Pastor Jim’s Notes

“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will listen: but let not God speak with us, lest we die” Exodus20:19
In today’s world we need to not make the mistake in relying solely on the Pastor to speak to us on what God has for us in life. Yes, pastors are meant to encourage, teach, help, direct and lead. But, I believe that pastors should be confirming what God is already speaking to your heart. Are you letting God speak to you and are you listening? If you are only wanting to here direction from people, then are you worried or afraid of what God is really asking of you? He is your friend, learn and trust His voice.

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Psalm 143:8 (NLT) Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer.
There is that short period of time in the morning when I know that I am waking up, but I really am not ready to get out of bed. I so often consciously find myself making a choice. Either try to go back to sleep or I begin to talk to God. When I begin to talk to God at that moment, I find myself most open and most vulnerable. At that moment I have not yet been hit with issues that a day can bring. Though, I am very aware of the troubles of the days gone by. It is at those moments that I find myself very openly asking God to guide me, teach me and prepare me for Him. It is just a sweet and gentle time with God. My honesty regarding myself is sometimes overwhelming in those awakening prayers that I have even been brought to tears. God so gently comforts me and I feel His embrace while lying there not yet out of bed for the day. I hear His sweet voice soothing me and letting me know that things are going to be okay. I remind Him of the troubles yet to be faced and He gently lets me know that I do not face anything alone, but with Him beside me all the way.
Do you have your morning private time with God?

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It has been a very busy summer and it has been a while since I could sit down and blog. Our church is continuing to go through many very exciting transformations. As a matter of fact, next year’s Wellspring Conference is themed “Transformation”. Mark your calendars now for this great event September 17th and 18th, 2010. We already have confirmed Dr. Richard Perincheif as one of our key note speakers. Many have already registered and you can register now by contacting Wellspring.
So, here we are!!! A new facility is ours to manage, along with exciting activities still happening at our previous facility that we still own. We are growing in our food distribution, youth, and the biblical educational base in the church. We are activating our neighborhood “helps teams” again. “Missions” is still an active part of this local church. Teams are developing at Wellspring that are stepping out and doing an awesome job in many areas of service. Men’s and women’s group is growing.
But no matter what we set our hands to, as we discussed last Sunday night, we need to always be aware of the manner in which we go forth into the world. All those things listed above are right, only as long as we know it is for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and most important of all, the Gospel message of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I am praying that we as a church are able, with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to facilitate a tremendous move of God in which many, many people will have changed lives and commitments to Jesus. Let’s be the church that changes the land!
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore”… is an understood statement that you are already going forth into the world to do something. The real question is as you go, are you keeping your priority the priorities of God in reaching people with the message of Jesus.

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Hebrews 12:15 (NIV) See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

As I was out on a 3 mile trek this week, I was praying that God would reveal to me why some past relationships still cause pain.  There is a reality that many times when a relationship ends in an unforeseen manner, that it can often be a long, slow process of healing.  I was thinking of some of the relationships that I miss and still have some pain issues with.  As God spoke to my heart, I humbly realized that there was very possibly some bitterness there that I was not acknowledging.  Subtle and slight, even covert and hidden were some of the feelings.  I prayed, “God, how can that be, I have done everything I could to move on.”  Like a crashing wave came another sudden word to my heart.  ”Have you forgiven them.”  My response was quick and easy.  Yes.  But then I began to realize that if I had some ever so slight roots of bitterness, did I really forgive them.  And, for what?  Well, the important part is, it does not matter for what.  It does not matter if anyone even is aware that I actually took up an offense.  In my heart, not just with my lips, I needed to forgive better.  As I was talking with someone in my home this week and they said they were sorry about a matter, without hesitation and with sincerity I responded, “I forgave you before you came to see me.”  It was real and it was refreshing.  Ultimately, no person should cause a taste of bitterness in our hearts.  The solution, examine our ability to forgive even better. 

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On May 17th, 2009, Wellspring Church had it’s first service at the new site located at 22 Teft Avenue in Clifton Springs.  As I met with the Worship Team and Key Leaders prior to service to pray, I shared with them briefly from Proverbs 13:22a A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children

What we are doing with the advancements in our church are not just and only about reaching people.  While that is our priorty, it is so apparent that we are also leaving in inheritance.  It was about a year ago, prior to closing on the property, that Linda and I were walking through the building.  As we were talking, I said to her, “I do not know what we can accomplish here, but imagine what our grandchildren can accomplish here”.  You are a part of this awesome journey.  As you move from being just a “hireling” into a sense of ownership of your church, remember this.  What you invest in, even at your local church, is part of the inheritance for your children’s children.

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