Focus

This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. Titus 1:13-14

If you want to get anywhere in life you will need focus. Here is the thing about focus: it doesn't just happen, you have to be determined and intentional. Focus is selective, it takes away distractions.

Sometimes we just have to pay no attention. Pay no attention to critics, pay no attention to the economy (God is your provider not your boss), pay no attention to the million things that come our way. Even opportunities can distract you - not all opportunities will take you where you want to go.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

We can learn a lot from the apostle Paul's success. We can be more effective by being more selective.

Focus demands selection. So say no to distractions.

How To Identify Bogus Leaders And Teachers

We have been going through the book of Titus for the past couple of weeks as a church. Here are a few things Paul teaches us about bogus teachers (See Titus 1:10-14)

1 – They focus more attention on themselves (or some fancy idea) than on Christ.
2 – They will ask you to do something that will compromise your faith.
3 – De-emphasize the divine nature or Christ or inspiration of the Bible.
4 – They will urge believers to make decisions based more on feelings or human judgement than on Biblical guidelines.

A serving heart will show you the spirit that is at work within a person's heart. If they follow Christ then they will also follow his example, Jesus always displayed the attitude of a servant. Other things to look for is if they are planted in a local church. Also are they committed believers or are they just looking for the next thrill (2 Tm. 4:3-4).

Kings Square

Last Sunday was awesome! In case you don't know we took our church into our community for the first time by having an outdoor service. It took us an hour and a half to get connected to a reliable source of electricity as we had problems with our generator (predictable!), we literally sung and played in the rain but I would not have it any other way!

The air was electric. We were all fighting the elements but were also pumped and everyone had a high sense of expectancy. History Maker by Delirious was playing in the Kings Square Shopping Mall, which added to the atmosphere. I prayed thanking God for the awesome encouragement, "Yes Lord, I want to be a history maker in this land!" By working together our team is writing history. Their history and the history of those involved. Yes we had a crowd, yes we connected and reconnected people to God's house. Someone even wanted to buy our band album (which by the way will be available at the end of the year!).

God is good, hell is too hot and people are dying for something fresh. Something that will not wear out the next day. Jesus is bringing them living water and we want to be part of it! So Well done team for an awesome work.

Gloucester here we come!!!

Our Dream Team

I really would like to say a big thank you to our most awesome team at D7 church (you know who you are). Your attitude, confidence, loyalty, commitment, godliness, courage, perseverance, creativity, talent, servanthood... the list goes on is changing people's lives in our sphere of influence. I can definitely see 1 Chronicles 22:5 taking shape through your excellent work.

When I mention how young our team is people often get surprised, amazed or just laugh in disbelief. However the heroine addict that is now clean is not laughing (if you know what I mean) he is been filled with joy through Christ his saviour. Someone who was mentally ill is now totally healed and in full time employment, enjoying his life and ready to start a family. A homeless man that had never worked in his entire life is now making a living and not begging anymore. The teenager that has been written off by his teachers is going to uni. Another bright teenager that used to spend all of his spare time in front of a computer screen playing games is now part of our core team and having the time of his life. People are getting better jobs, people are getting healed, we literally have seen Psalm 92:12-13 become reality in the life of D7 people.

Even though we are a new church we have already caused major damage to the kingdom of darkness. Our community is being systematically affected by the work we do and the best is yet to come!

Well done team... and remember your best days are yet to be written!