Calvary Chapel North Phoenix

We are entering the second half of 2008. Most of the economic stimulus checks have been sent. The money has been spent. The needs grow larger by the day.

The temptation is to hunker down, become self-oriented and fearful. No more steps of faith. Just hording everything you’ve got and hoping for the best.

Listen, God has a greater goal for life than that scenario. When a door seems to be shut in one direction, many times it is God’s way of redirection for us. We get so used to how we’ve done things in the past that we like the security of sameness.

But it is in times of change and restriction that God opens our heart to new opportunities. Instead of being fearful, He desires that we seek Him in freshness and newness. But it will require a step of faith and courage on our part.

Faith always involves an element of risk. If we focus on the potential failure of the endeavor, chances are that is where we will end up. Do we understand that God is more concerned with the process than with the production? Our best efforts fall short of the least that He can do with one wave of His hand!

During the second half of 2008, let’s all open our hearts to new opportunities to help others in any way we can. For some, this may be frequently calling a friend that you know is going through a difficult time and being an encouragement.

Maybe it’s deciding to finally attend that home fellowship and opening your life to others on a more personal level. Possibly it is making a commitment to deepen your devotional time with the Lord through the Psalms. For some of you it may be stepping up to minister to the young children at church through the Children’s Ministry on either Sunday morning or Wednesday night.

How about taking $5 or $10 out of your paycheck and setting it aside. Put it in your car and ask the Lord to bring to you an opportunity to use it to bless someone in need that He brings to you. Be pro-active in your faith. Don’t let the current economic news stifle your outlook on how God can use you and provide for you.
Open your heart to new opportunities the next six months and see what the Lord will do with that.

This week is very busy here at Calvary Chapel North Phoenix. To begin with we are hosting our annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) every morning this week from 9 am to noon. We have around 100 children registered from ages toddler to 6th grade.

The theme this year is “Outrigger Island”, a Hawaiian theme. It looks like the kids are having not only a great time of games, crafts and snacks, but they’re also learning about God and His ways. For more information call Sandi at 602.391.3839.

Also, this Saturday, the women’s ministry at our church is hosting a special outreach called “From the Heart”. This will be a time of encouragement, fellowship, and friendship building centered around God’s heart of love toward women. This begins at 8:30 am and goes until almost noon. A continental breakfast will be provided.

Family Devotional Questions for Sunday, May 04, 2008

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

1. The Apostle Paul and his fellow missionaries came into the city of Thessalonica and went into the Jewish synagogue to tell them that the Jesus was the Messiah (the Christ). Many believed their gospel message. Have you ever heard about who Jesus is? Was there a time in your life when you first believed and received this message?2. The new Christians in Thessalonica had listened to the word of God and believed it was the absolute truth. It wasn’t merely the words of someone’s philosophy. How do you view the Bible? Do you believe it is divinely inspired cover to cover, or do you believe it has errors and only contains the word of God here and there?

3. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus revealed there were four kinds of hearts of people (like soils) that His message would affect: * the hard heart that won’t listen at all, * the stony heart that at first receives the word but pride keeps that word from taking deep root, * the thorny heart that is distracted and full of cares of this life which keeps the word from bearing any fruit, * the good heart that received the word of God and bears abundant fruit. Which heart do you think you have right now when you hear verses from the Bible?

4. The Thessalonian Christians suffered persecution from their countrymen because of their faith in Jesus. Have you ever lost friends or relatives because you now believe in Jesus and want to live in a way that is pleasing to Him?

The Parables of Jesus Questions

Mat 25:14-30

April 6, 2008

Jesus said “The kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.” What do you think about this statement? How does it apply to you?

Verse 16 refers to a man who “received five talents.” What were these talents and what value do they have in God’s kingdom?

The Lord was very pleased with the two servants who doubled the His talents, but not with the servant who saved the one talent. What is wrong with just saving the talent to give it back to the Lord? How does the verse relate to what the Lord has given to you?

The Lord took the one talent from the wicked and lazy servant and gave it to the servant who already had ten talents. Why did he give the talent to a servant who already had ten? Didn’t the one who had ten have enough talents already?

The Lord cast the wicked servant into the outer darkness. Do you think that casting the man out was extremely harsh treatment? Why would the Lord do that?

Study Questions on our Study of John 20:1-18

(read john 20:1-18 before you begin)

1. Mary Magdalene concluded that the body of Jesus had been stolen out of the tomb. But she made a wrong assumption based upon what it looked like to her at the moment.

*Was there a time recently when you jumped to a conclusion about someone or something that ended up being totally different than what you first thought?

2. Mary still called Jesus her Lord even when she knew He had already died. She didn’t have all the answers about Him rising again on the third day, yet she still believed He was her Lord. She believed in Him by faith.

*What is going on in your life right now that you don’t have answers for? Will you believe that Jesus is Lord over your situation even when you don’t understand what is going on?

3. Sometimes we can get so focused on things that didn’t happen which we expected to happen. It keeps us from looking up and trusting God’s word that He is still at work in the situation.

*What has not happened in your recent past that you thought would surely happen? Will you trust that the Lord is still working things according to His overall long-range plan for you?

4. Jesus rose from the dead in a glorified body and ascended up to the right hand of God the Father. He is praying for us right now. He knows our every need.

*Will you surrender every area of your life to Him and let Him do everything He desires to do in you and through you?