Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas.

When we think about this season I want to challenge us to think about the condition that Jesus was born into. Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of lords was born in a manger in the worst condition of all.
Luke 2:4-7
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

When we think about how that relates to us today we can think about our lives and hearts. Before we knew Jesus our hearts were in the worst condition of all-lost and seeking "stuff" to fill it. When we come to know Jesus He becomes all that we need and changes the condition of our hearts from the worst condition into the best condition that being a relationship with God and the promise of eternal life! As we think about this season let us remember that it isn't about us. We must think in this season and always: What can I do to reach out to others? Jesus is the perfect example of one who gave everything and became nothing even though He is the glory of God revealed to us. Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of lords; creator of all things was born in a manger so that we could have salvation from our sins and worries! Let us praise God this season and forget about the things we "want" and instead reach out to others who are in need.

God bless you all this season and Merry Christmas!

Brad
www.liverelevant.com
brad@newlifexn.org

NEW IN 2008: Relevant University

Relevant University 2008

Relevant University is a place where you can grow deeper in the wisdom and knowledge of God. It is an in depth look at God’s Word and a challenge for us to step up and live Relevant Biblical lives.

Relevant University meets every Sunday Morning from 9:00 until 9:50 AM before the weekly worship service.

When you attend Relevant University you’ll have an opportunity to win a Free Nintendo Wii with Guitar Hero III!!

HOW?
It’s easy...

1. Attend and build your credits.

2. Take Notes.

3. Study.

4. Win the Wii!

Go to the downloads page on http://www.liverelevant.com/ to download the syllabus and receive more information!

Keep it Real.

Brad

http://www.liverelevant.com/

brad@newlifexn.org

Relevant Updates

Hi Everyone!

Please remember to keep up to date with Relevant Student Ministries updates please check the Relevant Student Ministries webpage which is found at http://www.liverelevant.com/

From this point on if there is an event that may be cancelled due to weather I will post both on my blog (bradfrench.blogspot.com) and also on http://www.liverelevant.com/ as to whether or not the event will be cancelled, postponed, or is still happening!

There are many exciting things brewing for next year in the student ministry! We have some awesome events coming up:

1. Trip to Splash Lagoon in Erie, PA
2. Ski Trip to Seven Springs (Feb)
3. SpringBash! YMCA Lock-in (March)
4. Relevant University (Every Sunday 9:00 AM -9:50 AM before the worship service!)

Hope to see you all soon!

Brad
http://www.liverelevant.com/
brad@newlifexn.org

DON'T COME TO THE PARTY!

Hey all... I decided after all to cancel the Christmas Party for tonight 12.16.07. The weather is just too bad and I don't want anyone getting hurt travelling! We will push the white elephant gift exchange back to the All Nighter on the 29-30! Please be careful if you are driving anywhere! Take Care All!

Brad

Christmas Party.... NOT SURE YET!!

Hey everyone,

I just posted that we were going to have the party then I deleted it because I looked outside...

Hang on for just a few more minutes....

Brad

Talkpoint b: Building Healthy Habits Pt. 2

The second part of Building Healthy Habits is one that is a necessary component in any Christian's life. If you believe in Jesus and trust in Him, if you read God's word and pray then this next habit is one that cannot be hindered. In order to stay in tune with God's spirit we need to commit to worshipping him daily. As we think about what worship really means we can then understand how it is that our lives are an act of worship. Romans 12:1 Paul states: "1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." Paul says this in his letter to the Romans as a plea to live a life that honors the sacrifice Jesus made for us. We cannot live a life that will honor God with out the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples to go back and wait for a gift from God as He promised God would give as He ascended into Heaven. As his disciples went back to Jerusalem they waited on God's promise and what they received was the power of the Holy Spirit. When the disciples received the Holy Spirit they were then empowered to do the works of God because it is only God that can do His works through people using His Spirit. So you may ask: What does this have to do with worship?
Worship as an act is an essential part of staying in tune with God. Paul said to offer our bodies and lives as living sacrifices to do God's work in which He designed only us to do. As we live as living sacrifices our views change. We do not put ourselves first. We put God first. We do not yearn for the things our friends have but encourage our friends to use the gifts God has given to them for the glory of God. Worship as a spiritual act is more than just singing and raising our hands to heaven. These are essential as we show our surrender to God but to truly worship God we must lift our hands to Him every day and surrender our lives to Him for His use. This is when we can truly lean on the Holy Spirit to empower us just as He empowered the disciples and live as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
John 4:23 says that the father is seeking people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. When we worship in spirit we lay down everything that is within our humanness and open our hearts and minds to the things of God. We quit worrying about getting more "stuff" and start praising and giving thanks to our King--Jesus. When we realize that we cannot live this life by ourselves but only through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is then that we lay down the things that bind us in sin and trust God's words and truly live free. As we worship in truth we have faith that God is who He says He is and when we put our faith in this we cannot help but be changed by His words. It is God who changes the hearts of men and women through His truth by His Spirit. When we lay down the things that we are worrying about and put God first trusting that He knows what is best for us it is then that we can worship in Spirit and truth through humility and grace. Worship is living as a sacrifice for God to use. If we lay down our desires and put God's desires first we will experience way more in our lives than we ever thought would be or could be possible on our own. THE CHALLENGE: Worship God in spirit and in truth, laying down all that hinders you from committing your life fully to Jesus. God wired you with gifts and abilities that only you can use for Him. So live as a a living sacrifice ready to be used by God listening to His Spirit and living by the truth of His Word.

You can always get ahold of me for anything:
brad@newlifexn.org
http://www.liverelevant.com/

An Intermission If You Will...

Just the other day I finished the gospel of Mark again and when I neared the end I began to focus on the whole concept of Mark, especially the end. The end of the gospel concludes swiftly (as Mark is written from event to event in a rather straight forward way) with the last two chapters telling of Jesus being given over to Pilate, Jesus' flogging, the soldiers who mocked Jesus, His crucifixion, resurrection, and charge to his disciples before being taken back into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. As I thought about Jesus and the story of His life I realized that in order for my life to be truly revealed through Jesus Christ is to give completely of my whole self just as Jesus did. Giving constantly of your gifts, time, energy, and any opportunity to share your faith with someone who is lost and seeking for truth-these suggestions are just scratching the surface of what truly being revealed through Jesus really means.
Jesus made it all, loved all, prayed it all, lived it all without sin, and gave it all. He is truly the ultimate example of who we should be but can't be by ourselves. Paul writes in 1 Cor. Chapter 1 "4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." Paul was speaking to the church at Corinth giving thanks to God for allowing Jesus Christ to be revealed through their lives. Paul knew that only through Christ believers can live their life to the fullest through their purpose for which God designed them. I pray that we can be enriched so much through Jesus that people can't help but notice we love Him and live our lives according to the purpose which He assigned our lives from the beginning.
When we identify ourselves with Jesus Christ, God calls us to be in continual fellowship with Him while he upholds our strength until the end and finds no fault with our lives. That is an amazing gift from God that shows God's faithful character and His love for us. I love the following verses in chapter 1 of 1 Cor. that explains how God uses normal people like me to do amazing things for Him. "26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" There is nothing I can do to gain salvation. It is all a gift from God. Religious leaders during Jesus' time believed that the law, if followed, could gain a man salvation. When Jesus came and offered the simple gift of salvation, he blew away any pretense that religious leaders had that this coming Messiah was a great King who could restore Israel and deliver them from their enemies (Rome at the time). But when Jesus came and restored life through grace and a deep love for people the religious leaders returned to their law books to seek salvation. They viewed what Jesus had done as foolishness because this type of salvation made no sense by human standards. So God used this foolishness to shame the wise.
By human standards it really doesn't make sense but by God's standards Jesus was the only way for mankind to be redeemed to their Creator! And lo and behold, it is the only way. Jesus was, is, and is to come our salvation, forever. Since we cannot gain salvation ourselves, we can only boast in Jesus and allow Him to be revealed through our lives! People need Jesus and we need to be ambassadors for Him!

I love this description of Jesus by Brennan Manning in his book Above All:
[Jesus Christ] He is the prophet, poet, and troublemaker, the scourge of hypocrites and authority figures who use religion to control others, sending them sagging under great burdens of regulations, watching them stumble and refusing to offer assistance. He excoriates the perverted spirit of legalism and the smug religious bureaucrats who condemn simple folks who for good reasons have broken bad religious laws. When he looks out at the bedraggled, beat-up, bollixed, and burnt-out, his heart overflows with unspeakable tenderness. (pp. 35-36)

And later on...

Jesus is not merely a super-human being with an intellect keener than ours and a capacity for loving greater than ours. In the most literal sense of the word, he is unique. Uncreated, infinite, totally other, he surpasses and transcends all human concepts, considerations, and expectations. He is beyond anything we can intellectualize or imagine. Thus, Jesus is a scandal to men and women everywhere, because he cannot be comprehended by the rational, finite mind. (p. 37)

TalkPoint a. : Building Healthy Habits Pt. I

Hi Everybody,

This week at Relevant we discussed a couple of very important aspects of Relevant Christian living. The first is that of building healthy habits. Building healthy habits are the foundation for living with good Godly character. We live in a world that is so warped and in sin. If we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we need to make sure that we are putting Him first in our lives. Building a healthy relationship with Jesus is the first habit of Relevant Christian living. You see the first and greatest commandment is the same now as it was when Jesus told the curious Pharisee 2000+ years ago: Love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves. Building healthy habits must begin with your relationship with God. If we choose not to grow in our relationship daily with Jesus then how can we expect to build any kind of healthy christian living habits? When we devote our lives to passionately following Jesus and love Him with all we have and then love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we can then build healthy habits off of this firm foundation.
How can we do this? We can first Read the Bible daily. Then pray and ask God to work powerfully in our lives through the Holy Spirit. And finally do everything as if Jesus was standing right there with us. When we live our lives by first devoting our everything to Jesus in daily study and prayer and then living in the same way being always aware of our devotion to Jesus, we can then rest assure that God will hold us up and if we are willing use us powerfully for His glory to revolutionize the world! What an amazing opportunity God offers to us!
The heart of building healthy habits is building a healthy relationship with Jesus. When we do this we can each build up our unique talents, gifts, and abilities that God so freely gives to us to use for His pleasure and glory-Just as He designed! Put Jesus first, this is the first and most important healthy habit for Relevant Christian living.
In Part II we will be looking at the next step in building healthy habits and how building healthy habits leads to living as a RELEVANT follower of Jesus being shining beautiful, marvelous, and hopeful light into a world of despair and darkness!

Did I Tell You the One About...

I am writing this week with a great challenge. It is my privilege to share with you about an issue that is very close to my heart and very important to our culture. I hope you will take the time to read, think, pray, and act on the challenge presented.
Have you ever wanted something so bad that you would give or do anything to have it? And then when you finally received this material object, job opportunity, or gift you couldn’t wait to tell everyone that you came into contact with about this amazing thing that you have been given. Well, I have certainly had that experience numerous times. But one instance that really made an impression on me was when I received my letter of acceptance to Grove City College (GCC).
I had applied early admission to get into this school that has a reputation of denying really smart people the opportunity to expand their education. So of course I was really nervous because I am not one of those smart people who received a high grade on my SAT’s and my grades in High School were average, so I was preparing myself for the worst. You see, the thing that made this such an important decision in my life was that I had not applied anywhere else and this was the only place I wanted to go! I began to pray really hard at the end of my junior year that God would help me do my best in my senior year so that I could prove to GCC that I could be a person that would work hard and do my very best. God was certainly helping to do this as I entered my senior year of high school. I wanted to honor God by doing the best I could and I wanted to show Grove City that I was a man who was willing to do what it takes to get into Grove City. I really wanted to be a music major. I knew God had given me the gift of music so I wanted to develop that gift for Him. So I practiced a lot through the end of my junior and the beginning of my senior years along with doing the best I could in high school and a lot of prayer, I thought I couldn’t go wrong. Well one day my parents took me down for an audition and what they call a senior crimson day. This was a day when all the seniors in high school could go and check out GCC and see if it was a place where they could grow in knowledge, wisdom, and skill. As I sat in the orientation meeting for the day my hands began to grow very cold and shaky. I began to get really nervous that this school was not for me because the people who go here were really smart and I wasn’t and I just grew very pretentious of my lingering audition for the music department that would follow after this meeting… I became very scared! My mother being the very compassionate caring, yet very daring mother she was saw that I was nervous and asked me what was up. I told her that I didn’t think that I could get into this school. At the end of the meeting she then got up and went up to the lady who had been the master of ceremonies and also the head of student affairs. This lady had been working at GCC for seemingly forever. She knew everything that went on, she had to make tough calls about students for acceptance or denial. She was the boss. My mother went up to her and began to tell of my desire to go to this school. As I watched my mother speak to her I kind of fell down into my seat and grew tearful because I couldn’t go up and speak to her myself. I was seriously pathetic. My mother came back to the place where my father and I were sitting and she said that Mrs. Paxton would be happy to write me a letter of recommendation for acceptance. I was blown away. Mrs. Paxton never even met me. I could not believe that she was going to write me a letter of recommendation. Wow!!
I applied as a commuter to the school because I lived close enough to drive, but I had also heard that you have a good chance of being accepted if you apply as a commuter. So I did. I went to my audition and met two very kind men who were very patient with me as I clumsily moved around to the different percussion instruments. I played the best I could and left feeling like I did exactly that. So now, the waiting game.
About two months passed and it was time for the letters to be sent out. I was anxiously going home everyday and checking the mailbox. Then one day, it was there. The enveloped bore the insignia of Grove City College and again my hands grew cold. I went inside and set it on the table. Seriously this was a scene right out of a movie. I watched the envelope like it was going to get up and move around or something. Finally I opened it up. I read down along: Dear Mr. Bradley French this letter is to welcome you to the Grove City College family. If you wish to accept this welcome please send the form enclosed along with a 200 dollar check or money order to secure your place in the class of 2007. I GOT IN!!! I was so excited. I told my dad right away! Then I waited for my mom. When she came home I gave her a big hug and handed her the letter. She read the letter and did her little idiosyncratic excited gasps.
I had already filled the form out and was waiting for her to sign the check. She said that right now was a little tough financially but she and I both trusted that God would provide. The money was due by the end of the following week. Well, as the excitement calmed down we began to open the other mail that had accompanied this letters journey to our mailbox. Inside one envelope was a little Christmas letter. It was quaint but the as we opened it something fell to the floor. I picked it up read it. It was a check for $200.00! WOW again! I took it that God was saying yes and I was to go to GCC. Well naturally I accepted and went there for all four years of my college career. But the key point out of all of this was that, when I received that letter I immediately called friends, family, and teachers to tell them of my acceptance. I am wondering today, how many of us do that with the greatest gift that has ever been given to mankind—the gift of Jesus.
Read Acts 4-5-12.
5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (NLT)
Let me give you a little background into what was happening here. Jesus had just been taken back up into Heaven 40 days after his crucifixion. He commanded the apostles to go back to Jerusalem and wait. They did so after a little prompting from some men dressed in white that appeared as they were all still watching the sky after Jesus had ascended to Heaven. So as they waited in the upper room in Jerusalem God sent the Holy Spirit as Jesus had promised the father would do. At that point tongues of fire appeared above the peoples’ heads and they begin to speak in different languages. The awesome thing about this part of the story is that it happened to be the time of Pentecost which brought Jews from all over to Jerusalem. These Jews could all understand Aramaic but because they came from different areas they all brought different dialects with them. Greek was also being spoken at this time and some people in Jerusalem could understand Greek. But the point is that the Holy Spirit did not waste any time in causing people to tell about Jesus.
After the time of the Holy Spirit had come, people began demanding a rational reason for what had just happened. Peter addressed the crowd and spoke with great boldness that these men and women were not speaking in all languages because of alcohol but because the Holy Spirit gave them ability to for the cause of Jesus. Then God added to their number 3,000 people.
The next event that we see occurring in this timeline of history is Peter and John going to the temple for prayer meeting. As they enter the temple they encounter a lame man who has been outside begging for money. This man has done this day after day after day of his life. Peter spoke to this man and told him to look at him and John. The lame beggar did so hoping that they would have some money for him. Peter spoke saying “We have no silver or gold to give you. But what I do have I will give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth get up and walk.” At that Peter took the beggars hand and lifted him to his feet and instantly his ankles and feet were healed. The beggar then began to rejoice and went into the temple running, and leaping, and praising God. It is at this point that Peter enters the temple and preaches to the people about what had just happened. Peter didn’t pull any punches; he let the people in the temple “have it” as far as calling them on their guilt of crucifying Jesus. Peter though, went on to testify to the fact that it was not his power that healed the lame man but only the power of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. It is at this point that we come to the scripture passage of the day.
The religious leaders called a meeting to find some guilt with what Peter had done. They could find nothing wrong. Peter was clear in his dealings with them that it was not he who healed the man but Jesus! Peter simply asks if he and John are being put on trial because of something good that happened to the lame beggar. The religious leaders could find no fault with Peter and John’s actions. Peter and John had simply done nothing wrong, but Peter would not miss an opportunity to tell about his Savior, Jesus.
You see, Peter had an experience with Jesus. Peter knew from this experience that he could passionately trust Jesus and commit to follow Him. When we look at the word passion the literal meaning in the Latin meant “to suffer or endure”. That is where we get “The Passion of the Christ”. But later in history the Latin word passio was used to translate the Greek word pathos. Pathos had two meanings. The first meaning was any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, such as love. The second though is the one that I would like to focus on. Pathos also translated into ardent which means to be intensely devoted to. When we are ardent in following Jesus we are passionately committed to Him and to His cause. From being ardent in following Jesus, Peter could then be enthusiastic in following Jesus, never missing an opportunity to tell about Him! You see when we experience God and become ardent in following Him we cannot help but become enthusiastic. Enthusiasm, you see, is not excitement, but, enthusiasm causes excitement! Excitement literally means to be “stirred into action”. Wouldn’t it be an awesome thing if those of us who call ourselves believers became ardently enthusiastic to the cause of Jesus that we couldn’t help but be stirred into action (tell someone about Jesus, invite someone to church, be servant hearted, help others, be kind when you feel angry, etc.)?
So here lies the challenge: Will you experience Jesus, become passionately committed to following Him, and become enthusiastic never missing an opportunity to share of the great love of Jesus and the sacrifice He made on the cross for you and me.

Let’s get practical. How do we achieve experience, passion and enthusiasm?
1. Read the Bible for 10 minutes each day.
2. Ask God in prayer to give you an experience this week with Him-and He will. But don’t stop there keep talking to Him. He may give you this experience right as you are praying!
3. Tell somebody what Jesus has done in your life this week. Even if it is just one person. Tell them. If you have been holding back telling a certain person about Jesus or inviting them to church, just do it. Mark 13:11 says do not worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will speak through you! What a promise.

The challenge is in our hands! Let us not grow weary as we endeavor into the amazing journey of following Jesus Christ!

Again, if you ever need antyhing please don't hesitate to contact me!
+ brad@newlifexn.org
Make sure to check out the Relevant Student Ministries Webpage!
+ www.newlifexn.com/studentministries/index.html
New Life's Webpage
+ http://www.newlifexn.org/

Let this video encourage you. :-)

David Crowder Does It Again

The David Crowder Band certainly knows how to rock out. But more importantly they also know how to worship and honor God with their lyrics. The tech savvy band has written one of their most power packed albums, in my opinion, ever. I believe this album offers so much more than just sweet beats and stepwise melodies-it offers the challenge of change. The Remedy is the perfect name for this album as Crowder shares his heart of worship through lyrics that declare: Jesus is the only remedy for the disease of our sinful nature. John 14:6 is very clear that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Crowder finishes his album with a beautifully titled song "Surely, we can change." What an amazing challenge to all of us. Surely we can change and become more like Jesus. Let us throw off everything that hinders and run this race of lifewith endurance that is provided by God through the Holy Spirit! I am very pumped as people of God listen to this album and draw closer to the heart of God.










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TalkPoint: Fear

Hi Everyone!

We are in week 2 of this series of Bible studies on being relevant people of God to a culture that is so hungry for Jesus. Last week we talked about a very important issue and that was the issue of faith. This week we are continuing on as we talk about an issue that coincides with faith and that is the issue of fear. You might ask: “Brad, why does fear go along with faith?” That is a good question.
Fear coincides with faith because more often than not those of us who have faith in Jesus do not share our faith with others because we are “afraid” to do it. God offers us this amazing free gift of Jesus and when we accept this gift most of the time we just keep it tucked away in the back pocket of our heart. God never intended for his church to hide the gift of freedom from sin, in fact, in Matthew 28 verse 19 Jesus commanded us to do the exact opposite. Jesus commanded us to “go and tell the whole world about Him. He told us to go and make disciples-disciples being people who are passionately committed to Jesus.
You might then ask: “Well, Brad, I understand that it is important to be committed to Jesus, but what does that mean?” Let’s first take a look at what the word committed means. To be committed by definition means to bind or obligate, as by pledge or assurance. Being committed to Jesus is being one that is passionately obligated to read God’s word, bound to pray fervently seeking direction from the Holy Spirit, and live according to how the Bible teaches us to live. You might think, “Great, a bunch of rules and regulations to follow, I have enough of those at home and school.” But I am writing as a witness that God’s Word is not by any means a book of dos or don’ts but a book of relationships, that is relationships between man and his creator God. The Bible is the greatest love story ever written. When we talked about faith we talked about God sending His Son to live a perfect life, die a horrible death and then raise from the dead to overcome sin and death and offer salvation and eternal life to all of us if we will believe in Jesus. (John 3:16-17) That is the very foundation of faith. The gift of Jesus is the greatest free gift that anyone could ever offer and too often we are afraid to share this gift with friends or maybe even family. You see being relevant through your faith to a culture that is in dire need of freedom from sin has been God’s plan since the beginning of time.
So if this has been God’s plan since the beginning of time then let’s take a look at what God’s word says to do when we become fearful of what other’s might think about us when they find out that we believe in Jesus. You might think: “OK, am I the only one who is fearful of sharing my faith with someone else?” No way! All through the Bible there are stories of people who want to do what God’ wants them to do but become too fearful of what people might think of them or maybe even what people might do to them if they find out that they are people who believe in God. One example of a person in the Bible who wanted to do what God wanted Him to do but was a little fearful of death because of that which God wanted Him to do was Moses. (Exodus 3) Moses was an amazing man of God. But even He was scared when God told Him to go and stand before a great king and tell Him that he must let all of his slaves go for they are God’s people and are not being treated as such. He told God in verse 11 of Exodus chapter 3 “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” You see Moses knew that he was only a man no better than you or I but here was God telling him to go and stand before a powerful king and tell him to release all of this free labor. Moses must have though “God you have to be kidding” But then we see going on to verse 12 that God promises Moses He will help: “And God said, ‘I will be with you.’” (Exodus 3:12 NIV)
God promises us the very same thing. If we look at Psalm 46:1-2 it says “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.” NLT God promises to be our refuge and our strength. He will never lead us into a situation where He will not help us. Therefore, He will always be with us when we attempt to share our faith with someone else. In fact in Mark 13:11 Jesus says that we should not worry (fear) when we face a tough situation because the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. Man, what an awesome promise. To know that if we share our faith with others that we don’t have to worry because the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say is an amazing relief. God knows the person you are talking to. God designed them, just like He designed you. So don’t you think He would know what to say to the person you might be sharing with…yes He does. So don’t worry. Do not fear for God is with you. Trust Him. When you trust someone you can relinquish all control to that person. If you will just trust God then He will always be there to help you and make you victorious in whatever situation you may be facing. But remember, it’s not about you. It’s all about Jesus. Don’t be afraid. You have the most amazing gift in the world if you believe in Jesus. Share it with others as Jesus told us to do. It is God’s plan and He promises to be with you. NO FEAR!

If you need anything, please, don’t hesitate to email.

Brad French
+ mailto:brad@newlifexn.org
Relevant Student Ministries Webpage
+http://www.newlifexn.com/studentministries/index.html






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TalkPoint: Faith

Hey Everybody!

This week at Relevant we discussed what faith is and why we need to have faith in God. In this week's talkpoint we will be looking at some very important passages from the Bible regarding this very important issue of FAITH.

First let's start by asking the question: "What is faith?"

In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 beginning in verse 1 we read:
"Faith is the confidence that we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." NLT

I like the Rob Lacey's Word on the Street paraphrase of this verse:
"What's 'taking God at his word' mean? Let me fill you in. It's being dead sure of our prospects. It's being sold on something we've no evidence for, convinced when there's no proof." WOTS

When we take a look at the definition of FAITH from Random House Inc. Dictionary we see that the definition is very complex but pointed:

FAITH (noun)

1.
confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
2.
belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
3.
belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims.
4.
the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.: Failure to appear would be breaking faith.
5.
Christian Theology. the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.

Faith is a lot like the wind. You can feel it, hear it move through the trees, but you can't see it. Faith is not an easy term to grasp, but I would bet on one thing: We all have a faith of some kind. Even atheists who claim to believe in "nothing" believe in something. (That something simply being nothing)

If we look closely at the definition in part 2 the dictionary clearly explains that faith is a belief not based on proof. I want to challenge your thinking today. Do you really think God left no proof of His existence? Romans 1: 20 "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." NLT If we look closely at this verse we can see that God left proof for us through his creation--the earth in all its beauty.

We, being wonderful creations of God (Psalm 139:13-18), also have within each of us a yearning to know our creator. If we look a verse before Romans 1:20 we see that in Romans 1:19 "They know the truth about God because it is obvious to them." NLT I especially like the New American Standard Bible which translates that verse like this "because that which is known about God is evident within them [man]; for God made it evident to them." Have you ever found yourself wondering, there must be more than just this, just this single life that I have? I have wondered that. A few years ago (about 10) I remember having a deep longing in my heart for something I could not explain. I knew this feeling, emotion, whatever you want to call it was burning in my heart and I couldn't seem to find anything or anyone to fuel the flame. Then one day, I heard a man talking about this amazing God who loved me personally and wanted to fill that hole in my heart that no one or anything else could fill. I was blown away. There was something more... and this something more was God. You see, God gives us each a deep desire to know Him personally. God sent His Son Jesus, to this earth to live a perfect and sinless life, die a horrible death and then in three days raise from death to life to overcome the power of sin and death. Jesus went through all of this so that I could be forgiven of my sins. You see the amazing thing is God offered me a relationship with Him through Jesus but even more than that this relationship doesn't begin when we die, but when we accept Jesus as our Savior from this sinful nature we posses.


You see when we talk about faith we first understand that we posses within ourselves the very desire to know God and understand His nature. Let's take a look just a little deeper into Romans 1:20. The word understand as it is used in Romans 1:20 comes from the Greek word nŏiĕō (Pron. noy-eh´-o) means to exercise the mind (observe) to comprehend; consider. When we talk about this verse we can know that God exists and understand that He Himself is divine but we will never fully understand or observe and comprehend who He is personally unless we believe through faith that Jesus was the Son of God and that He came to bring us freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life.

Faith is very complex in word and deed but I want to encourage you there is only one way to get to God and Heaven and that is through Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus says "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father but through me." You may think well, I am a really good person and do a lot of good things, surely this is enough to get me to Heaven... Good works are not enough. Believing in Jesus is the only way. Freedom from sin and eternal punishment is available through Jesus and is a free gift from God that He offers through His amazing grace to all people. (Eph. 2:8-9) If you have been experiencing a void or longing in your heart and haven't found the answer to that longing, God wants you to turn to Him, believe in His Son Jesus, and commit to Him your life. It is so simple that it is mind boggling. But trust me, God offers this gift of deliverance from sin freely and He wants you to know Him personally.

This video from Nooma Productions featuring Rob Bells is a perfect example of what we are talking about. Check it:

I am always available if you need anything please don't hesitate to call or email. My information can be found at http://www.newlifexn.org/ on the left hand side of the page toward the bottom.

Until next week my dudes and dudettes LIVE LOUDER for God! :)





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Being Relevant

Hello all you wonderful blog seeking peeps.

Students-this blog is all about you. Being a relevant Christian today is not an easy task. I won't even pretend that it comes close to being easy. This current culture is probably the single hardest time to focus on one thing let alone something as vast as spirituality. That being said, I want to post a challenge: If you can focus on your relationship with God and grow closer to Him and become more and more real with Him, He will make you strong in Christ and sustain your spiritual relevance which will invest into all areas of your life causing you to become an irresistable person of love and grace. This person is one that God can use for His glory to revolutionize this world, and its initiation is depending on the decision you make... Will you allow God to make you a relevant and revolutionary person?

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12