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Is Love Enough?

2011-09-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

Is Love Enough, that's the Question?

I have grown tired of hearing the modern day Pharisees, as they spout off about the "weak and shallow" message being conveyed today. A message focused on "the hope" and "the love of God". That preachers need to dig deeper and hold the line on the "serious Gospel message".

Perhaps I'm just having a tough week and I should cut them some slack but I believe they are completely wrong and more importantly I believe that it is the cynical and legalistic "theology" of our more conservative brothers that is destroying and distorting the true message of our Lord and Savior.

John 3: ^16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. (From "the Message")

Can this be said any more clearly? God sent Jesus to reconnect with Man and set us free!

I am amazed at the lack of real life experience that so few of these Pharisees possess. Smothered in degrees, up to their eyeballs in Academia, completely out of touch with the modern man and his challenges and struggles. How can they begin to understand what people need to hear from God and their local church?

It is hard to believe sometimes that we are reading the same Bible and have arrived at such different and opposing conclusion.

If the modern day church wants to reach the modern day man, we need to become sincere and passionate about telling people how much God loves them, why He loves them and why they should get to know Him.

Read Luke 10: 25-37, The Good Samaritan, and consider the church today.

Tell someone how much God loves them, tell them of your relationship with the one and only God in Heaven. Tell them about the creator of heaven and earth and how, before He spoke a single star or planet into existence He thought about them, He designed them, He loved them!

(Ephesians 1)

Never grow tired or weary of telling people of Gods love for them, it is the strongest rock, the greatest and most profound truth of all Scripture.

Love People!

Consecration

2011-07-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 6

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

I live a life of contradictions, in order to find peace I must go to war. In order to rest, I must fight. When life seems crazy and out of control, it is actually the most right and inline with Gods plans.

I am almost never satisfied living to survive, just praying enough and eating enough of the Word to get me by. I have a ferocious appetite to do the work of the Kingdom and nothing else on earth will satisfy.

Isaiah SEES God and instantly knows he is in way over his head. He is blown away at the sight he sees, angels are worshipping God all around him. Then he realizes he is just a sinful man and he is standing in the presence of a Holy God. He thought for sure he was going to die but God had brought him to the very spot he was standing and at that very moment for a reason.

Isaiah had the heart of a servant and had done all he could to honor God with his life. Just when he thinks his life is over, God gives him a new life and another opportunity to serve Him.

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Isaiah jumps at the chance to serve and please God.

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

It is only when we come to the edge of losing everything that we learn the true value of anything. It is then that we understand what God wants from us. It's not cash, its a spirit of generosity, He doesn't need our strength, He needs us to have the heart of a servant.

Will you say, "Here I am Lord, send me!"

Consecrate your life to God,

Consecration: dedicated to a sacred purpose.

The River of Life

2011-06-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

The River of God

**NOTE words in Orange are part of the message from 6/5/11

When we are “Born Again” we experience a period of time I refer to as “The Honeymoon Period”. Everything is wonderful, we are passionately perusing God in search of a lasting relationship.

When we accept Jesus into our life as our Savior we wind up with areas that once housed sin and need to be replaced with Holiness and Consecration. These area can become deserts, spiritual waste lands if we don’t allow the Spirit of God full access into our lives.

John 7:37 Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”[c] 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Revelations 22: 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal Pure, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

A River brings life and sustenance, wherever it flows. Life is possible in the middle of a desert if there is a water source. A River is a FLOWING source of water.

The River of God is the flowing power of the Spirit of God. The River of life is located in the “middle of the great street of the city”.

The spirit of God must reside in the very center of our hearts. When that happens in our life we produce fruit all the time ( the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month).

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

A desert is parched, scared earth, it is a dry hardened place (legalistic, critical) When the spirit of God flows through your life, you produce good fruit, your fruit is sweet and beautiful. People are attracted to the beauty in you that comes from your relationship with God. Hardened places are made fruitful again when The spirit of God flows through your life. Healing comes, chains are broken, you are set free.

Be encouraged

2011-04-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

Be Encouraged!

Philippians 2

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

If we want to be encouraged, we need to encourage others. Lift up your brothers and sisters in Christ and those who have yet to meet Him.

When we encourage others we are fulfilling one of your greatest jobs as believers. You will be filled with fresh oil from heaven when you pour out love and encouragement on others.

Take hold of the day and be purposeful to encourage and love people in your world, the world is waiting for someone just like you to love them!

Have a blessed day, you are an awesome creation of the Living God and He loves you. Invite someone to Easter Service they will come!

Have a great day!

Ps. Steve

Letting Go

2011-03-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

Gen:22: 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.

We all want Gods blessing and favor over our lives, God wants our obedience and faithfulness. When we walk with God we need to truly be filled with faith and trust that God is not a man, His work is true and He can not lie. When God says hHe will bless your life He means it. It is up to us to trust Him.

God has a distinct way of doing things in our lives. First God wants us to trust Him, then he blesses your life with incredible blessings. After a short season of blessing God will require something from you, often the very blessing He has given you. This is where most people loose the plot, confusion sets in and pride has an opportunity to mess with your head. How can God ask you to give back what He promised to Give you.

The answer is actually very simple, "Because God wants to give you more".
Greater Blessing, Greater Anointing, Greater Gifts,
It is a test to see if you love Him because of Who He is or What He does.

We must be willing to loose it all if we are ever going to be able to handle the massive blessing God wants us to be able to deal with. When we let go of things we hold dearest to us God pours out great blessing in those very areas. When we hold tightly and with hold from God we cheat ourselves out of Gods blessing over our lives.

Abraham was willing to sacrifice the thing that was dearest to him and that which was the absolute promise of God over his life, His only Son Isaac. Because he didn't with hold anything back, God blessed him even more then he could ever contain.

Let go of your stress and worry, trust God with your life. He is a big God and He can handle anything you need!
Have a great week!

Fasting Guidlines and Suggestions

2010-11-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

ʻI humbled my soul with fastingʼ Psalm 35:13.

What is Christian fasting?
The Bible speaks of fasting as abstaining from food for a time in order to grow spiritually, glorify
God, enhance our spirit, receive healing, and grow our prayer life. Fasting is not a way to get
God to do what we want; fasting changes us, not God. It is more about denying our natural
appetites and raising our spiritual appetites. (See Isaiah 58:6-12)
Redeem the time
Where possible, the time that is not spent on eating (or whatever else you choose to fast from)
is spent on your relationship with God, prayer, reading the Bible and seeking the Lord.
Types of Fasting
Food (full or partial fast), Media (TV/radio/music), or other things that are a sacrifice for you
(things like internet surfing, Facebook, computer games, shopping).
Food Fasting Options
• Fast from one, two or all meals in the day.
• Fast from ʻbetween mealʼ snacks and ʻafter mealʼ desserts.
• Fast from particular food or drinks e.g. meat, dairy, coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate.
• Fast from solids, so that you are on a liquid fast, drinking juices,soups, smoothies.
• A ʻDanielʼ fast: as found in the book of Daniel 10:3 – where he ʻate no choice food, no
meat or wine touched my lips.ʼ Fast from delicacies, stick to fresh fruit and vegetables.
• 5 Food fast: Eating nuts, fruit, vegetables, yogurt, red meat.
Fasting tips
• Plan your fast. Pray and ask God for protection, strength and wisdom during your fast.
Look ahead, you may have to rearrange your schedule or change your grocery list.
• Consult your pastor or leader about what is appropriate for you.
• Start small. As with anything, fasting requires practice to become better at it. Set yourself
a challenging but realistic goal.
• Begin and end well. When fasting from food, the meals before and after the fasting period
should be smaller and lighter than usual. End your fast gradually.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Some warnings
• Fasting from food is not to be taken lightly. If you are new to fasting food please consult
your doctor and pastor regarding the length of time and what food you should abstain
from.
• We always recommend consulting your health care professional and pastor or leader for
advice before undertaking any food fast.
• Do not fast from water.
• Do not fast from red meat if you are inclined to anaemia.
• Also, fasting from food is unwise if you are diabetic, hypoglycemic, prone to migraines,
pregnant, taking medication or recovering from sickness. If you have any doubts/
questions, please talk to a health care professional.
• Fasting is entirely voluntary.

The Place

2010-10-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

Genesis 28: 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." 17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."
18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, [f] though the city used to be called Luz.

Here not there, There not here? If you are a numbers crunching kind of person, the difference between one place or another may be insignificant. You could plant a church anywhere and meet the needs of people of that city or town however that is not the attitude needed to plant a church.

Many today view church planting as a mathematical equation, add 10 people + 1 building + 8 crock pots + $$$$ = church planting success.

Jacob says, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."
The place God shows you will be clear, you will know it when you see it. It will be a special place and God will get you there, one way of another, He will show you the city that is a Gateway to heaven.

I am certain that you have a list of places you would like to plant a church, Hawaii, Fiji, Jamaica, Malibu, Sydney, Venice the list could go on, all beautiful and wonderful places. The place God has placed in your heart will become more beautiful then any of these others.

I was absolutely sure I would never move to North Carolina, don’t get me wrong the beaches are amazing and I like to visit the mountains but I could never move to NC. I have lived on Long Island, NY for 40 yrs. and everyone from NY knows that if you move south and you are under the age of 60 you move to NC. In case you are wondering, if you are older then 60 you move to Florida, probably “the Villages”. I thought, “why would I want to move to a new place with the same people?”

In 2003 God began to press upon me to move, many other factors in my life began to support this “feeling”, however family was just starting to settle in to our home on Long Island we lived in a beautiful town near the Northshore, tons of wonderful friends and two great churches we loved and were close to. (Christian City Church, L.I. and Manhattan)
In June 2006 I took a quick trip to Raleigh, NC to check the place out, we moved into our new home in October the same year.
In February 2009 we planted C3 Church, Raleigh, God has a way of revealing a “place” to you.

I have shared this little story of my journey to illustrate that the plans God has for you are bigger and more outrageous than you can imagine, if your heart is set on following God then you will never be disappointed in the places he calls you to. It fact you will fall in love with them.

“The Place” is part of the call of God, it is a much a part of the planning and purpose as the anointing and person who does the planting. Set your heart to hear God heart concerning “The Place”.

No need to stress about the place God has called you, you will know it, its smell, its feel, the people, the atmosphere even the challenges. God has spent your whole life preparing you for that city and that city is waiting for you!

Have an amazing week,
Ps Stephen Alexander

www.c3ral.com

There is no better way to discover if you are called to plant a church or be part of a church plant then to actually jump in to an active plant. If you are thinking about planting a church, I want to extend an opportunity to you to join us for a week and see first hand what goes into this incredible undertaking. If you are a pastor or wanting to be part of a plant, email me or call. It’s an incredible life!

C3triangle@gmail.com
919-355-8305 (yes I will really answer)

To the Death

2010-09-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

Be Strong and Courageous!

The Lord says this over and over to Joshua, finally in Joshua 1:9 He says; Have I not commanded you, Be strong and Courageous, do NOT be fearful or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you WHERE EVER you go.

I have read this scripture thousands of times (literally), it is my life scripture. I read it, I study it, I pray about it, I teach on it, I dream about it, I talk to God endlessly about it and still I have so many questions about this moment in time.

So public and pressure filled, being thrust into the spotlight, not number 2 any longer now number 1. No one to turn to but God, no one else has the answers he needs.

Read this scripture and you will likely get the wrong idea about Joshua. You could think he was fearful and timid, an insecure man, maybe he looks hesitant and slow to act but you would be wrong, very wrong.

Joshua, much like Moses and David, Elijah and Elisha, was a man of action; his hands were covered with the blood of the enemy’s of the kingdom of God. He was a brilliant commander of military strategy and commanded hundreds of thousands of men into battle and to victory.

Joshua is what I refer to as a “ to the death companion”, I am endlessly searching for the Joshua’s God has placed around me. He will never leave your side, come good or bad, in victory and defeat, he is your closest confidante.

You will find in life, depending on what you do or how wealthy you are, certain people will gather around you and assure you that they “have your back” and they mean well. The amazing thing about Joshua was he didn’t just say to Moses I have your back in a battle but Joshua went out and Battled for Moses. He fought his fights. This allowed Moses to do his job
Moses job was to talk to God and seek direction, lead the Nation of Israel and pray.

Exodus 17:11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.
Jesus went to the cross for each of us, He has fought all our fights, He has endured all our pain, He has paid the price for our sin.
Jesus “has your back” and is your “to the death companion”

Live a life of Strength and Confidence; God is with you wherever you go!
Live your Best Life Today!

Job requirements?

2010-09-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

One day about 18 years ago I was sitting in my living room reviewing a class I wanted to offer to our church. A Parenting Seminar for parents of young children, I have always wanted to share what I have learned about parenting with other parents to help them to be the best parents they can be.

I will never forget this one idea that was presented by child psychologist Dr Kevin Leman. He said “You are required to have a license to drive a car to sell insurance and practice law but not to be a parent, one of the most important jobs on the planet”
He quietly presents a serious question. Should there be a requirement to be a parent? A more direct question should be, how do you prepare someone who is about to become
a parent?

I have been asking myself the past few days, should there be a requirement to be able to call yourself a Christian. This is of course an impossible question, no answer is right or wrong and it is unenforceable on every possible level.

However think for just a moment how low is the bar set?

What should be the standard required to EARN the title ”Christian”?
What do you think?

Your family is Christian?
You believe in God?
You pray?
You read the Bible?
You are “Saved” ? (You have invited Jesus into your heart and have excepted the gift of salvation)
You attend church?
You tell others about your relationship with God?
You attend Bible College?

I hope you are thinking about your relationship with God, what does it look like.
You and I have been given an important job. It is both incredibly simple and very complex at the same time.

The simple - Deliver a message to the world.
The complex – Understand the message we are to deliver

Our message is this “God loves you and forgives you”. Jesus left no question of his intent in John 12: 47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
Also John 3: 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

No matter where you fall in the list above, this is your message to the world. Jesus loves you. It’s the perfect message, it fits everyone you meet. It is the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus our Christ.
Just keep saying that over and over, then start praying about that over and over.
Jesus loves you!

See you in Church!

Ps Steve

Keep it simple

2010-05-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

When Moses descended from mount Sinai he carried the 10 commandments, the law that we all were judged by.
The purpose was to point us to God, since no one can follow the law to perfection we need to turn to God for our Salvation. Inevitably man has attempted to reinterpret the law to diminish its intent and find a way around the law.

In Matthew 22:37 Jesus cuts the law down to the bone when He is asked, “What is the Greatest Commandment?” He replies, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
God has done everything to foster clear, simple, straightforward relationship with us and that is what He wants. Think for a moment of some of the things He has done for us. He has created the perfect environment for us to live in. He has sent Angles and plagues to express His Joy and dissatisfaction with His children. Incredible signs and wonders, parting seas, towers of fire from the heavens, manna in the middle of a desert.
The greatest sign was in sending Jesus; He not only came to Earth as a man to talk to us and teach us but ultimately to die in our place for our sin. Imagine a judge taking the place of a guilty man in the electric chair.
What more does God have to do for us to understand that He loves us and has forgiven us of our sins and now wants to reconnect with us, His children.
Clear your schedule and make some time for God this week. He is waiting to pour out all the love He has on you!
Have an amazing week, See you in Church
Ps Steve A.

The Battle Rages

2010-03-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Our spirit and flesh are in a constant state of battle. Our Spirit burns to connect with God, to push in to a closer relationship with our Father in heaven. Our flesh wants to please and satisfy itself.
It is easy to see why we all to often side with our flesh in our internal battles. The flesh is so much easier to satisfy, the flesh is simply about self-service.

Our spiritual life takes work!
It takes work to develop a powerful prayer life.
It takes time to learn to hear the voice of God.
It takes great patience to love people when they don’t love you.
It takes enormous faith to follow God when you don’t know where He is taking you.

We are Sojourners on this earth. Sojourners are longtime temporary residents. It can be tough living in a foreign land, we want to fit in but we long for our home. We try to make friends but we may seam a little different.

Romans 12 says, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

You are a mighty, powerful, spiritual champion, called by God to reach the world. Wherever you are now, this is your battleground. You are there to reach your city for God! Get your head straight, the people around you are not your enemy they are your mission field!

Reach out to someone in your city today, invite them to church for Easter. Have them over for dinner or a cup of coffee. Love them that’s what Jesus would do.
You are amazing people with incredible talents, don’t waist them on the flesh, let your spirit loose!

Have a great week.
Ps Steve

Relationships

2010-01-31T19:20:00.000-08:00

Relationships are powerful things, good relationships can strengthen us and make us appear better then we really are. Bad relationships can destroy us, no matter how great we actually are.

2 Corinthians 6:14: "Do not be unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and lawlessness have in common? What fellowship has light with darkness."

Paul's writing can not be over stated, we are given the image of to oxen plowing a field. The oxen are yoked together, if they work together they can accomplish great shows of strength, however if one pulls and the other does not then less work is done then if there was only one oxen.

Our greatest relationship in our lives has to be between us and God. When we connect with God we are yoking our lives to the architect of our lives, no one is more for you, no one could be a better match.

We can help so many people as we share the experience of our relationship with God with our friends and family. We must be powerful influence on the world around us!

Connect your life to God, pray daily, read your bible, set time aside each day to talk to God. You will be amazed how easy it is.
Have a great week,
See you in Church!

Ps Steve

Merry Christmas from Christian City Church

2009-12-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!
This Christmas Eve we will have a beautiful Candle Lit Service.
The Service will begin at 6pm and will last about an hour.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate one of the most
exciting days of the year, the birth of our Savior!
See our website for more details & directions

This has been an exciting year for Christian City Church as we launched our first public service in February. We have grown and have many wonderful people who have come along side us to see the incredible Gospel message spread throughout our city and beyond.

We are looking forward to 2010 with enormous excitement!
Raleigh is an amazing city, great diversity and a common focus on a better way of life has drawn people from throughout the nation to settle here. This is a city full of talented and gifted people, we are called here to release those talents and gifts. To see people grow and come to understand how they are called to REACH OUT to the world around them.
We are just beginning to see all the incredible things God has planned for this city and its people.

Have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Ps. Stephen & Merri-Beth Alexander
and the rest of the Alexander family!

Thanksgiving Newsletter

2009-11-25T08:59:00.001-08:00



		Hello Church: We wanted to send a huge prayer for an amazing Thanksgiving to you and your family. Of all the many things I am Thankful for, one of the things I am most thankful for is you. Without you Christian City Church, Raleigh would not be possible. Thank you all for your time and support of the incredible work that was begun in Raleigh, NC We look forward to seeing everyone in church this week, I am believing this week is going to be an amazing breakthrough week as we wrap-up the series on faith. We will be setting time aside during service to pray for people this week, if you know of anyone in need of healing this is going to be a fantastic opportunity to invite them to church. I hope this helps as we push into God and seek His will and purpose for His church and our lives.

		FOOD DRIVE
		Hey Guys one quick reminder for this coming Sunday be sure to bring your cans of non-perishable food for the Eastern Carolina food bank, we are connecting with Guitar Center to help those in need.

		FREE GIVE AWAY
		We are giving away an Ipod NANO Video to a visitor from the month of November. Bring your friends and make sure to register them as first time guests and you both can win a brand new Ipod Nano Video. We will be giving away our first Nano in December.

		*FREE MUSIC* If you have not yet logged onto www.C3Worship.com and check out the Free Music and videos, as well as New Original Music from C3 Worship Leaders around the world

		We look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 11am Have a great week, see you in church!
		Please pass this on to friends and family that may not be on our email list yet.
		Visit www.c3ral.com for more info about C3 Church and where we are headed

Wind of Change

2009-09-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Revelation 22

2 On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.

Our lives are full of seasons, some seasons are fruitful others are seasons of preparation, some seasons are dormant. Even the best seed in the most fertile soil will not grow or bare fruit in a winter season.

Winds increase between seasons signaling change is coming. The wind of heaven is a good thing, it causes a shaking in our lives.

When the wind blows through the trees, two things fall off the tree, dead things and ripe fruit.

Dead things need to be pruned from our lives, they weigh us down and suck life from an otherwise healthy tree.

Ripe fruit needs to be released from our lives. Ripe fruit that hangs on a tree for to long becomes sour and spoiled, but when it is released in season it is sweet and blesses everyone who tastes it.

We are experiencing a season of shaking and releasing, in both the natural world and the spiritual kingdom.

This is an incredible time to see Gods hand in our lives and to trust that He is our provider. God has a plan and if we have faith we will see greater fruitfulness then we could ever have imagined.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven

Have an incredible week,

See you in church!

Ps. Steve

Fillings (the stuff in the middle)

2009-07-31T12:25:00.000-07:00

The filling is the key. We run through life, and become very goal oriented. We plot our course and head from one task to the next. However, we often miss the best opportunities to learn, grow and gain a wealth of wisdom as we travel between our destination, thus the filling.

Jesus traveled from town to town, healing the sick, opening blind eyes, and restoring relationships of the broken hearted back to God. In His travels, he was never too distracted by the next destination to see the people right in front of Him. People are God's mission field, regardless of their location, whether they are around the block or around the world. God is in the people business.

Don't be so distracted by your drive to reach your destination that you lose your focus on God and the ability to see what is right in front of you.

John 4:4 Now He (Jesus) had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

Jesus was tired. He just had a long trip. He could have easily ignored this woman,( a Samaritan woman) but in speaking to her, he saw the key to connecting with an entire village. Through this one encounter, this woman and her whole village are saved and believes in Christ.

Stay connected to God and you will see that life is more then getting from one place to the next, life is about the journey.

Have a great week,

See you in Church.

Ps. Steve

Rise up!

2009-06-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 1: 3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great MERCY he has given us NEW BIRTH into a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.

What an amazing God we have, nothing not even death can separate us from his incredible mercy and grace.

So many things that we face in life seem so unattainable and impossible. We struggle and fight to breakthrough barriers that hold us back from living with Joy and Promise. Our circumstances often appear to be getting the best of us BUT not even death can stop the plans of God.

Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11: 38-44) from the dead.
Lazarus wasn’t just having a rough day, he died, dead for 3 days. All hope seemed lost, Lazarus’s sisters and family were mourning their lose. Jesus arrives in the town, everyone is sad, no joy in their hearts that day, broken hearted.
Jesus loved Lazarus and calls out to God, everyone could hear him. Jesus did this so everyone there would know and understand that He was sent from God and that awesome power of God has no limits, not even Death.

Jesus calls out to Lazarus “Come Out” and he did, hopping out of his tomb, still wrapped in burial cloth.

You are never too far gone for God to reach out to you and raise you out of whatever death you are living in. Seek God and you will find Him waiting for you, ready to pour out Mercy and Restoration on your life.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Father’s Day!

PS. STEVE

Holding On

2009-06-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

Some things take forever.
It seems like just last week I was waiting on the birth of my first child, we were having a girl, my wife was overdue. We had gone to birthing classes together, we had the baby shower, we prepared the room, stocked up on diapers, It seemed like forever.
My oldest daughters name is Ashley and she is 21 yrs old now, it seems like just yesterday she was learning to walk and talk, her first day of school, her first school play.

Time is tangible we can feel it ticking by, sometimes slowly, sometimes fast

In each of our lives their will be moments that define us. God will call you and say GO or STAY, He may ask you to lead or follow. No matter how the question is framed, it is always the same core question. “Do you trust me”.
Is your faith in God strong enough to follow Him where ever he leads you.

The Israelites walked to within miles of their promise. Freed from captivity, crossed a river on dry land, lead by a pillar of fire. So close, out of millions only 2 men had the faith to enter the promises of God.

Believe in the promises God has shown you, never let go. God is a faithful God, He can not lie. There are dreams in your heart from God. Hang on to them, believe that you have already received them and you will see them come to pass.

Exodus 6: 6 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.' "

Have an awesome week.
See you in church!

Ps. Steve

A New Name

2009-05-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Abraham was named by God, his name was once Abram the name given to him by his earthly father. God changed Abrams name to signify what Abram was to become, Abraham, the father of many nations.

We journey through life and are called many things but God has called you to be something special and most often you need to go through a process to become what He has called you to be.

We need to see ourselves as God sees us. Powerful, Beautiful, Intelligent, Worshippers, Faith filled, Mighty, Victorious, His children!

ROMANS 12:2 be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We are powerful, unbeatable people when we walk with God. Begin to speak your new name over your life, over your family, over your job, over your marriage.

Begin to see the hand of God leading you to a successful, joy-filled, victorious life.
God is for you, He is on your side, He loves you and He is there for you.

Start living your best life now!!

Have an amazing week, see you in church!

Ps. Steve

Anyone!

2009-04-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

John 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

The church is not a private club; it is not for a select few. Unlike many of the most exclusive clubs and associations, they thrive and create a sense of importance by excluding people.

The church is for everyone.

Jesus tells his followers that anyone can do what he has done if they have faith. We are limited from the minute we are born. Right after Ma or Da the next word we learn is NO. No don’t touch, No don’t eat that, No, No. The idea of “No” is meant to create safety and order in our lives. Order and Safety are good, as long as they don’t limit our spiritual growth. For most of us that is exactly what happens.

Jesus is God of the possible, our lives are infinite yet we live as though we are finite. Only two things are needed to follow God to all he has called you to be.
Faith and an Obedient Heart.
With God you can do anything, think bigger and then go even bigger still!
Think about all that God can do through you, instead of what He can do for you. You will be completely surprised by all that God can do with an obedient heart.

You are greater then you will even imagine. Take a walk with God this week and see where you end up. Don’t be surprised when you are healing the sick and suddenly blind eyes see.

You are Gods greatest joy!
Believe it, and have a wonderful week.
See you in Church!

Ps. Steve

You Are Called

2009-04-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Joshua 1:9

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Powerful words spoken from God to Joshua. Can you imagine the pressure of taking over the job of the guy who was considered the greatest leader of all time? Not an easy position to be in, some would consider it to be an impossible job. God moves people around to make room for new people, many time better people.
Joshua was Moses right hand man, Joshua supported Moses in every way, he studied Moses and followed his instruction without question. He was his most trusted advisor and friend. Both a warrior and a worshipper
There was no one more qualified to take Moses place, and yet Joshua felt completely unsuited for the job.

One of the biggest challenges we face is believing that God has called us.
Every person on the planet has a calling……EVERYONE!
We hide behind false modesty and honest ignorance. “Did God really call me to do the work of His kingdom?”
He was not only called you, He has gifted you, he has equipped you, he has annointed you and God has put you in the right place at the right time.
God is with us always.

See what God is calling you to do this week.
Have an awesome week.
See you in Church.

Ps. Stephen Alexander

Visit Christian City Church Raleigh website @

Connect

2009-03-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

I love to read the Bible, it keeps me sharp and it always challenges me. It also reminds me of the passion that God has for us and how He wants to connect with us.

When Jesus says things like, “ (Luke 17: 33 – Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever losses his life will preserve it”. You may not understand exactly what he is saying but you know he is saying something other then the words you are reading.

God spends a lot of time thinking about us, He spent a good deal of time thinking about creating you. He knows how tall you are, how beautiful you are. He knows what gifts and talents he gave you and he knows your thoughts, even when we are not sure of who God is and how He works.

You (insert your name here) are a special person. Ephesians 1: 4-5 says that God chose us as a special and Holy people before he even created a place for us to live. Before the foundations of the heavens and the Earth, God thought about you, He dreamed about you, about walking and talking with you.

God has an awesome plan for your life. Life with God is exciting and full of adventure, it is anything but boring. Have you ever seen the Grand Canyon or the Rocky Mountains or the sun setting over the ocean? Could the same God that created all that be limited by anything?

The adventure begins when you say yes to walking with God and you let go of your fears and all the things that hold you back from taking that first step towards God.

Have an awesome week, you are an original work of art, signed by God.

Ps Stephen Alexander

Happy New Year 2009 WOW!!!!

2009-01-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all, I hope everyone had a special Christmas holiday celebration, surrounded by friends and family. I love New Years celebrations, the time of year always causes me to reflect on me altitude and longitude and my attitude.
It amazes me that every year, regardless of the balance on the checking account or the number of presents under the tree I always come to the same conclusion. I am filthy rich in the blessings of heaven.
In the mortgage and real estate business a pipeline is a reference to future business and you always want to have business in the pipeline. A good sales person may have as much as 6 months of future business in their pipeline.
As I survey my life, I can point out blessing after blessing to anyone who would ask to see my treasure here on Earth. I would have to first point to my relationship with my Creator, just the fact that I can walk and talk with the creator of all the Universe continues to blow my mind, to the point that I can’t even put into words with any real justice.
I would next point to the amazing woman that God has given to me as my wife, again I struggle for words to describe the love I have for this beautiful precious woman. I know that she loves me for me because God has placed us in each others hands and we are both in His hands. We have four amazing children that we have poured our hearts and lives into.
Talking with your children is like talking with God, at first you do all the talking because you feel you can help them by telling them what to do. Then one day you realize that you learn a lot more about them and life is so much easier if you listen to what they have to say.
I could point to many things that have passed but what is amazing is when I look to the future my spiritual pipeline is full as far as I can see. I have had the incredible privilege of being around so many awesome men and women that have taken time to pour Gods anointing and blessings into my life and my family.
Everyone is blessed; the bible says the rain falls on the just and the unjust, the saved and the heathen. The key is to look for the blessings and be thankful for the ones you have.

In 1 Samuel ch. 17 David is compelled to fight Goliath, King Saul sees David’s Faith and passion and allows him to fight the giant Philistine but first he tries to help David by giving him his armor. A noble and honorable gesture on Saul’s part after all David was a shepherd not a soldier and he was only a young man. Most men would have died in that armor fighting but David knew that he was blessed and gifted as a shepherd, he had defended his flock against lions and bears. David took off the Kings armor and fought with Goliath as a shepherd, with the tools of the shepherd and he defeated Goliath.

This year take time to discover who you are in God, don’t take on someone else’s stuff. When you do what you are gifted to do it is easy for God to bless you and you will grow and prosper in every area of your life.
God didn’t promise to make your life perfect, He said he would make you perfect.
Have an awesome New Year!!!
Be Blessed,

Ps. Stephen Alexander

See the Light

2008-11-15T21:49:00.000-08:00

This week scientists have made an amazing discovery, they have for the first time seen another solar systems sun and planets. Scientists have known about other planets and solar systems but this week, after a 12 year project they saw what they had dreamed of for the first time.

Light moves at 299,792,458 metres per second or 10 trillion kilometers per year. Amazing to think that you and I can look up to the heavens and see the light of stars that have been burned out for years but their light is still shining. The same way we can look out for a light that we believe is there but we have not seen it with our eyes and yet we see it in our dreams.

How often have we given up on a dream because it wasn’t visible, we believed in our dream but when we looked for it we couldn’t see it? Unbelief whispers poison in our ear and we begin to doubt what we believe.

Can you imagine living in Noah’s shoes? You live in a desert and it has never rained before and you and your family are building an enormous ship. People stop by to watch you and ask what you are doing. You say there is a flood coming and I am getting ready for it. Can you imagine the ridicule and total mockery they faced.

It is like pointing to the sky and saying look for the star. For years people will look and see nothing, for years they will doubt and mock you. Day after day and year after year you point up and say look and see, but they can’t see the light, the star is there the entire time,but they can’t see it. Then suddenly after traveling for hundreds of light years the light arrives and everyone can see what you knew was there all along.

Within your heart is a promise from God, there are dreams and visions, words and prophecies and they are more real then the world around you. Believe in your visions and the truth that you feel in your heart. It is that which is God has placed inside you that will change the world around you.

Keep believing and never take your eyes off the light from heaven.

Hebrews 11

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

America the Beautiful

2008-11-03T21:44:00.000-08:00

Matt: 16- tells the story of a conversation between Peter and Jesus. Jesus has told Peter that he is a Rock and that his kingdom will be built upon his strength. Then Peter declares he will go anywhere and even die for Jesus. Jesus breaks the bad news that Peter will deny ever knowing Jesus in just a couple of hours, and he did just as Jesus had said he would.

Peter spoke his heart but he was filled with fear when challenged to prove his alliance and faithfulness to Christ.

Today millions of people here in the US will be casting their vote for the President of the United States of America. This has been called one of the most important Presidential races in our counties history, interestingly enough it is the candidates that are the big news, even more then the issues they each promote and believe in.

Hundreds of millions of people around the world live under a government that is oppressive and unwilling to listen to its people. Many counties control the religion and beliefs of their people. Freedom of speech and religion are not rights of their citizens, it is only a dream for them.

The campaigns run by both presidential candidates have been ugly, both men have shown the toughness and determination that is required of a leader and both men have shown how human and fallible they both are.

Today one of these men will win the election and they will have an enormous task set before them. Not only to fix many problems within our government, but to begin to bring about some kind of healing and reconciliation between the people of this
wonderful country.

We must pledge to pray to support the President and the leaders in Government, who ever they are, they will need our prayers and support over the next 4 years.

I believe that our country can be a strong , fruitful, powerful, loving country, but only if all the people can answer some tough questions and think long and hard about the answer they give.

What do you want your country to be?

Before you answer that question you may want to think about what you can do to bring about this country you desire. What are you willing to do to see things change or stay the same.

Will you be like Peter, when faced with the fear of the cost of your choice, will you change your answer and run away and hide.

Most importantly have you prayed and fasted concerning your choice?

God bless you all on this great day and God bless America!

Now Get out and VOTE!!!!

Ps Stephen Alexander

Walking with Jesus

2008-10-16T13:10:00.000-07:00

Prayer and Fasting, more prayer and more fasting.

It is amazing how some things never change and how we deal with the same subjects at very different times in our lives and in history.

When Jesus was facing something big he always did one of two things. He Prayed for guidance and he Fasted. Many times he did both. Jesus knew his Father had all the answers and prayer is our communications hotline to God. Fasting takes our focus off ourselves and puts it on God the Father. There is something about physical hunger that puts us in touch with our need for spiritual nourishment.

1 Corinthians 2:9 says it well, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"[b]— 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
We have no idea how big God is, BUT we can get a picture of Gods plan through spiritual connections, PRAYER!

Our focus can not be in two places at the same time, you must choose to either focus on your needs or Gods heart

The apostle Peter has taken a beating from most religious pundits for jumping out of a perfectly good boat and then sinking in front of Jesus and his friends. (Matthew 14:28 )

I only wish we all could have the excitement and faith that Peter had.
Not only did Peter love Jesus but he wanted to be just like him, he would do what ever Jesus asked and not question his every request. Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and said Lord call me out to you. Peter wanted Jesus to empower him and Peter walked on the water with Jesus. Only when Peter was distracted by the howling wind and crashing waves did Peter take his focus off Jesus and he did begin to sink, but Jesus was there for him. Jesus stretched out his hand and lifted Peter up and they both walk on the water back to the boat.

I would like to be the guy who took the chance, to have faith in God to walk hand in hand and sink, is far better then to just play it safe and stay on a sinking ship.

It is time we started walking on water, or at least try.
God has called each of us to join him on an incredible journey; it is up to us to take the first step towards him. God is calling, will you answer.

I hope you find time to pray and fast this week. Find a quiet place and spend some time with God. It will bring you places you could only dream of.

Have an awesome week.

Ps. Stephen Alexander

Raising your level of Faith

2008-10-01T06:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, these past few weeks have been very exciting. A little too exciting for many, the fun is only going to get wilder, with a Presidential election (If this one doesn’t get you praying nothing will) and then the Holidays right behind that. We are in for a couple of crazy months.

The numbers we have been presented with hardly seem real, 700 Billion that’s a big number. I can’t imagine how many people will be affected by this enormous amount
of money.

Possibly some good will come out of this whole debauchery, at least one good thing. People will begin to question the way things are done and maybe they will challenge the status quo.

We can look back at history and think that things were better at one time then they are today, but in reality it only seems better because we know how things turned out.

( From John 11 )

Jesus was visiting a town not far from Bethany, when a message was sent to him that his friend Lazarus was very sick and near death. You would have expected Jesus to head straight to his friends side and pray for Lazarus and heal him, but Jesus doesn’t move.

For two more days Jesus continues to minister to people, praying for them and healing them. Then he announces to his disciples that they are headed back to see Lazarus.

Lazarus had been dead for days by time he arrived back in town to see the family, everyone was upset, Martha challenged Jesus as to why he delayed. Martha knew who Jesus was and believed that had he been there her brother would still be alive.

Martha had an incredible faith, but Jesus was challenging their thinking.

Lazarus is dead!

Not only was he dead but he had been in the tomb for a couple of days. Jesus was very sad and wept at the death of a friend he loved and cared deeply for.

When all hope was lost and all had given up on Lazarus Jesus speaks and raises him from the dead, He speaks life back into Lazarus.

Lazarus is alive!

John 12:24

24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Think of this story in relation to your own life. We pray the message reaches God and then God responds, not always the way we would like and usually it requires faith on our part to see our prayers answered.

God gives us a vision and passion for his Kingdom and the plans he has for us, but then we must be prepared to die for these things to really grow. Everyone will be challenged in their faith and relationship with God. Your closest friends and family will not understand what you are doing when you choose to follow God. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

God wants to grow within you amazing gifts and ministries, but the old nature must die. Don’t look back when things get tough, press on for the prize is ahead of you. Put your faith and trust in God, it’s ok if you don’t understand, most of the time we don’t understand what God is doing, but we do understand WHO God is in our lives.

Shut off the TV and computer; stop listening to CNN, NBC and FOX and start listening to GOD.

We are rich because we have an awesome Father in heaven who will shower us with every gift and blessing if we just ask in faith.

Have an awesome week

Ps Stephen Alexander.

Expecting God?

2008-09-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

The bible is full of amazing illustrations of mighty men and women of God doing all sorts of incredible things. The dead are raised to live again, Lepers bodies are made whole again, the blind are given sight, the deaf are able to hear. Mighty raging rivers are piled up and stopped by the word of God. Powerful trained army’s are defeated by a worship teams music.
One of the most unbelievable stories can be found in Mark chapter 6 vs. 4-6

4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus visits his own hometown and no one can see past what they thought Jesus was, a carpenter, a blue collar worker. For the people that knew Jesus earlier in his life they couldn’t believe he was the Messiah.
We can read this scripture today and say “Wow what a bunch of idiots!” What a blown opportunity to have Jesus walk into their lives and then just blow him off as a wack-o!

We all have been in the position of choosing between trusting God for something and relying in our own strength.

I have seen the power of expectation, it is the difference between the status quo and a life changing day.

Imagine what your life would be like if every day you woke up and expected God to do something amazing in your world.

Imagine what your life would be like if every day you woke up and expected to do something amazing in another persons world.
( a friend, a family member, a co worker )

Imagine what your life would be like if next week you expected God to impact your life through the message that was spoken at church.

Imagine what your world would be like if you took the responsibility for you life and placed your trust in God for every aspect of your life.

God is waiting for us to seek Him, to call on Him, to expect Him to speak to us.
The wait is over, cry out to God, open your heart, seek Him today and He will answer you as you have faith in Him your faith will grow.

Raise your expectations, God is BIG he can handle what ever your need is.

Ephesians 3:16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Have an awesome week,
Ps Stephen Alexander

A couple of quick updates below!

You can now sign up as a “Follower” of MANA, this is a great new feature from Blogger that will help us track who is reading our blog and where they come from. Please take a minute and sign up now -------------------------->

On our website at www.C3RAL.com we NOW have an ability to receive online giving and Tithes. Please take sometime and prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with us as we build the church in Raleigh. All donations are tax deductible and we will keep all our partners updated monthly on the progress of the church and our Ministry to the community.

Simply visit the website, click on Donate and you will be taken to a secure PAYPAL website.
We are still working on other online features as well as new music downloads for FREE, and all the latest news about Christian City Church.

Thank you all again for all the prayer warriors out there lifting us up and covering us in prayer.

Be Blessed!

A New Name

2008-08-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

The spoken and written WORD can be a powerful thing. The concept that words can’t hurt you is a poor attempt to comfort school children being harassed by a bully, but the fact is that as we grow and live life we learn that indeed, words can hurt.
Words can also be a powerful motivating vehicle; words can deliver healing and proclaim liberty to a lost and dying world.

With all the Blogs and websites and Cable and Satellite TV words are now everywhere and in large supply

Even more powerful then a word is a Name! A name in it self is a declaration and a statement about who someone is. In many cultures it is better to die then to bring shame to the Family name.
Some famous names that may come to mind might be Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Kennedy, Gates, Gandhi, Jobs, IBM, Chevy.

How about Peter or Abraham or Joshua?

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

For many of us the world has given us a name that we live our lives by, names like faithless and failure or hopeless and small. We see ourselves through the eyes of the world and we are defeated and lost, without power to see God and a future.

However God, your heavenly Father has given you a new name, a Holy name, one of Power and Purpose. Your life and everything around you is transformed when you connect with God!
God has a new name for you, a name of wonder and success.

Spend time with God this week, it is a new month, the kids are back in school, vacations are winding up, new opportunities are before you. Find out what your real name is, the name God has given you, it will change your life!

Have an awesome week!

If you enjoy this blog then consider joining us on Thursdays at 7:30 pm at our house.
We are located in Raleigh NC in the Wakefield Plantations Community.
12613 Honeychurch St.

Talk to you soon.
Ps. Stephen Alexander

New Vision

2008-08-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

I, like many of you have spent the past few days watching the Olympics.
It amazes me that your life can be defined by a single choice that you make, or what you do when you are only 16 years old. That is exactly what is happening for many of the athletes competing in this years Olympics. If they win a gold metal or set a world record, they will be transformed into instant superstars.

This accomplishment comes at an enormous price to all of them, they did not simply wake up one day and say, “I think I’ll go to the Olympics and be the best.” Getting to the Olympics as one of the worlds best athletes cost them their lives, it cost them friends and it required them to make a choice between a normal life and an extraordinary life.
They must see the world different from how others view the world and they must believe that they will succeed.

In the 13th Chapter of Numbers, Moses has sent 12 men into the land that God had promised them, the idea was simple, see what is ahead of us.
Verses 26 – 33 tells of their report to Moses and the people.
10 men returned and said, yes there is enormous fruit and fertile land, BUT the people there are huge and they will kill us all. We can’t do it!!!

2 men, Joshua and Caleb returned a different report. They said yes, big fruit, fertile land and yes the people there are big, but we will take the land that our God has promised us!!! We can do it!!!

We all will face challenges in our lives, everyday we can choose to see through the eyes of doubt and fear and that will lead to failure. However if we choose to see through the eyes of Gods promises and we see with the eyes of hope and faith, then nothing will be to big and nothing will be impossible for you.

Because Joshua and Caleb believed God and His promise to them, they lived to walk in that truth. If you are believing for something from God, don’t be discouraged if it is taking longer then you would like. Joshua waited 40 years in the desert, but then at the appointed time God delivered them and all of Israel into their Promised Land.

Believe God for what he has promised you, and begin to walk through your life as a child of God. You are a child of God, you are not an orphan, you have not been abandoned. You have been adopted into the family of the King of Kings.

Dream Bigger, Believe Bigger and Live Bigger!

Have an awesome week, talk again soon,

Ps. Stephen Alexander

check out our new website www.c3ral.com

Plans change

2008-07-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

We never plan to fail, we simply fail to plan.

I have always admired the planners of the world, I mean the folks out there that think things all the way through.
(They write their Tithe check out before they get to church)
I on the other hand am more like the guy that wants to build a house on the beach, I mean right on the beach. I know the possibilities of a storm wiping it out are pretty good. The idea of hearing the waves as they crash on the beach every night as I go to sleep is so tempting, I don't want to think about the possible problems with my plan.

We as a culture are always running after something and we are afraid to stop running. We think if we stop we wont be able to start again or we might miss something. It is the energy, the buzz we crave as much as any actual accomplishments.

Jeremiah 29:11 — "For I know the plans I have for you" Declares the Lord "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you Hope and a Future."!

More people then ever, if asked what they want to do with their lives, will say, "I don't know".
In this incredible time in history, when anything we could want to know about, can be found at the click of a mouse. It would seam that we know less than ever about ourselves.
Jeremiah brings a message of hope to a lost and dying people. The nation of Israel could not be more lost and without direction. Their king stopped following God. Not only wasn't he following God and seeking Gods direction for the future of the nation, but also he had put up monuments to worship other gods.

God has a plan for us, from beginning to end; from before we were born till after we die, God has a plan.

Ephesians 1:4 says “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be Holy an blameless in His sight."

God is the greatest planner of all times, if you feel lost or without direction, ask God to help you find your way. He will light your path and he will always point to the truth. Bring your questions, your problems and your needs to God and let Him have them. He can handle it, he is a big God. You will find your questions answered, your problems worked out and your needs met and beyond that you will find out that God has a wonderful plan for your life.

Have an awesome week,
Talk to you soon
Ps Stephen Alexander

To Be or Not To Be

2008-07-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet “To Be or Not To Be”?

These are words of passion and anguish, words of pain and suffering and yet they are words of love.

Throughout our lives we all have one thing in common, no matter whom you are, no matter where you live or how much money you make, we all wake up each morning and make a choice. To be or not to be, all that God has called us to be.

In 1776 a couple dozen men woke up and said “We declare our independence” a powerful statement and one that cost many men and women their lives, this one choice changed the world forever.

Somewhere around 2000 BC a man named Abram made a decision to follow God and a Nation was born. He said, “As for me and my house, we shall Worship the Lord God”.

On September 1st. 1939 Germany invaded Poland a decision that would lead to a World War, Tens of thousands of people would die because of this one decision.

You are surrounded by choices, Cable or Satellite, Coffee or Tea, Mayo or Mustard, Jesus or Self.

The biggest reason we shy away from answering big, life changing questions is we don’t want to count the cost. For every decision we make there is always a cost.

The cost for following God is everything!

Only when we realize that all we have is because of Gods endless grace and love for us; only then are we able to give it all to Him. Then an amazing thing happens, God gives it back to us and he multiplies our lives times eternity.

This week you will face many decisions, some easy, some tough, make God a partner in those tough decisions and watch where He takes you, you may be amazed.

In 1993 my wife and I walked into Christian City Church, Long Island with three of our children (Elizabeth was not yet born) and began an incredible journey that has brought us unimaginable joy and also some very difficult challenges. I know that our lives are blessed and full of hope and faith because of our joining our lives with the vision of Faith filled men and women we have worked along side all these years. Men and Women like Phil Pringle, Mark Kelsey, Pam Borrow, Bill Clemens, Dean Sweetmen, Simon McIntyre and Stephen Hickson are all unbelievable, powerful workers in Gods Kingdom, not because they are Superman, but because they are ordinary people that woke up one morning and made a decision to Serve God with all of their hearts for the rest of there lives. They have counted the cost and are willing to pay with their lives.

It is with enormous excitement that I announce (declare) that My Family and I are planting, Christian City Church, RALEIGH, NC.
We will hold our first service on July 24th @ 7pm (Thursday).

We will be holding meetings in our Home for the first couple of weeks, as we grow we will be moving into a bigger space just down the road.
We are located just off Capital Blvd. within Wakefield Plantation.

Our address is 12613 Honeychurch St. Raleigh, NC 27614
You can Google our address for directions.

If you are living in the Triangle area and are looking for an exciting, powerful, relevant church stop by and check us out. Bring a friend with you.
If you know anyone who lives in the area, let him or her know we are here.
Get the word out. Tell EVERYONE!!!!!

We are on Youtube at
www.youtube.com/c3raleigh
Our website will be up in a couple of days, I’ll keep you posted as that comes online.
You will be able to find all the service details on there as well as events and music, videos and blogs like MANA, which will be hosted on C3Raleigh’s website.

If you enjoy MANA I would simply ask for your prayers as we charge into this new season in God.
We need everything and yet nothing will help enough if God is not the absolute focus of everything we do.
Pray for a gathering, for God to gather people, all kinds of people.

Thank you all for your support and prayers.
Have an awesome week,
Talk soon

Ps Stephen Alexander

Let go of the Railing

2008-06-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

In the year 1900 a dream was born, and it was a grand dream, unlike anything before it.
The White Star line commissioned the construction of two luxury liners far larger and grander then anything else on the sea. Both ships were built simultaneously, right beside each other, both would be famous and both now rest at the bottom of the ocean.

The two ships are the Titanic and the Olympia.
We have all seen the movie and we know the song, the Titanic is a bigger then life story about the perils of pride and ignorance.
The Titanic cost 7.5 million dollars in 1912, that is a lot of money and still substandard rivets and faulty steel plating were used.
The design of the Titanic was state of the art, and still it sank.
No expense was spared on this ship and in the end the seat that everyone wanted was on a life boat that cost $200.

Sometimes we see something and it looks awesome, it is wonderful and grand but the truth is if you buy into that thing it will kill you.

Money is a funny thing, and Jesus talks about it throughout his ministry. There is nothing wrong with money, I’ll take all I can get, but you must be the master of money. You can never let money be your master of it will kill you, you will chase after it and every time you get your hand on a bunch of money, it will be gone.

Jesus said it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:24

Money is the currency of the earth, but faith is the currency of God.

Sometimes you have to look past the logical, because the facts are not the truth. Truth is often difficult to find and doesn’t always make sense.

Tithing does not make mathematical or financial sense
If you give God 10% of all you earn, how do you end up with more money than you started with. Tithing is about letting go of your control and having your faith built as you trust in God to provide for you in a supernatural way. Until you learn to let go of things you are subject to their power but when you let go you are free to live a powerful faith filled live.

Anyone on the Titanic that didn’t want to leave the false safety of the BIG ship, that didn't let go of the railing and get in the Lifeboat, they drown. Those that let go and even lept off the side of the sinking mamouth into the icy water and swam to the lifeboats, they were saved.

Let go of the fears and powers that are holding you back from living a powerful, fruitful life in God. Put your trust in Him and he will lift you up and protect you.

Have an awesome week,
Talk to you soon.

Steve A

Beautiful you

2008-06-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

Life is Beautiful!

What is beautiful?
Is it a painting by one of the great artists, like Michelangelo?
Maybe it is a summer sunrise over the oceans in Hawaii?
How about a single delicate flower blossom in the middle of a desert?
Is it the way a mother cares for her newborn baby?
Is the Gospel beautiful?
Is God beautiful?
Is the Sacrifice of God bloodied and shredded and hung on a cross, is that beautiful?

Listening to most of Christian radio and watching Christian TV you would think that God expects us to get ourselves cleaned up and straightened out before we could ever come before Him. That could not be further from the truth

If you have children and have had the blessing of being part of a birth then you will understand that beauty is often not what we would expect, if you have not seen a birth I’ll explain.
Birth is nothing like you see on TV, even the “real birth Shows” don’t do it justice.

Birthing is messy, it is bloody and can be loud. It has the potential to be very scary, very inconvenient, emotions run wild. Birth is painful and requires an enormous amount of energy.
Birth is not for the weak of heart.
Birth is Beautiful!

You have been birthed by God.
Before the foundations of the earth were considered, before God hovered over the great abyss that would become the earth, He thought of you, everything about you, your hair color, your skin color, how tall you would be, what gifts He would give you, who your parents would be, everything about you.
You are part of His plans for mankind.

God knew you before sin had entered the world.

He made us to live in a perfect world, to walk and talk with Him everyday in an intimate relationship.

That opportunity is still available to us.
Reach out to God and know He made you and He loves you. Walk with Him and Talk with Him as thought you were in the Garden with Him today

Life is messy and bloody and it can be painful, at times the world can get loud and try to drown out the voice of God. There will be inconveniences and scary moments, But God will be there with you and He will get you through anything that you come up against if you hold onto Him, trust in Him and put your faith in HIM. You will see all that mess; blood and pain turn into a beautiful relationship with God

Life is Beautiful.
You are Beautiful.
God is Beautiful!

Ephesians 1:
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Have a beautiful week, talk to you soon

A Gift for you.

2008-06-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

FOCUS

FOCUS!

FOCUS!!

If it was only that easy.

If every one who followed Christ with a bit of passion and determination would focus on the task at hand, the entire world would be transformed into a planet full of Christ followers in a matter of months.

The Whole Earth!! ……WOW!!!

So why after 2008 years of Ministry Team building, Church Building programs and Stirring preaching are we (Christ followers) still battling to convert and awaken the occupants of the Earth to the truth and power of our God.

Paul has revealed the simple answer to this simple question in his first writing to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 3:6 (The Message)
5-9Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working.

Most people struggle with the gifts they are given, they either don’t see them as gifts or they misunderstand the gifts they have and dismiss them as insignificant.
For example compassion is a powerful gift, it is a quiet gift and is often over looked; however without compassion there is no salvation. It is because of Gods compassion and grace that we are saved.
Ephesians 2
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

So, how powerful is compassion, when balanced with the wisdom of the spirit of God it is as important and powerful as any gift.

For a moment think about the job of a parent. A parent must perform many jobs and do all of them well. It is impossible to do everything “the best”, yet as a parent we must try our best to do our best.
God doesn’t ask us to be gifted at everything; He empowers us with a few gifts for a specific purpose.
Your children and family are your first mission field. They should be your first priority, and then go out into the world, the work place and your school.

Think about the impact you can have on people around you once you discover your gifts and start working in them as true spiritual gifts, not just as something you are good at.
Cultivate your gift, meet with a trusted leader of you church and see how you can fully apply your gifts in the work of ministry.

Compassion is just one of many gifts, they are all important and all are vital to the work of the Kingdom of God. Discover your gift and move in it!

Finally I want to encourage you with the words that God spoke to Joshua just before and again right after Moses died. These words are as powerful and relative today as the first time they were spoken. Take them and make them yours.

Joshua 1 (New International Version)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Focus on your Gifts and use then for the work of the Kingdom of God.

Be Blessed,
Talk again soon

Steve

Is love blind ?

2008-05-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Is love blind ?

I ask this in the nicest possible way of course.
Think about it, when you first fell in love with that special someone, didn’t you want to tell everyone?
Did you show everyone their picture and tell the whole world about the wonder of all they are?
I bet you wanted to spend every moment with them. When you were away from them you couldn’t stop thinking about them.

When we are in Love we have endless energy, we are happy, full of joy. Things that normally drive us crazy seem to be less bothersome.

The people who are written about throughout the Bible share one thing in common. They are in Love with their God and have an unquenchable passion and thirst for His presence in their lives. The knowledge that God loves them even more than they could even love Him is what gets these men through the challenges they face throughout their live.

No one in their right mind would endure half of the pain and torment that Moses and Joshua went through. Peter and Paul were both murdered, Stephen was beheaded.

Everyone will face challenges in their life, some will be bigger then others. Difficult times do not mean that God is not with you. Usually it is quite the opposite. God brings us through a challenge to transform us into the Men and Women of God we need to be, to accomplish the purpose He has for us.

Fall in love with God, dive right in to His presence, read His word and drink of His spirit and watch how God transforms you into a new person.

You are called to a great purpose!

Deuteronomy 6:5
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Have an awesome week, talk to you soon.

Keep it Simple

2008-04-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

Keep it Simple!

Easy to say, but not so easy to do.

Life is so busy, it’s not just now, suddenly that things are busy. Life has been busy for a while. It’s true that the modern man has more things to distract him, but really it boils down to the decisions that we make.

Everyday decisions that seem so mundane are actually having life long and life shortening effects on us.

From the moment we wake we are setting up our future, with every choice we make.

Should I get up 15 minutes early and spend a couple of minutes praying about my day ahead? Or should I sleep in a little later and rush around trying to get ready.

Should I eat a healthy breakfast? Or should I eat one of those 1000 calorie muffins from Crispy Cream ( Yes I know they taste good.) … ( But you know they kill you the rest of the day.)

When your children or friends are sick, do you reach for the Tylenol, or do you reach out your hands and pray for them?

When you are asked about your faith, do you tell people how you really feel about God, or do you shy away from the conversation?

I spent about 2 weeks out of this past month on my back with the Flu and a nasty stomach virus. It is amazing how simple things can get when we are forced to slow down and take it easy.

There is nothing that God has planned for you that you will miss out on.

But their will absolutely be a time in your life that you will question God and wonder if he has forgotten you. You will be sure that you should be doing something or should be somewhere, and you will not be happy.
These are the most important moments to remember to simply trust God.

In the book of Daniel, Daniel is walking along with some friends and is probably wondering if God has forgotten him. Daniel has been praying about something big and has gotten no answer from God. Suddenly a man appears in front of Daniel and his friends. Daniels friends don’t see the man, but Daniel does.

Daniel’s heart and mind were set on seeing an answer from God, even though the circumstances around him said God had not heard his prayer and that he was seeing things, his heart told him to continue to believe for an answer from God and that, yes indeed there was a Man standing in front of him and his friends.

Having faith is not about blindly expecting things from God, simply because you want something and can’t figure out how to get it on your own. God is not a magic genie.

Faith is the belief in a truth. Faith comes and grows when we see God move in our lives and in the lives of those around us. It starts small and grows according to how much it is exercised.

Trust God with something small and see how simple life can get when you say, God I trust you with this “thing”. I can’t do it without you. Help me grow my faith in you.

Then trust God, Pray and read the Bible.

Have an Outstanding week!
Talk again soon.

Steve

Creating Atmosphere

2008-02-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

Last time I wrote to you I started to touch on the subject of “Atmosphere”. Today I want to dive a little further into this idea of creating Atmosphere.

It is a good idea for you to go back and read the previous message (Jan 28th) if you have not done so already, to better understand what this message is all about.

1 Corinthians Chapter 2:
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

The Apostle Paul writes in his first letter to the Church in Corinth that he knows nothing except Jesus Christ.

Paul knew that he had to set a strong message right up front, “It is all about Jesus!”
Nothing else matters because all things are subject to the authority and power of God.

Creating Atmosphere is really all about you cultivating your relationship with God. Spending personal time in prayer and worship are spiritual food and supernatural steroids to the Christian life. Your relationship with God will develop and your world and everyone you influence will be blessed because of your pushing into God.

Equally important is the removal of the walls and dividers in your life. Look at it this way, from this point forward you are always in church. No matter if you are at work or at home or at a ballgame. You carry the spirit of God with you where ever you go.

You are the church!

Everywhere you go people will know something is different about you, they will be attracted to the Atmosphere that you create because you will be dripping with the spirit of God.

Remember Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it, so that should be our goal as well.

Lets stop here this week and let’s try something, and let’s make it attainable. This week commit to spending 3 minutes of uninterrupted prayer time. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted and talk to God. Open your heart, pray in the spirit, get excited about all that God is doing in your life, just go for it .
For some of you it will seem like a very small amount of time, that’s OK if you want to spend more time, go for it, BUT for everyone else lets just try for 3 minutes.
Your life will never be the same, your marriage will be better, your family will be stronger, your job will be more rewarding.

While you're praying ask God to fill you with His spirit to overflowing and then let God loose in your world.

Have an awesome week and we will talk again soon.

Be Blessed,
Steve

Atmosphere

2008-01-28T20:05:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year to all, hope your Christmas and New Years were wonderful and that this year is the beginning of an incredible adventure in your relationship with God.
We live in an incredible time in history and in an amazing place to see all that God is doing all around us.
One of the greatest gifts I have ever been given has been the privilege of being part of an amazing church on Long Island NY. What made this church so special for me was the constant visits from men and women of God from all over the globe. On average we would have a guest speaker every two months, many were from places you would not go even if you were paid a lot of money
The interesting part was that everyone who spoke had amazing stories about what God was doing all over the world, not just in Greenlawn NY. My worldview and my God view was shifted and enlarged. It is hard to be unhappy with your house and the car you drive when you hear stories of teenagers in Africa who walk for two hours to go to a bible study. The world starts to look different and inevitably so does God.
So very much of our lives are viewed from a very narrow window, everybody wants to believe that they are aware of all that is going on around them, but only the truly wise know that we are living life, spiritual life that is as though we are blindfolded.

1 Corinthians 1:18
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

There can be little debate that our natural mind and our spiritual life are at odds. Most of the everyday things we worry about are of little consequence to our spiritual calling. We are always looking for God and His call and purpose for our lives and it seams like the harder we look the more elusive God is.
There is never just one thing we need to know or understand about God.
There is however one thing that makes an enormous difference not only in how you see the world but how the world views you; Atmosphere.

Take the finest seed the most fertile soil and the purest water, put them together in Napa CA. In April and in a couple of months you will have an incredible harvest. Take the same seed, soil and water and bring them together on Mars and you get nothing, the atmosphere simply can not sustain life.
We fight through life and try to bring life to a lost world within a caustic atmosphere and don’t understand why there is no harvest. We have to create an atmosphere of God, a place where people breathe in the breath of the Spirit of God in a positive loving environment.
Create an Atmosphere of heaven around your life and watch how your world changes, lives are healed, chains are broken and devils flee.

Think about this; corporations spend billions of dollars to create a certain atmosphere in stores and places of business to make you spend more money and be more productive. Sounds, smells, colors are all used to influence you and create the illusion of an atmosphere; this causes you to think or feel a certain way.

Begin today; you can change the world around you.
Next month we’ll talk more about how to create a godly atmosphere that is in touch with the world today.

Have an awesome week,
Talk to you soon.

Gift Ideas

2007-12-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

Do you remember when you were 5 years old, how about 6 or 7? I don’t mean every detail, but maybe some special memories you still carry with you today. For some of you that was a long time ago, for others maybe not as long ago. What ever the case we all have something from our past that we still carry with us today, a memory that has stayed with us and has effected our lives in a positive and profound way.

This is the time of year when we remember those days when we were all much younger, full of hope and expectation. We believed what we were told and expected everthing our parents told us to be truth and absolute. .

On November 23 Americans spent $ 8.96 Billion. In one day folks flooded the stores, malls and internet sites and spent more money on gifts then many countries have budgeted for an entire year of operation. .

Many of the hot items on the “Must Have List” are elusive and expensive, Apples I Phone and I POD Touch are flying out of Apple stores, HDTV’s are moving like they were being given away. New video games and DVD’s are a big hit as well. WOW $8.96 Billion is a big number and yet if you quadrupled that number you still would not come close to putting a smile on every childs face this December 25th. .

After walking with Jesus for nearly 3 yrs the disciples still struggled to understand what Jesus was saying and what he was doing. In Matthew 19: 13-15. Jesus is brought a group of children to pray for and lay hands on. His disciples were upset with the children being there, they wanted to have the children taken away so Jesus would not be bothered by them. They started to yell at the adults who brought them, when Jesus sees what is going on He tells His disciples to bring the children closer and He prays for them all and lays hands on them. Then Jesus sort of rebukes His disciples and tells them that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little ones, just like the children they were turning away from Him.

This Christmas give your children the hottest, most expensive gift ever given, bring your children to Jesus, introduce them. Don’t worry about what anyone else has to say. Talking to your children and friends about Jesus and your relationship with Him is the greatest gift you can give them and they will remember your gift to them for the rest of their lives.

It will change their lives and it will change your life.

If your brave enough to go into the mall the day after Thanksgiving you are brave enough to talk about God with Family and Friends.

Have an awesome Holiday

Tomatoes

2007-11-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

The joy of watching something grow is not appreciated by many people. You are not likely to see lines of people outside the botanical gardens waiting to see flowers bloom or grass grow.
Most people associate waiting with boredom and inconvenience, there are even socially acceptable amounts of time to wait for people, depending on the situation.

As a very young boy I spent countless days with my Grandfather in a small backyard in Elmhurst, NY tending to a garden of Green and Red Peppers, Eggplant and Tomatoes. My Grandfather was Sicilian, raised during the depression by very strict parents, he had a difficult life. Nothing was given to him, what he had he earned, one way or another. The garden was a bit of a sanctuary for him, a place to relax and laugh.
It was not till I was much older that I realized how special my relationship with my Grandfather was.
In that small garden, all I ever wanted to do was what my Grandfather was doing. He would tell me not to touch the plants, but I would see him snipping and staking and I would try to help. I thought he was growing tomatoes, I realize now he was growing a grandson. I thought he was tending to the plants, but he was tending to the delicate task of raising a grandson.
My grandfather was a regular guy, but in that regular guy I saw God for the first time. I saw patience and I experienced the love of a Father.

You are God to someone in your world.
You have a divine purpose.
If you have any doubt about how God sees you, read the first chapter of Ephesians.
The most important job on the planet is not being the President, a CEO of a large company or even a King.
The most important job is being a parent.
To take the responsibility for the life of another is an awesome thing and the most honorable.
Look around your world and see all the broken lives; you can make a difference in someone’s life. Maybe it is your Son or Daughter or maybe a complete stranger.
Grow something.
Have an awesome weekend!!
Steve

Hidden Treasure

2007-11-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that following God is not at all what it first appears to be? Walking with God is not the kind of thing a sprinter would find appealing, although at first it seems like a sprint is all that is required to keep up with God.

Walking with God is more like training for a triathlon. (It should be called training with God)

It is an undertaking that few would ever enter into if they knew beforehand all that would be required of them in order to reach the finish line.

Training for a triathlon is grueling and you never really feel like you're ready. If you do feel like you are ready then for sure you are not! Running, Swimming and Biking at this level of intensity is something that could consume every moment of your life. Pushing your body to the point of exhaustion, not to mention the time away from your family.

Walking with God is much the same. You can never find enough time to pray, fasting is no fun and there is always something else you could be doing. Our focus MUST be on the prize at all times. If we doubt the success of our race we will fail!

During a triathlon, water stations are set up along the race route, and along our walk with God there are strategically positioned treasures. The difference here is these treasures are hidden from us, they're for us to discover as we travel with God.

Our relationship with God and our current posture towards Him at certain times in our life will cause us to Dig for these treasures. It is most likely that you will find the greatest treasures in places you thought you had looked before, and usually in places you would rather not be digging, Today, this time, you are looking for a different reason.

In most cases, it is a trial that gets us to dig deeper and with a greater passion. We arrive at a point where we no longer care about what others think; we don’t care how we look digging up our front yard. Our focus is completely on finding what God has prepared for us to discover.

Stress, Pain, Anguish and complete loss of self, are all positions that few people ever want to experience and yet, they are the very places where ordinary men and women of God grow into extraordinary, powerful, faith filled disciples of God.
A place where our understanding of who God is grows to a new level.
Who we are in God becomes clearer.
The plans of God are revealed,
Revelation is birthed.
Most importantly it is where we discover how awesome Our God truly is!

It is in our darkest days that Gods light shines its brightest, we just have to have our eyes open to see Him.

Matthew 13:43-45 (NIV)
43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.

Pace yourself for the long race and finish strong with your eyes fixed on the Prize.

You are Special

2007-11-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that all the mentally imbalanced individuals populating the mental health institutions throughout the world think they are God or the devil, some say they have super powers. Some of these poor folks think they can fly or have superman like strength. None ever think they are the Milkman or the Garbage man or how about a Farmer?

It seems interesting that Jesus calls the people that make up the church, “a body”. He said some are like Ears some are like Eyes, some like Arms, Legs or Feet, and He goes on to explain how important each part is, and how vital it is that all the parts do their part. Jesus explained how all the parts need each other and that no one part is more important than any other

Everyone who will read this has had some point in their life when they have wished to be someone else, or at least possess what someone else had. We see others in a way that is different from the way we see ourselves. We look at others and we ask God why others have what we want. Instead we need to ask God to show us all that He has given us. If we spend all our time looking at others how can we ever see ourselves for who we really are?

If you ask the people you admire, how they do the things that you admire them for, most of them will not think much of the things they do well.

God is an amazing God, always creating new things. Power beyond our comprehension, Omnipresent and Omnipotent, The Beginning and the End! The list goes on, so is it safe to say that He knows what he is doing and that He doesn’t make mistakes.

The Bible says God breathe life into us; we are not some cosmic accident.
You and I are created with purpose, a very special purpose. We have been given a task and who we are is the perfect match for what God expects of us. No one else can do what you do the way you do it, you are special and unique.

Ephesians 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

You are an awesome creation of the most Incredible God.

This weekend call a friend and ask them what you do best, and what makes you special. I am sure you will be surprised by all the nice things people will have to say. Perhaps God will use some of your friends and family to open your eyes to His blessing in your life.

Have a great week and I’ll see you soon.

Be Blessed,

Steve

Keys

2007-10-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

Have you ever forgotten your keys?
You’re on your way home or to your car and you have a strange feeling. A little voice inside your head says something like; “Hey are you missing something?” You don’t want to hear this thought so you ignore it and hope it goes away. Moments later you arrive home or to your car and you are left standing outside unable to enter. That feeling was right, you forgot your keys.
Funny though, you are not suddenly without your keys, you have been without them all day long. However, you are suddenly aware of your loss and the consequence of that loss is now very apparent.

This is the same with our relationship with God. There are Keys to our relationship with God. Keys that open doors to our understanding of our purpose in God and the development of our relationship to Him.
The best part of these Keys is they will work for ANYONE who takes a hold of them, and uses them. So, if you are Super Mega-Church Pastor, or you just heard the name Jesus for the first time today, these Keys will work for you if you apply them.

Four Simple Keys:

1) Prayer – You must Pray to God. It is our life line to God. The Bible tells us that God's people will know Him by His voice. How can we know Gods voice if we don't talk to Him on a regular basis.
How often should you pray? It doesn't matter if it is 5 minutes or 1 hour, it makes no difference. This is a matter of quality over quantity. Pray from your heart, not with your mouth and you will be amazed by the result. Heaven will open over your life and God will step right into your life.

2) Word – Read your Bible, it is your user manual for life. The Bible is alive and active. The bible is spiritual food, feed on it daily and you will grow strong in your understanding of God and yourself. Read it, it's all good.

3) Faith – Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it’s impossible to please God.
Faith is spiritual exercise. Our bodies need to exercise if we want them to grow and perform at their greatest potential. Spiritually, we are confronted with challenges that seem impossible. If we exercise our faith it will grow. As we pray and move in obedience to the will of God our Faith grows, our revelation of the Greatness of God increases and gives birth to a greater Faith.

Our greatest challenge will be to get our heads out of the way to Believe God for bigger and better things.
Even with the smallest faith you can change the world.

4) Focus – This is a vital Key that magnifies the other keys. Focus is like a magnifing glass, it makes small things look bigger. If you use a magnifing glass to focus the power of the sun you can start a fire. If you focus your life on Praying, Reading the Word and Building Faith you will set the World on Fire!

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Four simple Keys, each open a new door in your Life long adventure of walking with God. Together these four keys can transport you to an amazing place with God.
Get your keys out! Get ready to enter into a new place in God.

Have an awesome week and I'll see you next week.

Who are you?

2007-10-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

WHO ARE YOU? IT IS A SIMPLE ENOUGH QUESTION.

Can you answer the question in one paragraph, how about one sentence?
It sounds like a simple question, but the fact is that everyday it becomes more of a mystery to the world around us.

Most folks when asked this question respond by telling you what they do for employment. Ex. I'm a Chef, a Realtor, a Banker, a Welder, others explain their role in the family, I'm a Dad, Mom, Grand Father...

Think for a second about the general message our society is broadcasting to us and our children.

In short the message is," Money can solve all your problems. "

OK , I know you're thinking about alot of other things you or your kids hear and see on TV and in the movies, but I am talking about the bottom line.

For example you may hear "You need to look a certain way", it's OK if you don't look that way, you can buy those clothes, that look or the Dentist can give you those white teeth and you can buy that cool new car or that big house.

Here is the interesting part, their is nothing wrong with money. Money is a form of currency, it could be gold or sugar or oil, just about anything people put a value on.

The problem is people are creating their self image and basing their self worth on how much money they have and that is a serious problem.
Money becomes the most important thing in their life, it becomes the answer to all their problems and in effect takes the place of God.
God needs to be the most important person in your life and your relationship with Him needs to be the most important relationship in your life. You should be looking to God for all your answers.

If you are the leader of your family, you need to shut off CNN and the TV and the computer and you need to hear from God.
Even more important then your relationship with your wife or husband and children. God should always be in between you and everything else.
God must be first!

Psalm 119: vs. 105 says "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

If we walk in the dark on a narrow path and we have our light behind us we are going to stumble and trip up and fall, because we will not see what is right in front of us, never mind what is coming at us from a distance.

Create a Spiritual Mirror to see yourself in.
A spiritual mirror is like an X-Ray, it sees through all the stuff on the outside and looks into your life, into your spirit to see what is going on, on the inside.

Proverbs 29:18a " Where there is no vision, the people perish";

We need to see the plans that God has for us. This should be our Vision.
God wants to bless your life. He wants you to prosper and succeed. He wants you to know how much He loves you. He wants you to know how awesome you are and all the wonders He has planned for your life. See your life through Gods eyes and you will see the power of God alive and working in your life. Then when you are asked , who are you? You can answer with confidence,

"I am a child of God!"

2007-10-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

Seasons of God

2007-10-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

The only one constant in our lives is change — someone clever.

The calendar has just flipped to a new month, and with the turning of the page some undeniable facts have come to our attention. Summer is over!
If you live in the North-western US it is probably snowing already, but down here in the South it is more of a subtle change. You need to get out early to really notice the change at first. The mornings have a wonderful freshness to them, just ever so cool. The nights seem to be arriving a little earlier everyday.

Autumn is a wonderful season, the leaves on the trees change to paint our countryside with the most amazing colors. The weather in general seems to be kinder (Hurricane season is almost over). Wonderful pleasant temperatures and clear skies make this an enjoyable time of year to get out and appreciate nature and all the wonders God has created.

Autumn is also a trigger for depression for many people, as it is the inevitable signal that winter is on it's way.

Instead of enjoying one of the most beautiful times of the year some folks are locking themselves in their homes worrying about something they can not change and have no control over. Winter is going to come!

Spiritually, each of us go through seasons in our own lives. Some seasons are short lived, while other seasons seem to last a long time.
Moses is a great example of a man dealing with the seasons of God in His life. The story of his life begins with an attempt on his life from hell, but God delivered him into the Palace of a king and protects him from evil. Just when Moses thought everything was wonderful he kills a man and runs off to spend years in the desert, but God was with him there and teaches him about the Man he is called to be. God sends him back to his old home to deliver the Nation of Israel, and before you know it he is back in the Desert again. This time he takes a few million people with him.

Moses spent most of his life in the desert with God. Because he was obedient to God and had a heart to serve God throughout his life, God used him and did amazing things through him.

Moses brought fire down from heaven, parted a sea, led millions of people to God and out of captivity, He was the voice of God to a Nation of people that thought God had forgotten them. Moses spoke to God face to face like no other man
since Adam.

You will go through seasons in your life when you feel like God is not as close as you would like Him to be. Remember God is always as close as your heart will allow Him.

1 Corinthians2:9-10 " No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who
Love Him — but God has revealed it through His Spirit".

Allow Gods Spirit to speak to you and see the transformation of the seasons of your life, as God reveals HIs plan and purpose for your life.

Be Blessed.

Survive or Thrive

2007-10-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

The average American consumes somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-1500 extra calories a day. We are getting nearly one-third of our calories from junk foods: soft drinks, sweets, desserts, alcoholic beverages, and salty snacks. That is a result of years of marketing, telling people that more is better. Why settle for a single cheese burger when you could have a double cheese burger and large fries and a large drink for only 50 cents more. Wow what a bargain!

The result is a fat America. Obesity is through the roof, childhood Diabetes is at an all time high in our youth and shows no sign of slowing down.

The other end of this is the increase in Anorexia in young women. The pressure to fit in and look a certain way drives many young women into a nightmarish life of eating and starving themselves.

Think about it, what if you only allowed yourself to eat once a week, and when you did eat, you ate a diet that filled your stomach but had no nutritional value. To make things worse you could only have one type of a drink, always the same flavor, over and over, never anything new.

Sound pretty bleak. Unless your body is fed a balanced and nutritional diet you are going to either get fat or sick. You may not die from this kind of diet, at least not right away but you will never be the healthy strong person you could be.

No one wants to live a life on the kinds of diets described above, so why is it OK to Spiritually feed ourselves in this manner.
Think about it, we go to church once a week, are you eating spiritually?

Are you starving by time you get to church, or are you starving yourself?

Has it been so long since you sat down and ate a spiritual meal that you are afraid to even try to ate again? Have you forgotten the taste of God?

Prayer is the doorway to your relationship with God.

1 Thessalonians 5: 17 says "Pray without stopping". God is never to busy to listen to you, he is always there waiting to hear you call out to Him. Their is no question he can not answer, their is nothing he can't help you with.

God is always ready for you. Right now He would love to hear from you. Why wait.

This week don't wait to be filled with the power and presence of God. Make God a daily part of your day and watch how your spiritual life flourishes.

The Holy Spirit nourishes us in a way that nothing else can. He is like a spiritual liquid, every day it is vital to our lives that we drink plenty of Spiritual liquid. Everything just works better.

Matt. 6:33 "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things will be added to our life."