Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Start your engines!
Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready? That question is asked of us a lot these days. Funny thing is, I can't recall a time that God ever asked it. I'm sure He has said to Get Ready, but I don't think he ever asked.
2007 went into the books as a great year for AMPED. Think about all the great things that happened in students lives, and even in your own life. As great as '07 was, I am anticipating and claiming '08 to be exponentially better. Not that '07 wasn't good, but God is progressive and he rewards our faith. Think about it, God is good. He just is. I believe He has spoken several things about '08, and I choose to believe Him. In Genesis when God told Abram about his future, "Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith." Abram had no reason to doubt.
Let me challenge you guys. For the next 341 days, pray for extravagance. Pray for the things that are outside your reach. Think of what would be great, and then go further when you pray. Even if you can't see it, that's okay, because it's not up to you. Take your strength and limitations out of the way and then ask the Father. Let it come from a place of love and desire for students, leaders, parents, families, and most of all God.
I'm not gonna ask you if you're ready, because ready or not, here it comes!
2007 went into the books as a great year for AMPED. Think about all the great things that happened in students lives, and even in your own life. As great as '07 was, I am anticipating and claiming '08 to be exponentially better. Not that '07 wasn't good, but God is progressive and he rewards our faith. Think about it, God is good. He just is. I believe He has spoken several things about '08, and I choose to believe Him. In Genesis when God told Abram about his future, "Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith." Abram had no reason to doubt.
Let me challenge you guys. For the next 341 days, pray for extravagance. Pray for the things that are outside your reach. Think of what would be great, and then go further when you pray. Even if you can't see it, that's okay, because it's not up to you. Take your strength and limitations out of the way and then ask the Father. Let it come from a place of love and desire for students, leaders, parents, families, and most of all God.
I'm not gonna ask you if you're ready, because ready or not, here it comes!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
You have favor
ˈfā-vər: (1): friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior (2): approving consideration or attention : approbation b: partiality carchaic : leniency
That is one of Merriam-Webster's definition of favor. What does the bible have to say on the topic of favor for us? In Psalm 30:5 it reads, "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (NKJV) The NASB version reads, "...His favor is for a lifetime", the Message version reads, "...but across a lifetime there is only love", the NCV reads, "...but His kindness lasts for a lifetime"
A friend and I were talking about favor recently, God had shown my friend that we don't have to ask for favor, we already have favor with Him. His favor is how how He loves us, how he shows his kindness and mercy to us.
Walk in His favor today.
That is one of Merriam-Webster's definition of favor. What does the bible have to say on the topic of favor for us? In Psalm 30:5 it reads, "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (NKJV) The NASB version reads, "...His favor is for a lifetime", the Message version reads, "...but across a lifetime there is only love", the NCV reads, "...but His kindness lasts for a lifetime"
A friend and I were talking about favor recently, God had shown my friend that we don't have to ask for favor, we already have favor with Him. His favor is how how He loves us, how he shows his kindness and mercy to us.
Walk in His favor today.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Blessed
Jer 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." (NKJV)
This is one of my favorite verses in the bible because it always reminds me that I don't have to rely on my own reserves of strength and energy. We have an unlimited source of wisdom, strength, comfort and joy.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me today and impressed on my heart that we have leaders that are experiencing a dry season that has drained them of joy and strength. Please know that I pray for you daily that you will have provision, an overabundance of joy, and peace.
Tap into the deep waters of the Lord and experience His love for you today.
Love you guys,
James
This is one of my favorite verses in the bible because it always reminds me that I don't have to rely on my own reserves of strength and energy. We have an unlimited source of wisdom, strength, comfort and joy.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me today and impressed on my heart that we have leaders that are experiencing a dry season that has drained them of joy and strength. Please know that I pray for you daily that you will have provision, an overabundance of joy, and peace.
Tap into the deep waters of the Lord and experience His love for you today.
Love you guys,
James
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
Hello all, it is a beautiful, sunny yet cold weekend. The Cowboys are not playing the Cheeseheads today (12 years and counting with no playoff wins) but the Giants get to play in the frigid temps of Lambeau field on Sunday. That isn't important for Sunday but the next few items are important to those of us serving at AMPED.
AMPED Sunday Nights at NRH
We appreciate all the efforts and sacrifices each of you makes to be part of AMPED on a weekly basis. We wanted to share some housekeeping items about Sunday nights and some changes that will be rolling out over the next few weeks.
Mark your calendars! Saturday February 9th we will be having our Access Group Leaders Training. The training is required for everyone that is a past, current or hopes to be an Access Group Leader. It will be held from 8:30am to 12:00p noon at the Gateway Church Administrative offices. Breakfast will be provided. Please come into the main office entrance and someone will be there to guide you to the training room. Please email if for some reason you will be unable to attend.
Love you guys, see you Sunday night!
AMPED Sunday Nights at NRH
We appreciate all the efforts and sacrifices each of you makes to be part of AMPED on a weekly basis. We wanted to share some housekeeping items about Sunday nights and some changes that will be rolling out over the next few weeks.
- Sunday Night Pre-Service Leaders meeting-We apologize that this time (5:00pm to 5:25pm) has been so chaotic and hectic since we moved to NRH. To streamline and make this time more effective, we ask that all leaders ensure that they are in the Great Room (access is from the Chat Room it is also used as a classroom for the 5th graders on the weekends and for 8th grade girls during access groups) at 5:00pm sharp. We want to be able to share a word from the Lord with you and run through the night's activities. This meeting is more important than any other activities that we might have going on during that time if you are in the building.
- Area Assignment and Rotation-We are working on a plan to rotate all leaders through the various areas of NRH so that you don't get bored with your current assignment, allow you to work in other areas on Sunday nights, and to ensure we have everyone where we need them to be so things run smoothly with the students on Sunday nights. This also applies to the VIP room...
- VIP Room-We didn't really give a great explanation for the purpose of the VIP room and who should be in there. The VIP room is our way of welcoming our first time visitors and the friends that may have brought them to AMPED. They get to meet with Pastor Kam and Pastor Keith, get some food and a gift from us. We will have a team lead for this area (just like in other areas) and several people assigned to help with setup, running this area and takedown. Please understand that if you are not on the rotation list to be in VIP, we need you in your assigned area for the night.
Mark your calendars! Saturday February 9th we will be having our Access Group Leaders Training. The training is required for everyone that is a past, current or hopes to be an Access Group Leader. It will be held from 8:30am to 12:00p noon at the Gateway Church Administrative offices. Breakfast will be provided. Please come into the main office entrance and someone will be there to guide you to the training room. Please email if for some reason you will be unable to attend.
Love you guys, see you Sunday night!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Serving...
Happy New Year AMPED leaders new and old! With a new year always comes the inevitable resolutions, goal setting and vision casting. I used to always set some attainable resolutions and some resolutions that were entirely beyond my reach. I have a friend that sets specific, attainable goals each year. This person writes them down, seals them in an envelope and doesn't look at them until after the next new year. While both methods may benefit each person to a point, there are some flaws with goal setting in these ways. Neither keep the goals in front of you each and every day so that you are challenged to evaluate how you are doing in reaching said goals.
After attending the final night of the FiRST conference last night, I have to say that my spirit was stirred in mighty ways. The Lord spoke so clearly and plainly to me last night about so many things but the one thing that He drilled right into my core was the need have very clear, plainly written goals for 2008 and beyond for the leaders at AMPED. The scripture that Pastor Willie George, affectionately known to many as "Gospel Bill", spoke from was Habakkuk 2:2, Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it."
Keith has graciously asked me to contribute to the AMPED leaders blog specifically in the area of leadership development. That is just a fancy way of saying that he recognizes my burden for the current and future leaders of AMPED. My role is to serve YOU as you serve our students, their families, each other and our new and future leaders.
I truly can say there is no greater reward in life and in heaven than when God's people are served by His people. With that said, I wanted to share some goals and vision for you as we begin this new year.
Become REAL servant leaders
The term "servant leaders" is almost overused in not only the church but in the business world as well. What does this really look like for us in a REAL daily sense? Simply put, a servant leader puts the needs of others ahead of their own needs, position and place.
-Submission: Submit yourself to the vision of reaching students and their families for the Lord as Jesus was submitted to his Father's vision John 6:38
-Compassion: Seek the Father's heart in order to gain His love and burden for students and their families. Luke 4:18
-Humility: Strive for Jesus' model of humility as demonstrated in John 13:1-7. No task or need is beneath us as leaders, there may be a delay in reward on earth for humble actions but the heavenly reward is much greater
Duplicate yourselves
It isn't enought to just pray for more leaders, we must pray specifically for leaders that will not only have the burden on their hearts to minister to students but will also fill a need we have at AMPED. John 15:14-17 speaks about raising up new leaders and setting them out to reach others.
Keith told me the other day that God had spoken to him about not only asking for what we need but for what we want.
I want leaders that want to develop relationships with students by leading access groups.
I want leaders that can help Keith, Kam, Brittney and Rich follow-up with new students and students that have been absent.
I want leaders that can provide altar ministry.
I want leaders that can help secure our building to protect our students
I want leaders that can help with our drama team.
I want leaders that will lead home/fusion groups
I want leaders that will run our VIP room for new students and their families
I want leaders that are passionate for reaching this generation
Pray specifically that the Lord will set up that divine appointment with that future leader or that He reveals the leader within someone that is a friend or family member. I know that the reach of AMPED will extend this year and bring so many students that need either a relationship with Father or a deeper relationship with Father. This means we need help. It is easy for them to get started with us by either emailing Brittney or coming by to check out a service on Sunday nights at NRH.
Let's focus on these goals and vision we have for AMPED leaders this year. I am positive that God will outpour a blessing on this ministry in both increased students reached and increases in the number of leaders that will be available to reach these students.
I am honored to serve you. Don't hesitate to reach out to me with needs, questions, ideas or just to chat.
Blessings,
James R.
After attending the final night of the FiRST conference last night, I have to say that my spirit was stirred in mighty ways. The Lord spoke so clearly and plainly to me last night about so many things but the one thing that He drilled right into my core was the need have very clear, plainly written goals for 2008 and beyond for the leaders at AMPED. The scripture that Pastor Willie George, affectionately known to many as "Gospel Bill", spoke from was Habakkuk 2:2, Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it."
Keith has graciously asked me to contribute to the AMPED leaders blog specifically in the area of leadership development. That is just a fancy way of saying that he recognizes my burden for the current and future leaders of AMPED. My role is to serve YOU as you serve our students, their families, each other and our new and future leaders.
I truly can say there is no greater reward in life and in heaven than when God's people are served by His people. With that said, I wanted to share some goals and vision for you as we begin this new year.
Become REAL servant leaders
The term "servant leaders" is almost overused in not only the church but in the business world as well. What does this really look like for us in a REAL daily sense? Simply put, a servant leader puts the needs of others ahead of their own needs, position and place.
-Submission: Submit yourself to the vision of reaching students and their families for the Lord as Jesus was submitted to his Father's vision John 6:38
-Compassion: Seek the Father's heart in order to gain His love and burden for students and their families. Luke 4:18
-Humility: Strive for Jesus' model of humility as demonstrated in John 13:1-7. No task or need is beneath us as leaders, there may be a delay in reward on earth for humble actions but the heavenly reward is much greater
Duplicate yourselves
It isn't enought to just pray for more leaders, we must pray specifically for leaders that will not only have the burden on their hearts to minister to students but will also fill a need we have at AMPED. John 15:14-17 speaks about raising up new leaders and setting them out to reach others.
Keith told me the other day that God had spoken to him about not only asking for what we need but for what we want.
I want leaders that want to develop relationships with students by leading access groups.
I want leaders that can help Keith, Kam, Brittney and Rich follow-up with new students and students that have been absent.
I want leaders that can provide altar ministry.
I want leaders that can help secure our building to protect our students
I want leaders that can help with our drama team.
I want leaders that will lead home/fusion groups
I want leaders that will run our VIP room for new students and their families
I want leaders that are passionate for reaching this generation
Pray specifically that the Lord will set up that divine appointment with that future leader or that He reveals the leader within someone that is a friend or family member. I know that the reach of AMPED will extend this year and bring so many students that need either a relationship with Father or a deeper relationship with Father. This means we need help. It is easy for them to get started with us by either emailing Brittney or coming by to check out a service on Sunday nights at NRH.
Let's focus on these goals and vision we have for AMPED leaders this year. I am positive that God will outpour a blessing on this ministry in both increased students reached and increases in the number of leaders that will be available to reach these students.
I am honored to serve you. Don't hesitate to reach out to me with needs, questions, ideas or just to chat.
Blessings,
James R.
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