The Power of Words

Posted on May 24, 2012 by

Hundreds responded to the questions regarding the power of words. As I reflect on this past weekend, it is overwhelming to consider how deeply so many have been wounded. However, it is very encouraging to read the many healing and wise words God has used to bring life.

To remind us of the power of words, I am reprinting the ten phrases of hurt and the ten phrases of healing that I shared from your many comments this past weekend.

Ten words/phrases that wound:

1.  “You should die, and make the world a more beautiful place.”
2.  “I hate you!”
3.  “I don’t ever want to see you or hear from you again.”
4.  “You are an underachiever.”
5.  “You’ll never amount to anything.”
6.  “You are as dumb as you look.”
7.  “You’re an embarrassment to the family.”
8.  “You want to be closer to me than I want to be to you.”
9.  “You can’t trust anybody, not even your friends.”
10. “I wish I had never even had you!”

Ten words/phrases that heal:

1.  “God loves you just the way you are.”
2.  “You are an inspiration.”
3.  “I am praying for you.”
4.  “You are right where God wants you to be.”
5.  “You are making a difference in my child’s life.”
6.  “I see Jesus in you.”
7.  “I was wrong. Will you please forgive me?”
8.  “You’re a breath of fresh air.”
9.  “Thank you for adopting me.”
10. “I love you Mommy. I won’t ever leave you. You are the most boootiful in the woilt.”

If we can come alongside you with additional care, please contact our Care Network. Click here for more information.

As an encouragement to all of us, here are some additional words of healing that were shared. Click here.

Pastor Steve
sreeves@cpccweb.org

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Words are Powerful

Posted on May 17, 2012 by

We think: “It’s impossible.”
God says in Luke 18:27, …What is impossible for people is possible with God. (NLT)

We think: “I’m too tired.”
God says in Matthew 11:28, …Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (NLT)

We think: “Nobody really loves me.”
God says in John 13:34, …Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (NLT)

We think: “I cannot go on.”
God says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, …My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. (NLT)

We think: “I can’t figure things out.”
God says in Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT)

We think: “I can’t do it.”
God says in Philippians 4:13, For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (NLT)

We think: “I’m not able.”
God says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (NLT)

We think: “It’s not worth it.”
God says in Romans 8:28, And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)

We think: “I can’t forgive myself.”
God says in 1 John 1:9, But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (NLT)

We think: “I can’t manage.”
God says in Philippians 4:19, …God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

We think: “I’m afraid.”
God says in 2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)

We think: “I’m worried and frustrated.”
God says in 1 Peter 5:7, Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)

We think: “I don’t have enough faith.”
God says in Romans 12:3, …Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (NLT)

We think: “I’m not smart enough.”
God says in 1 Corinthians 1:30, God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself… (NLT)

We think: “I feel alone.”
God says in Hebrews 13:5, …I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. (NLT)

THIS WEEKEND

This weekend we will download God’s Life App regarding our words, from the book of Proverbs.

Bring your Bible and a guest as we yield our hearts and our speech to God.

Pastor Steve
sreeves@cpccweb.org

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Sermon Content: I need your help…

Posted on May 14, 2012 by

I am working on next week’s sermon and need your help!

Could you email me your responses to the following questions by tomorrow (Tuesday, May 15) at noon?

  1. What words or phrases have been spoken to you that deeply wounded you?
  2. What words or phrases have been spoken to you that brought life and healing?

Please send your responses to me @ sreeves@cpccweb.org. Your responses will be kept confidential.

Thanks for your help!

Pastor Steve

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Commitment

Posted on May 10, 2012 by

A Lifeway Research study in 2007 revealed that 2/3 of all young adults raised in the church will stop attending church services between the ages of 18-22. The study said that dropouts were “too busy … church was irrelevant … Christians are too judgmental … leaders are too hypocritical … denominations are too political.”

What was not mentioned but has to be a huge factor is the heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says, The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (NLT)

So … every believer has to fight the temptation to walk away from commitment.

While we should not ignore those who’ve rebelled, we should also celebrate those who’ve remained faithful.

Many young adults raised in church have not dropped out. Why?

1.  A GENUINE, PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH JESUS CHRIST

When our primary motivation for church involvement centers on a person, rather than Jesus, we are vulnerable to drop out when that person is no longer deeply involved in our lives.

Those who personally know the Lord are likely to stay.

2.  A RELIABLE FOUNDATION

Young adults who are rooted in the truth of God’s Word have a solid basis for faith.

3.  A NETWORK OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDS

Regardless of our age, we all need the support of reliable friendships. Parents, that’s why it is so important to have your students connected with our Student Ministry.

4.  CONSISTENT ROLE MODELS

The next generation is watching … they want to see who’s real and how faith in Jesus has impacted your daily life.

THIS WEEKEND…

This weekend we are going to honor godly women and mothers. We will study the “Life App” of Proverbs 31, and provide a special reception for all women in the courtyard … Can you say CHOCOLATE?!!!

I look forward to greeting you and your guests as we worship God, study His Word and “give honor to whom honor is due.” It will be a special weekend!

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What a Weekend!

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

98 joyful people were baptized at Connection Pointe on May 5 & 6. Thousands will be downloading a “Life App” daily by reading a chapter of Proverbs every day in May and June.

This weekend is Mother’s Day Weekend. We will honor godly women, study a chapter from Proverbs and out in the courtyard we will have a big chocolate-covered strawberry for all women. It will be a fun day. Can’t wait to see you then.

Pastor Steve

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What God Did To Win Your Heart

Posted on May 3, 2012 by

In his book, He Chose the Nails, Max Lucado wrote about “What God Did to Win Your Heart.” He shared the following:

The belief of French philosopher Voltaire: “The Bible and Christianity will pass within a hundred years.” He died in 1778. The church is still alive!

The pronouncement of Fredrick Nietzsche in 1882: “God is dead.” He believed the dawn of science would be the doom of faith. Science has dawned: Faith is alive!

The way a communist dictionary defined the Bible: “It is a collection of fantastic legends without any scientific support.” Communism is diminishing: Christianity continues.

The discovery made by every person who has tried to bury the dead: The discovery of those who tried to bury Jesus … He wouldn’t stay in the tomb.

The facts: Christianity is still growing globally.

The question: How do we explain it? Jesus was a backwater peasant. He never wrote a book, never held an office. He never journeyed more than 200 miles from his hometown. Friends left Him. One betrayed Him. Those He helped forgot Him. Prior to His death, they abandoned Him. But after His death, they couldn’t resist Him. What made the difference?

The answer: His death and resurrection. For when He died, so did your sin. And when He rose, so did your hope. For when He rose, your grave changed from a final residence to temporary housing.

The reason He did it: The face in your mirror.

In my opinion, many Americans ages 18-24, are drifting away from the religious views of their childhood, because they are no longer hearing the message of transformation through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

As a conclusion to our study of Jesus’ superiority over all, from Hebrews, we are giving you an opportunity to publicly demonstrate your faith in Jesus through the beautiful sacrament of baptism.

This weekend we will introduce the Life Apps series, Life Applications from the book of Proverbs, by applying Proverbs 3:5-6 to baptism.

I will be baptizing believers during and after all services.

I look forward to celebrating our faith, our church, our Savior and our connection with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ in baptism!

Pastor Steve
sreeves@cpccweb.org

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Baptism Weekend

Posted on April 26, 2012 by

Baptism Weekends at Connection Pointe are always thrilling! I will be baptizing in our Worship Center during and after each service.

As you prepare for the weekend … here is a personal study on the meaning of baptism.

1.  When people accepted Christ, what was their very first step, as told in the book of Acts?

Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36, Acts 10:48, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:30-33, Acts 18:8, Acts 22:16

Answer: ___________________________

2.  According to Acts 19:1-5, what did the group of believers do who previously did not have a proper understanding of baptism?

Answer: ___________________________

3.  Which form of baptism do these passages point toward? Immersion, pouring or sprinkling?

Romans 6:4, John 3:23, Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:38

Answer: ___________________________

4.  From this study, how would you answer the following questions?

(1)  Who should be baptized? _____________________

(2)  What method is indicated in scripture? _________________________

(3)  When should a believer be baptized? ______________________

I look forward to immersing those who have been sprinkled for baptism, as a reaffirmation of their faith, and immersing believers who has never demonstrated their faith in Christ by experiencing baptism.

As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Pastor Steve
sreeves@cpccweb.org

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