know all the songs on Sunday mornings and at least try to sing. You may breeze through a devotional so that you can check off that spiritual discipline for the day. You may even listen to a Christian radio station all day as you drive in your car.

But God longs for us. He loves us with an eternal, unconditional love. It never ends, He is never selfish. He loves us and desires for you to long for Him. To wake up and hurry to converse with Him. To passionately intercede on someone's behalf with authority and faith. To truly worship God by giving your heart and life to Him daily. To not only sing songs Sunday, but to close yourself in Sunday morning and worship from your heart. To hunger, thirst. The promise is that you will be FILLED (Matthew 5:6). Maybe that's why your life is mundane and the same. You aren't filled with God's presence and great blessings because you have no thirst for Him.

David did (Psalm 42). Joshua did (33:11). Mary did (Luke 10:39). Do you? If not, get into God's presence and ask Him to reignite you and even cause you to thirst for Him. Begin to LINGER at the Word. Begin to WAIT for Him to speak and STAY in His presence. You will surely taste and see that He is good, and your life will never be same. (Neither will those around you be!)

COMING SOON!

2007-09-18T08:53:00.000-04:00

Freedom Worship Center will be kicking off its Community Group in the next few weeks. You don't want to miss this opportunity to grow in the word in a relaxed atmosphere. A Community Group is a small home group where we grow, not only in the word, but in relationships. It is a place where there is instruction, encouragement, fellowship, and even a "seeking environment" where questions are encouraged. Details coming soon!

THE POWER OF CORPORATE PRAYER

2007-09-11T07:12:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday, God moved in the most powerful way. He called us to worship, pray and intercede- He showed up, built up, empowered, and spoke in an incredible way. More damage is done when the church unites in genuine, humble prayers. His presence is never felt or experienced more intimately when we seek His face, not only privately, but together as the body of Christ.

The Lord Jesus said, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer' (Matthew 21:13). Before singing, before offering, before preaching, before serving, PRAY! Don't pray nice organized prayers, but pray in the Spirit, pray with your gut, pray with fervency and intensity, pray like you mean it, pray with dependency and desperation, pray with great faith and authority! And when the church does this corporately, the devil is put to flight. Sin is confessed and true repentance is the result. Bondages fall to the ground. People are set free. Jesus is glorified. The Holy Spirit does wonders and miracles. Hearts are united. The flesh is powerless. The enemies of the church either come to see the Light or are put to flight.

Prayer is a crucial part of Freedom Worship Center. God is calling for intercessors. God is calling Freedom Worship Center not only to be a lighthouse in a city that needs Christ, but to be a Prayer House: a house of God that prays to God that He may do what only He can do through us and in spite of us.

Sunday, October 7

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On Sunday, October 7, Freedom Worship Center welcomes Katie Cory- minister to the college campus. She presently ministers in Boston and has a burden for students on college/university campuses. You will be encouraged and challenged as she shares what God is doing in her ministry and as she shares from the Word of God.

SPEAKING OF CONNECTION

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Look for upcoming avenues for Connection at Freedom Worship Center such as small groups, and particularly a FWC family dinner where we can not only connect, but see where we've been and share some exciting news as to where we are going!

This blog exists not only to be an encouragment and challenge you in your faith, but to give testimonies, news and upcoming events at Freedom Worship Center.

We hope you find this Blog useful and encourage you to connect back!

CONNECTION

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I have been thinking lately of the principle of Connection. To be connected to something or someone is a good thing. God created man to be connected. He said in the beginning that it was not good for man to be alone. God desires good connection in marriages. God had perfect fellowship with Adam and Eve before sin and after the fall of man, Christ came to restore connection with man by destroying that which separated us from God-sin. Even after coming to know Christ personally, God calls us to himself to spend time with Him, fellowship with Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, enjoy His presence. He tells us to be connected to the vine in John 15. God has given us the church to connect with brothers and sisters in the faith. He knew that any believer isolated or alone is not good. He tells us in the book of Hebrews not to stop being connected on a continual basis.

Why does God want connection in our lives so much? Because there is great blessing in connection: security, strength, encouragement, protection, enjoyment, satisfaction, provision, life, and love. I know from experience that when I am not connected to God, life feels out of control. When I'm not connected to my wife or family the way I should, life isn't as satisfying. When I have made a choice in the past not to be consistently connected to the church, my spiritual life suffers.

God has our best interest in mind. Without connection, corrosion begins. The result? A life lacking abundance and blessing that God is waiting for you to experience.

Question: Are you connected to God? Are you connected in your marriage and family? Are you connected to the local body of Christ?

Choose to connect. Choose the life God desires for you.

Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Exodus 33:14