Last week we began a new series that became a defining moment for hundreds of people.
We looked at Hebrews 11 to define faith, and we illustrated faith with Luke 5:11,12. In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
Here is my simple definition of faith: believing who God is and trusting that He can. When the day is over, whatever God does is the right thing whether we like it or not. The fact is that misguided or misunderstood faith can lead to disappointment and hurt. In order for our faith to be effective, and to be dangerous, it must be founded in truth and centered on Jesus. My challenge to everyone this week is to read Hebrews 11. We will be using this passage of scripture as the platform for this series about Dangerous Faith, which is essentially: a faith that gets noticed.
This week I want to talk about the times when faith has to fight. Throughout the Bible there are multiple times when God asked people to step into a place and fight. In fact, most of those times were when things didn’t make sense; when there was no human answer or solution. That’s when God had to show up. I guess you could call that Only God Faith. Don’t miss the weekend.
When I think of faith I am so blessed to be part of the lives of so many campus pastors and leaders and volunteers. Every campus is experiencing growth, unity, and blessing. If you haven’t yet, check out the different campus Facebook pages, and please remember to pray for our campuses.
You can find links to all the Living Hope Campus pages here LIVING HOPE
Quick Updates
Brush Prairie
Our Brush Prairie campus reopened last weekend with an 11am service. We are working on technology that will allow that campus to have a direct live feed from the mall campus. Check this out: attendance at 11:00am at the mall was almost 1200 people (about 90% capacity). There were over 400 at the 11:00am at Brush Prairie. The simple reality is that as a church we stepped out in faith, and are now reaching double the amount of people at 11:00am that we were just several months ago.
I say it over and over, but I love being part of a church that will risk to reach people. When the day is over that is what it is all about.
Open House at the Mall
Please note the times have changed from 6:00pm – 9:00pm, every day this week. Staff will be there every day with movies, games, bands, guitar hero etc, so make sure you come by and check it out.
On a final note I ask you to please pray. I have knee surgery scheduled for tomorrow. I have put it off multiple times and really need to get it done. I have been dealing with a torn meniscus for over two years and now is the time to get it fixed.
Thinking about the surgery got me thinking about faith, and fear, and how real fear is. There are over 500 documented phobias and countless fears that people have. Mine just happens to be things like surgery, and needles etc. My wife has no problem with it, but it’s just not my favorite thing to do, even though I know it will ultimately be a good thing. I ask for your prayers for the surgery and for a quick recovery so I can speak this weekend.
I am excited for what I know God is going to do.
See you this weekend.
JOHN
Anyone can view this Pam Hughes | June 10th I had my knee replaced last Feb. By our vacation in June I was able to climb 1000+ steps in a two hour walking tour of Mammoth Cave. I also climbed up the steps of all the water park slides my grand daughter could find! I lived with the pain for 10 years now that's NOT dangerous faith! I will be praying for you. P:^) |
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Don & Sue Dykes | June 8th Prayers are with you. If Don and I can be of help at all please let us know. |
