Make Some Friends

Sunday I began the “Kickin’ It Up a Notch” series with a BAM! & an Emeril quote “Make Some Friends” or…the Power of Life Groups. Life Groups are BPC’s small groups launching this week. 2 families groups, a ladies exercise group, a single women’s group & as usual…the Men’s Challenge Friday night group for guys. Email gregk@bridgepointchurch.cc for more info on LG’s.
The most famous small group in the NT…Jesus & His 12 disciples. A not so famous small groups in the NT…the 10 lepers. Both shared life together in a group & both experienced Power in Partnership (the “Big Idea” & application from the message).

The Power of a Life Group…
Believers have always met in groups Acts 2:46-47, the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Investing your time in a LG will be well worth it.
We’re created for relationship Gen 2:8, relationships take Honesty, Humility, Courtesy & Frequency. That’s what you’ll find in an LG.
Jesus is present when 2 or 3 are gathered in His name Matt. 18: 20, His presence is stronger when we come together In His name. Think pixel-when together the image is clearer.
It’s FUN hanging out & being together Acts 2:42, hanging out & having fun together is part of God’s plan for discipleship. Think Super bowl Sunday/Holiday dinner with the fam FUN.
And…we need each other because life here on planet earth is tough Eccles. 4:9-12, we need a go to person when times get tough and we can be the go to person as well.

Keep BPC in your prayers this week as we take the next step in the life of our church & remember…get in on a LG, you won’t regret it!

Emeril at BridgePoint ??

This Sunday I will be starting a new message series entitled “Kickin it up a Notch”. Each week we will be talking about such ingredients...items...subjects as “Make Some Friends”, "Use Your Knob” & of course “Let’s Kick it up a Notch” just to name a few. Sounds familiar, sure they do…they are all Emeril quotes, you know Emeril...the T.V. chief.

You just have to check out BPC to find out exactly where I’ll be going with these. Oh I should also mention, we will be tasting something very delicious every Sunday for the next 5 weeks so you do not want to miss a single service. BAM!!

P.S. This Sunday after the service please join us for lunch, we are going to have "the works"!

Happenings @ BridgePoint

I haven’t posted in a while about the happenings @ BridgePoint. We have a few “firsts” which I’ll talk about in the next few posts.

This past Sunday 70 attended our svc including three 1st time guests & three 2nd time guests as we celebrated communion together for the very 1st time!! I took the time to explain that during communion we’re…

to Remember 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Jesus instituted communion so we could remember Him (Jesus)

to Rejoice 1 Corinthians 11:26

rejoice in proclaiming the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sin and rejoice in proclaiming the eventual return of Jesus Christ.

to Repent 1 Corinthians 11:27-28
Repent – to turn from sin & to turn to God

during communion, we are given the opportunity to examine our motives, thoughts & actions in a personal way before God. We ask Him through His Holy Spirit to show us our wrongs & to restore our relationship with God.

and…

to Reconcile 1 Corinthians 11:29
reconcile - to restore to friendship or harmony, settle, resolve

during communion, we are given the opportunity to realize our need for reconciliation with God & others.

As the band played & images of Jesus’ last supper with His disciples & His sacrifice flashed on the screen we all participated in communion together.

Now that we’ve come out of the summer & everyone is back into the swing of regular schedules, BPC is positioned to launch into the fall with excitement, faith & a few firsts!

Acts 8:1 and 1:8

While in sermon prep 2day I was studying in the book of Acts, particularly the stoning of Stephen and the persecution & scattering of the church into Judea, Sameria & the ends of the earth.

I ran accross this...Acts 8:1 speaks of persecution & scattering...

Acts 1:8 speaks of power & mission.

Go figure!!!

He's always "in it"...

Did you know God is always @ work, “in it”, even we’re not? Consider Job 1:6

“One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the accuser, satan, came with them.” NLV (lower case “a” in accuser & “s” in satan intentional by writer)

Footnote: The Bible speaks of other heavenly councils where God and the angels plan their activities on earth and where angels are required to give an account of themselves. (1Kings 22:19-23). Because God is the Creator of all angels-both of those who serve him and of those who rebelled-He has complete power and authority over them.

“He has complete power & authority over them” isn’t that good to know. Too many times we get caught up in the “me”, such as “why is ____ happening to me” or “why isn’t ____happening to me” not realizing at that exact moment just who is spinning the earth & directing the seas. (not 2 mention last week’s weather-aka Ike).

All, I’m sure, many can relate to…
personal “pity parties” (& the miserable, lonely sensation following…)
as well as…
the world just “centers around me” & what I’ve got 2 say…(“I Wanna Talk About Me” by Toby Keith…listen to it)

Should our circumstances lead us into a “me centered” existence traversing peaks & valleys? Or, should we center ourselves on the fact that “high court” is in session in the highest heavenlies.

Regardless of how busy or uneventful your life may seem to you, God is “holding court”, He’s always “in it” on our behalf.

NASA Images of Ike

I do believe in God!

7 Years Ago Today

Say a prayer for those who lost loved ones on this
day 7 years ago & continue to pray for our leaders & America!

1st post after my blogging break

The past 3 years during my devo’s I’ve been reading One Year Bible. This year I decide to read “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a’ Kempis in addition to my Bible. A tremendous depth of love & insight flows from its pages…

Humble Submission…Do not consider much who is for you or against, but consider only what you are doing and be careful that God is with you in everything you do.
Have a good conscience and God will defend you.
For no one’s perverseness can harm anyone whom God will help.
If you can suffer in silence, you will without doubt see that the Lord will help you.
He knows when and how to deliver you, and therefore you should submit yourself to Him.
It is God’s purpose to help and to deliver from all confusion.
To make us more humble, it is often beneficial for others to know and rebuke our faults.

Chew on that for a while…I am.