Wednesday, May 30, 2012

DISCIPLESHIP are you His?


The Personal Touch

Today Joyful Books at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks met and discussed Chapter 5 in the book, "Discipleship The Road Less Taken" by Greg Laurie.


As a follow up to our book discussion take some time and watch as Pastor Greg Laurie discusses, "Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?"


Click the link to watch!

Click the link

God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly

HARVEST AMERICA at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

HARVEST AMERICA
with
Pastor Greg Laurie

Coming to Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

August 26, 2012

Click the Link to listen to Pastor James MacDonald speak about the upcoming Harvest America Event!

jamesmacdonald-thumb

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Discipleship The Road Less Taken: Chapter 5




A Disciple Will Pray


This week in Joyful Books Book Club Ministry at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks, we are reading the book "Discipleship The Road Less Taken" by Greg Laurie.  Our focus this week is on chapter 5 which speaks about a disciple of Jesus Christ will be a person of prayer.  


Reading through this chapter Greg focuses on Matthew 6:5-15 with many supporting verses throughout.  Remember as you are reading that when you see something such as (v:5), Greg is referring to the book of Matthew Chapter 6.   

The Model Prayer

(Matthew 6:5-15)

"5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [fn2] 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

​​Our Father in heaven,
​​Hallowed be Your name.
10 ​​Your kingdom come.
​​Your will be done
​​On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ​​Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ​​And forgive us our debts,
​​As we forgive our debtors.
13 ​​And do not lead us into temptation,
​​But deliver us from the evil one.
​​For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. [fn3]

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  Matthew 6:5-15

Application:
The most important point to remember about prayer, is that it is daily.  God wants us to come to Him everyday in prayer.  We learn how to pray by praying and spending time in God's Word.


God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Discipleship The Road Less Taken, Chapter 4



Why Study God’s Word
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That bring forth its fruit in its season,  Whose leaf also shall not wither;  And whatever he does he shall prosper.”  Psalm 1:1-3

This week  in Joyful Books Book Club Ministry at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks, we are reading Chapter 4 in the book, “Discipleship The Road Less Traveled” by Greg Laurie.  Chapter 4 discusses discipleship and the Bible and why every disciple needs to study and apply God’s word to their life.

In Psalm 1:1-3 we learn that we are blessed when we delight in the Law of the LORD and when we meditate on it day and night.  What this means to a believer in Jesus Christ is to spend time reading and thinking about what God’s word means; and how God’s word is applied to our everyday life.

In Chapter 4, Greg lists some key questions that are helpful as you study scripture.  Some of the key questions are:
·        “What is the main subject about in the passage?”
·        “Who are the people revealed in this passage?”
·        “Who is speaking?”
·        “About whom is this passage speaking?
·        “What is the key verse?”
·        “What does it teach me about Jesus?”

As you read, Greg suggests asking yourself application questions:
·        “Is there a sin mentioned that I need to confess or forsake?”
·        “Is there a command given that I should obey?”
·        “Is there a promise made that I can look to in my current circumstances?”
·        “Is there a prayer given that I could pray?”

The more we know God’s word and tuck it in our hearts, the more resources we will have to help us in our daily decisions.  In Psalm 1:1-3 we learn that the more we delight in God’s Word, the more we will be fruitful in our lives. 

On the other hand, if we choose to not be in God’s Word daily, we will soon find our thoughts and attitudes much like those of the world. 

We need to cultivate and grow in God’s word every day!

Yesterday was planting day in the garden.  As I planted rows and rows of corn, peas, beans and other vegetables, I noticed the soil and I thought about the seeds.  The soil of the garden has been worked for three years in its current location; sagebrush and weeds had previously covered the ground making the ground unfertile.  As I planted seeds, I wondered, would the birds come and steal my seeds?  Did I amend the soil enough in order for my garden to be fruitful?  Was I wasting my time or was my time productive?

God is faithful!  Believe His promises!  When we spend time with God and make friends with those who love and read His word, God will grow us in wisdom and understanding!  No one will steal away what we have learned and our time will not be wasted.

God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly

Friday, May 18, 2012

DAILY BIBLE READING SCHEDULE



Several folks have been asking for a tool to help them with their daily devotional time.  Here are two links for different plans to help begin your daily devotional time.  




God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Looking Up When Life Gets You Down
LOOK WHO HAS A NEW BOOK!


COMING JUNE 1ST, 2012

LOOKING UP WHEN LIFE GETS YOU DOWN by Warren Wiersbe

I Can't wait to check it out!

When life falls apart, where is God?  Does He care?  Can He fix things?  Does He really love us?  In an uncertain world, people need to know that God is still in control, that he still cares for us and even suffers with us, and that he has a plan that cannot be defeated.

God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly

Monday, May 14, 2012

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP


"And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard.  Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.  But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, 'Why was this fragrant oil wasted?  For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.'  And they criticized her sharply.  But Jesus said, "Let her alone.  why do you trouble her?  She has done a good work for Me.  For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good;  but Me you do not have always.  she has done what she could.  She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.  Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
Mark 14:3-9

This week as we read Chapter 3 in the book, "Discipleship The Road Less Taken" by Greg Laurie, we are reminded to count the cost.

Today take a moment and think about the woman and the alabaster box who took the most precious item she owned and gave it to Jesus Christ.

Enjoy Cee Cee Winans as she sings about The Woman and the Alabaster Box.

God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly 

Friday, May 11, 2012

I COULDN'T LOVE YOU MORE JOYFUL BOOKS REVIEW



I Couldn’t Love You More
By Jason Ingram & Matt Hammitt

Celebrate the love of Jesus Christ with a child as you turn each page of the book, “I Couldn’t Love You More.”  It is a powerful message of God’s unconditional love, and the illustrations by Polona Lovsin are absolutely beautiful! 

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:6-9

One of the most important responsibilities as a parent is talking to our children about Jesus Christ. In fact, Deuteronomy tells us we are commanded to teach our children God’s word diligently.  While taking our children to church is very important, it is the everyday living out our life in front of our children that is most important.   

Children learn so much wisdom from their parents by listening to the way a parent talks, by the way a parent prays, and by the way a parent gives praise and thanksgiving to God for answered prayer.

Matt Hammitt who wrote the book, “I Couldn’t Love You More” has done just what the Bible has said.  Matt wrote this book as a song for his son Bowen soon after learning Bowen was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Sydrome, a rare congenital defect.  Matt wanted his children to know that even through the pain and suffering in this life, the most important message is that Jesus Christ loves them!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

VISIT "BOWEN'S HEART" TO LEARN MORE...


I received this book for free from TyndaleHouse Publishing

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly
I Couldn't Love You More

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Discipleship The Road Less Taken Chapter 2



Discipleship, The Road Less Taken
By Greg Laurie
Chapter 2
This week we are discussing Chapter 2 in the book, Discipleship, The Road Less Taken by Greg Laurie; in the Joyful Books Book Club at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks.  Chapter 2 looks at the “Traits of a Disciple.”

When people look at you can they tell you are a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Can you tell?

What are some of the characteristics that should be apparent that makes someone say, “Oh, this person has been with Jesus!”

Acts 4:13 says “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”

The key is being with Jesus Christ.  When you spend time with Jesus you will become a bold witness; you will become more like Him.

The way to spend time with Jesus is by reading your Bible and praying.

So a person who is a disciple will know scripture and be a person of prayer.

Lastly, a person who has been with Jesus will be persecuted for their faith.  Not everyone will like you or think you are wonderful.

So a person who is a disciple of Jesus Christ will be a bold witness, know scripture, is a person of prayer and be persecuted for their faith.

People should look at you and know you are different; know there is something special about you by the way you live your life! 
So are you ready?

It says in 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly

Friday, May 4, 2012

SPENDING TIME WITH JESUS CHRIST


"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus."  
Acts 4:13

Why is it important to spend time reading your Bible, praying, being in fellowship and serving one another in love?

When you are with Jesus Christ each day, you will find confidence and freedom to share the "Good News" of what He has done in your life!

Let your light shine!

God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A DISCIPLE...DISCIPLESHIP CHAPTER 1



How Do I Know If I Am a Disciple?

“As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office.  And He said to him, “Follow Me.”  So he arose and followed Him.”  Mark 2:14

Today in Joyful Books we met to discuss Chapter 1 in the book, “Discipleship The Road Less Traveled” by Greg Laurie. 

First we considered the question, “How do I know if I am a disciple of Jesus Christ?”  Secondly, we reflected on the question of, “Am I living the Christian life as it is truly meant to be lived according to God’s Word?”

Today was only the beginning of an (8) week study on discipleship.  When we finish our study, we hope to be able to understand what it means to be a disciple as Jesus Christ taught it.

Summary of Chapter 1:
Priorities for a Disciple
1.  I should love God more than anyone or anything else. (Read Luke 14:26)
2.  I need to be committed.  Wherever Jesus directs, I should be willing to go.  (Read Luke 9:23-24; Gal. 2:20, Romans 12:1)

The Results of Discipleship
1.  I will bear fruit.  (Read John 15:8)
2.  I will study and obey God’s Word.  (Read John 8:31)
3.  I will have love for one another.  (Read John 13:35)

KEY VERSE:
“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

If you would like to comment on Chapter 1 from the book, “Discipleship The Road Less Traveled” by Greg Laurie, please feel free to add your reflection to the blog!

God Bless Your Day Today!
Kelly