DO YOU NOT LIKE BIG CROWDS?

A lot of people do not like a big church, big crowd on Sundays. As a church grows bigger, it also needs to grow smaller. That is why we are focusing on Connecting To One Another in 2010. Over the next two weeks, we will be starting our small group ministry (LIFE Groups. The reality is you can worship with a crowd, but you cannot fellowship with a crowd. We all need to connect with other believers and develop spiritual friendships.

Why should you join a LIFE Group?

1. People can build strong friendships in small groups.
2. People can study God's Word and ask questions in a small group.
3. People can get practical answers in small groups.
4. People can learn to care for one another in small groups.
5. People can pray and be prayed for in small groups.
6. People can hold one another accountable in small groups.
7. People can be there when people go through difficult times when you are a part
of a small group.
8. People can have fun together in small groups.
9. People can do ministry together in small groups.
10. People can learn to apply Scripture to every day life.

MONDAY

I am thankful for God's mercy and grace today! Some reflections from this weekend.

#1. I am thankful for the presence of God in our services yesterday. Thankful for God saving people! Which is the most exciting thing in the world!

#2. I am thankful that we are Pentecostal and believe that the Holy Spirit still is using the Gifts of the Spirit today!

#3. I am thankful for the multitude of workers who serve and minister on a weekly basis to help make an eternal difference in the lives of people!

#4. I pray that we will be a Church that really connects to one another in 2010.

#5. I am thankful for all those who stepped up and will host and lead a home group, and for the many that have signed up to connect in the Life Groups!

I am just thankful today for God's presence in our lives!

GETTING OUR RELATIONSHIPS IN SHAPE!

I am excited about our new LIFE Groups (Home Groups) that we will be starting in many different communities in the next two weeks. I want to encourage every single person connected to SAAG, to get involved in one of these home groups. It is in these groups that you will be able to CONNECT with other believers.

I am thankful for the services on Sunday, and how we come together for worship and to hear a message from the Word of God. But we need to connect with one another in a deeper way. I will be preaching on this tomorrow.

Ruthann DeLong will be heading up this ministry, and we have a number of groups. If you were unable to attend our last meeting, there will be a class at 9:30 tomorrow morning, to either lead or host a group.

Following both services tomorrow and next Sunday, you will have an opportunity to sign up for a group and to start getting your relationships in Shape!

CHANGING OUR ATTITUDES

I was deeply impressed as I watch the news last night of the earthquake in Haiti, and seeing people that have lost everything, singing and praising the Lord. What a testimony of an attitude of faith in a living God!

In Philippians 4 we read - "Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have LEARNED the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."

How is our attitude when things in life seem lousy: Here is a little exercise to see where we are with our attitude: What song best describes your attitude towards life?
1. Make the World go away?
2. Raindrops Keep Falling on my head?
3. I did it my way?
4. Oh, what a beautiful morning?

We can learn to change our attitude when we know our Heavenly Father in a real and personal way! Lord, please help me to see things in a new perspective today!

MISSIONS

I just got back from a Missions Summit for the Assemblies of God, and discussing all that is going on in our world. There was a lot of discussion concerning Haiti, and then this morning another 6.1 aftershock. There are a lot of good organizations that are helping people in Haiti. But I am proud of what Convoy of Hope is doing and will continue to do. Prior to the earthquake they were feeding 7000 children a day in Haiti.

As a church we are donating to Convoy of Hope because they not only give food, water, tents, blankets, but they are giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is truly the only answer for Haiti, (and for America).

If you would like to give to Haiti you can either go to our webpage - www.saaog.net and press the online giving or you can go to www.ag.org and you can give online to Convoy of Hope!

Let us be a people who give to help people physically and spiritually!

WHAT A DAY!

I am thankful for yesterday, and the presence of the Lord in both morning services. Prayer really does make a difference in what happens in our services. I want to encourage us to continue to pray for God's manifest presence in our services.

Last night, we had a great service with Karen Nichols. I am so proud of this young lady that God is using and will continue to use on the mission field! Keep praying and supporting Karen as she endeavors to become a full-time missionary to El Salvador. We love you Karen!

What can I say about the Pats yesterday!!! That was a terrible game! Only 7 weeks and Spring training will begin! That sounds hopeful!

PRAYER SHAPE!

As we continue in our week of prayer as we start 2010. I am thankful that prayer is something that not only benefits me, but my prayer benefits God! Think about that statement. My prayer benefits God! How does my prayer bless or benefit God - because God desires to have relationship with me (and you). What a privilege we have to spend time in His presence!

This Sunday as we continue to share on "Getting Into Shape." I am going to minister on "Getting into Prayer Shape." This is a vital need in our spiritual growth and discipleship this year. So I want to encourage you to come and prepare to start getting in shape spiritually!

IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON

The Country is in a season of cold that reaches across the country and down as far south as the Gulf Coast. It is a season that not many enjoy when it is this cold, but this season will also past.

In the spiritual sense, we will all go through seasons as well. Some seasons are difficult and hard, and others are easy and delightful. We never know when a spiritual season is coming our way. We need to be ready in season and out of season to pray and to seek the Lord. God's Word tells us - "Draw near to me and I will draw near to you."

What comfort that verse brings to our lives, that we do not have to face the hard seasons all by ourselves! I am thankful that "He will never leave me nor forsake me."

What season are you in? It is always a season for more of Him!

Week of Prayer

There is something happens when God's people set aside time to pray together as a church body! God still answers the prayer of people that are hungry and desperate for Him.

Each night this week as we gather in prayer, I believe that as we ask God to create hunger in our lives for Him, we will begin to see the Lord change us! Many times we pray to God and ask Him to change others. Prayer is not as much about God changing other people, situations, but prayer changes us, because we become more like Him!

I want to encourage you to join us in prayer this week, and see what God will do in each of our lives!

James 5:16 - "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." I want to be effective spiritually in 2010!

THOUGHTS FOR 2010

In Galatians 6:9 - we read: "We will reap a harvest if we do not give up." In 2010 we need to hold on to this principle of perseverance.

I was reading this in one of my devotions. "Perseverance is needed to win the prize in life." The simple truth is "Winners never quit, and quitters never win."

Here is a story about perseverance: "At a sales conference of 2000 salesman. The manager said to the crowd: "Did the Wright brothers quit? No! they responded. Did Charles Lindberg quit? No! they responded. Did Lance Armstrong quit? No! they shouted. Did Thorndike McKester quit? There was a long, confused silence in the room. Then someone shouted from the back - "Who in the world is Thorndike McKester? Nobody knows who he is. The sales manager said - "Of course you haven't - that's because he quit."

I want to encourage you in 2010 to Keep following the Lord and His will for your life. God's Word tells us - "He that began a good work in you will bring it to the day of completion."

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

A New Year, a new decade started yesterday. What will the future hold in store for us? What is God going to do in and through our lives this year and this decade. I get excited thinking about all that God is going to do in and through my life, as I walk in His perfect will for my life.

I was watching some football last night,I like the Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow. He is a Christian and his parents are in ministry. Every game he will have a different verse written under his eyes. Last night he had Ephesians 2: 8-10.

In verse 10 it says "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works prepared for us in advance." That verse brings excitement and hope into my life knowing that IN ADVANCE. As we start a New Year - God is already at work in our future. He is preparing the way for you and me. He is going before us.

Be encouraged as we start 2010 that God is leading you all the way!

Blessings in 2010!