Hope 2 Overcome - Webinar Tonight! 7 p.m. Central

A movement to reach the hurting, the broken, and those in need of Christ. Partnering with local churches and ministries already in place to provide and oasis in a desert of despair for those who need the one and only true living water... for those who need hope... read more here: http://hope2overcome.net/

It's Called Christmas With A Capital "C"

Here's a great song that just says it all about Christmas and the 'holiday' spirit. ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Satan, Society, & The Savior

In Mark 5:1-20 we find the story of the Gerasene demoniac. Here we see three different scenes taking place, all of which are still very active today in dealing with human kind. There are Satan, Society, and The Savior. In each scene, we find a different goal in response to the needs of the demoniac.

1. Satan's Goal
The ultimate goal of Satan and the evil in this world is to bring ridicule to God's Son, Jesus Christ, and to destroy God's crown of creation: Mankind. Satan has one major aim: To steal, kill, and destroy (See John 10:10). While we're not told 'how' the demons came in we do know this: Every time we choose evil over Christ we've opened the door for Satan to wreck our lives. This can happen anywhere; from grossly immoral sinful behavior or by just being too busy (being under Satan's yoke) to give God the time of day.

2. Society's Goal
Society's goal is to take care of the troublemakers by isolating them, putting them under guard, and even binding them if necessary. Do whatever it takes to keep them from messing with our day-to-day cultural norms. The only problem was, every time they'd lock 'em up, they'd just break free to wreak more and more havoc! Society, try as it may, doesn't have the solution for the damage self-absorbed living creates.

3. The Saviors Goal
The Saviors goal? He came to them in love and even went through a storm to do it! As I studied this passage today, I read something very interesting in Warren Wiersbe's Be Series.

Some think that the storm itself may have been satanic in origin, since Jesus used the same words to calm the sea as He did to cast out demons (compare Mark 1:25 and 4:39). Perhaps Satan was trying to destroy Jesus, or at least prevent Him from coming to the men who needed Him. But nothing could stop the Lord from coming to that graveyard and bringing deliverance to those men. (The Matthew passage, 8:28, speaks of two demoniacs but obviously one was more vocal and we hear from him here.)

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament, Volume 1, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 125. The same is true today friends:

Nothing can stop the force of Christ! That's why we must be ready at all times to give the reason for the hope that's in us (See 1 Peter 3:15). Which scene do you find yourself in, destroyer, deceiver, or pointer? Satan seeks to destroy, society stands deceived, but we who follow Christ point others to the only truth that delivers.

There are two kingdoms and two results for those who adopt them:
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 8:12 (KJV)

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37 (KJV)

Looking for Life's Healing Choices? Join us at TVCC this weekend and learn, The Housecleaning Choice. 9 or 11 at Krider Performing Arts Center on Volunteer Drive in Paris or online: www.tvcc.us/onlinesermons.htm

THE GATHERING

Remember tonight is The Gathering at TVCC, Mineral Wells, main auditorium. Bring your Bibles and a desire to pray. We will meet from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. or as long as you can stay; if you can only stay for a little while, that's okay too. This is open for all of our West Tennessee praying community. We're seeking God's heart for our community and for an awakening of the realization that the only healing that is permanent will begin and end in Him. All other is temporary and less than sufficient for the day. The answer for our dilemma in our world will not come from a "red state" or a "blue state" but a "repentant state" which can only come as we seek the heart of God.

Hold On and Cultivate

Hold on and Cultivate
A testimony from our sister church in Granger, Indiana. It was such a powerful truth, I wanted to share it with those who read my blog.

I've attended church most of my life. It was at GCC (Granger Community Church) that I experienced Jesus regularly at services. Incredible! Jesus is attractive. He attracts crowds.

Outside of services, I started to be intentional to read the Bible, pray, volunteer, and I found Jesus there too. Great!

Over time, the level of emotion I felt started to fade. It got stale. Something changed. It wasn't new. What had been incredible and great became same old stuff...sad. It kind of felt like something was missing.

It wasn't Jesus. He didn't change. It wasn't the church. Although every service is different, our message never changes. As Mark Beeson has said, all we ever talk about is "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..."It was me.

I have watched dozens -no, hundreds- go through a similar pattern. They find services incredible! They take steps that are great! And then it starts fading. They sometimes go to other churches or try other things to get the emotions that are incredible and great again. Lots of times they don't bother. If people expect GCC (or any church) to be responsible for their experience with Jesus, they will be disappointed.

Seriously, aren't we, humans, the problem? Marriage, kids, friends, job, church, Jesus -- we simply like things to be new, and the more we experience something, the more conditioned we get to the emotions that come with it. We want incredible and great! That's not a bad thing.

It's about setting our expectations to reality, and then cultivating the experiences in those relationships to keep them fresh. Relationships worth holding onto, the ones that go the distance, the ones we invest the most in, are those that transition over an extended period of time. They are incredible and great!

Let that vine cling to me for safety. let if find a good and whole life with me, let it hold on for a good and whole life. Isaiah 27:5

THE HOPE CHOICE

Blessed to mourn?! Honestly, we don't like to experience sorrow and we HOPE we won't. We'd wish for life to go great with nothing but sunshine. How many times have I heard people say just this week, "AARRHHGG - ALL THIS RAIN!" But the Arabs have a proverb that says, "All sunshine makes a desert." Still, we would have written this second Beatitude as "Blessed are those who have no tears at all." However, we'll never understand the paradox of the words of Christ from Matthew 5:4 until we understand what he meant when he said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

This second Beatitude actually grows out of the first that said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) We discovered the meaning of the first Beatitude to be, I admit I need help. That I'm powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing, and my life is unmanageable. Since we realize we have indeed made bad choices, and our tendency is to do the wrong thing, there should be an emotional response we have every time we fail God.

That brings us to the next healthy choice we'll talk about this weekend; THE HOPE CHOICE. My hope doesn't come from being self-sufficient but in the all sufficient Christ. The mourning Jesus speaks of here which brings Christ's blessing is not about unfulfilled dreams or personal tragedies. The mourning here is about grief over sin. Haddon W. Robinson in The Christian Salt & Light Company says this: "The second Beatitude is the emotional expression of the first. The poor in spirit are those who sense their need of God and who mourn over their sins." Learn this truth:

My mourning determines my comfort.

This weekend we'll talk about that. If we mourn the wrong losses, we'll certainly turn to the wrong comfort. When I place my hope on goods rather than God, my mourning will reflect my values, rather than reveal my comfort. In other words, when we mourn over the wrong things, our comfort will be as sad as our mourning, and we'll miss the blessing we've been promised. My mourning over stuff becomes the stuff of my mourning whereas my mourning over sin becomes my pathway to comfort. THE HOPE CHOICE will teach us healthy choices, resulting in good outcomes, regardless of the situations we face.

See you at the HOPE PLACE this weekend!

Pastor Steve

It's time for Life's Healing Choices!

Time to not only know about Life's Healing Choices, but to actually receive them. What will it take? YOU! All that's necessary is for you to realize that God has the answers to your problems and then move into them. But more than any series we've ever done at TVCC, we will not only teach you about the root cause of our problems, there will be an unmistakable, clearly defined road you will discover that leads out of them.

I can't stress enough that now is the time to engage and see all that God is wanting to share with us. Or maybe you were engaged in serving God with your life at one point but now, for whatever reason, you've pulled away from God, His church, and His passion which is when He receives glory from a life lived through Him and for Him. And know this - THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO RE-ENGAGE! It doesn't matter why you walked away from God. What matters is this: God loves you and seeks a personal, vibrant, victorious relationship with you. Don't miss this series! It is for all of us.

If you're not engage in a Life Group, we've done everything possible to make it easy for you to do so. Why is it so important to be a part of a Life Group? You'll never receive apart from others what you will receive engaged with others. We will have group sign-ups again Sunday and if we don't have a group meeting when you need it, we'll do everything in our power to make it happen.

Why Innovate?

What is Innovate09? Innovate is a conference TVCC staff has attended before in Granger, IN. It is for those churches, i.e. TVCC, that God has planted to reach a generation who've missed it. They didn't get it the first time through or have never gotten it at all. These churches work outside the lines, throw away the box, do whatever is necessary in order to reach this generation. As Rick Warren says, "The message never changes but the methods must change." We can't reach an ipod generation with teletype or ticker tape. Shoot, we can't even reach this generation with email; it's old to them. I know, I know - it seems impossible but it's true. Communication is morphing at such a rapid pace. Is it all good? No. Is it the best? Probably not. Can we ignore it? Absolutely not. We must engage our community where it is and so we must INNOVATE in order to do so.

Here's the scenario: West TN Wilson & Wanda are in despair. They're looking for answers. Most of them have tried church at some point but the 'rules & regs' got old and didn't produce the life change and life answers as promised, so they bailed. Now, they've been invited to this 'life changing-how to' church that will change their lives and impact their tomorrows through the power of Christ. The crisis is real time and the message better be too. We'd better be ready and we'd better bring it because God has called us to be DISCIPLE MAKERS. And the way I understand the call of Christ is, in order to make disciples, we have to go where they are, understand how they live, and be ready to present them the answer, Jesus Christ, in a real & tangible way that is built on relationship not religion; community not committees; where we're a family, not a business.

What God is doing through this family at TVCC of 'misfits that fit' is growing a people (as He is in many other churches and ways) to reach a generation with a radically inclusive message of hope in an ever darkening world that says, "God loves you just like you are and too much to leave you that way!" They are looking for Hope. We know His name: Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord & Master. Nothing short of Him will do - ever.

Keep up the great work Mark Beeson! Innovate!
www.innovate09.com

WAR OF THE WORLDS – Part 5

Letting Go of the X’s

The Christian life can never be lived by being a slave to our X’s. Let me explain. Too many (most of us) have gone through periods in our lives where we think we can please God by what we do or don’t do. We make many resolutions and vow to keep them, only to see them crumble like dust at our feet. If we would only understand this picture Paul gives us in Romans 6-8 we would begin to live in the freedom Christ intended rather than living in servitude to our past mates, i.e. the Law.

Paul says in chapter 6, we're free from sin positionally. Chapter 7, he says we're free from the law. He talked about it as a marriage -- we're married to a new person. He said before you became a Christian you were married to the Law and under its condemnation. But you're not married to the Law anymore, now you're married to Christ. You don't have to please the Law any more. It's like saying, I really love my wife and therefore I'm going to go do a lot of nice things for my ex-wife. That wouldn't make sense.

There are two ways to try to live the Christian life: one, under the Law -- I'm going to try to keep all the rules and regulations in my own willpower. You're doomed to failure. The other is to relax in God's grace and let Him live through you. Don't be surprised when you make a resolution and you don't live up to it in your own effort. All our best intentions are not good enough. That's what Romans 7 is all about. The Law was never intended to change your life. There's only one thing that can change your life -- God Himself, His Spirit.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)

Don’t serve the X’s – the Law – the former legalistic way of trying to get and keep what only can be freely received and released!

WAR OF THE WORLDS – Part 4

When in doubt, spit it out!

It’s not wrong to struggle when things fall apart; we all do that at times. Either we’ve failed or someone hasn’t meet up to our expectations, and it causes us to struggle with our faith. Admit your true feelings to God because a lot of Christians can’t handle your true feelings. Some people, it really shakes them up to talk with a Christian who has doubts. It scares them to death! Jesus did not condemn Thomas. He just let him spill his guts and then said, “Thomas…”, and then He showed him His hands. And Thomas became a believer in the risen Christ.

Admit your feelings to God. Let me give you a practical way to do this:

I encourage you to start a journal in your Christian life. Write down the things God is teaching you on a regular basis. I think it’s one of the healthiest and most helpful disciplines you can have in your Christian life. I’m not talking about a diary. A diary is when you record things that happened. A journal is when you record truths that you’re learning – something you got out of a sermon, something you got out of talking to a friend, something you got from the radio, from a download, a video. Something you thought of during your quiet time as the Holy Spirit talked to you and you read the Bible. One of the ways you’re going to have victory in your Christian life is when you start writing about your struggles.

This is exactly what Paul does in Romans 7. Paul is writing his journal. Actually he was dictating. The real writer of Romans was Tertius as he recorded Paul’s words. Paul was probably pacing the floor, quoting back and forth. He’s walking around pouring his heart out. In that actual saying and writing, a flash comes to him – it’s Jesus! That’s the answer!

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:25a (NLT)

When you start writing things out, getting it out on paper, one of the things that does is the Holy Spirit is able to illuminate your mind and give you the answers many times. I encourage you to keep a journal.

Tomorrow: Part 5 – Letting go of the X’s

WAR OF THE WORLDS - Day 3

Failed Testimonies

This morning I received this twitter from @RickWarren:

"In the presence of a psychiatrist, I can only be a sick man; in the presence of a Christian brother, I can dare to be a sinner." Bonhoeffer

Maybe this is what Paul understood and why he was able to say:

"I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it." Romans 7:19-20 (NLT)

When Paul says, "it is sin living in me" he's not making an excuse, justifying himself, saying "the devil made me do it." He's just realizing the fact that when you're a Christian there are two natures in your life - your good nature that God gives you and wants to serve the Lord and your old nature that doesn't want to serve the Lord. Paul's just being honest about it.

I love the testimonies at TVCC because they all include a brief description of failures. The problem with 'success' testimonies is that they set up an unrealistic standard and everybody thinks, "I must not be normal as a Christian." Do you have every prayer answered? I don't. Do you always do what God wants you to do? I don't. Do you sometimes fail? I do.

Maybe we don't like to admit it, but there's room for failure in the Christian life. Paul quoted Christ when he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."

AMEN!

TOMORROW Part 4 - When you doubt, spit it out!

WAR OF THE WORLDS – Day 2

Get Honest – Not Defeated

Paul said, For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:18 (ESV)

What did Paul do? Paul got honest but he didn’t do what many of us do; he didn’t let it defeat him. When we understand that there really is not any good thing in us, we’ve finally moved to a place where our thinking will have the opportunity to become the wisdom of God rather than our own. Admitting we’re confused is different from taking an honest evaluation of your thoughts and motives. An honest evaluation can move us to freedom, if we don’t allow it to defeat us.

So here’s realization #2: Victory comes only through an honest evaluation of the truth about us and the truth about God. What is the truth about us? WE CAN’T! What’s the truth about God? HE CAN! So what do we do about it? All this honest evaluation can do is to bring us to a morbid end if there is not an answer to our plight. Here is how our daily journey will be changed:
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16 (NLT)

Therein is the battle! Either your sinful (old) nature will have first place or the Holy Spirit will have first place through your spiritual (new) nature, but not both. This is either/or, but never both. To better understand and know which nature you’re empowering, take a moment today and read the following passage on the war we're engaged in:
Galatians 5:16-26.

Honestly, God makes us holy by forgiving our sin; making us innocent before Him. That’s something only He can do. Then we are able to, through the power of the Spirit who lives within us, become a fruitful vine and produce the fruit of the Spirit (v22-23). Why?

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Galatians 5:24 (NLT)

Remember this: It’s not a struggle, its surrender. It’s what we focus on.

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God's throne! Hebrews 12:2 (CEV)

Keep your eyes on Jesus – you’ll be glad you did!

Tomorrow – Part 3 Failed Testimonies

WAR OF THE WORLDS – Day 1

Join the parade!

Paul made an honest evaluation of himself in Romans 7:24, followed by an equally powerful question in verse 25. He looked at his struggle between the old nature and the new nature and then cried out, O, wretched man that I am! Because Paul recognized the conflict going on inside, he knew he was at war and there would have to be an all out invasion in order to rescue him from his present condition. So he asked, Who will rescue me from this body of death? Could Paul have victory in his life? Can we? How do we not only know about, but actually embrace and live the Christian life to the fullest? It begins with an honest evaluation of who we are and the struggles we face.

The first realization we need in order to win the war is to admit we are confused. We must admit that we don’t have all the answers. Then, stop trying to impress others by acting as if you have victory over every sin in your life. You don’t and neither do I and neither did Paul. Paul not only admitted it but he also wrote it down for all future generations. He spilled his guts so everybody could read it for thousands of years. He says I’m struggling; I can’t do what I really want to do.

The way to victory is to do as Paul did and admit the only cure:

Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord… Romans 7:25 (NIV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

Join the parade! Our victory is not in what we’re going to be able to accomplish but in what Christ, our Victor, has already accomplished for us. When we praise Him for it, it is the faith that the victory is already ours, even though we haven’t fully realized it yet. When we humbly admit that we don’t have all the answers, we free Him up to lift us up and give us the victory.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10 (NKJV)

Until tomorrow!

War of the Worlds

This weekend we begin a new series dealing with what all of us deal with each and every day: WAR! Not the military kind but one of a spiritual nature. Every day, we have to make choices for good or evil. The Bible calls this the conflict or war of the two natures within us.

Every Christian receives a 'new nature' the moment they come to Christ. But it's like to trying to learn to drive for the first time; grinding gears, swerving on the road, jumpy starts and jerky stops. Just because we have the car doesn't mean we know how to drive it yet. And just because we have this new nature, doesn't mean we've learned to put that other nature, the 'old nature' away yet either.

During this series, we want to help you on your journey by first realizing that we are in a war and then mapping out the war zone and combat strategy. Jesus Christ has already won the war so it's up to us to follow our leader. He can and will defeat the old nature in us as He empowers us through the new.

Week one is simply: We Are At War! To prepare for the service, study 2 Chronicles 16 and Romans 7. The life of King Asa and the struggles of the Apostle Paul will help us to understand how God is for us in EVERYTHING if we will just trust Him.

Week two: The last Christian. Could we be the last Christian generation? According to current statistics, unless something drastic happens, we just may be. What can we do to make a difference in the lives of our children and youth? Can we turn the tide?

Week three: Peer Wars. God has clear instructions about who we are to be as His people and how we're to come alongside others so that we may help them, and they us, on the journey.

Week four: STAND. Not everything is going to go your way in life. Why does bad stuff happen to good people? And when it does, what are we to do about it?

Be sure and bring someone with you or, if you're not in our area or you attend another church on the weekend, you can catch all the action on our web site at www.tvcc.us/onlinesermons.htm

Some things are just too funny not to share!

A few days ago, Rick (Warren - Saddleback Church) sent out a twitter that had the following great advice, with one small exception:

4kinds of people u need: MODELS 2follow Ph3:17, MENTORS 4counsel Pr11:14,PARTNERS 2help Ecc4:9-12, FRIENDS 4support Pr7:17

You know how that there are those times when you know you need to listen to that little voice in you? Well, I was preparing to RT Rick's tweet (re-tweet in twitter language) but I heard that voice: Check his references! So I did. And when I came to the last one, there it was.

What was supposed to be FRIENDS 4support Pr 17:17 - A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need, had accidentally been referenced as Pr 7:17 which reads: I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Well, when I sent Rick a message with the obvious fun I'd enjoyed over the mistake of the missing '1' and that it was certainly a different FRIENDS than I'd imagined, here was his reply he sent to me and our TVCC family:

Steve, that is HILARIOUS! Great catch! I wonder who else will catch it!Tell your church that I told you I'm praying for you & them!

It doesn't matter who we are, we must be able to laugh at ourselves and as Rick says, "Don't take ourselves too seriously!" Thanks for your prayers & friendship Rick.

Looking forward to teaching you Part 5 of Fanatic: I will DO WHATEVER IT TAKES! Be there and bring someone with you! Don't forget, it's baptism weekend at TVCC.

You can follow Rick too. Send a txt message follow rickwarren from your phone to 40404. Then just follow the instructions.

CASH FOR CLUNKERS

Dear TVCC Family,

Our government recently did what they considered a highly successful program called Cash for Clunkers. It was designed to boost the lagging sales of new cars by offering exorbitant prices for what was actually known to be a clunker by its present owner. It was so successful that they actually suspended the program this week.

I want to present a new program to you this weekend: Compassion for the Contrite as we look at Fanatic - Part 4 I am WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE! What is the price? According to David in Psalms 51:17, what God wants us to trade-in is "a broken and contrite heart". It doesn't matter what shape it's in, just get it on the lot and God will accept it! And look at what you'll drive away with: "He will blot out our iniquities (sins), give us a clean heart...a right spirit...God's presence, the Holy Spirit, and the joy of your salvation." (Ps 51:9-12) Then look at the continued service plan: Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Psalms 51:13 (NLT)

Who in your life is worth your broken heart of compassion? Who will you pray for, agonize for, and lift up to God? And will you care enough, as you pray and seek God's face, to bring them with you this weekend? Will we PAY THE PRICE? That's where it begins; in you and me. When it does THEN we will be one rebel showing another rebel the way back to God.

TVCC, please be here this weekend in force; prayed up and expecting God to move in and through the lives of those you care about. Whether they come with you or not, you expect God to begin the work in you. As you bring to God your contrite heart, we have His never ending promise, His warranty for eternity: "(He) will be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness." Ps 51:19 (Emphasis mine)

SEE YOU AT THE TRADE-IN LOT THIS WEEKEND!

Touching the Leper

Sunday, I spoke of Francis of Assisi and how he was radically changed because of his faith in Christ. Immediately he heard God say, "Loath what you loved and love what you loathed." He rode off on his horse and soon encountered a leper - that which he most loathed and feared. And rightly so for the disease was incurable, highly contagious, and a miserable way to die. Francis stopped, dismounted, and asked the leper to forgive him for his former attitude. And then he did the unthinkable; he kissed him!

Not only did he kiss him, he gave him money, sought to help him in any way he could, and then asked for directions to the leper colony where he repeated the action - over and over again - as he followed God's command for his newfound faith.

As I concluded the services yesterday, I challenged each person to be sensitive to those God puts in your path, the perceived 'lepers' of our day, who you might serve and be a witness to. To my delight, this is the story I received from a young couple later that day.

"We went to Walmart after the service and there she was, standing there with a sign: 'Will work for food.' She looked to be sixty or so and really in need. So we bought her a twenty dollar gift card from Walmart and then we went to McDonalds, bought her lunch, and took it back to her."

Then the young lady did something she'd never done before; she invited her to attend church, giving her the TVCC pen she'd used to take notes with and asked her to come worship with them. It was her first time to ever invite anyone to church! But because they saw her need, responded to it in love, and spent their own lunch money on this 'leper' who was begging on the street, God was able to reveal a picture of His own heart through them as they 'loved' one that is normally 'loathed'.

I praise you Father! Even though our society has taught us to see this beggar as irresponsible, lazy, and a modern day leper, you taught them to see her as a person of worth. May she come to know you, the giver and sustainer of life, and may this couple continue to be blessed because they did not pass by this one whom you love so much; instead, they kissed her. Amen.

Fanatic #3 - I am RADICALLY CONNECTED

We believe in radical salvation by Christ alone

We believe Christ's salvation brings about changed lives

If you've just read those statements for the first time, you weren't at TVCC last weekend...but it's not too late! Be here this Sunday as I will be teaching the third value relating to Christ's vision in His church and in His people. You don't want to miss it because in it, we will settle an age old argument: Does a radically saved person, changed by the power of the resurrected Christ, NEED to be radically connected to a church family? Or is it every bit as good for me, my kids, and those I love to 'go it alone'. What does Jesus have to say about the subject and what does that look like for each one of us? Does it really matter, one way or the other?

Yes, this is fanatical stuff but we are in a day and time when only those with a fanatical love relationship with Jesus Christ, based upon His Word, will be able to stand. Don't miss this opportunity to hear the truth and bring someone with you that you care about and who you want to help know Christ and grow in Christ.

If you missed parts 1 or 2, you can go here to view them or download the mp3.

FANATICAL EXPECTATIONS!

Sunday I told you about a list that I'm praying over and expecting God to answer during this series and the coming months. Some wrote them down and committed to pray with me about them. So I decided - the more pray-ers the better! Sincerely seek God in this and let's see how He will show up as we come to Him, pray to Him, seek Him, and expect Him to do these things. I know they are His will, so our job is to ask and be willing instruments in His hands, to do with us anything He wants in order to bring them about.

Here are some outcomes I’m praying and expecting God for during this series:

· I’m expecting people to get saved. This first Sunday of the series, 7 people requested information on becoming a Christian!

· I’m expecting people to be convicted. (Or as I said Sunday - to get tore up. In TN we understand what that means!) about their profession of Jesus Christ as Lord, yet their possession of too much world.

· I’m expecting some of you to make radical life changes. You’re going to forsake a terrible habit or attitude that’s destroying your witness as well as your life as you fully submit and surrender yourself to the Lordship of Christ.

· I’m expecting homes to be healed. No divorce is final as long as everybody is still alive and hasn’t remarried. (See the excellent teaching by Carlton and Ken in the FORGIVENESS series)

· I’m expecting some of you to become bold witnesses for Jesus Christ. You’ve always been sheepish or embarrassed to talk about Jesus as your most prized possession in life. But as you fully embrace; as you fall head over heels in love with Jesus Christ, you will be faithful as a bold believer and disciple of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.

· I’m expecting some to question whether or not this is the church for them. (The prayer here is that God would set all hearts ablaze with the passion and vision He has placed in TVCC) As we revisit the vision, the mission, and the mandate that this church has under the direction and guidance of Jesus Christ as Chief Shepherd, and then challenge you to get in harness with Him, it may just be more than some are willing to give. I hope that’s not the case, but it could be.

R U A FANATIC?

Is this great or what!? Bruce Pearl went all out in support of the Vols. Over the top? Fanatic? Or was he just a die hard fan and unashamed to show up and show out? Either way, the verdict is unmistakable: This guy is a Vols fan and doesn't care who knows it!

This weekend we begin a new series we're calling Fanatic. Fanatics get labeled so because people consider them excessive or over the top. What would it look like to become a fanatic Christ follower? We're going to talk about that this weekend at TVCC. Here's the line-up for the entire month of August. (Click to enlarge)

The Unexpected Adventure

In Lee Strobel and Mark Mittleberg's book The Unexpected Adventure Mittleberg says this about one of his early experiences of sharing his faith as a young Christian.

"God used me in the story...I didn't have to complete a course or read a training manual. Mostly I just needed to cultivate a heart of concern, pray for an opportunity, and be willing to speak up when God gave me the chance." (p 83)

Too many times we think we don't know enough when all we really need is to ask God for the desire to know Him, love Him, and serve Him. Is it his will that we know Him, love Him, and serve Him? Certainly! But you can't do more in order to achieve this. You must simply abide. Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NKJV)

To abide is a picture Christ is giving us of being in constant communion with Him. Jesus said it like this: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:4 (NLT)

We are not sufficient for the task. Only Christ through us will do. Mittleberg is correct when he says, "I wasn't adequate and you don't need to be either because God is more than adequate as he empowers and works through us."

Abide in Christ and get ready for the unexpected adventure to begin!

THE GREATEST QUESTION EVER

Have you ever wondered why things happen the way they do? Ever wish you could figure out the 'good' the 'bad' and the 'ugly' of life? Have you ever doubted yourself, your salvation, or your circumstances? Have you ever doubted God? Sure you have - we all have.

I believe God is going to show up in an awesome way through the teaching this weekend as we ask and answer the GREATEST QUESTION EVER! I know that sounds BIG and it is. But I will promise you, God has not only a word for you, but your family and friends as well. I'm very sensitive to this Sunday being Father's Day and all those 'dads' who may be in the house because you've asked them to be there. They WILL HEAR A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT this weekend!

I want you to know I'm not only praying for those dads that will be in our service, but those sons and daughters and in laws as well. I know your hearts are heavy over them and I'm praying with you that they will not only attend, but that they will receive God's Word and the Christ of God as well.

Looking forward to the weekend!

Oh, I forgot to tell you the question...

Great Weekend at TVCC!

June 14, 2009

What an AMAZING weekend at TVCC. If you missed it, you certainly missed a blessing. If you'd like to view it or download the mp3, click here. The Word of God is so powerful and God speaks to us through His Word, right where we are. We didn't know what your personal needs were when we planned this service weeks ago, but God did. Listen to one of many testimonies from Sunday:

"Thank you for this-I needed to hear this today. I have been facing this fear for weeks. I want to let go of this fear and selfish person I am."

So many said, "How did you know what was going on in my life?" Folks, God is so trustworthy and He knows full well what we need and speaks through His Word to answer our questions and help us face our fears. Remember, if you're facing a Red Sea crossing, it's an opportunity for a miracle.

God rocked the house with super worship, and the Holy Spirit indeed showed up in power. Here's this weekends report:

• 7 persons committed their lives to Christ for salvation
• 11+ first time guest
• 4 second time families
• 1 signed up for Celebrate Recovery
• 15 recommitted their walk with Christ
• 2 signed up for Life Group

There is definite energy in the expectation of all God is doing and going to do in this great church He has planted and is building. We're getting closer with each passing day to occupying our new campus at 2500 East Wood Street. Don't forget to check the progress each week on the TVCC web site. Also, don't forget to check out the newest addition to our site by using the GROW tools which we hope will assist you in your daily walk with God.

Pastor Steve

PS Pray for our youth and their leaders at camp this week!

Facing Your Fears Through Faith

Anything worthwhile involves some level of risk. That's where a life of faith comes in, especially as we seek to stand firm as followers of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian may appear to be risky at times, but we must not let fear flatten our faith!

Unfortunately, there are times when the fear factor will cause us to melt at the first sign of adversity rather than believing that God is for us so, "...who can be against us?" Romans 8:31. How many times have we had the opportunity to stand up for Who and what we believe in? Yet when someone louder, bigger, more important, or someone that's perceived as smarter than we are speaks up, we shut up instead of speaking up. And what is it about our hurts, habits, or hang-ups that keep us hiding them in the dark rather than bringing them into the light where we can have victory over them?

This weekend we're going to examine a portion of The Exodus (14:1-31) and discover how God's people fell prey to the same weaknesses, frustrations, and shortsightedness as we do. They thought God had led them into an impossible situation; they were right on both counts! God had indeed led them and at least from their point of view, it was an impossible situation. (See Exodus 13:18 & 14:13-14) You might say it was something that only God could do; and you'd be right!

So how do we learn to trust in God and overcome fear? As our series summary statement teaches us... Trusting God in what we can't see by what we can see!

See you this weekend!

Overboard: Stepping Out Into a Life of Faith

Here's our working definition of faith for this month:
Trusting in what you can't see because of what you can see.

What does it mean to have faith? Is it just a church word that really doesn't make a difference in who you are or how you live? Can a person live by faith yet deny the foundations of it? In this series we will go Overboard with facts about faith and the difference having or not having it makes in your everyday life.

Week 1 When Faith Changes Your Life

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 Who wouldn't say, "I'd like to have more faith in my life!" this first week will look at: What is faith? What are the benefits? What will it do for me? What difference can it make in my life?

Week 2 Facing Your Fears Through Faith

"The Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians and they were terrified and they cried out to the Lord." Exodus 14:10 What is it that has you terrified, or as we would say it today, scared to death? There's always the lurking 'what ifs' in life when we just don't know what to do next. Maybe, just maybe, God's setting you up for a miracle!

Week 3 Believing Through the Life of Christ

Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you". Matthew 9:29 What are you expecting from God? Do you really believe He can and will deliver or is just a pipe dream and something He would do for others but not for you? We will discover that God's best is realized through a life lived through faith in Christ.

Week 4 When Faith's Foundations Crumble

"But those who listen and don't obey are like a man who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it crumbles into a heap of ruins." Luke 6:49 We will take an in depth look at God and Country during this Independence Day message. Are we still "one nation under God"? What would that look like in our culture today? Don't miss this powerful conclusion to this series as we encourage the people of God to return to the values God prescribed for us long ago.

Could It Be...

That the reason the 21st Century church isn't experiencing the power of the First Church of Jerusalem is because we refuse to have the same level of commitment? Randy Frazee in his Book The Connecting Church, points out that the problem with the lack of power in the church today could be our lack of connectedness. Randy says this:

"There's a powerful passage in Acts 2:43 that says, They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

"If you read the next several verses, you'll see the outcome of their community devotion: Miracles took place, people's lives were being changed, the believers cared deeply and sacrificially for each other, new people were coming to know Christ - and as a result their group grew rapidly. The Bible says they even enjoyed a spectacular reputation in the surrounding community. But there is one aspect of their fellowship most modern-day believers overlook - how often they got together: "Every day they continued to meet together.""

Our 'community' at TVCC is Life Groups. How are you connected and how are you caring for 'one another' within your group? I think Randy just might be on to something here!

RADICAL INCLUSIVENESS

This message of forgiveness - what's it all about and how far does it reach? Can just anyone be saved? What about those groups we mentioned in the sermon "Finding Faith in Troubled Homes" (May 10th)? Are they included too? What is the FAITH that will repair and rebuild fractured homes?

Too many times we have the tendency to classify sins, i.e. the bad ones vs. the good ones. The best I can read, there aren't any good ones! We may give them degrees or rank and order, but we don't make the rules, God does! Too many times, we relish in the list that we exclude ourselves from such as Romans 1 where Paul says:

That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Romans 1:26-27 (NLT)

But that passage has been prefaced by verse 18 which says:

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. Romans 1:18 (NLT)

Then we have to realize that, "All sinful, wicked people" includes:

"Lives... full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.
Romans 1:29-31 (NLT)

Hopefully we're involved less and less in this list of 'good sins' which at times, point directly to all of our hearts. You see, the Gospel is RADICALLY INCLUSIVE! For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 (NLT)

Here's the bad news: Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, (here's the Good News) but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (ESV)

And...

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 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. 1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)

Radical? YES! Inclusive? YES! We all have sinned and our best efforts fall short of the perfection we must have in order to receive God's forgiveness. But Jesus Christ radically saves everyone who comes to Him in repentance so that we may find mercy and grace and eternal salvation. What an AWESOME, ALL INCLUSIVE GOD we serve!

Mission Impossible

S Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." Matthew 19:26 (NLT)

O To be on mission with God through our own provision of good deeds and great efforts is impossible; it will never bring salvation. Only God, who established the way back home has the remedy through Christ.

A Since only Jesus can fulfill the mission of redemption for us, then we have nothing to bring to the dance except faith that what is impossible for us, is possible with God. Christ was good and He completed the mission for us.

P Lord Jesus - thank you for making the way to your house so very clear; you marked it well! May we leave a clear path as well. AMEN!

It Seemed Good At The Time!

That's usually when we get into trouble. It's when life gets out of balance and as the trainer on my Wii Fit says, "You put your foot down, didn't you?" That's what happens when we don't listen to God's Word and obey His instructions; we fall off the balance board!

In the email I sent out today "All Questions - One Answer" from 1 Chronicles 13:7 it reads:

They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab's house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart.
1 Chronicles 13:7 (NLT)

The problem came about when Uzzah disobeyed God concerning the commands about the Ark, or so it would seem.

Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.
1 Chronicles 13:10 (NLT)

What seemed like disobedience in Uzzah's life, was actually the result of David's failure to follow God's command regarding the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant. In Exodus we're told:

And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
Exodus 25:14-15 (ESV)

Then we know that God gave strict orders that the Levites were to carry the Ark whenever it was moved. God never intended for the Ark to be carried on a cart, but to be carried on the shoulders of those who had been appointed to do so. Okay, some of you are saying, AYTMTB? (And Your Telling Me This Because...)

Because when God speaks, He means it! That's why there is nothing more important than knowing and doing the Word of God. If you read all of 1 Chronicles 13, you'll see that David got mad at God for killing Uzzah and didn't take the Ark to Jerusalem for another three months (I think he was pouting!) But all the while, David knew what God's word said about the Ark, the rings, the poles, and the Levites. As a matter of fact, read 1 Chronicles 15:1-2 and you'll see that David repented (changed his mind) and finally brought the Ark back to Jerusalem. What a great and glorious day that was!

We must learn that God is God. When He speaks our response is to hear and obey, even if our way may seem right at the time. God's Word teaches us that...

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of
death. Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)

Sunday's Monday Download

AYTMTB...
(And you told me that because...)

Because I want you to hear the great things that God is doing at TVCC! We had a great weekend together and God blessed in a wonderful way! I want to especially thank the greeters for the wonderful job they do each and every weekend as they welcome and set the stage for newcomers as well as us regulars. They 'take the edge off' as they extend a warm hand and warm heart that causes first time guests to say, "Wow, this is a friendly place, even outside; it must be great inside!"

• 5 indicated receiving Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior
• 3 celebrated their new life in Christ through baptism
• 7 first time guests
• 3 second time guests
• 3 volunteered to serve
• 10 recommitted their walk with Christ
• 10 requests for life groups
• 22 requested text announcements
• 2 signed up for Celebrate Recovery

Have a great week and why not share your faith with someone who needs some Good News! Just brag on Jesus - He will do the rest.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

I hope many of you are still reading your Bible through this year. If you're not, today's a great day to start! Here's my own journal entry for today from Matthew 10:27.

DAYBREAK

S "What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!" Matthew 10:27 (NLT)

O Jesus has a bold message for His people to share with all those around us. His command is that we will shout it for all to hear!

A If I am going to have something to say to those around me, there is nothing more important than spending time in God's Word. If I don't hear him in my personal daily quiet time (what He whispers in my ear in private), I will have nothing worth talking about throughout my day.

P Thank you Father for your Word. May I hear your voice everyday so that I will always have something worth talking about! Amen.

S.O.A.P. of the Word: You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15:3 (NKJV)

txt: wiifm

April 21, 2009

What's In It For Me?
BLESSINGS! It's an inside job! That's what you get when you're a part of the body of Christ, joining together with the other members of the body to do the work of ministry. Because of your faithfulness, God is doing great things through you in the lives of others.

What a great weekend we enjoyed as we worshipped together and once again experienced God in wonderful ways. Here are a few of the goodies from Sunday:

• 1 commitment to Christ
• 5 more first time guest
• 3 second time families (plus many 2nd time children!)
• 3 volunteered for service
• 3 signed up for Celebrate Recovery
• 25 recommitted their walk with Christ
• 25 signed up for Life Groups!!!

I'm so excited to see what God is doing to grow the family of God at TVCC. He is working in so many lives; how about yours? What's the next step of faithfulness in your life? Don't know? Ask Him and He will tell you and multiply Himself through you.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)

Quick Links...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our Website www.tvcc.us
TVCC Blogs
Pastor Steve: http://www.stevegallimore.blogspot.com/
Gene Walden: http://www.waldensongs.com/
Ken Wells: http://kenwellstvccus.blogspot.com/

WIIFM - What's In It For Me?

Join us this weekend as we look at part 2 of our new series, txt: God Has A Message 4U. The next txt is WIIFM or What's In It For Me. To be honest, there's a great deal in it for you. But to know what it is, we have to learn the difference between pleasure and true happiness.

Join us this as we tune in to the #1 radio station going, WIIFM - only at TVCC this Sunday. Be sure to spread the word through a txt message, forward my blog, or send them to our web site at www.tvcc.us. Oh, and bring someone with you as well!

See you at the station!

Easter 2009 - And So It Began

WOW! Way to go God! Way to go TVCC!

The numbers are in and what a blessing to see what God will do through His people who are passionate about reaching others.

• Already Christ followers - 100's
• Began journey with Christ - Salvations - 36
• Considering Christ - 8 (One of those prayed to receive Christ during a follow up call (Yeah God!)
• Don't ever intend to follow Christ - 1
• Weekend Attendance including Children - 1076
  

As my good friend Allen said, "We had a great day at church...now we need to continue what we started!" AMEN Allen! I agree completely. When God's kids get excited about His promises and begin to act upon them - look out! He WILL show up in power, just as we witnessed this weekend.

The difference between 'having church' and 'being the church' is expecting God to use us and trusting Him enough that we would open our mouths, thereby allowing Him to do so.

Let your friends and neighbors know, the series "txt: God Has A Message For You" continues this weekend with Part 2 - WIIFM: What's In It For Me? Finding Real Happiness In A World of Pleasure.

TXT: GOD HAS A MESSAGE FOR YOU Part 1-MIRL is ready online for viewing

It's Saturday, but Sunday's-a-Comin'!

What do you do when a bolder is in the way of hope? It’s too big to move, there are others who are keeping you from it, and even if you could move it, it’s just another dead end. Well, that depends - on whether you’re talking about your view or what’s going on behind the bolder or God's view.

Jesus’ followers must have felt the same way. Everything they had placed their hopes and dreams in lay dead in the garden in a new tomb. That Saturday represented death, loss, and an unfulfilled life.

What does Saturday – today, represent in your life? What have you placed your hopes and dreams and based your very future on? My friend, it may be Saturday from your side of the bolder, but grab hold of some hope because Sunday’s-a-comin’! Saturday represents the way we see things in our lives – the problems too big, there are too many people in the way, and even if we tried it, it would only be another dead end. But Sunday – oh sweet Sunday, is a view from God’s side of the bolder, where death is not final, but only a seed getting ready to burst forth into new life!

What we see as death, God sees as the doorway to life. Don’t give up! It may be Saturday, but Sunday’s-a-comin’!

Finished - When He Said So

Have you ever heard anyone say, "It will be finished when I say it's finished?" In other words, they're controlling the situation and it will be done when they say it's done! Notice this last act of Jesus Christ on the Cross:

Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.

Matthew 27:50 (NLT)

He didn't just die - at least not as we think of it. I've been at the bedside of many who have, as we say it, passed away. While many have been ready to go on to be with the Lord, they died when they weren't able to live any longer. Not so with Jesus.

When Jesus released his spirit, he voluntarily died at the appointed time; when he was supposed to. In other words, it is as Jesus said in John chapter 10:18:

No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” John 10:18

Which further proves the fact that all Jesus did, was from divine appointment and of his own free will. As the old song says, "He could have called ten thousand angels, but he died alone for you and me." And, truth be known - if he had not chosen to die at that moment - he would not have. It was of his own free will in obedience to the Father. What great love!

May you, wherever you're reading this and wherever you celebrate Easter this weekend, know that by repenting of your sin and accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, you have released your life into His hands and that your redemption is complete through the all sufficient death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

HE IS RISEN!

THE LESSON ON SERVING

Clues to Pursue: Jesus on Thursday - A lesson on serving others-John 13:1-17 "…slaves are not greater than their master.”

As Jesus was preparing Himself and his disciples for what was now only a few hours away, he taught them the greatest lesson on serving others that has ever been given.

One of the main teaching tools of Christ was that of symbolism. Baptism is the symbol of the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a symbol; the bread is a symbol Christ’s body which was broken for us, and the wine was a symbol of the blood of Christ which would be poured out for us.

When Jesus taught to “wash one another’s feet” is was the greatest symbol we can imagine of how we are to serve one another with that kind of humility and sincerity. When we care for someone else, more than we care for ourselves, we too take up the towel and the basin.

One way we can serve others by inviting them to the greatest celebration in history: THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. Remember, the celebration begins at TVCC, Saturday 6:00 p.m. and continues Sunday at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.

HE IS RISEN!

Easter Week - Tuesday's Clue to Pursue

DOES IT COST TOO MUCH?

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste of money,” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Matthew 26:6-13 (NLT)

On Tuesday, Jesus certainly was busy. One of the events that Jesus saw as necessary, others - particularly Judas Iscariot - thought too extravagant. Jesus praised Mary for the act of unselfishness and assured her and others that her generosity would be remembered throughout the world.

What are we doing that has lasting consequences for Christ? What are we willing to pour out as a blessing to Christ this week as we pursue a life that is pleasing to Him?

Yesterday we were seeking couples to help serve in a particular area of need this weekend during our Easter services. One young couple said, "Pastor Steve, we'll serve at any service you want us to." I said, "Great! Which one are you attending?" To which they replied, "All three."

Extravagant? I don't think so...neither would Jesus. What are we willing to pour out so that we will bless others? No sacrifice is too expensive for the King!

Easter Week - Monday's Clue to Pursue

On Monday of Passover Week, Jesus cursed the fig tree. Why?

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:18-22 (NLT)

Figs are the fruit of the fig tree. According to the Bible Background Commentary, figs appear first, then the leaves or at least, the figs and leaves will appear about the same time. The fact that there were leaves indicated there should have been figs; even though they might have been green, they would have been there.

The lesson for Jesus' disciples is simply this: Figs should be on fig trees. Leaves alone are like saying, I have fruit, but yet none appears. Certainly Israel professed religion, but there was no true fruit for they had rejected Christ, the Messiah. Faith for the Christian means a fruitful life. Jesus is teaching his disciples, then and now, that a life that professes Christ (leaves on the tree) will be marked by faith (figs-fruit) as proof of it.

Who are you praying for and inviting to Easter services and to Christ? May God give you figs (fruit) for your faithfulness.

THE GENOCIDE OF SILENCE

The following is an excerpt for the book As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda by Catherine Claire Larson.

“The gash across the face of Emmanuel Mahuro, a seventeen year-old Rwandan native, is no longer an open wound. Today, like a jagged boundary line on a map, a scar juts down the plateau of his forehead, across the bridge of his nose, and up the slope of his right cheek. It is impossible to look into Emmanuel’s eyes without seeing this deep cut, a mark of division etched across his face — and the face of Rwanda — fifteen years after the genocide.

My first reaction to such scars is to avert my eyes. But to look away from Emmanuel’s scars is to look away from him. Strangely, as my eyes adjust to Emmanuel’s face, there is an impulse, not to recoil, but to follow the line of the scar across his skin. Emmanuel’s scar testifies to two realities. It is a witness to the human capacity for evil. To look at it is to hear it scream the brutality of an April that aches in the memory of an entire people. Yet his scar testifies to another truth: the stunning capacity of humans to heal from the unthinkable. To trace that scar is to discover the hope of a people who, despite losing everything, are finding a way to forge a common future for Rwanda.

On April 28, 1994 Christine Shelley, spokeswoman for the State Department, was asked whether what was happening in Rwanda was a genocide. She responded, “…the use of the term ‘genocide’ has a very precise legal meaning, although it’s not strictly a legal determination. There are other factors in there as well.” Meanwhile, the State Department issued a secret intelligence report identifying the killings as genocide.

March 15, 1998 President Clinton apologized to Rwandan genocide victims, saying, ‘We did not act quickly enough after the killing began . . . We did not immediately call these crimes by their rightful name: genocide.’”

Copied From As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda by Catherine Claire Larson

April 7, 2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the genocide of Rwanda. And to think, it could have been averted had people who held the power to do something about it wouldn’t have turned their backs and walked away. Had they called it ‘genocide’ from the beginning, the very word would have mandated the calling in of peace keeping forces…but they would not speak the truth, therefore because of the unwillingness to say the word ‘genocide’ more than 800,000 Rwandan’s lost their lives.

As I read this story my heart broke from the continued ‘genocide’ that is going on in our world today, not only as millions of innocent people are dragged from their homes and killed, but the genocide of the heart. We have the Peace Maker on board in our hearts if indeed we are followers of Christ, but we have to care enough, to be aware enough, that we will open our eyes to the plight of all those around us who do not know Christ as Lord. Satan’s greatest desire according to John 10:10 is to “…steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Jesus said however, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Paul said, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 (NKJV)

As we consider the question Paul presents next, let us “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb 10:24) for Paul said the way to prevent the genocide of those not yet in Christ, is to care enough to tell them, to invite them, to help them to hear the greatest story ever told this Easter. Don’t keep quiet, while those around you die.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14 (NKJV)

He is Risen Indeed! Go now, and tell!

NO APRIL FOOLS HERE!

Jim Elliot was a missionary who, along with three other men, gave their lives which were poured out as a sacrifice to Christ while trying to bring the Gospel to the Auca Indians in Ecuador. But know this: Jim and his fellow missionaries were no April fools. Jim wrote these powerful words in his diary and I challenge us with them today:


How true those words are: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. What are we willing to give of ourselves in order to get someone to the Gospel of Christ this Easter? Be sure to give away your "txt phones" and invite many to come hear the Good News this Easter! Services are Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Bring friends to all three!

Influenced by a Smiley Face

A Story of Influence

As we close this series on the Domino Effect, I want to share with you a blessing I received yesterday as Debbie, who is a nurse and member of TVCC, shared her story of the difference a smile can make...even something as simple as a smiley face.

Debbie had been treated for cancer several years ago and had undergone chemotherapy. As a result, she had experienced the loss of her hair and was totally bald. Debbie works for a doctor and is responsible to mail patients the results of their lab work. After the chemotherapy, Debbie's signature on the paperwork had a personalized drawing of a smiley face, bald but complete with eyes, ears, nose - and of course, a smile.

As with many things that take us extra time, Debbie began to wonder if the time it took to draw the smiley face really made any difference. That's when she received the call. The receptionist said, "I don't know if this lady's crying or laughing but she insists on talking to you." Debbie answered the phone and she discovered the lady on the other end was doing both. She shared with Debbie how that she was having one of the worst days of her life; down in the dumps, depressed, and a general all around rotten day - until she opened Debbie's letter and saw her contagious smiley face.

They both began to laugh and weep together as the story unfolded of the important uplift she'd received just at the right time; all because of a little - seemingly insignificant - smiley face.

Don't ever take your opportunity to influence others for granted. It really is the small, smiley faces of life that God uses to lift our spirits and our hearts, just when we need it the most.

Thanks Debbie! And keep on smiling for the glory of God!

Pastor Steve

What Influence?

So how's the week finding you? I hope it's been great and you're ready for a supercharged time of celebration this Sunday. I know Gene and the team have been getting all revved up and ready to go.

Carlton & I will teach together this weekend; not just tag team, but together. We're looking forward to teaching you how to play one of, if not the most important domino of your life - YOUR INFLUENCE. We're all influencing someone. The only question is, how? This is what God's Word tells us about our influence:

“Let your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 (CEV)

“You are to influence them; do not let them influence you!” Jer. 15:19 (NLT)

Our problem is not that we don't have anything to use to influence others. Our problem is that many Christ followers have never taken the time to figure out what God has given them and how He wants to use it. And worse still, we're letting the world influence us! God asked this question of Moses:

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied. God said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’” Ex. 4:2 (NIV)

That day, something as simple as a staff became the rod of God. The question is not, if you have a life of influence, but will you allow God to have it and make it a special instrument for Him to use to help and free others?

See you at the INFLUENCING PLACE this weekend! And of course, THE QUESTION: Who are you influencing to come with you to TVCC this Sunday? Join us to discover how to use the influence God has placed in "your hand" for His glory.

Sunday's Monday Download

March 23, 2009

We had another great weekend at TVCC. We had two great times of celebration and praise and if you weren't with us for the teaching time, you can go to our web site where it will be posted by Wednesday. We learned what the statement means, To understand why, submit and apply. Here are some stats from the weekend:

• Five indicated commitments toward Christ
• Six first time guests
• Three volunteered to serve
• Three want to be in a Life Group
• Many indicated they WOULD take the challenge...To understand why, submit and apply
  We had nine who joined us for Discovering How to Connect @ TVCC and also joined our family here. We're excited to see how God is going to serve others through them here at TVCC and in the community as well.
• We introduced our Easter theme of TXT- God Has a Message for You! Be sure and pass on all the TXT announcements, twitters, emails, etc. that you receive. What a great opportunity to invite others to Easter at TVCC TXT = ETVCC
  

Pastor Steve


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Reminders:
DON'T FORGET - 2009 is the Year of The Bible for TVCC. Keep reading, pressing on, and applying the Word of God to your life everyday. Keep journaling - DON'T GIVE UP! Wherever you are on the journey, keep it up. If you've not started yet, today is a great time to turn off the TV, open your Bible, and spend time with God through His Word.

YOU GOTTA READ THE DOMINO STORIES THAT ARE STILL COMING IN! The fourth round, as well as many first, second, and third round God stories are coming in and what a blessing they are. If you have yet to give your domino away along with the blessing it extends, go to our web site and share your story, get involved and share the blessing! You can follow this link to the site at: http://www.tvccdominoeffect.us/index.htm

An Easter Conversation

March 17, 2009

Easter is April 12 and I'm so excited! Why is Easter such a big deal? Is it just something that happened 2000 years ago? Was Easter only for me or should it make a difference through me?

Too many times we only think of Easter as something God did for us. While He has indeed given Christ for us as the greatest gift ever through His death, burial, and resurrection, God wants Easter to come alive through us as well. Everything Jesus did for us, He wants to do through us.

This is my challenge to you this Easter: CHANGE!

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Change the way you think - about those you know who need a life changing relationship with Christ.

Just remember this for today: Easter is for us and its effect is to be seen through us. God wants to use you to impact the lives of others. Join us here for this important conversation as we catch God's wave and build momentum toward Easter during the next five weeks.

Sunday's Monday Download

March 9, 2009

• YOU GOTTA READ THE DOMINO STORIES THAT ARE COMING IN! The second round, as well as many first round God stories are coming in and what a blessing they are. If you have yet to give your domino away along with the blessing it extends, go to our web site and share your story, get involved and share the blessing! You can follow this link to the site at: http://www.tvccdominoeffect.us/index.htm
• God really blessed us yesterday through everything He taught us as we worshipped, praised, and rejoiced in Him. We serve an awesome God!
• We had 3 cards indicating first time guests
• 2 new volunteers for the set-up & take-down team
• A mom and her son signed up for the mission trip to the Dominican Republic in June
• 3 signed up for the next Discovering How to Connect at TVCC (101)

Be sure to say a prayer today for the family of pastor Fred Winters of First Baptist Church, Maryville, ILL who was shot and killed as he was preaching yesterday morning. Pray for the church and their healing and for the strength to continue on. Also pray that we will all be more diligent in spreading the Gospel of Christ, the only cure for a people and a nation who stand in dyer need of a life and world changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

May God bless you and pour Himself through you this week as your life contacts others on the way, and you truly experience the domino effect for the glory of God.

The Domino Effect of Choice

Although we're not talking about finances this weekend, we all know that the domino effect really works when it comes to doing the right thing with our money. This week Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church had a great article on how to get out of debt. During these tough days we're all facing, we would do well by enacting a plan in our personal finances that will get us out of the bondage of being a slave to indebtedness. The domino effect of reducing and ridding yourself of debt will greatly impact your family, your marriage, and faithfulness to God's direction and purpose for your life.

Eight steps to getting out of debtby Rick Warren

There's no doubt personal debt has played a key role in the current financial crisis. You've got people in your church who are hurting - badly. And debt isn't just impacting our congregations; it's impacting the pulpits as well. How do we get out from under it? We've got to commit to eight steps and help our members do the same. [more]

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This Weekend at TVCC - Choosing Life or Death
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Last week we started our new series, The Domino Effect. We discovered that love will always involve choices. As Adam and Eve made their choice, they provided the backdrop for all of our lives and gave us a lasting portrait of the value of every decision. Join us this weekend as we discover the domino effect of our choices: Life & Blessings or Death & Curses. All of our choices have consequences, either good or bad. So...choose life!

See you this weekend,

Pastor Steve

On March 1st we launched a new series called The Domino Effect. When one thing happens, regardless of whether it is good or bad, there is certain to be a Domino Effect that is to follow. This thought process began as we witnessed the mass exodus from Murray and much of Western Kentucky as they poured in to Puryear, Paris, and the Paris Landing areas to find food, water, gasoline, and other supplies they needed to get them through the storm.

As I thought about this I realized that what we were all experiencing was The Domino Effect, i.e. every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Be sure that you join us for this series as we answer questions that we all face each and every day. Each week during this series, I’ll post a different set of questions relating to the upcoming topic.

If you can't join us in person you can listen to the sermon on our website, or download the mp3. You can also print out a copy of the sermon notes so you can follow along and fill in the answers as you go. Just follow this link: http://www.tvcc.us/onlinesermons.htm.

To watch this weeks sermon or to watch other sermons from our archives, follow this link: http://www.tvcc.us/sermons/onlinesermonplayer.html. Sermons are posted by Wednesday each week.

February 19, 2009

How are you being used by God? "Oh, I'm not a pastor or missionary so God can't use me." REALLY? If that's so, I wonder what Jesus meant when he said, "In the same way that you gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world." John 17:18 (Mes)

Why do you need to be on Mission with God?

• God's mission is recession proof - it always has His supply
  
• God's mission is fool proof - it depends on God's wisdom, not yours
  
• God's mission is lasting proof - of His eternal love for everyone

Too many times we give up with a case of the "poor me's" rather than getting in and fighting the good fight. Remember, when you surrender to your desires rather than keeping your life pure before God, you're asking for heaping piles of trouble. "But I'm not good enough...." Remember what my friend John at TVCC said,

"Once I realized God could use my failures, there was no limit to what He could do through my life."

All of us need to heed Paul's words to Timothy:

Timothy, you belong to God, so keep away from all these evil things. Try your best to please God and to be like him. Be faithful, loving, dependable, and gentle. Fight a good fight for the faith and claim eternal life. God offered it to you when you clearly told about your faith, while so many people listened. Now I ask you to make a promise. Make it in the presence of God, who gives life to all, and in the presence of Jesus Christ, who openly told Pontius Pilate about his faith. Promise to obey completely and fully all that you have been told until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 1 Timothy 6:11-14 (CEV)

See you at the MISSION"S MISSION place this weekend!

Pastor Steve

Amy's Prayer Lesson

Hello,

I wanted to share with you how my prayer lesson continued after I left church. I guess God knew I needed a little more instruction. My son and I went down to the lake to go walking and stopped to rest. Well, I was sitting quietly on a rock while my son was throwing rocks into the water. He looked up to me and asked what I was doing I told him I was praying. And he looked at me like I was crazy and said, "In your head?" To which I responded, "Yes". He then come over to me and told me with 3 year-old enthusiasm to "Pray Loud, Momma!". Which he demonstrated for me by very LOUDLY thanking God for the rocks, the sun, water, etc. It was awesome. Lesson learned.

Amy