6 Ways To Make Your Year Work

Many times the 'what' is easy to find (lose weight, go to the gym, increase income, come up with something life changing etc.), the 'how' however needs work and a lot of thought. Here are a few suggestions from my new year message 6 Ways To Make Your Year Work. Hope it will inspire you to be intentional and press on. Remember if you have a vision or a dream you have to protect it!

#1 - The majority is not always right - Many times people will convince themselves they cannot do something, then they will try to convince you that you can't either! Stay true to what you want and/or God has given you do to (Numbers 13:31-33). For more on this subject please read this post.

#2 - Be intentional -  When comes to our plans we need to be intentional and consistent otherwise circumstances, people, and/or familiarity can take us off track. (Numbers 14:1-7)

The verse above shows us 3 things that will try and steal your dreams:

1. Circumstances. They are the bad reports.
2. Doubters. They are the ones that carry the bad reports.
3. Familiarity. People got really familiar with their LORD. They would complain and even think that He didn't care about them anymore. They even forgot God's promises for them. Familiarity is a killer!

   
#3 -  The way you see yourself will affect your destination (Numbers 13:33). Romans 8:37 offers a solution for self image problem. 

#4 - Replace "I can't", with "How can I" (Philippians 4:13).

# 5 -  Be ready to sacrifice something you love for something you love even more. Nothing significant in life will ever happen without sacrifice. The potential of the effect is directly connected to the sacrifice you are willing to make. Sacrifice is meant to be hard and challenging. Suffering will stretch you but your world will get bigger and you will become stronger (1 Peter 5:10).

#6- Look for different behaviour, not different situation (2 Chronicles 26:5). Your situation might never change. The way you see your situation however might give you new perspective and insight of what to do and even turn a problem into profit. Make sure you seek God, he always know what to do.

This is one of the ways we shape the culture in our church.  

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Shaping Culture

Message Focused

At D7 Church we believe that our message does not start when the speaker stands up and starts talking. The message starts before people even walk through the front door. The message usually starts in the car park. When you come to one of our experiences (we refer to our services as 'experiences' because one of our goals is to build a community of people that will feel welcome, loved, valued and celebrated. Ultimately, showing Jesus as relevant and real by creating such an awesome environment that people will not be able to stay away - we want you to experience something irresistible. 

We also understand that people are message carriers. We all have a message (good or bad) to share. At D7 Church we go to extreme lengths to consistently communicate one message: "You are so valued and loved that Jesus died for you!"

People Focused

We want everyone who walks through the door to feel like they are the most important person in the room. The way we make that happen is by:

1. Focusing on the people. Even though we have a job to do, the number one focus of our team at D7 Church is the people. People are the most important part of what we do because the people are why we do what we do. It’s all about people, Jesus died for people and we are commissioned to reach out to people. It’s all about people – nothing matters more than the people.

2. Giving people an experience. The experience starts with the welcome team member, to the worship team, to the pastor then back to the welcome team again until that person leaves at the end of the service.

This is one of the ways we shape the culture in our church.  

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Breaking The "I" Barrier - A Lesson in Humility

I once shared with our team about our responsibility in cultivating a humble heart. Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. Humility is essential and it is the key if we want to stay usable and if we want to reflect God. Here it is a little bit of what we discussed.

We are not individuals on a team trying to succeed in our area of expertise. Rather we are a part of a team trying to see how we can serve our team with our area of expertise so that the team can succeed. The world does things a certain way but we are Christians and we do things differently.We live in the world but we are not of the world (John 17:15-16)

Self Promotion vs. Humility

God favours humility and will take you much higher than your self promotion ever can. Don’t be scared that if you are humble you will lose out! God sees and He will lift you up - when the time is right! (James 4:10)

Remember God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5)

Tips to stay on track:

1. Watch your attitude
Does it need attention and self promotion? Is it seeking the kingdom first? - Think Matthew 6:33. Check your attitude towards your team and your church, is it focused on the big picture and serving the vision? Do you even know what the vision is?

2. Know why you do what you do
Why do you serve on team?, Why do you come to church?
Do you even know God? Do you have a relationship with Him?

3. Stay humble
Stay humble by watching what comes out of our mouth.
Stay humble by watching what you ponder on in your heart.

4. Follow the Son's example - Serve!
"...Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)

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Servant Leadership

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 

- Matthew 25:21 

A leader is one who serves. You are never more like Jesus than when you are serving. A true leader will always display the attitudes, motivations and service of a servant. The Hebrew Meanings 'Ebed' means slave or a servant. This word applies to a person who is at the complete disposal of another person (Gn. 24:1-67). As leaders we must be at the complete disposal of Jesus.

However saying I’m serving Jesus can be too general, you have to narrow it down. 

• Serve Jesus (Jn. 12:26). Where he is we should also be.
• Serve your family (1 Timothy 5:8). 

• Serve your pastor (Mt. 10:41-42). Become bigger person by serving and more intimate with your leader. You become bigger by serving your leader. 

• Serve your church (Eph. 1:23). The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. 

• Serve your world (Colossians 3:23-24, Mark 10:45). 

There's no "I" or "me" when dealing with a great leader. He/she will always put others first and the big picture on the table.

Do you have a heart to serve? Do you want to improve your leadership skills and network with others on the same journey? Sign up to our Leaders Academy here.

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5 Reasons Why I Teach My Children To Tithe

see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love. 2 Corinthians 8:7-8

Generosity, tithing (10% of your income) and offering sermons are never popular. Mainly because some people don't like when you mess with their god. They feel the need to defend it. They want to to be in control and do whatever they want with what doesn't even belong to them in the first place. If you cannot give up everything (including control) you cannot be Jesus' disciple. Jesus never asked for 10%. He asks for 100%. 

I teach my children to do two things with their money: 1) to bring 10% of their income to the church and 2) to put 10% towards savings.

We have to be intentional towards generosity. We need to display it to our children and God's House is a great way to do this. Some people right now are teaching their children to gather, be in total control and fearful when comes to trusting God. Tithing is the first step. There is also offerings and the whole concept of leading a generous life.

Do you have to tithe? No. Are there consequences? Yes. 

Here are five reasons why I teach my children to tithe:

1. Tithing teaches them gratitude, NOT a sense of entitlement. 
2. Tithing teaches them that God is in absolute control of their finances NOT them.
3. Tithing  teaches them to set their treasure in the right place. 
4. Tithing  teaches them passion and zeal for God's House.
5. Tithing teaches them the principle of firstfruits. God must ALWAYS be first.

What about you? What are you teaching the next generation?

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Building Great Team Members

You cannot build a strong organisation without a strong team. You cannot build a strong team without building the individuals within the team.  Ask the individual team members the following:

1. What their main challenge is (Problem).

2. What they need in order to perform (Need).

3. What their passion is (Passion).

4. What you can provide (Solution).

The chart above has helped me to quickly assess where a team member is at. You might find it overly simplistic, but I like simple. I believe simple can help us leaders to unclutter, to see clearly beyond the mess and focus on the results we are looking for.

Let's look into the four categories;

Problem - When you detect a problem (e.g. poor performance) within a team you've got to act immediately. You just cannot afford to ignore the issue and expect it to go away. It won't! The longer you take the more the problem will grow and spread among the team. So write the main problem on this part of the chart.

Need - Is the problem caused by a particular need (e.g. training). Assess the need by asking direct questions (e.g. what do you think your primary need is?).  Also assess past performance to detect the need.

Passion - Do you know what your team member is passionate about? This part of the chart should be revealing something to you. Is the person in the right role? Perhaps his dreams are different to what he is doing at the moment. People will flourish when they start doing what they love. After discussing the topic add your team member's passion to this part of the chart. 

Solution - This is your chance to write down a solution in order to move your team member forward. Take this opportunity to describe what is required from you and your team member in order to achieve results. Be concise and clear - I've found that too much information tends to get people confused.

The chart above can also be used in interviews, appraisals, coaching and informal meetings.  If you want to zero in on a problem, focus, think, develop and provide clear solutions with clear instructions, why not give the above development chart a try and let me know if it worked for you too. 

Keep it simple!

Men of Extraordinary Vision

We kicked off D7 Men with what I find to be a crucial thing in life: Vision.  Men in our society lack vision - not on my watch! As long as I live I will challenge the men around me to grab hold of what God intends for them. Men, you were created for a purpose and sitting watching TV eating junk is not one of them. I refuse to be surrounded by purposeless, visionless men.  

D7 Men are men of extraordinary vision

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. 

Proverbs 21:5

“You never just focus on what you’ve accomplished for the year; you focus on what you’ve accomplished relative to exactly what you said you were going to accomplish.”
– George Rathmann

You measure the success of your vision according to what you’ve planned and how much you’ve managed to accomplish toward that goal. Remember that the future belongs to those who plan for it, even though some people would rather spend more time planning their holidays than their life. As a D7 man you have to have vision.

When writing down your vision consider: 

1- God. 

Great vision requires remarkable, reckless faith. When devising a vision for your life make sure you make God’s priorities your priorities. Make sure your dreams are also God’s dreams, otherwise you might end up chasing the wind, just like king Solomon. (See Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17, 1:2-4, 1:5-8, 1:8-9)

2- The People in Your World
Teamwork makes the dream work. If you can achieve your vision by flying solo, then chances are you're not doing anything worthwhile. A big vision requires people. We can’t accomplish great things alone. Examples of people that had a great team: David (his mighty men), Jesus (the twelve disciples) and the Apostles (spirit filled men). Your vision should have the capacity to turn ordinary men into “giant killers”. So look after the people that God has put in your world. Don't take them for granted, they might become your best friends. Stay planted in God's house no matter what, serve the people in your world with a humble attitude and you will see that they will be more than willing to help you out.

3- The Clarity of Your Vision (thanks to Dr. John Maxwell for the insight)

Write the vision and make it plain on tablets
Habakkuk 2:2

Make sure you clarify your vision. Make sure you know what you want (James 1:6-8). Make you vision clear.

Clarity requires effort. Ask yourself these questions.

1) What are your deep concerns?
2) What are your values?
3) What strengths do you have?
4) How have your experiences shaped you?

These questions uncover how you are wired and what you value the most. Once the vision starts to come together in your mind, write it down and share it with someone you trust. As your vision crystallizes, you might want to surround yourself with inspirational resources (books, movies, paintings, people who can help you realise your vision).

Clarity specifies your direction. Why should we make the effort to see the vision clearly? Because vague visions cannot serve as compelling guides. Writing down your vision is a great way to make it clear. This will also provide you with direction, accountability and possible problems.

Clarity will determine your priorities. Every man has limitations. Limited time, limited resources, and limited energy. As such, nobody can have it all in life. In light of our limitations, we each have to make sacrifices and scale back the scope of our ambitions. Seeing the vision clearly helps us to prioritize which opportunities to bypass and which activities deserve our dedication. The choices we make either draw us closer to our vision or push us farther away from it. If we're unsure of the vision, then we won't know how to make decisions that carry us in the right direction. If we don't live by priorities we will live by pressures. So set your priorities right, at the very beginning.

How NOT to Be Double-Minded

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
–  Henry Ford

... but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14

The answer is: You Focus and Press on. Ask yourself these questions.

Focus: Write down your short term and long term Goals.

Press on: How are you going to implement the above?

Take your time to read and meditate on these verses: Ephesians 3:20, 2 John 1:8, James 1:12, Galatians 6:9

Recommended Reading:
Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.
Be All You Can Be by John Maxwell
Wild At Heart by John Eldredge 

Christmas Splendour & Audacious Faith

"I think I have audacious faith figured out. It has nothing to do with how much faith you can muster it has more to do with how much you have the audacity to ask for!"

- Angela De Souza

God has once again blown our minds away here at D7. We've made a discovery that is life changing purely by accident: The essence of audacious faith is... 'audacious asking'. As simple as that! When God smiles upon something there is nothing we can do to stop it! 

Our Christmas Ball for instance. Three times we came close to cancel the whole thing. It was just too much money, technical requirements, hassle etc. All these things disappeared, how? I don't know... try asking God!

Why is D7 Church's Christmas Splendour a miracle?

- We have [Dweeb] joining us as special guests. We couldn't have a better band performing at this ball. These guys are awesome, I highly recommend this band so check them out here!

- Paul James, leader of our amazing city and his collegues are coming to the ball.

- Brian Jones of GEAR is also coming.

- All the costs, technical requirements, hassles have been taken care of. The staff at the Gloucester Guildhall rock!

- Members of the homeless community are going to be our guests of honour. AWESOME!

- People from other churches are going to be present. Talk about church unity!

- The press is writing an article about the church and all that we are doing for the community. They are coming to the ball too. Come on church let's make the name of Jesus famous!

- We needed a place, preferably in Gloucester to house our guests before the Christmas Ball. We got a place and it's only 5 minutes from the venue from someone that is also a Christian and we barely know. Watch out, Christians in Gloucester are coming together. There will be nothing we will not be able to achieve.

- Loads of disconnected youth are going to be there. 

- Money has been donated towards catering.

- Things now are much bigger than we are and it just keeps on getting bigger and bigger.

- This Ball is promising to be the best Christmas Ball Gloucester has had in years! It is good to see Jesus' church taking the lead.

Creating A Microcosm

Microcosm = a small place, society or situation which has the same characteristics as something much larger.

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

Matthew 11:12

Culture architecture can be hard work. One thing is to inherit a well established organisation where the culture within it has been tested and proved successful. But taking outsiders on this journey can definitely be time consuming. Take our church for instance, D7 is a baby church where most people come from an unchurched background, add to that addictions, deteriorating lifestyles, abuse, traumas etc and you have a nice challenge before you. Thank God for Hebrews 13:6!

That's why in our church we've had to create everything in a small scale. Our core team is going to dictate the culture for the rest of the church. In the way that the first 20 people in our church act, interact, give etc, will translate in the way that the next 50, 100, 10000 will also behave. So I insist that it is the primary task of my core team to set the culture for the rest of the church. We have to get this right from the very beginning as there is way too much at stake. We'll have to model and in order to accomplish this we have to create a microcosm. 

We are here to build a church; the closest thing people in modern society will get from Jesus. So we dress for where we are going not for where we are. We are dreaming big dreams. We’ve often looked bigger than we were, out of place, and “overdressed”. But eventually we will not look awkward anymore. You see, we will either dress down to fit in or dress up for where we are heading. For example we've had to apply reverse engineering concepts to what we do, we've had to start with the end in mind and that means that we are now prepared to accommodate more people than we currently have. The answers and the way we do things should be uniform. Different scenarios, one vision, one way! 

The limit is our capacity. 

The D7 Welcome Home Experience - Be Genuine

"Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language."  

Dale Carnegie

Welcoming people by name is a small thing, but it counts. In our church we understand that people want to be recognised and celebrated in some way. They want to belong and they want to be made to feel that they do count for something. 

The concept we follow at D7 to represent this next level connection is fairly simple: "connect, discover, respond". Three elements that  will contribute to the D7 Experience, a simple yet powerful model for meaningful interactions and quality relationships. 

Connect. This is when you meet people for the first time, you learn their names and you show them that they really matter by focusing on them.

Discover. This is when you hear their life stories and ask relevant questions, you learn about their individual situation, preferences and needs.

Respond. Although many of us find it easier to connect with people and learn about their life still many of us don't act on what we learn. This is the stage where you take immediate action based on what you learn. That can be  something as practical as food or help moving home or it can also be the fact that you need to go home and pray for wisdom on what to do. The main point here is to do something.

Genuine connection is never a problem when you truly love people. Is your church giving your new guests those memorable welcomes?

Culture Architecture

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again."
John 3:16-17 (The Message)

Firstly allow me to define three keywords:

The world is the kingdoms and costumes of the age we live in, an architect is a person responsible for achieving a particular plan or aim and culture is a lot of things that have been passed on, it is what people pick up on immediately, thought it may be imperceptible to regulars.

For our sake and the sake of the next generation we need to make sure we pass things that are worth passing on. That’s why at D7 our team nights are so important, here we will not only learn leadership principles and be empowered but you will also know what we are all about. This is extremely important in order to keep yourself and others connected. Culture is the glue that holds our church together.

Now, let's establish two things:

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him."
Colossians 1:15-16 (The Message)

1) God cannot be seen.

"The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence."
Ephesians 1:23 (The Message)

In this day and age how do people see Jesus? He is invisible!

2) Jesus cannot be seen.

Here is where culture architecture comes in.

You see God by seeing Jesus (but Jesus is also invisible). So you see Jesus by seeing His Body – The Church. The church is His body filled with Him.

The questions we need to ask is:

1) How does the culture of our church represent the culture around us?
Is it relevant? Are we being present? Is it Innovative? Are we contributing in creative ways in order to bring positive and meaningful change?
2) How does an unbeliever see our church?

The culture exists no matter what! Do something to contribute and architect culture. Each single one of us sets the atmosphere and the culture of our environment. Owing the culture will help us be more confident in bringing people to church. How does that look like practically? You bring the atmosphere with you, you get your attitude sorted before coming to God's house because you understand that it is not about our vision but His Kingdom, not about our fame but His name.

Unity Has No Labels

Fundamentalist, liberal, post-modern, emerging, traditional. These are just a few words some people use in their Christian circles to label others and even themselves.

Here is the thing about labels: You demote yourself from Son of God, passionate follower of Jesus to a fundamentalist or liberal or whatever you want to call yourself. Here is another thing about labels, you also get associated to that group and if their fame is not a good one your reputation also goes down the drain, creating an instant barrier between you and other people, causing instant division. Yet another thing about labels, you feel the need to defend your thesis or point of view instead of talking about the one thing that matters the most - the gospel. Or maybe this is just a subtle excuse for us to talk about our favourite subject... ourselves.

The amazing things He has done in our lives gets replaced by questions, dissections and discussions about methodologies overlooking the core message that is being preached. We get caught up in conversation about labels instead of discussing strategies on how to win those who are lost and (on a daily basis) crying out for answers.

Am I going crazy or Jesus did say that we would be known by our love for one another? Who cares about methods, as long as you are preaching that Jesus is God's only begotten son and the only way to heaven. Should we maybe stop over analysing and start getting busy with loving one another?

I think there are way too many Christians with too much time on their hands in this world. Lets stop the useless talk and start concentrating on what actually matters!

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!

What To Think About

What we think determines who we are. Who we are determines what we do. John Locke once said; "The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts". Good thinking will produce more good thinking only if we make it a habit.

Our life is a reflection of the way we think. The word of God in Philippians 4:8 tell us what to think about; "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

We are to fill our minds with things that will inspire others to come to Jesus.

What have you been filling your mind with?

Seeking The Remarkable

At D7 Church we are not seeking the sensational we are seeking the remarkable.

Sensational is to do with intense feelings or causing intense feelings, while remarkable is something worthy of noting or attention. Something striking or extraordinary.

A lost focused, passionate for the house of God, totally sold out for the cause of Christ bunch of people. That's remarkable!

Loyal Christians are rare and extremely remarkable!

Christians willing to serve their church because they understand that the gospel is bigger than their personal preferences, issues and personal "calling". That's Remarkable!

Teenagers preserving their purity. That's remarkable!

A homeless man giving his tithe. That’s gut crushing, mind blowing and totally remarkable!

Jesus the son of God coming to serve. That's remarkable!

Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of humanity. Totaly remarkable!

We can summarise all of the above with the following remarkable statement by the apostle Paul:

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.(1 Corinthians 9:22)

That is D7 Church's mission, this is what we live our lives for! If even Jesus made himself weak to the point of being beaten beyond recognition what make us think that we are any different? A bunch of people doing whatever it takes , becoming whatever they need to become to win the lost that is truly remarkable! Feelings come and go but the remarkable will definitely make history.

What Are You Carrying?

Yet again another awesome post written by my insightful wife. Read this if you want to identify areas of stress and define priorities in your life.

Winners And Whiners

"not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times. not one of them will ever see the land I promised..." 

- Numbers 14:22-23 

I have noticed that the world is divided into two kinds of people; the winners and the whiners. Whiners can be found on wholesale, the shelves are full of them. They come in bulk. Whiners are always ready to complain and give excuses why they “can’t”. Two million whiners did not see the promise that God gave them because of their whining. They touched God’s heart with their cry, they heard his promise, they saw his miraculous works, they tasted his goodness and smelled the fragrance of freedom. Still they complained. 

God was not exaggerating when he said that ten times they tested him:

They didn’t believe. Twice!(Ex. 14:11-12, Nm. 14:1-4)
Disobeyed Him. Twice!(Ex. 16:20, 16:27-29)
Worshipped something else other than Him. (Ex. 32:7-10)
and... They complained... FIVE TIMES!(Ex. 15:24, 16:3, 17:2-3, Nm. 11:1-2, 11:4)
This is what whiners do:
They worship themselves, something or someone other than God. They don’t think twice when facing a crucial decision, they find it easy to come up with excuses to disobey God. They don’t fully believe that he is able and that nothing is impossible to him. And, this is perhaps the most basic and loudest of them all... they whine and complain... ALL THE TIME!
Winners on the other hand are handmade, they are precious rare items found in small alley shops. They refuse to settle for the ordinary, they see opportunities instead of obstacles. Joshua and Caleb are great examples of winners. They trusted God to the core. They brought the minority report refusing to go with the majority. They saw opportunities instead of obstacles. They found reasons to move forward and take ground instead of coming up with excuses to shrink back.
Winners will not only see God’s miraculous power in action, but they will also ‘possess the land’. They may not lead a comfortable life but they will certainly lead a totally fulfilling one. They fully obey and trust God walking in total freedom as a result. And when they die they leave a legacy.
Are you a winner or a whiner?