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The Five “C’s” – Pastor Rick Sinclair, March 19, 2008
By Mandee Widrick

Stability is something everyone desires. The world wants answers to their questions and logical reasoning for everything that happens. When the answers aren’t available, sometimes people panic, and look for those answers in all the wrong places. This seeking usually leads downhill and causes further destruction. At that point, the world looks back, even more confused than when they first began their quest of truth.

We’ve been given eyes to see, ears to hear, mouths to speak. We have hands to reach, and feet to go. We have the ability to see those in need and hear their heart’s cry. When we find those people, we can speak hope to the lost and reach out to them. We’ve been equipped by God with all of these abilities…why? To change lives.

1 Peter 3:15 talks about being ready with a defense for our faith, a reason for why we do what we do. I like the translation from the Message: Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are. It’s put plain and simple. Be ready with an answer when you’re asked.

When you do something to someone, whether it be a spoken offense or an act that another person doesn’t agree with, that person may perhaps expect an apology. But what really is an apology? “Apology” originates from the Greek word, “apologia,” meaning, “a speech in one’s own defense.” It’s more than just saying you’re sorry. It’s actually an account of why we behaved or believed in that particular way. Therefore, we become the apologist, answering for our actions.

There are five “C’s” of an effective apologist for Jesus.

1. Converted – You must have completely given your life over to Christ.
2. Character – Be the individual person that God has made you to be.
3. Content – Know God’s words well enough to provide solid answers.
4. Communication – Learn how to get your point across successfully.
5. Conviction – Keep your heart right with God!

In order to be effective, we first have to make the effort. Shrinking back and never trying won’t bring new life to those around us. There are souls depending on us. The saying, You can’t fail if you don’t try, is so true. You certainly can’t fail if you never make an attempt in the first place. But you can’t win either! If you don’t try, then basically, you’ve already failed. THE WORLD CANNOT FIND JESUS IF YOU DON’T SHARE HIM! You never know what small things may make a difference in a person’s life, so don’t be intimidated. Follow God’s calling on your own life, and He’ll take care of the rest.

We’re totally stoked to have the Julia Marie Band at New Life Christian Church on Saturday, March 22nd @ 7pm, sponsored by 33 Live. Come see one of the US’s top classical guitarists perform with her full band for one night only! From rock to folk to flamenco, Julia Marie, at just 17 years old, is one of the most remarkable phenoms to hit the stage in Jefferson County! She’ll also be making a special guest appearance at 33 Live Wednesday Night on March 19th (7pm), so make sure to invite your friends! Tickets for the Saturday night concert are just $5 (at the door only!). Don’t miss it!

Sowing and Defending Your Inheritance, Part 3 - March 5, 2008
By Mandee Widrick

God says if we are faithful in few things, He will give us charge over many things. He created us to be responsible for what He sends our way. Whether the task be big or small, God never gives us anything that we can’t handle with His help.

Jesus shares a story with His people in Luke 19:11. He tells of three servants that are each given one mina (three months wages) by a king and instructed to invest the money while he is away. The first servant earned ten minas with the one he was given, and when the king returned, the servant was rewarded charge over 10 cities. The second servant earned five minas, and was given charge over 5 cities. The third servant remained with only one mina. When confronted why he did not invest the money, the servant claimed he was afraid. Oops! Wrong answer. The king took the mina away from the third servant and gave it to one who would be responsible for his valuables.

God is asking us to invest our gifts into the areas where He has called us to. It is my desire to be the servant that handled his king’s gift with wisdom and courage, because that servant received a great reward for his faithfulness. Do not disqualify yourself from your inheritance because you are too preoccupied with sin. Satan is just waiting for us to sit back and say it’s too hard to figure out where God wants us. It is the devil’s intention to make sin look easier than following Christ. Are we called to shrink back and make excuses, or are we called to stand up and fight for what belongs to us?

“It’s too hard.” No it’s not.

“I’m too afraid.” Why are you afraid when you have Christ?

“I don’t have time.” Make time!

“I could never do that.” With God, you can do anything.

WE ARE NOT A GENERATION OF EXCUSES!!

If you believe any of those lies from the enemy, then this is why you’re having such a difficult time receiving what God is trying to give you. The blessings are there! And they’re your’s for the taking! Start believing in what God is going to do in your life and you might be surprised at the changes you’ll begin to see. Get out there and start doing things for other people. Share the love of Jesus that He’s put inside of you. Do you want God to do something for you without having to ask Him? Prove that you can do something for someone else without them having to ask YOU! Invest in people! Start with one, and watch that one person turn into 5, then 10, a whole highschool, an entire county! Don’t let your “mina” sit dormant because you weren’t willing to step out and make a difference. Nehemiah 4:16 says the people worked with a sword in one hand and a trowel (small hand-held tool) in the other. The people built a wall with the trowel and defended their work with the sword. Defend the field God has called you to pour your efforts into. A trowel in one hand, a sword in the other. Build. Then defend.

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Being Tricked Out of Your Inheritance, Part 2 - February 27, 2008
By Mandee Widrick

It doesn’t feel good when you find out someone has taken advantage of you. When they step in the way, trick you, belittle you, and all for their own benefit. And what feels even worse, is when you realize you actually allowed that person the authority to have control. It’s an “ouch” when we finally see that it never would have happened in the first place if we’d just stepped up to the plate and said…“No.”

The decisions we make today will be the repercussions of tomorrow. Hold that thought for one second and take a look at the definition of REPERCUSSION: “An unintended consequence occuring some time after an event or action, especially an unwelcome one.”

Read the story of Jacob and Esau. In Genesis 25:29 it says: “One day Jacob was boiling a pot of vegetable soup. Esau came in from hunting in the fields, weak from hunger. So Esau said to Jacob, ‘Let me eat some of that soup, because I am weak with hunger.’ But Jacob said, ‘You must first sell me your rights as the firstborn son.’ ” Esau agreed, giving away his rightful inheritance from their father, just for a bowl of soup!! Fast forward to Genesis 27:35 where Isaac and Esau discover that Jacob has fooled them both: “But Isaac said, ‘Your brother came and tricked me. He has taken your blessing.’ Esau said…’He took my share of everything you own, and now he has taken away my blessing.’ ”

Jacob got in the way and took what belonged to Esau. Unfortunately, Esau enabled him to do so, all by his initial act of trading his birthrights away for something as petty as soup.

Don’t trade away your God-given inheritance!

Satan can only succeed in making us miss out on what God has for us when he’s able to partner with someone who gives him authority. Don’t give him that chance! God gives us the authority to say no to the enemy. NO to sin. NO to the lies. NO to giving in. “No” is the key word here! We all have hopes, dreams and ideas that God has put inside of us. Satan is battling to put a stop to every plan God has for you. Satan is the ultimate deceiver, the king of all tricksters. DO NOT BE FOOLED!

2 Samuel 21:1 says, “So David sought the Lord…” Why? Because decisions made without first consulting Him are decisions made by us alone! In other words…decisions made hastily without God could have lasting effects, even on generations to come. Put God first in everything you do, and be part of a generation that simply can’t exist without him. Ask God to show you what He has for you. I promise it will be worth the tough times. Be strong, and don’t trade your inheritance for “a bowl of soup.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST!