Seeing the Unseen: Experiences

You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it, in order to save the lives of many people, just as he’s doing today. Genesis 50:20

We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Did you experience so much for nothing? I wonder if it really was for nothing. Galatians 3:4

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or for group discussions.

READ & REFLECT 1 Peter 5: 5-11

What does verses 5-6 say regarding humility? In what ways can pride effect humility?
What reassurance does Peter give us in verse 7?
What joy, comfort or warning do you take from Peter’s instructions in verses 5-11 and how do they apply in your life?
What anxieties or worries do you have that you need to give to God?

READ & REFLECT 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7

Can you remember a spiritual experience where you have felt the closet to God?
In verse 4, why does Paul say God comforts us?
What kind of comfort do you receive from your faith in God?
How might you share the blessing of this kind of comfort with a friend or relative who is currently suffering? What words of comfort can you bring to others?
We all have been through or have seen brokenness. What brokenness do you have or have had? How is God helping you through this time or how has He help in the past? How would you be able to help others through your experience?

During the sermon Dorsia had the congregation fill out a connection card with your personal experiences. Please send us your answers in the reply box below.

Write down a key word or phrase for the experiences that stand out in the following areas of your life.

Spiritual Experiences

Meaningful decisions/times with God

Painful Experiences

Problems, hurts, trials that have taught you

Educational Experiences

What were your favorite subjects in school?

Vocational Experiences

Work related activities or situations that impacted you

Ministry Experiences

How have you served in the past?

Seeing the Unseen: Personality

Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 1 Samuel 17: 38-39

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:40

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or for group discussions.

READ & REFLECT 2 Peter 1: 5-11

What have you received from Christ that drives your life?
Taking a look at each of the characteristics listed. Which ones are you exhibiting well? Which do you lack?
What does it mean to be a mature Christian?
What are you able to do to increase your spiritual maturity?

READ & REFLECT Colossians 3: 12-17

How are we as a church described in verse 12?
Give practical examples of what it means to “bear with one another”? (Verse 13)
What are the positive aspects of your personality that makes people like you? What personality traits do you emulate that may turn people away?
Why is it important we forgive one another?
What would it look like if everyone practiced this verse? What would be different?
How would people see your faith in what you do?
Is your character reflected in how you serve the Kingdom?

During the sermon John had the congregation fill out a connection card with the Personality Self-Examination. Please send us your answers in the reply box below.

One common way of describing personality is to plot ourselves on four scales.
Mark where you see yourself on these scales:

How we relate to others:

Introverted Extraverted

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

How we structure our lives:

Controlled Spontaneous

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

How we take in information:

Intuitive Sensing

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

How we make decisions:

Thinking Feeling

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Seeing the Unseen: Abilities

CLICK TO LISTEN TO SERMON

“The Lord, ” David added, “who rescued me from the power of both lions and bears, will rescue me from the power of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37

“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” – Norman Vincent Peale

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or for group discussions.

READ & REFLECT Romans 12: 3-6

What is the difference between natural abilities & Spiritual Gifts? What abilities do you have?
How can developing your talents & abilities help serve the Lord?
How have you benefited from the abilities of others?
In verse 3, what reason does Paul give them to be humble?
Why is it inappropriate to ever feel superior to others? In what ways have you been prideful about your abilities?

READ & REFLECT Ephesians 2: 8-10

Our culture tells us that we can become anything we want to become. How does this mindset subtly creep into your walk with God?
What does “good works” mean?
List some ways that people wrongly understand good works? What happens as a result? (vs.9)
According to v. 10, who are we? What does this mean?What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul & strength?
What does the passage say that God has prepared beforehand? What does this mean for our purpose in life? Will we be accountable? How so?How are you living out this “great commandment?”
Reflect on your life. Have you focused on what the Lord has appointed you to do or more on what you want to do? Share. What steps can you take to make it more in line with what God wants of us?

During the sermon Dorsia had the congregation fill out a connection card with various Abilities listed. The Abilities are listed below. Please pick your top five and send us your answers in the reply box below.

ENGINEERING LEADING LEARNING MOTIVATING NEGOTIATING

PIONEERING TRAVELING STRATEGIZING SERVING TRANSLATING

WELCOMING FORECASTING INFLUENCING PUBLIC SPEAKING ORGANIZING

RESEARCHING ADAPTING PERFORMING COUNSELING COACHING

COOKING RESOURCEFUL COMPUTING LANDSCAPING RECRUITING

ARTISTIC PLANNING TEACHING PROMOTING COUNTING COMPOSING

DECORATING GRAPHICS MANAGING WRITING REPAIRING MECHANICAL

MUSIC LISTENING MENTORING BUILDING

JUST ADD IF YOUR ABILITIES IS NOT LISTED

Seeing the Unseen: Discovering My True Passion

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

“God has given each of us a unique emotional ‘heartbeat’ that races when we think about the subjects, activities, or circumstances that interest us.” Erik Rees

Passion is the fuel of life. It is the great source of energy and drive. It’s what makes us explore new vistas, develop new relationships, and seek solutions to perplexing problems. Bob Buford

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45 (NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NIV)

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or for group discussions.

READ & REFLECT Proverbs 3: 5-6

When have you had times where you didn’t trust God?
What have you learned about God in those times?
Look at your priorities & values. What is important to you?
What are some ways that you can acknowledge God?

READ & REFLECT Proverbs 4:23

Why does your heart need guarding?
How well are you guarding your heart?
What things would you need to guard your heart from?
In what ways can you protect yourself?

READ & REFLECT Deuteronomy 6: 5-6

What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul & strength?
How are you living out this “great commandment?”
What have you been putting in your heart these days?

Here are some additional questions for you to answer about your heart’s passions. Send us your responses to lifespringinfo@gmail.com or reply in the comments portion below then we are able to add them to you Ministry Profile.

What drives you?
Who do you care about? What kinds of people are you drawn to?
What needs are you able to meet?
What causes can you help conquer?
What is your ultimate dream for God’s Kingdom?

Seeing the Unseen: Truth Within & Potential Outside

To listen-Click HERE

“Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives.” Ephesians 2:10 (CEB)

“There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them and everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.” 1st Corinthians 12:4–7 (CEB)

Take your Spiritual Gifts Assessment here

***Don’t forget to add lifespringinfo@gmail.com to the last page of the assessment so we can get your results too!

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or for group discussions.

READ & REFLECT Romans 12: 3-8

In vs. 3, how does it say we are to think of ourselves?
Why is it important that God chooses to bless us with different gifts?
In which ways do you see the different gifts spread out throughout your church?
How have you been a good steward of your gifts?
In vs. 8, what is the significance that those who have the gift of “showing mercy” are urged to do it cheerfully?

READ & REFLECT 1 Peter 4: 8-11

How is God praised when we use our gifts?
What is the command given in vs. 8? Why is this command so important?
In what ways does “love cover a multitude of sins” in your relationships with others? Is there a relationship in your life right now that would benefit from practicing this command? If so, how could you practice this command?
In what ways do you see Christians showing hospitality?

WHY? Get Involved

“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.” -Carl Sandberg

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or for group discussions.

READ & REFLECT Mark 10: 35-45

How did Jesus explain His mission in vs. 45?

In what ways did Jesus model what he was teaching, for his disciples to also learn from?

READ & REFLECT Philippians 2: 5-8

What attitude are we to have toward serving others?

How do you feel as you think about what Jesus did to serve you?

Who are the people in my life that I am resisting serving due to my selfishness?

How could you seek out to serve others joyfully?

READ & REFLECT Luke 2: 36-38

Why do you think I chose Anna as an example of serving?

Put yourself in Anna’s place. What about her service would have been most difficult for you? Why?

READ & REFLECT Judges 6: 14-16

What kind of excuses do we make to keep us from serving others?

**Reflection: Ask God to show you ways to serve another person this week, particularly someone who is hard to love. Write down what God shows you to do, and later write down what you did about it.

WHY? Baptisms

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” Matthew 3:1-2 (CEB)

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or for group discussions.

What does baptism mean to you?

READ and REFLECT: Matthew 3: 13-17

Why did Jesus ask to be baptized?
Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?
How have you, like John, put your egos aside in order to point others to Jesus?
How do you give yourself completely to God, asking him to put you to good use for his glory?

READ and REFLECT: Matthew 3: 1-8

How are you helping those around you to welcome Jesus?
In what ways do you live your life that helps people discover what you believe?
What does verse 8 mean to you?
How do your actions match your words?

READ and REFLECT: Acts 3: 19-20

When did you last feel the need to be refreshed?
List 5 ways God has refreshed, molded, helped and changed you.

READ and REFLECT: Romans 12: 1-2

In verse one it says: “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” How are you doing this?
What does verse 2 mean to you?
How are you able to not ‘conform to the pattern of this world’ ?

Finding Your Zone

The Danger Zone:

The ‘I’ of the Storm

https://vimeo.com/106269572

“I have spoken these things to you while I am with you. The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.”

John 14: 25-26 (CEB)

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to make time for the Word, reflect and pray. It is designed to stimulate conversation and improve your reflective time. You can use this to reflect individually or in group discussions.

READ & REFLECT Romans 8: 26-27

Have you ever had difficulties praying, not knowing what to say or how to pray?
Challenge: Pray even when you don’t have the words
How is the Holy Spirit an advocate for you?

READ & REFLECT John 14: 15-17

Think of someone who is a companion in your life. What are the characteristics of a good companion? How is the Holy Spirit a Companion in your life?

READ & REFLECT John 14: 25-26

Why do we need a “teacher” or have to be “reminded?”
List the difficulties recognizing & listening to the Holy Spirit.

READ & REFLECT John 16: 12-15

How does the Holy Spirit guide you?
Where have you stumbled before?
How does the Holy Spirit help you stay away from the Danger Zone?

This Sunday Dorsia talked about selfish motives in Galatians 5: 16-21.

How do you keep yourself from acting on selfish motives?

Finding Your Zone

Expanding and Sharing

your Safe Zone

https://vimeo.com/105651446

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;

for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

SOAK & SHARE

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

The Soak & Share for this week is to reflect, read, pray and encourage others.

o Thank the Lord for his great sacrifice, for providing for us, restoring us and guiding us to be closer to Him.

o Read and reflect on this scripture: Psalm 84

o Throughout the week we all have our frustrations but be empathic towards someone that you would normally be indifferent to. Show them compassion instead. You never know what they are going through.

o Write an encouraging letter to someone at New Beginnings In Christ (Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program in Garfield, GA). Cards are available at the Next Steps table.

o Lead others into the safe zone by creating an environment so they can fall in love with Jesus too.

Finding Your Zone

The End Zone

https://vimeo.com/103827668

It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.

Philippians 3:12

Soak and Share

Soak and Share is a way for you to take Sunday’s teaching to the next level and challenges you to soak in (reflect on) the teachings and share them with others.

Today, Dorsia talked about knowing the END Zone (our objective) and things we can do to get there. The Soak & Share for this week is to apply those teachings and “swing” away! Below are five “swings” that you can do throughout this week to help get you closer to the END Zone.

Write a simple prayer. Pray that prayer at 4 different times during the day
Invest in someone by sending a personal & encouraging note or email to them.
Invite someone to church.
Read James 1: 19-25. Pray and reflect on the scripture throughout the day
Use your resources, whether it’s you’re your money, your time, your skills/talents, or your knowledge to help someone this week