This week the announcement was made that Extreme Makeover Home Edition would ambush the Oregon School for the Deaf here in Salem. It’s gonna be exciting to see the outcome of this wonderful project for a historic institution. I can feel a palatable sense of anticipation buzzing around our city right now. Actually, I’m just hoping to bump into Ty Pennington at Starbucks, and secretly, I’m expecting a call from him wanting to use my scooter for the show. Can you see it now: “Move that Vespa!”

Oh well, here’s to dreaming.

Speaking of dreaming…my son Jordan and I got a good laugh out of a crazy thought he had. He jokingly wondered about sneaking onto the school campus with the use of his American Sign Language (ASL) skills. He is quite fluent in ASL which would aid his grand scheme of blending in with the deaf students. His plan was to ignore the security with a simple shrug of his shoulders and a few hand motions. Phase Two of his mission was to put himself as close to Ty or the cameras as possible, and then let history takes its course!

I wonder if there are areas in our lives in which we are just “going through the motions.” Have you sneaked onto the set of Christianity by acting like a Christian without having a deep heart change? Perhaps you’ve mastered the externals; the visible aspects, only to ignore the internal transformational work of the Spirit. Too often, one can settle for a facsimile of someone else’s faith only to discover that they have nothing of their own.

Are you allowing Christ to consume you personally? Have you gone ALL IN with him or are you going through the motions?

At West Salem Foursquare we have been flipping through the Book of Acts and finding places in which we should go ALL IN…

…in our unity.
…in our giving.
…in our generosity.
…in our dedication.
…in our obedience.

To only “go through the motions” in these areas is nothing short of religion and legalism. We don’t want that. We want relationship and life change. We need an extreme makeover of the heart!

Blessings as you go ALL IN,

Pastor John

Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare

]]> http://wsfc.org/heres-to-dreaming/feed/ 0 http://wsfc.org/are-you-going-all-in/ http://wsfc.org/are-you-going-all-in/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:49:58 +0000 John Fehlen http://wsfc.org/?p=1546 Hello Friends,

Are you going ALL IN?

This week marks the beginning of our Three-Month Tithing Challenge from September until November.  If you are looking for more information about this wild and crazy challenge to take God at His Word then pick up an ALL IN card at WSFC or download one at http://wsfc.org/all-in/.

We are just so confident that God’s Word is true that we are kicking it up a notch with a money-back guarantee!  If you go ALL IN and the Lord doesn’t honor His Word in your life THEN your church will give you 100% of your donation back! No questions asked.
Go for it.

Trust the Lord.

Try it for three months.

Tell us how you’ve been blessed. Email us at stories@wsfc.org.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare

It was the biggest sandwich I had every laid eyes upon.  What was even better was that I was able to also lay my hands upon it AND put my mouth to it as well.  It was a pastrami sandwich  called the MESHUGALETTA from Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen, a wonderful eatery in Portland. The sandwich is over 10 inches high and filled with pastrami, salami, roast beef, turkey, swiss and spicy pickle relish!  Unbelievable.

Having been able to eat only half of it, I was more than happy to box up the other half and nibble on it for the rest of the week.  I was dreaming about the lunches and late night munching on the other half of this HUGE sandwich. I was dreaming, until…

…Until my kids started prodding me to give the rest of it away to a homeless person.  They were pumped to think about how an underprivileged man or woman would be so surprised and blessed by this meal.  I, however, was less than joyful to give it away.  I wanted it for myself.  I told the kids how expensive it was ($15.95) and how it wouldn’t be valued, fully eaten or perhaps thrown away fearing that it had been tampered with.  I had lots of excuses for not giving it away.  But my excuses didn’t hold up against my kids requests.

So I gave it away.

And I’m glad I did.

For starters,  I didn’t NEED to eat that much stinking food.  Secondly, my children NEEDED to see their Dad model generosity.

From this last weekend’s teaching at WSFC we learned (and I want to remind you) some valuable things about generosity:

• Generosity is a response to Jesus
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

• Generosity indicates maturing faith
“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7

• Generosity is sacrificial
“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2

• Generosity is a Gospel issue
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” 2 Corinthians 9:13

Blessings,

John

Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare

Extreme Home Makeover is coming to our area! As part of our West Salem Foursquare family we wanted to open up this invitation to be part of this amazing event. Tomorrow night, Thurs August 26 at 7:30pm, Rich Duncan Construction is hosting a volunteer kick off night at WSFC.  While the exact details of the build won’t be released until after the recipients are announced on or around September 6th, volunteers will now have over a week to sign up and get involved in this community event. Attendees will also get a chance to hear from members of the production team who will be present to talk about the show and how people can help.

We hope to see you 7:30 at WSFC tomorrow! For more information or to sign up go here.

We challenge each and every person to take God at His Word and trust him with your finances. Pick up an ALL IN Commitment Card in the seat back for more information about our Three-Month Tithing Challenge or click here.  E-mail us testimonies of God’s blessing at stories@wsfc.org.

We love kids at WSFC!  Do you have time to serve 3 times this Fall with birth-5th graders.  Fill out a serve card and write FALL IN or online interest sheet on our website.

Middle School & High School ministries are also looking for youth leaders to serve for special events & Wednesday youth group.

Do you have a hardship, need or praise to share? With sensitivity and wisdom, we have a wonderful prayer team who are dedicated to praying for you.  Submit your praise/prayer confidentially here.

This last weekend we continued on in our ALL IN teaching series that was launched at our UNITED service at Riverfront Park.We took a look at the very important and biblical imperative of GIVING.

I wanted to revisit some of the statistics, tidbits of information, quotes and key points that I put forward in that teaching.

• Average Americans spent $1.22 for every $1.00 earned.
• 70% of credit card holders carry an average of $7900 unpaid balance.
• From consumerreports.org: Americans have debt equal to 99% of their annual disposable incomes.
• In 1929, 2% of homes in America had mortgages whereas 40 years later, in 1969 only 2% of homes did not have mortgages.
• Ivana Trump, former wife of Donald Trump, reported in USA Today that she needed $6.2 million per year to live.
• There are 2350 Bible verses on the subject of money and possessions compared to 500 verses on prayer and less than 500 on faith.
• 16 out of 38 of Jesus’ parables talked about money.
• 1 out of 10 verses in the Gospels are about money.
• 91% of Americans make more money than ever before, and yet we have a 27 year decline in the percentage that Christians give.
• Only 3% of Christians actually tithe (10%) to their local church.

Billy Graham:  “A checkbook is a theological document:  it tells you who and what you worship.”

Billy Graham:  “If a person gets his attitude towards money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in life.”

Martin Luther:  “Every Christian has to go through three conversions:  the heart, the head, and the pocketbook.”

Malachi 3:10 - “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

As a response to this Scripture (and so many others!) we have  launched our Three-Month Tithing Challenge and you can be a part!  We challenge each and every person to take God at His Word and trust him with your finances. Test him and see if he doesn’t provide in ways you never imagined.  For more information about our Three-Month Tithing Challenge contact WSFC and we’ll send you a ALL IN Commitment Card.  If you have testimonies of God’s blessing please let us know at stories@wsfc.org.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare

It’s at those moments you begin to realize just who is God and who isn’t. God tell us in Isaiah 2:22, “Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils.” Trusting in yourself alone, is nothing more than trusting in “man”.

Barriers have not always immediately melted away, since I gave my life to Jesus, but He has never left me. Each time, He has led me through, over, or around obstacles, without fail.

I have found that serving Him, rather than myself, is the way to live life. In James 2:22, God tells us that faith and actions, working together, lead to righteousness.

I know I am saved by what I believe and feel, not by what I do. But to me, serving God everyday, leads to fullness of life. I want to serve Him each day, as if it were my last, because someday, it will be.

Bob Myers
Elder, West Salem Foursquare

“The Lord’s Supper was originally used as a destratifying tool by Paul. He wanted less hierarchy and pecking order, and more equality amongst the participants. One wonders indeed how happy he would be that in so many Christian contexts today the meal is controlled by clerics who not only control and perform the ritual, but usually serve themselves first and others later, ignoring the complaint of Paul about the well-to-do and the poor in Corinth! Protestants like to say we all stand on level ground at the cross, for we are all equal at the foot of the cross. I would add we are all supposed to be equal when we kneel or sit at the Lord’s Table as well. The leveling effect of the Meal needs to come more into play in some quarters these days.” Ben Witherington III in Making a Meal of It

The context of this quote is regarding The Lord’s Supper (communion), but I would like to apply it to our overall fellowship and community-building. I think it’s important for us to remember one another, prefer one another, love one another, and give to one another. This is how Jesus lived. This is what the Bible promotes. And this is how Christians should function!  Less hierarchy and pecking orders. More equality. More love. More serving.

Can we do this together? Can we continue to have our hearts and actions refined into the image of Jesus?  I love how West Salem Foursquare is a church that endeavors to look like this!! Let’s keep doing it!

So, when you HAVE it you have to KEEP it.

The Apostle Paul agrees: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit…” (Ephesians 4:3).

In an effort to foster unity please join us on August 7 @ 6 pm @ Riverfront Park for UNITED.

See you there.

Blessings,

John

Riverfront Schedule

FamilyFest 10am-4pm hosted by Family Building Blocks has kids zumba, animals, health information and more.

Fun & Fellowship 4-6pm come early to park, have a picnic with friends, play frisbee and fellowship with others.

United @ 6pm West Salem Foursquare will be uniting for one Saturday service at the Riverfront. *There will be NO Sunday Aug 8th services.

Where to park downtown…

You can’t blame Peter.  I probably would have done the same thing if given the opportunity.  His close friend and spiritual leader is talking nonsense about having to die and rise again after three days – foolish thinking!

So it was natural for Peter to pull Jesus aside and try to reason with him. Scripture says that Peter “rebuked” Jesus. That word has come to mean “setting an individual on course or setting straight.”  Peter was trying to get Jesus to get his story right.  It’s at this junction that Jesus gives his famous rebuke to Peter: “Get behind me Satan!”

I don’t feel that Jesus was specifically calling Peter the devil. He was generally addressing the devilish line of thinking that was being displayed in the disciples including Peter.  Peter was thinking rationally. Peter was thinking humanly. Peter, however, was not thinking spiritually!  He didn’t have the mind of Christ, instead he was thinking out of the reserves of his humanity.

Colossians 3:1 tells us to “set our hearts on things above…set your minds on things above not on earthly things.” Romans 12 exhorts us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Sounds like Peter needed a renewal of his heart and mind!  Don’t we all?

Blessings,

Pastor John

“Come and participate fully” these words have haunted me every day for the past several weeks. God used them to get my attention through a recent conversation with a friend. I left the discussion wrestling with my own hesitancy to fully engage with the people and plans for which God created me. In that moment I realized for the first time, how much of my life, including, relationships, opportunities, and daily moments I have not fully embraced due to fear of failure and rejection, insecurity and pride.

Maybe it’s just me…or maybe it’s you too. How many opportunities to truly live have been passed over in favor of maintaining the status quo?

I’ve come to the conclusion that “normal” is very over rated. I believe many in our western culture mistake the “abundant” life Jesus promised for living a comfortable, socially acceptable and relatively problem-free existence, when in fact it is so much more.

Are you familiar with that persistent ache and reoccurring question in your spirit constantly asking if your life was intended for something more? If so, consider it an invitation to move from the bleachers to the playing field of you own life- -to live daily with purpose and not at whim of your own insecurities.

Maybe you, like me, at times feel uncertain about your role in the story of humankind? Come with me, before we talk ourselves back into our unfulfilling but comfortable corners of “normalcy” and take a step toward participating fully in (as Eugene Peterson puts it) the “life life and more life” that Jesus makes available to all who know Him.

Commit with me to step where HE guides though the path seems unfamiliar and confusing at times. True fulfillment comes as knowing Him becomes our highest goal and trusting him beyond our comfort level our new “normal”.

You are not alone,

Valerie Bellamy

Women’s Ministry Pastor
womentoday@wsfc.org

As we read God’s words, we begin to see how God responds to things. Doing daily devotions re-patterns the way we think and transforms the spirit of the mind. Then when we face similar situations as Jesus did, we begin to respond in the same way.

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It’s also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the ‘gems’ that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your small group or mentors. Through discussion, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others.

S

for Scripture

Open your Bible to the reading found under today’s date of your Bible bookmark, reading guide on the bulletin or online at http://wsfc.org/resources/. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O

for Observation
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

A

for Application
So what? What does this mean for me? Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P

for Prayer
This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

If this seems a little overwhelming, take it slow and keep it simple. No matter how you decide to do your devotions, the important thing is to show up for your daily appointment, because God is always waiting for you!

via New Hope Life Journal

Optimistic? Yep.

Good attitude? Oh, yeah!

That boy has the right perspective on his situation. Imagine if The Church functioned with this kind of optimism. Imagine having a heart of expectancy and a hope that is birthed and rooted IN CHRIST. Our circumstances and trials could easily get the best of us (if we let them), but with Jesus as our strength and our foundation we are made “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). And it’s true that “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).

We have incredible Kingdom potential. Whether you’re a hitter or a pitcher, let’s step up to the plate and swing with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength.

John
Lead Pastor

“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12

Jesus knew how to take timely breaks to replenish his soul. He was the master at balance. He purposefully took time off, not based upon the calendar but for the condition of his soul.

From the above passages in the Book of Luke I see a pattern of health for the Christian believer.

Withdraw…in Preparation for…in the Process of…and Prior to!

First, notice the context in which Jesus withdrew in preparation for ministry to people (Luke 4:42).  This happened to be a time when his popularity was growing and his name was catching on. People wanted to be around Jesus – therefore he knew the value of first being with his Father.

Secondly, see how Jesus got away in the process of intense ministry (Luke 5:16).  Crowds, sick people, and draining ministry situations are all reasons to step back and quietly connect with God.  What are the pressing issues that you are facing right now?  Before going any further – go be with God! It will make all the difference.

Lastly:  Jesus took extra time with his Father prior to making a large decision (Luke 6:12).  Before he chose the twelve disciples he went away for an extended time to get the “mind of God” on that significant issue.  He ended up spending the entire night in prayer.  Do you have a large decision to make?  If so, follow the model of Jesus by getting away to pray prior to making that decision.

I encourage you to take some time this summer to carve out a solitary place with the Lord.  It is a great way to prepare you for a season of ministry or hard work to come in the fall. If you’ve been in the middle of a trying time, then perhaps a time away to pray and be refreshed is in order. Or maybe you have a large decision that needs to be made and you need wisdom from the Lord…find a solitary place to get his heart for your next steps.

Jesus did it. Shouldn’t we?

Walk a little slower daddy,
said a child so small.
I’m following in your footsteps
and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they’re hard to see,
Sometimes they’re a little slower,
Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up,
You’re what I want to be.
Then I will have a little child
Who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
And to know that I was true.
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.”

When Joshua was 6 years old he gave this poem to me. It was a school project. Silhouetted in the background of the card was his painted footprint. His footprint is frozen in time – preserved in history. I’ll never see his footprint at this size again because it will continue to only get bigger (and most certainly has since he is now 15!!).

He now pours his own glass of milk, walks to the store alone, is getting his drivers license soon, and will graduate from high school and…like his father…get married at 19 years old! Whoa Nelly, I’m having one of those ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ moments!!

Bottom line for us to consider on this Father’s Day weekend: Walk A Little Slower Dad.

Remember that there is a young generation that is following us (trying to anyway). Give them something to follow. Give them a life completely dedicated to Our Father in Heaven.

I can’t believe I said NO.

When I was a senior in high school I was one of three students that were asked to consider being the commencement speaker. The administration asked two people but only needed one.  I declined even though I knew exactly what I would have spoken on. I could picture myself on the platform. I knew the exact stories, Scripture and key points I would make.  I could even hear myself speaking the words to the crowd and sharing the Gospel with them.

Even in high school, I was no stranger to public speaking.  I did it often in speech classes, drama class, school plays and youth group. It wasn’t that I was scared or intimidated. I shoulda said YES. I don’t know why I didn’t.

But, alas, I didn’t.

Instead I deferred to the other student. Inside I was hoping she would defer back to me. Then I would rebuff and point back to her. Then she would customarily shift it back my direction and THEN I would say yes. You know the drill. The same thing happens between multiple parties at a restaurant when the bill comes!

On that note…have you ever had the bill come and you said “Oh, let me get this” only to have the other party immediately say, “OK, thanks.” Isn’t there something in you that mutters “Hey, you broke the bill paying rules!”

Anyway…I shoulda said yes. Now, 21 years later I still think about it.  I want to encourage those that are graduating this month to live with as few regrets as possible. Few spiritual regrets. Few relational regrets. Few financial regrets. Few emotional regrets.

Here is the text of Scripture I was going to talk from in my “Graduation Speech Never Heard”…

Ecclesiastes 12:1 / Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.”

If you read this ad would you pay attention?

A while ago I was given one of those daily calendars at the beginning of the year. It has a different church bulletin blooper on each day. One of the bloopers caught my attention.

“Our church will present a series of classes on various subjects throughout the month of March. The classes offered include: ‘How to Lose 100 Pounds, from 7-9 PM Monday.’”

Many would show up if it meant losing 100 pounds in only two hours! Everyone wants a quick fix to our physical conditions. But it just doesn’t work that way. Neither does it work that way with our spiritual condition.

1 Timothy 4:8 says “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

No one can promise instant results because Christianity is an on-going journey.

Eugene Peterson calls it “the long obedience in the same direction.” If you are struggling with unresolved issues in your life or if you are anxious for a life-change then I encourage you to“go to the Lord” and allow him to work the process in your heart.

Forget the quick fix.

There is no magic pill that can be taken in order to bypass hard work and discipline. Commit yourself for the long haul and trust that “he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it…”

~ John

It seems as if the older I get to more I forget. I live by my to-do lists and handwritten notes. When I sit at a local coffee shop to read my Bible, I will always have an extra napkins on the table in order to capture quick thoughts that I don’t want to forget as I’m in the Word. It seems cheesy, but I’m the kinda guy that would go around with a string tied to my finger as a memory device.

Sadly, I’d probably forget why I have it on!!

In the Scriptures there are a number of things that we are told to remember. On this Memorial Weekend, I wanted to “remind” you of just a few.

1. Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8)

2. Remember the commands of the Lord that you may obey them (Numbers 15:39)

3. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt (or slaves to sin) and the Lord your God redeemed you (Deuteronomy 15:15)

4. Remember the wonders God has done (1 Chronicles 16:12)

5. Remember the deeds of the Lord and the miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11)

6. Remember how fleeting is my life (Psalm 89:47)

7. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

8. Remember if your brother has something against you…go and be reconciled (Matthew 5:23)

9. Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6)

10. Remember the poor (Galatians 2:10)

11. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead (2 Timothy 2:8)

12. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners (Hebrews 13:3)

13. Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you (Hebrews 13:7)

14. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do what you did at first (Revelation 2:5)

Just a friendly reminder from your friendly, neighborhood Foursquare Church Pastor…

John

I’ve got all the marks of a 21st century GEEK: iPhone, laptop, internet access, voicemail, Facebook & Twitter accounts, and soon…an iPad (Lord willing). If I ever needed to be reached there are about billion ways to do so at any given moment! The selling point for each modern burden, I mean, convenience, is that it will keep you better connected. Mankind is always striving for a higher level of integration and acceptance. Spiritual, emotional, physical and relational connection is the want and desire of many today.

Sadly, the exact opposite is true. Americans tend to be unconnected and isolated. Many do not even know the neighbors that live right next door. So many others have not experienced the authentic relationship that can be found in the person of Jesus Christ. The following are three connecting points to work on:

• Connecting With God
Psalm 73:28 says “But as for me, it is good to be near God.” We can experience the blessing and joy of being near our God in the fullness of relationship. James 4:8 encourages us to “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

• Connecting With Friends & Family
The Bible encourages us to not give up the good habit of “meeting together” – that is an important point of connection (Hebrews 10:25). There is strength and safety in numbers and no matter how you slice it: we need one another.

• Connecting With Ourselves
This more than just “getting in touch with yourself” or some kind of new age mumbo-jumbo. This is about really knowing who you are and who you’re becoming in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1 often uses the phrase “in Christ” as a point of connection for us to understand ourselves better in the context of a vibrant relationship with Jesus.

Get connected – stay connected!

Gotta go, my cell phone is ringing…

~ John

P.S.
UNITED: August 7th @ 6pm
Grab your personal calendar, electric organizer or smart phone…Mark down August 7th for West Salem Foursquare’s one united service at the Salem Waterfront Park. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic and invite a friend. We’re looking forward to a fun day downtown. No Sunday August 8th 9 & 11am services.

Camp Scholarships for Kids/Youth
Pitch in and help students get to camp!
Donate at WSFC: Mark camp on the offering envelope.
Donate Online: http://www.razoo.com/story/Camp-Crestview

Like us, these folks were anticipating who the victor would be. Who would get the title of American Idol? They were absolutely ‘caught up’ in the hype and I think I noticed them beginning to froth at the mouth! As I quietly read the following passage from Revelation 9 I kept drifting in and out of their conversation:

“They did not stop worshiping idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood – idols that cannot see or hear or walk! And they did not repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.” Revelation 9:20-21

Does America have idols? You bet it does. They are everywhere! We make decisions constantly regarding our worship and focus. Will we pander to the desires of our flesh? Will we give preference to worldly possessions and monetary gain? Our idols may not be as obvious as Revelation 9 describes them, however, they are nonetheless an issue to be reckoned with!

The Bible says to “love the Lord your God with your whole heart, mind and soul”. I believe this is the cure for the American Idols!

Let this reminder serve as a template for your Kingdom Prayer Path.

Kingdom Presence
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

Jesus taught us to begin prayer with the establishment of God’s incredible presence in our midst.

Kingdom Preeminence
“…your kingdom come, your will be done…”

Jesus challenges us to prayerfully consider the preeminence of God in the realm of our human context. YOUR kingdom and YOUR will…through our prayers these are being firmly enthroned upon earth as well as in heaven.

Kingdom Provision
“Give us his day our daily bread.”

In our prayers we are bringing our hearts to a place of both recognition and request. Recognition that the giver of all gifts and blessings is God Almighty. Request in humility, with a grateful heart, knowing that God awaits his approaching children and loves to help those in need.

Kingdom Priority
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

One of the most important priorities for Kingdom expansion is forgiveness. It’s just that simple.

Kingdom Protection
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”

Father God is the protector of our souls in a dangerous time. It’s dangerous because the Father of Lies awaits to steal, kill and destroy. But God has given us his Son who gives life to his children.

Kingdom Praise
“…for yours is he kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Just as our model of prayer began with an acknowledgment of God’s presence, so now its crescendos with the understanding that everything belongs to Him!

~ John

If you would like to submit a praise report or prayer request please click the link below or stop by our Prayer Booth in the Auditorium.

http://wsfc.org/resources/prayer/

These are triumphant words that culminate in Kingdom Praise!  Just as our model of prayer began with an acknowledgment of God’s presence so now it crescendos with the understanding that everything belongs to Him!  The kingdom is HIS.  The power is HIS.  The glory is HIS.  Our God is an awesome God and He is worthy of all worship and praise.  To Him be the glory now and forever more.

When we gather at West Salem Foursquare for corporate worship and praise,  we have the privilege of joining “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)

Kingdom Praise is what we are to be about.  Join me today in that incredible pursuit.

As humorous as that is, it is sadly true. Resisting temptation is really tough when you consider the powerful lures of the world.

“For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16

Today, I want to continue looking at the Kingdom Prayer Plan that Jesus gave us in Matthew 6. The spotlighted phrase is: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” This is our Kingdom Protection.

The Father God is the protector of our souls in a dangerous time. Frankly, it’s dangerous pretty much ALL the time because the Great Liar (Satan) awaits to steal, kill and destroy. However, we know that God has given us his Son who extends life and strength to his children to overcome the enemy. That includes the intense temptation thrown at us constantly.

The Apostle Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 10:12,13 - “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

What is the way of escape? How can we be delivered from temptation?

1. Catch it. An important first step is to recognize temptation for what it is. When we see it sneaking in through the back door, call it out. Name it. Catch it red-handed before it becomes fully formed in our hearts.

2. Confess it. Next it’s vital to confess it to someone you trust. This is called accountability. It doesn’t come naturally, and your flesh will really fight it. But you can fight back. Take the necessary steps, make the appropriate calls to confess the temptation. By bringing it into the light the work of the enemy is defused.

3. Correct it. Often times temptation finds opportunity in our lives through wrong thinking. Catch it, correct it then take those thoughts captive and allow the Lord to correct us. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

~Pastor John

I want to continue on in my series of emails that I’m calling “The Kingdom Prayer Plan.” This is Part 4 of some simple thoughts based upon the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6. This week’s portion is called:

Kingdom Priority
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

One of the most important priorities for Kingdom expansion is forgiveness. This Kingdom Priority is found in The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12) in which Jesus taught his disciples (that would include us now) to pray: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

As a follow up Jesus says in verses 14 and 15: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Those are strong words, definitely ones to take note of and make every assurance that we are conforming to! It’s been said that “not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.” The one that gets hurt most is ourselves when we harbor unforgiveness!

The implications of forgiveness, or the lack thereof, are widespread, therefore, it’s important that we do something with our unforgiveness. What, you may wonder? Here are some thoughts:

1. Surrender it to God. Let him do a work upon your heart first and foremost.

2. Keep no records of wrongs. Stop waiting for “the straw that breaks the camels back” or the “shoe to drop.” The Bible says that love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor. 13).

3. Refuse to punish. Look at the example of Christ on the cross. Look at his kindness. He could have destroyed everyone that attacked him but he did not. We shouldn’t either.

4. Keep your mouth closed. A wise person once said, “Never miss a chance to keep your mouth shut.” Part of forgiveness is the discipline to not keep bringing it up again and again.

5. Deal with it immediately. Scripture tells us to “not let the sun go down upon our anger (Eph. 4:26).” It’s vital to be diligent about unforgiveness – deal with it before it gets out of control.

If there are areas of unforgiveness in your heart then I exhort you to make every effort to get those things taken care of soon. I believe, and the Word supports, that God’s blessings is dependent upon that act of obedience.

I was reading in my devotions today from 1 Corinthians 15. In it the Apostle Paul says, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scripture, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” This statement is widely accepted as the earliest church creed, which began circulating as early as AD 30-36, just shortly after Jesus’ resurrection. The early date of this creed proves that the church did not corrupt the truth about Jesus with folklores and fables, but rather, just clung to the plain and undeniable facts of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

In other words: this resurrection stuff is TRUE! Over the years many have tried to convolute the truth with random theories and speculation regarding the resurrection, but nothing can refute an enormous rock that was moved, an empty tomb, burial cloths that were left behind and over 500 eyewitnesses to the risen Christ!

Make no mistake: Jesus is Alive.

It is this truth that we are celebrating this weekend at West Salem Foursquare. I invite you to join us for one of our 5 worship gatherings. We have identical services at 5:00 and 7:00 pm on Saturday evening, as well as Sunday morning at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:15 am.

This weekend we are launching a teaching series called “Can You See Him?” where together we will take a good look at Jesus through lens of the Book of Revelation. We also have a corresponding Small Group DVD & Guide that goes with the series. We invite you to get a group of people together, pop in the DVD and grow together. For more information contact Joan (joan@wsfc.org), or just stop by Connecting Point on the weekends or the church office during the week to pick up your Can You See Him? SG2gO (Small Group to Go) Box.

~John

P.S. He is Risen.

P.P.S. He is Risen Indeed!

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“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 611)

This important phrase addresses Kingdom Provision.  In our prayers we are bringing our hearts to a place of both recognition and request.  Recognition that the Giver of all good gifts and blessings is indeed God Almighty.  God is the one who bestows upon his children our very life’s breath.  It would make sense than that we would turn to him to supply our daily needs.

That brings us to our request. We have been trained since infancy to demand our way and try to get our needs met immediately.

“Gimme, gimme, gimme!” says the anxious child to the fatigued mother.

This mindset does not quickly leave us, and we often carry it right into our adult years only to approach God as if he is a cosmic dispenser of goodies!  God is not a glorified gumball machine. You don’t stick your quarter in and expect something to fall out!

However, God, in his mercy, does want us to come to him. He awaits his approaching children and loves to help those truly in need. What he is looking for, I believe, is a grateful heart.

How grateful are you today for the blessings of the Lord?  Has he supplied your daily bread?  If so, have you said ‘thank you’ yet?

~ John

Starting last week, we began looking at the following Kingdom Prayer Path as Jesus taught in Matthew 6.

Kingdom Presence
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

Kingdom Preeminence
“…your kingdom come, your will be done…”

Kingdom Provision
“Give us his day our daily bread.”

Kingdom Priority
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Kingdom Protection
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”

Kingdom Praise
“…for yours is he kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.”

Kingdom Preeminence
“…your Kingdom come, your will be done…”
Matthew 6:10

Jesus taught his disciples to pray in such a way that establishes first the presence of God within the realm of the heavenlies.  Secondly Jesus challenges us to prayerfully consider the preeminence of God in the midst of our human context.  YOUR Kingdom come and YOUR will be done. Through our prayers these are being firmly enthroned upon earth as well as in heaven.

God is preeminent.

He stands out among all others because of His sheer superiority and because of His majestic rule and reign throughout mankind.  It’s obvious to see His mighty hand working throughout the ages. It is equally wonderful to dwell upon His incredible power that can be seen in and through His people.  But the real rub comes when His Kingdom and His will are brought into confrontation with our purposes and our choices.  Who will win then? Who is truly preeminent now?

Are your prayers loaded with your own will and selfish endeavors?

Are you more focused upon your well-being and betterment than the will of the Lord and the needs of others?

If so then I encourage you to readjust the direction of your prayers.  Aim them up-word.  Express them according to God’s will and Kingdom development.  In doing so you are giving place for the life and touch of God to be brought to earth, and thus into the place where you live on a daily basis.

Isn’t that what we really want anyway?

~ John

I was driving from a conference site to my host home (trying to save money by skipping a hotel). I was grumbling because I had been placed in a host home that was a substantial distance away (ie: like a billion miles), and was further aggravated by the rottenly thick LA traffic! It was in that moment that the Lord spoke to my heart. He asked me to pray. Out of obedience I turned off the radio and quietly responded in prayerful submission to the Lord.

What began with a simple ‘Lord, teach me to pray’, grew into a wonderful time of being in the presence of the Lord. I sensed that he was asking for me to set that drive time aside to him for the remainder of the week. What flowed out of those times in my rental car on the hot LA freeways became the outline for the Kingdom Prayer Path that I want to share with you over the coming weeks.

These emails will hopefully serve to fuel your personal prayer times as well as lay a foundation for four specific upcoming events in the life of West Salem Foursquare.

1. Pep Rally on Friday, March 12. All servants and Easter volunteers are invited to join us as we kick off the Easter season with prayer & fasting (many of our staff & key leaders are initiating a season of fasting leading up to Easter)

2. Good Friday Prayer on Friday, April 2 from noon until 7 pm. This is an open time in the auditorium for any and all to want to pray, meditate, read scripture and take communion. Our prayer guide will be taken from Jesus’ prayer plan in Matthew 6.

3. Easter Services on Saturday & Sunday, April 3 & 4. These services will be bathed in prayer! We are believing God for a powerful display of his presence and the fruit of many coming into relationship with Jesus.

4. Can You See Him? Small Groups2Go. Springboarding off of Easter, we will begin a 6 part teaching series with a corresponding small group video curriculum. Our small groups have a number of components, one being prayer with one another. It’s powerful when God’s people unite their hearts in prayer.

Over the next handful of weeks we will look at the following Kingdom Prayer Path:

Kingdom Presence
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

Kingdom Preeminence
“…your kingdom come, your will be done…”

Kingdom Provision
“Give us his day our daily bread.”

Kingdom Priority
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Kingdom Protection
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”

Kingdom Praise
“…for yours is he kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

1. Kingdom Presence
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

The disciples made an important request in Matthew 6 (Lord, teach us to pray), and they were met with a practical plan for Kingdom entrance, praise-initiation and the offering of petitions. It’s a plan that will assist us in our times of prayer and will lead us into greater relationship with the Lord of the universe. Jesus taught us to begin prayer with the establishment of God’s incredible presence.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

God presence is powerful and His name is to be praised. That is the place of humility, dependence, surrender and adoration that is necessary to enter into a recognition of God’s presence. It reminds us that it is not about us. It is about HIM.

Together we say: “Hallowed be your name, oh Lord!”

~ John

The leader’s most important move is to step aside and give God the proper room to do what God does best. You see, we are completely dependent upon Him. We may not realize it or may not accept it, but it doesn’t deny its reality. Everything we have comes from Him.

Consider the air you breathe.

Did you produce that in and of your own strength?

No. It comes from the God of the Universe.

The Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the men of Athens was simple: “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”

He even quoted some their famous poets in saying, “We are His offspring.”

So often leadership is equated with independence and a renegade spirit, but not so in the Kingdom of God! Leadership is about submission and servanthood. Our strength comes from above and can only be made active as we approach God in humility and contriteness of heart. It’s about pushing aside our pride and creating space in which God can act!

Let’s continue to be dependent upon God. As leaders (whether in the church or at home or at work) we must lean into the Lord for his wisdom and strength.

Last week I gave us a biblical description of a leader. This week I want to look at the discipline involved in leadership.

Let’s be honest: discipline is an “icky” word.

Nobody wants to be disciplined. I don’t know many people that enjoy strict perimeters and defined guidelines that come with a disciplined life. Yet, the Word of God places such a high priority upon leadership functioning within a structure that helps us live holy.

From a secular point of view, the higher up you go in terms of leadership the more freedoms and allowances you have. The opposite is true in a spiritual realm: the higher you go the less you are able to get away with.

Leaders in the Kingdom of God have more constraints upon their lives because there is a greater demand upon their life.

In a nutshell: you’re being watched!

That’s an incredible responsibility, yet a wonderful privilege as we rely upon the Lord for His strength, His grace, and His direction.

If you want to study this topic a bit more I recommend you read the Book of 1 Peter and note the references to self-control, submission, obedience and holiness. It’s a wonderful study.

~ Pastor John

How many of you remember those crazy kick-me signs. Perhaps you were the Brutus putting them on other people’s backs unaware. Worse yet, like myself, you may have be the recipient of one of those not-so-gentle reminders. (I’m not bitter or anything)!

The Bibles says this in Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Have you ever noticed how much Jesus hangs out with people? As I read through the Gospels, I’ve been struck with the value Jesus places upon significant relationships. Simply being together. Oh sure, he needed to get away once in a while like all of us do, but for the most part those were brief times of prayer and rejuvenation with the Father. Even the Son of God found it valuable to ‘steal away’ to a secret place, but those times were brief and served as ‘fuel’ for the journey of relationship.

Don’t we tend to function just the opposite? Heavy on the isolation and light on the fellowship? Dear ones, Christian community is not forged by osmosis! It doesn’t just happen, but rather, it is harvested. One must tend and nurture relationships for them to be healthy. Before Jesus ever performed any miracles, his first desire was to get a group of guys around him. Relationships before responsibilities. People before programs. Jesus didn’t die for an organization, he laid his life down for his friends and family.

Do you have friends and family…really?Or are you living in isolation? That’s not God’s purpose for you.

So…who are you spurring on to love and good deeds? Next question is: Who is doing that for you?

We all need a “kick-me” every once and a while!

~ Pastor John

Thanks for checking out our website. This is a great place to check out our Small Group Finder, Calendar, Blog/Twitter updates, Sermon Podcasts and more.

I recently picked up a leadership book about Vince Lombardi, former head coach for the Green Bay Packers. I know that I’m a bit biased because of my Wisconsin upbringing, but the fact remains that

Lombardi was a first rate leader whose impact continues on to this day. His effectiveness is due in large part to his ability to stress and exemplify the fundamentals of football.

Check out what he says:

“Fundamentals win it. Football is two things; it’s blocking and tackling. I don’t care about formations or new defenses or tricks on defense. If you block and tackle better than the team you’re playing, you’ll win.”

Do you want to win at life?

Do you want to be an effective Christian?

Focus on the fundamentals. Period.

The Apostle Paul knew this well: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Jesus. The Cross. The Word of God. Prayer. Praise. These are some of the fundamentals.

We should never get bored with the fundamentals of the faith. Too many people would rather have their ears tickled by the latest and greatest fad or cute slogans. Let’s not succumb to that, rather, let’s stick to the things that really matter. Let’s focus on the fundamentals.

It’s been fun hearing some buzz about that comment. I like stirring the pot up some. Getting folks to think. It’s good to have people ponder and ask the hard questions.

Now, does it mean that you have to be serving 24/7 in order to be spiritual? This is not an issue of the volume of serving. It’s an issue of heart. Too often we find Christians that want to absorb only. They are just spectators. Not participators in Kingdom advancement. They claim spirituality because of informational retention but lack practical application. Serving puts truth to work and produces spiritual muscle.

Consider Romans 12:11…”Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Zeal and fervor. These are words I can relate to. I connect them to other words such as passion, focus, energy and drive. I don’t feel as if I lack any of these on a consistent basis. I’ve been asking myself why I’ve seemed to maintain these characteristics over the years. The answer I concluded that I’ve chosen to serve the Lord. I think Romans 12:11 is the key to spiritual vitality: serving!

Fervor and zeal are connected to serving. It’s what keeps us fresh and focused outward and not succumbing to “navel-gazing!” When a person is serving the Lord then their eyes are on the prize rather than the situations and difficulties. Serving adjusts our gaze. It maintains our zeal and regulates our fervor.

You see, I believe it is possible to have both zeal and fervor without serving, but they will not be maintained over the long haul. They drop fast. They fade away. Our spiritual passion dies down when we stop serving because now our energies are expended on worldly pursuits, flesh fulfillment and/or selfish gain. That never helps us.

Serving however, builds up. It encourages fellowship. It generates creativity. It promotes selflessness. It’s Kingdom building. In a nutshell: it’s good for us!

Blessings,

Pastor John

Tithing. Giving. Most Christians aren’t very excited about it. But they should be and they would be if they understood how to do it properly and why to do it in the first place.  Scriptural giving stirs up faith.  It activates the power of God in our lives when we do it in gratitude and joy, expecting our needs to be met abundantly.

In Deuteronomy 26:8,9, God told the Israelites exactly what to do when they brought their tithes. He instructed them to acknowledge the fact that He had brought them out of the bondage of Egypt with a mighty hand.

What does that have to do with you and me?  God has done the same thing for us!

He has brought us out of a life of bondage and poverty into a life that flows with the abundance of God. So when you bring your tithes and offerings to the Lord, follow the example set by the Israelites. Make it a time of rejoicing. Make it a time of realizing anew the wonderful things Jesus Christ has done for you.  Thank him for delivering you from a land of darkness and bringing you into His promised land of plenty. Thank Him that it is a land of mercy, a land of joy, a land of peace and prosperity.

Give in faith, expecting the blessings of God to be poured by into you.  You may soon find that generous giving is one of the most exciting things you can do!

Blessings,

Pastor John

Water Baptism
A very important part of Great Commission disciple-making is the obedient step of Water Baptism.  At West Salem Foursquare we celebrate Water Baptism on a quarterly basis.  Pick up a Baptism brochure and registration card for dates.  Baptism classes are offered for adults and children the weekend prior. For more information contact our Discipleship Pastor Dan Durbin (dan@wsfc.org).

“Please give me something more valuable, more precious than this stone. Please give me that which enabled you to give me this precious stone!”

As Christians, we know that this valuable commodity is called “kindness” and it is a natural by-product of a Spirit-filled life.

Godly Kindness will:

• Preserve unity and community
• Protect one another’s interests
• Provide a safe environment for growth

Did you know that West Salem Foursquare has a reputation for being a kind and loving church? That reputation does not come easily but it can be easily taken away from us and replaced with something much more unbecoming.  I want to commend you for being “kind people.”

Let’s continue to develop this byproduct of the Spirit by:

• Establishing a no-cut zone. “Instead, speaking the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4:15)
• Establishing a no-gossip zone. “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.” (Matt. 18:15)
• Establishing a no-throw zone. “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone…” (John 8:7)

~ Pastor John

The first question that God asked Adam & Eve in Genesis 3 is “Where Are You?”

This is an important question to ponder. The answer often doesn’t come easily because of our propensity to hide and run from the Lord. We can get clouded by our past or we will resort to familiar behaviors and patterns. Like the first humans, we too are sinful, shame-filled and separated from God. We each need the saving power of God, found in the person of Jesus, to bring us into right and restored relationships.

Not only do we have to wrestle with the “Where Are You?” question but the “Where Are You Going?” one as well. Like a person wandering in a large shopping mall, we are looking for the kiosk map that says: “YOU ARE HERE.” You know, the one with the little red dot, the one that represents us. Once we can find that “YOU ARE HERE” dot then we have a good start on where we are to go.

Over the next four weeks at West Salem Foursquare I am going to endeavor to put a red dot on the map. In doing so we can understand where we are. Then, by the grace of God, we can dream and get a glimpse of where we are going. I have been working on (and am fearfully excited to share) a series of messages that form what I’m calling…

2020 VISION

THE NEXT TEN YEARS OF WEST SALEM FOURSQUARE.

• I invite you to join with me in dreaming.
• I invite you to join with me in reflecting.
• I invite you to join with me in expecting.
• I invite you to join with me in anticipating.
• I invite you to join with me in moving forward…together.

Blessings,

Pastor John