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firstIMPRESSIONS
God’s Word says, “Get ready; be prepared...” (Ezekiel 38:7 NIV), because you need to recognize life’s seasons. The men of Issachar were considered wise because they “understood the [seasons]” (1 Chronicles 12:32). A change-of-season can come disguised as a job lay-off or the loss of a loved one. It can come as new relationship or a promotion. It can also manifest itself in a sense of restlessness; a feeling that you have outgrown something that once excited and challenged you. Seasons are growth opportunities that keep you progressing towards the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for your life. Sticking with the familiar can be fatal. It’s dangerous to wait for circumstances to change before making a move that God has already has ordained. The best way to avoid that is by staying connected to Him, developing your spiritual radar, and moving whenever He says it is time. So while you are taking down your decorations and Christmas lights, take down those old attitudes that are hindering you from moving into the next season God has for you. The art of living means understanding the seasons, navigating through them, and squeezing the joy out of every minute en route. Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 6.01. Live for God, on purpose, recognizing the plan and the place that the Lord has for you today! |
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 Consider Your Ways
Here we are – into a brand new year. Full of opportunities and full of potential, most folks have launched out into 2006 with a brand new list of resolutions and thoughts in their minds of how they will live this year. But, it doesn’t take too long before you realize that all of the things that were present in your life at the end of 2005 are still there with you at the beginning of 2006. If you were organized in 2005, you will begin 2006 being organized, too. The same can be said about being motivated, disciplined, involved, prayerful, spiritual, or any other quality or characteristic. Change in life doesn’t happen simply because the old calendar has been replaced with a new one. In the year 520 BC, the nation of Israel found herself in a troubling situation. Nearly twenty years beforehand, they had been allowed to return to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon for the purpose of rebuilding the temple. And, they began their work with great success for the first couple of years. However, following their initial success, the people grew increasingly complacent, and lethargy became the norm for the people of God. The work of God had halted, simply because the people were no longer motivated to follow the call and the command of God. It was at this time that the prophet Haggai speaks to the people. In the Old Testament book that bears his name, Haggai preaches four messages to the people in a four month period of time. And, in just the two small chapters of this book, on five separate occasions, Haggai makes this poignant comment to the people – “consider your ways.” The New International Version renders the statement as “give careful thought to your ways.” I believe that Haggai’s messages to his people have tremendous application to us as the people of God today. This Sunday morning, we will begin a four part series, built around Haggai’s four messages. Consider Your Ways – a four part preaching series Part 1 – Purpose and Priorities – Haggai 1:1-15 Part 2 – Power and Presence – Haggai 2:1-9 Part 3 – Purity and Promise – Haggai 2:10-19 Part 4 – Protection and Pledge – Haggai 2:20-23 As we begin this new year, you won’t want to miss this tremendously appropriate series of messages. (top)  Faith in Action
The epistle of James is one of the most practical books of the New Testament. It is filled with pragmatic exhortations about Christian living. James didn’t take the time to establish fundamental Christian doctrines, as did Paul in his epistles to the Romans or Ephesians. He wrote this letter to help believers in the practical aspects of the Christian walk. James has been called “the Jeremiah of the New Testament,” because of his forceful style and because of his emphasis on practical application of the truth. The book of James gives us a perspective on Christian living that isn’t found in any other New Testament writing. We need the kind of practical exhortations and rebukes that are found in the book of James, just as much as we need the sound foundations of doctrine found in Paul’s epistles. Over the next number of Wednesday evenings, we will study through this wonderful and practical book of the Bible, in a study that we are calling “Faith In Action.” Join us each Wednesday evening! (top)  New Year’s Test: Are You on Fire for God?
by J. Lee Grady If you’ve been lukewarm, make it your goal to fan the flame of spiritual passion in 2006. One of my life goals is to stay hot for God. When I look at the spiritual giants of the Bible, I see men and women who carried a holy fire inside them-a fire that produced much more than personal purity. After heaven’s coals touched their lips, the flames drove them to pursue God’s radical agenda. The prophets of the Old Testament knew this fire. Jeremiah, in fact, said he felt as if God’s flames were shut up in his bones (Jeremiah 20:9). King David said the zeal of the Lord “consumed” him (Ps. 69:9)—and that verse was cited when Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the Temple with a whip. That fire blazed in the hearts of believers who were torn apart by Caesar’s lions in the First Century. If more recent spiritual heroes such as Charles Finney, George Whitefield, John Wesley or Catherine Booth had anything it common, it was their white-hot zeal. Lukewarm Christians never changed the world. You may think that such unusual fervor is an emotion reserved only for full-time evangelists or missionaries. But the apostle Paul tells us that all Christians should have a spiritual temperature that reaches the boiling point. In Romans 12:11 he commands us to be “fervent in spirit.” The Greek word for fervent is zeo, which means “to boil like hot liquid or to glow like hot metal.” I know enough about my own sinful nature-and about the history of the church-to recognize that spiritual zeal must be rekindled regularly. Movements that begin with intense evangelistic fervor can become as cold as ice in one generation. The fire in your own life can be quenched. Are you on fire for God? He wants your spiritual life to pack some heat. But it is our responsibility to fan the flames. Revival is a choice. Perhaps it is time for you to get a checkup. Answering these questions will help determine your spiritual temperature: 1. Do you have compassion for those who don’t know Jesus? 2. Are you grieved by the blatant sinfulness of the culture around you? 3. Are you ruthlessly dealing with all known sin in your life? 4. Are you pursuing the things of God with more passion than other personal interests? 5. Are you intimate with God? 2006 will be a year of overwhelming challenges. We will face upheaval and intense spiritual warfare at home and on a global scale. This is not a year to drift along in a state of spiritual mediocrity. Lukewarm hearts will not have the energy to endure. I pray that you will fan the flame and allow His fire to consume you. as seen in J. Lee Grady’s weekly “Fire In My Bones” article of January 3, 2006. J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma and an award-winning journalist. (top)  The Power of Applause
by Richard Innes “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV). Besides wishing each other a very Happy New Year, may we all make a New Year resolution to be more effective encouragers of each other-and especially so of our loved ones. Dr. Ernest Mellor wrote how he and his wife, “Sat charmed at an outdoor performance by young Suzuki violin students. After the concert, an instructor spoke briefly on how children as young as two, three and four years old are taught to play violin. The first thing the children learn, he said, is a proper stance. And the second thing the children learn – even before they pick up the violin – is how to take a bow. ‘If the children just play the violin and stop, people may forget to show their appreciation,’ the instructor said. ‘But when the children bow, the audience invariably applauds. And applause is the best motivator we’ve found to make children feel good about performing and want to do it well.’ “Adults love applause too. Being affirmed makes us feel wonderful. If you want to rekindle or keep the flame of love glowing in your marriage through the years, try showing and expressing your appreciation for your mate. Put some applause in your marriage and watch love grow.” Meaningful applause – whether by hand clapping or with our words-is one the most effective and easiest ways to encourage one another. The word “encourage” comes from “en” meaning in and “courage.” It means to put courage into another... and that’s something every one of us can do... and let’s do it often. Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me always to applaud and encourage my loved ones and friends when such is well earned...not just as a means of “being outwardly nice” or to flatter, but out of a genuine heart of appreciation. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.” © Copyright 2006 ACTS International. Visit them online at http://www.actsweb.org (top)  New Things
by Tom Norvell “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you” (Isaiah 42:9, NIV). Decorations are coming down. Wrapping paper is being packed away and stored. Neighborhoods are darker. Parties are over. Gifts have been given and some exchanged. Resolutions are being made and some broken. Vacations are ending. Diets are beginning and ending. The old year has gone. The New Year has come. It is time for new things. No one knows the new things that will come our way during the course of the next twelve months, but one thing is certain: new things will come. Think about the last twelve months. Reflect on the new things you have seen Him do in your life during the past year. Think of the new people you have met during the last year. Think about the new experiences you have had. Think about the songs you have heard and learned. Think about the new books that have been written and that you have read. Think about the new movies that have been released and that you have seen. This year will also be filled with new things. New opportunities in your work place will come. New opportunities to enrich your family life will come. Many new things are sure to appear on the horizon relating to your career and your relationships. New things will come in your spiritual walk. As you enter into this New Year, if you will open your heart to God and ask Him to show you what He wants you to do, who He wants you to be, where He wants to take you, He will do it. He will show you new things. Look for the new things the Lord wants to show you. Stay alert. Listen to Him as He speaks new things to you. Watch for the new things He will do that will amaze you. Open your eyes to what the Lord has planned for you. The Lord wants to show you new things. New babies. New friends. New Christians. New worship experiences. New insights. New revelations. New dreams. New hopes. New goals. New games. The next twelve months promise all kinds of new things. Athletes will set new goals and reach them. Teachers will see students acquire new knowledge. Golfers will play new courses and hit new shots. Preachers will preach new sermons. Families will move into new homes. Husbands and wives will reach new dimensions in their relationships. “You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? ‘From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you’” (Isaiah 48:6, NIV). Let God tell you of new things. as seen in Tom Norvell’s “A Norvell Note,” Vol. 9 No. 01, January 1, 2006 (top)  Top Religious Trends of the Past Year
Religion researcher George Barna has cited four factors that he described as “indicative of the reshaping of the church in the U.S.” In a Dec. 20 update, the Barna Group reports: “The first of those patterns had to do with the priorities embraced by church leaders. Citing a study conducted mid-year, Barna noted that most local churches essentially ignore three critical spiritual dimensions: ministry to children, ministry to families and prayer. His statistics showed that less than one out of every five Protestant churches deem ministry to families or to children to be among the top priorities of the church... “A second church-related trend defined by Barna is that congregations are rapidly incorporating new technologies into their activities. Among the fastest-growing adoptions are those of big-screen projection systems (now used by almost two-thirds of all Protestant churches) and websites (57% penetration) and e-mail blasts to congregants (56%)... “The slow demise of the African-American church community was a third outcome highlighted by Barna. Identifying the decline within the black community of factors such as church attendance, Bible knowledge, faith prioritization, and reliance upon the faith community for support and relationships... “Barna also pointed out that among the many changes reshaping the church world, one of the most invisible yet significant is the ‘changing of the guard among the leaders of the leaders.’ Referring to the individuals whom the media and general public, as well as pastors perceive to be the leading spokespersons for the Christian Church in the U.S., Barna turned to a study showing that the leading representatives of the Christian faith now include Rick Warren and T.D. Jakes. “For the last two decades, the representatives included Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers, Jerry Falwell, John MacArthur, Pat Robertson, Robert Schuller, and Charles Stanley. As those respected churchmen have aged, retired or passed away, a new generation of leaders has emerged in their wake. Pastors Warren and Jakes are at the forefront of a new class of faith leaders whose message and media skills reflect the changing cultural environment in which they minister.’” (top)  Get Ready for the New Year
Management coach Philip Humbert recently wrote in his email newsletter TIPS: “In my 20 years of coaching, I’ve developed a simple three-step process that I use with most of my clients every year. I think it makes a difference and I urge you to take the time to give it a try. Here we go: 1. First, REVIEW THE PAST. 2. Second, MAP THE FUTURE. Mapping the future requires that you balance optimism and ambition with a conservative assessment of what’s possible. Remember, reality never lies. It’s unlikely that you can change everything or do everything in one year. What are the specifics you really to want to change in 2006? Ask good questions; write down the answers. 3. Third, GET A SYSTEM. The start of a new year is a wonderful time to take stock, adjust course and affirm your priorities, but it doesn’t happen by accident. Take time to review. Take time to plan and develop your system. And get the support you’ll need. You can make 2006 your best, most productive and rewarding year ever, but only if you arrange for success in advance. Do your homework! Make it happen! Copyright © 2005, all rights reserved. U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1529-059X You may copy, forward or distribute TIP’s if this copyright notice and full information for contacting Dr Philip E. Humbert are included. Contact him at: www.philiphumbert.com or email to Coach@philiphumbert.com (top)  The Last Impression...
A husband and wife are getting ready for bed. The wife is standing in front of a full-length mirror taking a hard look at herself. “You know, dear,” she says, “I look in the mirror, and I see an old woman. My face is all wrinkled, my hair is grey, my shoulders are hunched over, I’ve got fat legs, and my arms are all flabby.” She turns to her husband and says, “Tell me something positive to make me feel better about myself.” He studies hard for a moment thinking about it and then says in a soft, thoughtful voice, “Well, there’s nothing wrong with your eyesight.” Services for the husband will be held Saturday morning at 10:30. My beautiful, attractive, lovely wife and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday morning! You won’t want to miss being here for the beginning of my new series “Consider Your Ways.” I know that the Lord has something special for each and every person in this series of messages. |
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Yours for HIM, |
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Describing life in chilly New England, Chuck Swindoll writes: “Newcomers... get the false impression that there will hardly be much of a winter, so they continue... sightseeing and relaxation with little regard for the deep freeze that inevitably arrives. Seasoned souls are not so foolish... they use that brief interlude to prepare for winter’s bitter blast... Early on I learned a valuable lesson... winter can be endured with much greater success if you prepared for its arrival.”
