Do you have lasso faith? I mean, when you have a problem you see faith as this power that can make God act- every time- with your fix? So you have your ritual lasso- you know … pray + pray + read the Bible + be good (or whatever you add) = God will do what you want? That type of faith sells books, makes for good TV and is fun to preach. Everyone wants to believe that deep down inside if they just get the lasso formula right- presto- God is in with the fix. That sounds good but just isn’t true. Does God sometimes answer our prayers with a solution that removes the problem- yep! Does He do it every time? Nope! Let me remind you of a story in the Old Testament about 3 Hebrew boys who are being thrown into a fiery furnace for their obedience to God. Listen to their response to the King who is threatening them: In Daniel Chapter 3

• (16) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. (17) If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. (18) But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

They proclaimed that their faith was not dependent on God rescuing them from their circumstances. No matter what happened they would not recant. We all know that God did not save them from the fire but through the fire. I believe that is God’s response often to our “situation”. On an interesting side note, the only thing that was burned in the fire was the ropes that bound them (read the text and see). I find God often delivers me through the fire rather than from the fire. And, in the fire I find new freedom.
If you missed this weekend- Here is the video teaching:

I look forward to continuing Faith, Hope and Luck this weekend! See you there.

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This weekend we launch Faith, Hope and Luck. I promise this: you will want to be here and bring a friend. What’s this series about?
Our faith in God often hinges on His activity — or inactivity — in our daily experiences. When our prayers are answered, our faith soars. When God is silent, it becomes harder to trust Him. When God shows up in an unmistakable way, our confidence in Him reaches new heights. But when He doesn’t come through, our confidence often wanes. But it doesn’t have to be that way — it’s not supposed to be that way. This 5-part series is guaranteed to transform your thinking about FAITH. As we journey through this topic together, we will discover the difference between Faith, Hope and Luck. Plan now to journey with us.
Here is the promo video- pass it on.

The Lord’s Supper and Baptism are the two ordinances Jesus prescribed for the New Testament Church. An ordinance does not give you extra grace or standing with God. Rather, they are practices that Jesus instituted, the Apostles taught and the early church practiced. Both ordinances point to the cross. This weekend we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Communion). Here are some passages I want you to read about this practice:

• Luke 22:7-27
• 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

So what is the Lord’s Supper?

• A celebration of all Jesus accomplished on the cross? Yes!
• A memorial for us to remember the price that was paid? Yes!
• A time of introspection and evaluation? Yes!
• A time to look forward? YES!

So plan to attend Sunday as we celebrate, remember, evaluate and look forward.
The following 9 minute video uses Old and New Testament passages to describe what the Lord’s Supper is all about. Please take a moment to watch, I believe it will inspire all of us.