Lighthouse Foursquare Church

My daily devotions are something that I love! I find strength for the day and hear God speak to me through his inspired word, the Bible. This morning my husband and I went to Starbucks before work to enjoy a time of devotions together. When we do devotions, we use the SOAP format: we read Scripture, write an Observation, Application & Prayer. Here’s my SOAP from this morning.

S: Psalm 105:4 says:

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually !”

O: As a kid, I remember one of my favorite games was Hide and Seek. The point of this game is that one person hides with the intention of NOT being found and the other person counts to 100 without peeking to allow the person to hide, and then begins an urgent and diligent search for the one that hid. This means opening cupboards, checking beneath beds and behind doors, in the closets…for the hidden one has to be found before the game is over. The one who is seeking to find the hidden person is doing so with all diligence.

Just as the kids seek and search for the hidden one, so also we ...

My SOAP from Saturday is below. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

S: John 17:15,18

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one…As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

O: This Jesus’ prayer to the Father regarding those who are his his current disciples and those who will believe upon Him vs20 . Just as there was purpose in Jesus coming to the world, through He was not of it…so also there is purpose in Him sending us into the world: to be His representatives, displaying His likeness, His love, His power and authority. He prays to the Father for us, not that we would be taken from the world to which He has sent us, but that God would keep us from the evil one while we are here. There is a real enemy of our souls; one that is in dominion over this world for now, and he desires to grasp onto us and snatch us from God that we would no longer be a threat to him. For our enemy knows that Jesus overcame ...

Early this week, as I was doing my daily devotions through the book of 1 Chronicles, I was struck with this insight and wanted to share. I will preface this by saying, that as I read, I was having a pretty difficult week, and therefore had a pretty down attitude. We’ve all been there: our week was going alright, and then something happens to make us really get off track. So we get down and start acting and feeling like “Eeyore”, we have the “Pooooor me” syndrome. In the midst of that place, the Lord reminded me of something through two passages of scripture: he reminded me that I need to trust in Him.

Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” - 1 Chronicles 19:13 ESV

Joab addresses his brother Abishai as they prepare to face a mighty army of men poised to destroy the people of God. Joab and his men are surrounded by thousands of men and over 32,000 chariots of war both in front and behind them , and are hopelessly overwhelmed, under-equipped, and outnumbered. Don’t ...

As I was in my quiet time with the Lord, I came upon this verse: Psalm 27:8. The psalmist David writes

You have said, ‘Seek my face.’

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My heart says to you, ’Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” ESV

Another translation says it this way:

My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’
And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’” NLT

This is the state of a heart that is open to God. Open to his great love, open to his mercy, open to his discipline, open to his refining, open to his shaping. This is the state that I desire for my heart at all times.

So often, we get inundated with the noise of life. For me, it’s things like twitter, facebook, emails, business, church, etc. I’ve noticed a trend lately: when I arise in the morning, I find myself checking my emails, facebook and twitter to see what I’ve missed. When I go to bed at night, again I am checking these applications to make sure I didn’t miss anything throughout the day. But God would say to me “Come and talk with me; ...

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
- 1 John 2:28-3:1a

This evening as I read through the above text for this Sunday’s message, I remembered an event that transpired just last week as Rebecca and I visited my parents down in Monterey. I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between the two, and was encouraged as I meditated on this passage.

We drove down to visit with my parents who were down in Monterey for a convention: my dad was working, and mom was just along for the ride. As we went, we ended up having lunch at a table with a bunch of men that are from the same hospital as my father. Specifically, they work for my father as he is their boss. As I sat at the table, I was perfectly comfortable ...

What a season we have had these past few months! God has been moving in the life of Lighthouse, and there are many good things to rejoice over. Good moments and victories, thanks to the Lord’s providential foresight, often come before or during seasons of challenge. I continually marvel at God’s grace and favor: at how the Lord in grace gives us moments of rejoicing in the midst of trial and storm. These past few months have brought the Lighthouse family great victories and reasons to celebrate and praise God. As a church we have had members added to our church, men and women give their hearts to Jesus, two beautiful new additions in our nursery, the gift of a new kitchen, and seen God’s hand of restoration in many lives. Also, in and through our Life Groups, we have witnessed many people’s personal relationship with Jesus be revitalized, strengthened, and ultimately grown. That is reason to celebrate!

We have so much to celebrate today!

These past few months have also had their share of difficult situations as well: we have had beloved brothers and sisters leave our fellowship and all of us, in some way or another ...

My husband just introduced me to a really creative website: wordle.net. Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text.

As many of you know, I SOAP on a daily basis. This means that I open God’s Word, the Bible, and as I am reading I take note of a scripture S that stands out to me. I then make observations O about that specific verse. After observing the scripture in it’s context, I then apply it to my life by writing an application A . Lastly, I write a prayer P asking the Lord to help me apply His Word to my life. Thus SOAP. I title each one of my SOAP’s in order to help me clarify the topic.

So, I put all of my titles in from January until now. Here is my word cloud of what God has been showing me in His inspired Word, the Bible. You can click on it to open the link.

As I was reading in Mark recently, I was struck by one verse: Mark 5:27 ESV .

She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.

In this passage, Mark writes about a woman who had been sick with a specific issue for 12 years. In that time, she had spent all that she had in order to try to remedy the issue. She sought the help of multiple physicians, yet grew worse rather than better. This woman was at her last straw. She most likely was hopeless, believing she’d live with this condition for the rest of her life. Yet the Word states so simply “she heard the reports about Jesus.” Those reports are what we call testimonies. A testimony is an assertion offering firsthand authentication of a fact, or a first-hand report. It doesn’t say that she heard the singular report, or a couple reports, but she heard the reports about Jesus. This implies many. And it brings up a significant factor. People were telling their friends and family of their first-hand encounters with Jesus, the Christ. People who had encountered Jesus were changed. Some were healed, ...

I went to the dentist yesterday for the first time in a while. I had a regular checkup. During these visits, the dentist examines your teeth with a full set of x-rays as well as dental instruments. He probes into your teeth and gums to determine their health. It got me to thinking, we spiritually need to check ourselves on a regular basis; a heart check so to speak. So please, read on and go in for a checkup…

Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed… – Mark 4:3-4a ESV

Jesus is speaking to a crowd gathered on the shore. Often when He spoke, he used parables to bring understanding to those who had ears to hear, spiritually. The first thing to notice about this passage is the emphatic Listen! You can bet that when Jesus uses such strong language, we’d better pay attention. He goes on to describe one seed and 4 ways of the ground receiving the seed.

1. The first is seed that fell along the path. This means there’s little to no soil. Jesus says this path represents the heart of people who are not receptive. He says satan immediately steals the ...

Okay, so this subject of tithe is one that many of us don’t like to acknowledge, as there are many misinterpretations and negative connotations associated with it. However, I’d like to discuss this in light of what the text actually порно нимфетки ру says.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 3:10-11 ESV

There are numerous passages that speak about the meaning and importance of the tithe. We can observe from this passage the gravity of this subject. In the eyes of God, the tithe is non-negotiable. We see in verse 8 of this same passage that God accuses His people of robbing Him in the tithes and contributions offering . It’s a statute that He set early on ...

This past week, as I have been reading through the book of Numbers, a biblical principle has become clear to me: There are always parameters for the Promises of God. So often we hear “mature Christians” and even pastors preaching on the promises of God, that they are there for us to claim at any time. But do we hear the parameters that surround those promises? I’d venture to say not often. I was struck by this principle as I’ve been reading through the book of Numbers, and was prompted to study various promises throughout the Word of God. All throughout the Bible, God has given His people promises: promises of hope, of restoration, of provision, of promised land, of joy, of comfort, of peace, of power, of victory, of a Savior, of eternal life…the list goes on and on. And we as American Christians take almost an entitlement approach to them: God said it, so I deserve it. But that’s not the heart of a humble servant to God Almighty. That’s not the heart of a recipient of His grace. I propose we instead say: God said it, I believe it and I will follow because it is ...

I am so amazed at the grace and love of our God. Though I both know and believe in the truth of His Word, He never ceases to amaze me. Read Matthew 6:25-33 ESV below:

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ...

Several years ago I decided to make the habit of regular journaling. I have to admit, that I am not one that is very interested in writing down all of life’s issues or chronicling my life like some do…but I began the discipline of journaling in an effort to help me retain those little pieces of wisdom that I stumbled upon. Long ago, I heard someone tell me that learning is a life-long process: it’s not something that is done for a few years in school, and then you graduate. That charge to be a Life-Long learner, has been one that I have taken and really tried to live out.

…we must be faithful to what we have already been entrusted before we can expect more…

So several years ago I took up the discipline of daily journaling and writing. At first the discipline was difficult, and painful, but as time went on I found it more enjoyable. While I do occasionally journal extemporaneously about events and things I am going through, I typically journal in a specific format based off of my time in the Word of God. Anyone who is part of our Life Groups, knows this ...

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
- Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV

This week as I read this passage of from the book of Jeremiah, I was really struck by the simplicity that God calls us to as humans. He tells us clearly, that in life there will be seasons of drought and lack that for some will seem unbearable. He says that he wants us to develop deep roots to sustain us during those tumultuous times. He tells us that during those seasons of “dryness” he has an abounding source of refreshing that is available to us: and we gain access to it by Faith.

People who really trust in God’s promises, and put their trust in the Lord: they are blessed with the Fruit of God’s promises. It is only those who live by faith in those promises that will be sustained during those seasons of drought. The ...

The Divine Mentor

As a staff at Lighthouse we are reading through Wayne Cordeiro’s Book The Divine Mentor. This morning we had a discussion about the importance of daily devotions in the life of every believer. Daily devotions are our opportunity to daily glean from God’s wisdom and actually apply those things to our lives. Many believers fail to understand how important this is to their faith, and simply read the bible, and walk away unchanged.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
- James 1:23-25 ESV

We likened the personal & daily study of God’s word to eating. None of us would go a week without eating a good meal, but some of us spiritually nourish ourselves only once per week. As Christ followers, as the light of the world, ...

The Divine Mentor

As a staff at Lighthouse we are reading through Wayne Cordeiro’s Book The Divine Mentor. This morning we had a discussion about the importance of daily devotions in the life of every believer. Daily devotions are our opportunity to daily glean from God’s wisdom and actually apply those things to our lives. Many believers fail to understand how important this is to their faith, and simply read the bible, and walk away unchanged.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
- James 1:23-25 ESV

We likened the personal & daily study of God’s word to eating. None of us would go a week without eating a good meal, but some of us spiritually nourish ourselves only once per week. As Christ followers, as the light of the world, ...

Barna is at it again: this time polling American’s to find out what their ideal “American Dream” would look like. The whole idea is interesting: they asked American’s what their ideal life would include. The findings were actually pretty interesting.

Those included having good physical health listed by 85% , living with a high degree of integrity also 85% , having one marriage partner for life 80% , having a clear purpose for living 77% , having a close relationship with God 75% , and having close, personal friendships 74% .

That 75% of all people surveyed said having a close relationship with God as a major priority to having an ‘ideal life’ is quite surprising. What is more interesting is that this statistic jumped 5% in the past 8 years. American’s are more interested in having a relationship with God than they were a decade ago. On the other hand: while 75% of people 3 in 4 said being close to God was important, less than half 45% said being personally active in church was important. I would be interested to ask that remaining 30% how they intend to get close to God without having meaningful relationship with ...

“Would the community weep if your church were to pull out of the city? Would anybody notice if you left?”

This is an interesting question that I doubt many churches consider when evaluating their effectiveness. Does your city even know what you are doing, feel the impact you are making in your community, or notice your role as a church? Many churches are known more for what they disagree with than what they believe or do.

Over the past decade the church has moved from being a practical group of people meeting the needs of their community physical and spiritual to a more introverted group, focused on its own agenda and projects. When the church loses its ability to impact its community in practical ways, it loses its effectiveness in reaching it in spiritual ways. As the old adage goes: ‘they will never care how much you know, until they know how much you care’.

From the article:

A growing number of churches have realized that church has got to be more than growing attendance, seeker sensitivity, and small groups. They’re fighting the perception that churches are isolated, insulated, and uninvolved with the life of the neighborhood. Seeking to be transformational ...

There is a great article over at Relevant called Faith No More

It asks the question: Why is it that twentysomethings are not going to church? Many would argue including myself it is because they are not being engaged by people. The preponderance of online social networks is fueled in part by a generation crying out for relationship and connectedness, but our cold, hard 1950’s method of church simply doesn’t personalize the message of Jesus in culturally relevant ways. What the church needs is to go back to the drawing board and begin to reach the world the way Jesus did: one person at a time, through loving, caring relationships.

Doubt is not a bad thing…Doubt is a really healthy part of the way God created us intellectually

The college age person is going through all sorts of questioning: questioning their upbringing, their beliefs about everything, and really their purpose as an individual. The shot-gun approach of uni-directional teaching / preaching doesn’t allow for the important dialog and personalization. How can the church do this? That is the million dollar question, but one thing is true: having one-to-one personalized relationships is more important with this current generation than any ...

Using twitter at a church service? Revolutionary.

What an interesting concept: using Twitter and other live social connection services to actually bring dynamic feedback from a church. This church decided they would live tweet a church service, and actually had a large screen in the church dedicated to show people’s live tweet’s during a sermon. They even, Get this, encouraged church members to bring their laptops and cell phones to tweet with during the service.

Sort of a crazy idea, but I love the concept: Get live feedback during a sermon or church service. Just think of the possibilities of doing a live survey during a church service using TXT or Twitter. Crazy.

Check it out for more info

Logos bible software is hands-down the most comprehensive and complete and thorough digital library software available hands down, not to mention the best bible software available. the only problem? it was windows only until today. sure logos jumped the gun and announced they would be developing a mac version, like 5 years ago…and generally has done nothing to show they were serious about it until today. today logos released their first alpha test of the Libronix Digital library system today. WOW. It’s like Christmas morning.

check it out.

A cute video underscoring the ridiculous trend with retailers today who want Christmas shoppers to spend their money at their stores, without having to use the word Christmas. Many of these retailers are so afraid of offending the 5% of American’s who don’t celebrate the holiday, that they unintentionally offend the other 95% of people who do. Enough is enough people, get the hint. I even saw a Christmas tree advertised by Lowes as “Family Trees.” We live in a culture that is so afraid to offend people, unless you are a Christian; then it’s A-O-K. Felize NaviToss!

Watch Video external link .

Verse of the week:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
- Daniel 3:16-18

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.

He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.

O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.

If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

- Psalm 40:1-4 NLT

A few prayers from the United States Presidents -

Almighty God: We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection: that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.

Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- George Washington

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, ...