How Do You Fix Screw-ups? Updated @ noon

I have spent a lot of time this morning focused on the question How Do You Fix Screw-ups? I have come to the conclusion that you can’t fix them. Once you speak words you can’t retrieve them. Once you do the action you can’t undo it. The easy thing to do is to feel bad about it for a little while and then try to move on. The problem with that approach is it doesn’t give you resolution. The screw-up is still there. It is like sweeping up the dirt in your house and then hiding it under the rug. Eventually it will get uncovered and be exposed.

So let me feel you in with a few more details about my screw-up. I let my frustrations with someone in our community get the best of me and I let them have it. It wasn’t in an encouraging tone. My intentions where not to be redemptive. I will tell you like it was, I shucked the corn on the dude. Was what telling him true? Yes, but you can be “right” and still be “wrong”. Immediately after it was over I felt the conviction of my sin. I wrestled through the night and into this morning with how to fix this screw-up. It is not complicated, but here is what has happened and needs to happen.

1. The Only Answer To All Of Our Screw-Ups is Grace

I can’t fix it, I can only confess it and agree with God it was sin. I believe the Scripture when it says, “If we confess your sin He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.” I don’t deserve to be forgiven, but that is what grace is.

2. I Need To Forgive The Other Guy

No matter what his behavior is I must forgive him. Unforgiveness does not keep him in bondage, but it holds me captive because I continue to relive the offense. When I forgive him it releases the offense and it doesn’t control my thoughts, conversation and emotions. It gives me the ability to move on after the next important step.

3. I Have Got To Ask For His Forgiveness

Honestly, this is the hardest thing to do in the world. I would rather just move on, but that is not the right thing to do. I want him to know that I am human, not always right and most of all that I value him. I am praying that my in my asking for his forgiveness that he will forgive me and our relationship will be restored. Even greater than that I pray that he will see grace in action.

We can’t fix our screw-ups, but we can allow God to redeem them!

UPDATE - At 11:50 this morning I had a sit down conversation with the guy. Not only did he accept my apology but it turns out we have a lot in common. He has never attended LifeSong Church but I truly think we will see him walk through our doors very soon. God is our REDEEMER!

Sunday Bullets

- We started our new series “Monster” yesterday and hit the subject of “Lust” head on. I have been overwhelmed by the response of people. There has been request for prayer, confession about addiction to porn, confessions about adultery, repentance over past and present behaviors from both men and women, pleas for accountability and lots of people who have gone home and installed X3 watch (a computer accountability software) on their computers for free at www.xxxchurch.com .

- It is always great to celebrate life change. We baptized 23 people yesterday who have began a new relationship with Jesus  @ LifeSong Church since the beginning of 2012.

-  A few weeks ago during UNLEASHED we challenged our people to prayer walk at our schools. I want to challenge you to do it again this week! I don’t want maybe’s, if you will commit to doing it sometime between now and next Sunday let me know. I am looking for 100 people to carry this out. Specifically pray for the families of every student in those schools to come to Christ.

- We had 878 people on our campus yesterday. We are fired up to see so many new faces! WHO ARE YOU BRINGING WITH YOU THIS SUNDAY ?

 

You Don’t Want To Miss What God Is Up To

Everyday I am hearing stories of how God is changing people’s lives @ LifeSong Church. It is exciting to be apart of this movement of God! Our expectations of how God is changing our community is at an all-time high. One person who recently partnered said,”When I came that first Sunday I was blown away. I never knew that church could be so full of life and exciting. I cannot wait to get there each Sunday.” Their words are being repeated by people in schools, factories, office buildings, restaurants, phone conversations, and supermarkets all over the upstate as the message of LifeSong Church is building momentum. There is a great anticipation about what God is going to do next!

Let me encourage you in several areas…

If You Have Never been To One Of Our Services Try Us This Sunday

Come with your Bible and a heart ready to worship like you never have before.

We Are Praying And Fasting For Our Community

Here is what we are praying for…

-       Pray for personal revival in your life

-       Pray for a powerful movement of God in our church

-       Pray for a Spiritual Awakening in our community

-       Pray that God will show you what He wants you to do to be involved in Operation Love Invades April 1st -April 8th

If You Are Ready To Partner, Begin This Sunday!

We have a new partnership class starting this Sunday @ 11 AM. Make a plan now to come to the first service at 9AM and then stay for the partnership class @ 11AM. We want you to get plugged in!

Make a Plan About Who You Are Going To Invite This Sunday

There is nothing holding us back from filling every seat. We all know someone that needs to be in an atmosphere of encouragement, acceptance and healing!

Sign-ups Are Open For Our Next Leadership Greenhouse

At LifeSong we believe people are beaming with potential and that God is sending every person we need to accomplish the mission He has given us. We want to tap into that potential and raise people up, not just to be leaders, but to be powerful, reproducing disciples of Christ. God has called us to reproduce leaders not systems, structures and strategies. We believe that from this Leadership Greenhouse we will see God qualify the unqualified and then unleash them on the world.

Do you feel like God is calling you to something greater in your life? Beginning on Saturday, March 24th from 9AM – 11:00AM you can join us here @ LifeSong Church for Leadership Greenhouse. This is a 6 month commitment  that requires assigned reading, classroom instruction, journaling, and working with a team to accomplish projects. This is not about just growing as a leader, but becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ. To sign up for Leadership Greenhouse you need to email me @ jeff@lifesongchurchonline.com. There are a limited number of slots available. There is no cost other than books and arranging for your own childcare.

 

A Note to Critics of Pastors and Ministries

In recent days and weeks I have observed attacks from fellow Christians toward other pastors and experienced these attacks myself. Most of the time I just ignore them because it really feels like a waste of time to try to convince people who believe that  they are “defending the faith” otherwise. However, I do love them and pray that their heart will be moldable enough to at least consider how these attacks are hurtful to the cause of Christ.

S0 let me address in general this issue of fellow Christians attacking ministers and ministries.

LETS GIVE JESUS ALL THE CREDIT INSTEAD OF MAN

Last time I looked all of us put on our pants the same way. There is nothing special about one man more than another. It is difficult for us to explain why one guy is leading a church that is seeing 1000′s of people come to Christ and another guy is leading a church that only a few come to Christ. However, no man has ever saved one person. Instead of trying to discredit people coming to Christ as “not really saved” why don’t we give credit to Jesus for everyone that He is saving. Let’s be faithful to preach the Gospel where we are planted and stop trying to discredit a man for something we can’t give him credit for anyway.

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT AND STOP HIDING BEHIND GENERALIZATIONS

A reliable source is not, “I was at church and someone told me”.  Stop jumping to conclusions because you heard a pastor make a statement you found fault with and you believe you know their heart and intent behind what they said. When you don’t have your facts straight and you speak you become a liar and gossip among other things. You discredit yourself in an attempt to discredit someone else.  If you have it out for someone you can always find something you don’t agree with about them, what they say or their ministry. The problem is really not with them, you’ve got a spiritual issue of your heart.

LEARN TO LIVE LIFE FOR WHAT YOU ARE FOR RATHER THAN WHAT YOU ARE AGAINST

Being critical and negative is a disease. When you come after pastors and ministries you are not helping God. You are not advancing the Kingdom of God or saving people by keeping them from the error of not going to YOUR church. When you live your life for what your against you will repel lost people and find that the only people who are following you or listening to you are people who are just as critical as you are. The sad part is the very same people who listen to your crap will eventually turn on you and are already talking about you behind your back.

Fasting and Prayer to Begin this Sunday- Here Is Your Guide

Fasting Guide For OPERATION LOVE INVADES

Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life and our church. We have set out this Spring to Fast and Pray from January 22^nd through April 8th. On April 1^st we will begin a church-wide mission trip right here in our own community called OPERATION LOVE INVADES that will conclude with Revival services on April 7^th and 8^th.

Fasting and prayer can also work on a much grander scale. According to Scripture, personal experience and observation, I am convinced that when God’s people fast with a proper Biblical motive-seeking God’s face not His hand-with a broken, repentant, and contrite spirit, God will hear from heaven and  our communities, our nation and world. Fasting and prayer can bring about revival – a change in the direction of our nation, the nations of earth and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

The awesome power can be released through you as you fast through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.

As I Fast What Should I Pray For?

-       Pray for personal revival in your life

-       Pray for a powerful movement of God in our church

-       Pray for a Spiritual Awakening in our community

-       Pray that God will show you what He wants you to do to be involved in Operation Love Invades

These pages are designed to answer your practical questions about fasting and ease any concerns you might have.

• Why you should fast
• How to fast safely
• How long and what type of fast is right for you
• How to prepare yourself spiritually and physically
• How to manage your schedule while fasting
• How to deal with the responses of friends and loved ones
• How to make your spiritual experience the best it can be.

 

Why Should I Fast…

If you do not already know of the power and importance of fasting, here are some very important facts:

• Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, “when you fast,” not if you fast.
• Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
• Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, “I humble myself through fasting.”
• Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
• The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!
• Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
• Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.
• Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

If you fast, you will find yourself being humbled as I did. You will discover more time to pray and seek God’s face. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God.

Some Physical Considerations

In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting, there are certain persons who should NEVER fast without professional supervision. For example:

• Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated.
• Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other behavioral disorders.
• Those who suffer weakness or anemia.
• Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, or who have heart disease.
• Those who suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, or other important organs.
• Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia.
• Women who are pregnant or nursing.

 

Spiritual Preparation

In preparation for this special time with God, I strongly urge you to examine your heart, and detect any unconfessed sin. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. King David said:

Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me: For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!

Blessed be God who didn’t turn away when I was praying, and didn’t refuse me his kindness and love. (Psalm 66:16-20)

In your prayers, confess not only obvious sins, but less obvious ones as well. The sins of omission as well as the sins of commission experiences. These may be experiences leaving your first love for our Lord: worldly-mindedness, self-centeredness, spiritual indifference, and unwillingness to share your faith in Christ with others, not spending sufficient time in God’s Word and in prayer, a poor relationship with your spouse, your children, your pastor, or other members of your church.

Another great way to prepare for your fast is to practice what I call “Spiritual Breathing.” The concept is simple, but it has changed my own life and that of millions of others.

Like physical breathing, Spiritual Breathing is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure. If you knowingly sin, breathe spiritually to restore the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit in your life. You exhale by confessing your sins immediately when you become aware of them, and you inhale by inviting the Holy Spirit to re-take control of your life. As an act of faith, trust Him to empower you. During the fast, spiritual breathing-constant reliance on the Holy Spirit-will enable you to resist temptation, not only to sin but to abandon your fast.

Prepare Your Schedule

Fasting is not just denying yourself food. It is exchanging the needs of the physical body for those of the spiritual. Long times of prayer and reading God’s Word will be very essential if you are to enter into a more intimate communion with God to maintain your fast to its completion. While fasting, if you dissipate your energy on numerous errands or busy-work to the neglect of spending special time with God, you will starve both physically and spiritually. You will find yourself becoming discouraged and frustrated with your fast instead of being benefited and uplifted and blessed. I don’t want that to happen to you.

The more time you spend with God in fellowship, worship, and adoration of Him, and the more you read and meditate upon His Word, the greater your effectiveness will be in prayer and the more meaningful your fast will be. So I encourage you to arrange your schedule accordingly!

How To Respond To Questions About Your Fast

Many people are reluctant to tell others that they are fasting so they will avoid the sin of the Pharisees: fasting just to gain recognition for themselves. I strongly believe that attitude is a result of a wrong interpretation of our Lord’s teaching and that it is a trick of the enemy who does not want us to fast, nor to share with your loved ones, neighbors and friends the benefits of fasting.

By isolating ourselves from the support of other Christians, we will be more susceptible to doubts and negative influences (both human and demonic). We need the prayer shield of our Christian friends and family members to help us continue when we feel alone and when the enemy tempts us to give up Our Lord as he did Jesus Christ. Eventually, people will notice you are not eating.

However, I have found that unless you see them daily, they do not consider your skipped meal much of a concern. If you are asked, nonbelievers may be satisfied by such a brief answer as, “I have other plans for lunch today.” Or Christians should be satisfied when you answer that you are fasting today.

Making Your Fasting Experience the Best it Can Be

Receiving God’s best blessing from a fast requires solid commitment. Arranging special time each day with God is absolutely crucial in attaining intimate communion with the Father. You must devote yourself to seeking God’s face, even (and especially) during those times in which you feel weak, vulnerable, or irritable. Read His Word and pray during what were mealtimes. Meditate on Him when you awake in the night. Sing praises to Him whenever you please. Focus on your Heavenly Father and make every act one of praise and worship. God will enable you to experience His command to “pray without ceasing” as you seek His presence.

As you enter this time of heightened spiritual devotion, be aware that Satan will do everything he can to pull you away from your prayer and Bible reading time. When you feel the enemy trying to discourage you, immediately go to God in prayer and ask Him to strengthen your resolve in the face of difficulties and temptations.

The enemy makes you a target because he knows that fasting is the most powerful of all Christian disciplines and that God may have something very special to show you as you wait upon Him and seek His face. Satan does not want you to grow in your faith, and will do anything from making you hungry and grumpy to bringing up trouble in your family or at work to stop you. Make prayer your shield against such attacks.

A renewed closeness with God and a greater sensitivity to spiritual things are usually the results of a fast. Do not be disappointed if you do not have a “mountaintop experience,” as some do. Many people who have successfully completed extended fasts tell of feeling a nearness to God that they have never before known, but others who have honestly sought His face report no particular outward results at all. For others, their fast was physically, emotionally, and spiritually grueling, but they knew they had been called by God to fast, and they completed the fast unto Him as an act of worship; God honored that commitment.

Your motive in fasting must be to glorify God, not to have an emotional experience, and not to attain personal happiness. When your motives are right, God will honor your seeking heart and bless your time with Him in a very special way.

Official Press Release: LifeSong Church is Searching for a Full-time Children’s Pastor

LifeSong Church is currently accepting resumes for the full-time position of Children’s Pastor. LifeSong Church is located in Spartanburg County in the Upstate of S.C. We are a fast growing 4 yr old congregation that averages close to 800 people each week with a strong vision to reach the unchurched.

The Children’s Pastor will serve as the primary leader and communicator of children’s ministries at LifeSong Church. The Children’s Pastor will seek to creatively implement a clear vision in a relevant and effective manner. This role will be responsible for the growth of the ministry and alignment with the vision of the church. A formal education is not a predetermining factor for the position, but they must have a proven track record of working in a setting of innovation and be comfortable with a high level of communication.

Please email resumes to jeff@lifesongchurchonline.com

Jesus Living In Me

What Should Jesus Living In Me Produce?

1. He Produces A Greater Desire For Himself

2. He Produces A Greater Love For People

3. He Produces A Hatred Of Sin

4. He Produces A Humble Servant

5. He Produces Patience

6.He Produces Peace

What Should Jesus Living In His Church Produce?

1. He Produces People That Love One Another

2. He Produces People That Are Passionate About His Kingdom

3. He Produces People That Have Open Arms To All People

4. He Produces People That Can Work Together

5. He Produces People Who Are Servants

On the flip side of that, Jesus Does Not Produce:

1.A Critical Spirit

2.Racism

3.Fighting Within the Church

4. Selfishness

5. Dead, Rhetorical Worship Services

6. Boring Preaching

7. Gossip

8. Passionless Followers

9. Foul Language

10.Fear

 

Operation Love Invades

We believe that 2012 is going to the greatest year of impact and ministry in the history of LifeSong Church. We are excited to launch Operation Love Invades. Here are the details:

 

OPERATION LOVE INVADES

 

Ever wanted to take your family on a mission trip, but money, time, and where to go seemed to elude you? Get ready for a family mission trip like none other you’ve ever experienced…right in your own backyard!

 

When: April 1^st –April 8^th

Where: Right Here In Our Community

What: During this week of love we want to serve our community in such a profound way that it will change our community forever. We will send out teams to do projects ranging from construction to apartment Bible Schools.

We have set a goal of 5000 man-hours and we need you to help us start preparing today.

 

LOVE INVADES NIGHT OF WORSHIP and REVIVAL

Friday Night April 6^th – Night of worship, communion and prayer 6:30-8:30pm

Saturday Night- Love Invades Easter Revival 6PM and 8PM

Sunday Morning- Love Invades Easter Revival 9AM and 11AM

 

OPERATION LOVE INVADES PRAYER AND FASTING

We are going to begin to fast and pray as a church on January 22^nd – April 8^th.

Here is what you can do to get involved. Begin to fast and pray with us on January 22nd. Message me and I will send you the details.

3 BIG Reasons Our New Year Resolutions Fail

Surveys have shown that a large percentage of the American population make some type of resolution to change at the beginning of a new year. Statistics also show that very few of those resolutions last for very long. Why does a commitment often become a broken commitment? Here are 3 BIG reasons:

1. It Never Was A Commitment It Was Just A Good Idea

At some point everything starts with a “Good Idea”, but very few ideas become reality unless we make it a commitment. A commitment means that we have decided to do whatever it takes to follow through with the idea. The key component in making an idea a commitment is conviction. In other words we must be convinced that this idea will bring significant change that will make our lives or the lives of others better. If you are sitting on the edge with a “good idea” that you need to make a commitment for 2012 I challenge you to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

2. We Don’t Make It a Priority

Everybody has got priorities and we show what is important to us by how we order those priorities. No matter what your resolution (commitment) is it will never happen unless you create room for it in your life. How important this resolution is in your life will determine where you need to place it on your priority list. Sometimes following through means you got to give up something “good” for something “Great”!

3. The Exception Becomes The Rule

Don’t let failure stop you! It you make a resolution(commitment) and you see yourself slipping don’t let the exception become the rule. In other words, don’t give up on your commitment just start again. Don’t listen to that voice that says, “This is to hard.” That which cost you little will mean little to you. As a Christ follower we have the super natural power of the Holy Spirit living in us. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!