Pastor Brian continues from last week sharing the secret of Paul's passion. This week we hear about Paul's lowly identity. He recognized the source of his fruit (God) and then reveled in the surge. We are just channels of God's work. God provides us with the ability to do things... extending our work far beyond our own capabilities. Just like Samuel Finley Morse typed with the first telegraph message he sent, "What hath God wrought?" It is the story of our lives and we shall experience the biggest surge through prayer and fasting this next 40 days.

Pastor Brian continues preparing us for praying and fasting before Easter. This prepares us for the difficult times ahead. God works powerfully through praying and fasting... always. He has us look at Paul's passion for ministry. We were saved to serve and should allow the river flow and not be "couch potato" believers where we are just a reservoir. Ministry is a lot of work yet an oasis in disguise. Paul's secrets/examples of how to do it are: 1. You need a lofty ministry. 2. You need a laid back ministry. 3. You need a laboring intensity. We will use the book, "God's Chosen Fast", the Spiritual Warfare Prayer, focus on some issue and pray for a breakthrough, and shod our feet with peace to lead up to inviting a person to Easter service.

Pastor Brian begins the sermon today asking who was it that said: "The ruler of this world is coming and he has nothing in me." What if Pastor Brian were to say it right now? Would we know what to do? What would we do if we knew it were true? Who is the ruler of the world? Well, of course satan is. We must never forget who the real enemy is... who will exploit all things to his ends. We must not be ignorant of his schemes and part of not being ignorant is being ready. Pastor Brian feels that it is his place to prepare us. Christ said it before He went to the cross. We can be prepared because we have Christ with us and in us. We can strike the posture of being strong in the Lord and with the strength of His might. It begins with prayer and fasting. Three things to focus on during the fast: First, the spiritual warfare prayer; two, focus on some issue where you want to see a breakthrough; three, we'll shod our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace and taking up the armor of God in the evil day.

Pastor Brian reminds us that it is the Sanctity of Life Season for the evangelical world. Since legalized abortion in 1973, there have been 53 million abortions in the United States. There is a fine line between righteous indignation and fleshly indignation. If not handled in the right way, our anger/wrath can make it 1. an unforgivable sin (which it's not) and this can lead to unconsolable grief and 2. a disservice of not "winning the loss". We have to learn to think consequentially when making decisions. We also need to remember that there is nothing outside of God's control and He will allow things to get worse to bring us to Him. We need to show with style what God proposes to those involved with abortions. We need to help the cause of Christ without condemnation and hatred. These are not family values! We need to build a bridge of humanity between prolife and prochoice...just like God has done by sending His Son. One thing that will help us to fight for life without making a god of life, is prayer. It changes hearts. It is our most powerful weapon. That is what the Women's Resource Center is asking for this next year.

Michael Obar, our new worship director, shares his life story with us today. He asked God why he was here on this earth and to find him a teacher... God told him that He would be his teacher... to learn how to worship. He learned that even if he doesn't know what to say or do, God will lead him. He has learned to have a heart to reach out, to worship and God has shown him that who you are is mine (God's)! He shared a few life moments such as when his dad passed away... others told him that they could see his father's eyes in Michael. We should be proud when others can see Christ's eyes in us. Sports teaches us a lot... like when the Broncos were losing, he wanted to turn the tv off but didn't. He encourages us as a church that when we go through hard times as well, no matter the outcome, we shouldn't give up. He prays throughout the day. His desire is to lead people into His presence at all times versus leading us to just worship on Sunday mornings. He is wanting to learn and know the heart of the church. He challenges us to also look at what we are doing during the week. Are we cultivating a heart for God or at the tasks at hand? What do we bring to the table?

Pastor Brian continues with his New Year's resolution for the concegration. His top three priorities are: 1. The Word. 2. Prayer. 3. People. He reminds us that he wants to go back to his roots/his deepest call as a pastor when he candidated here five years ago. He begins each message with asking us to open our bibles... "just" to bring us to God and His word, not to Brian, himself. He asks us the inevitable question... What do we want? The presence, agenda and leadership of a man or of God? He believes that we need a pastor that is the people's representative of God. He wants to be centered and not scattered by trying to do too much or trying to please all of the people all of the time. He asks what is a greater love? In secret with God or in front of men? He believes that by spending time in prayer he/we will walk so closely with God that we will know what His call is, what His will is, what His game plan is for us. The bottom line is growing intimacy with God. We will wait upon you, Lord!

Tom Fraser, our new youth director, shares his life story along with a q & a time with Mark Hill. He refers to John 15: 12-13... This my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. This is what ministry is about-being inconvenienced. It's not about me, it's about you. Welcome Tom!

Pastor Brian poses the questions: Do we have a place to stand? Do we have a place to land? He focuses on getting back to the heart and soul of our vision of Growing Intimacy with God. We all need to be centered on Christ... just like Mary listening to His word, seated at His feet. The three things that can keep us from deepening our roots in our faith are: 1.Running tired. 2. Running busy. 3. Running filled but unfulfilled. The two solutions to be centered on the source is to be more rooted in the church community and more reflective at the feet of God. We need to be centered, rooted, grounded and on our knees, seated at His feet in solitude and community. We need to put our hand in His.

Pastor Brian asks us if we have ever felt frightened by the load we bare just like Mary felt when she was told by the angel Gabriel she was the favored one and would conceive a son. We need to remember the promise that when we are with a lowly spirit, it will result in the birth of something we deeply desire. God is true to His Word. We need to "T.A.P." into Him so He can fill us. "T"-Tell Him how you are feeling with all your heart. "A"-Affirm what He is doing with thanksgiving. "P"-Plead with Him with all your heart's desires. vs. 37: "For nothing will be impossible with God."

Pastor Mark Hill speaks to students and parents on advice that we all need and on advice that we can give to others, as well as the church family being equipped and willing to enable families. Advice to students: 1. Reality entertainment is NOT reality. 2. Take responsibility for your part in the family relationship. 3. Parents understand more than you think they do! Advice to parents: 1. Don't freak out/overreact. 2. Be the big person and don't take it personally. 3. Dont' squeeze too hard because the kids will pop out somewhere else (like a water balloon!) All ministry is youth ministry!!