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  Thanks Pastor Jason Backus for a great word about creating financial reservoirs...

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  I gave you a lot of information on Sunday so I thought I would include the main points to help you remember as you listen to the podcast.  Signs that a person's emotional tank has run dry is a hard heart or constant emotional outbursts which usually manifests in the form of seclusion or integrity meltdowns.  People will take an emotional vacation to a an unhealthy place and literally sin to escape the pain.  Many addictions fall into this category.  Keys to refueling your emotional tank are: Ask the Why Question; give yourself permission to fail; understand the gift of limits and have emotional inlets and outlets.  I know a lot of stuff but I pray as you meditate and fast the Lord will refresh and renew your heart and emotional tank.  PL

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  God has established disciplines for us to restore our spirits and fill our tanks.  It is imperative to have a reserve.  As we fast the next 21 days I pray you will read a chapter in John every day.  Join us for our Seeking Service, January 15th at 6 pm and sign up for at least one hour of prayer starting January 22nd. 

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 God has blessed me with gift after gift since that wonderful day when I accepted him as my Lord and Savior.  Here is my story of His wonderful gifts in my life... Pastor Lloyd

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  The gift of family is hard work but an amazing blessing of Christmas.  Make sure you listen to this incredible message by Associate Pastor Jason Backus.

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  Thanks Allen and Shannon!  Adding communion and quiet time to the crazy busy Christmas schedule is an excellent way to bring Christ into our celebration.

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 We started a new Christmas Series called the Wonder of Christmas.  Tim Norman (Worship Pastor) and his wife Liz shared a great family tradition.  I then shared why we leverage special events to honor the Lord in our families.  If you are a parent and desire your children to follow the Lord then read Deuteronomy 6 several times in the next few weeks and months until it becomes cemented in your spirit.  Then live as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ - the results will be amazing!

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 I dealt with an intense subject Sunday:  Living by faith – which requires a defined Word from God.  Read Hebrews 11 and you will come to the conclusion that sometimes faith goes against conventional wisdom and this world’s advice.  I don’t want to lead people astray, so allow me to recap the points from Sunday.  PLEASE read them all.  When I make a HUGE decision that requires faith, I go through 4 steps.   #1 – I filter every decision with God’s Word.  Should I give financially? YES (don’t need to pray about that but may need to pray about how much – God’s Word is very specific).  Should I leave my spouse? NO (God’s Word is plain on the subject – don’t need to pray about it).  If God’s Word is neutral on the subject I proceed to step #2 – I list the pros and cons, like I was making a business decision.  I then know how strong of a word I need from God to proceed.  If it seems like a bad decision THEN I need to have God speak loudly to me.  If it is a no brainer – I need his stamp of approval but I ALWAYS proceed to step #3 no matter what I see or think.  Step #3 – I seek out a specific Word from God for that situation.  I pray, fast, ask spiritual advisors, wait, read God’s Word until I know what God is saying.  If it goes against conventional wisdom then I really pursue a strong word (I need a SHOUT from heaven) and sometimes it’s still a NO.  If it seems right I still seek God and sometimes that is a NO as well.  Sometimes it is a YES – regardless of what I see and hear.  Then Step #4 – I do not allow anything to shake me from God’s will for my life, because what I see, hear and feel may change daily.  If you have any questions please email me at pastorlloyd@streamschurch.org I would love to help direct you through the process.  Pastor Lloyd

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 The fear of man is when your care more about the opinions of man over the opinions of God.  It is driven by a fear or rejection and an overwhelming need to be accepted.  A story we did not cover in the message is found in Daniel chapter 3 when 3 young brave men stuck to their moral values and stood up to a King, even in the face of death.  I hope that you read it this week and reflect.  May the Lord give you the strength you need to follow him even if in the midst of pressure from men.

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  The fear of failure has many manifestations including apathy or becoming a workaholic.  It stems from a root of performance based love.  If you have ever been in an oppressive relationship where love or acceptance MUST be earned, then you know this is true.  SO we over perform or freeze up out of fear that our performance is not enough or will never be enough.  God's love is perfect, unconditional, can never be earned and free!  It's the same love that should drive our marriages and relationship with our children.  This week if you fear failure please read Ephesians chapter 1 and realize how loved you are just because Jesus Christ chose you...

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  Confrontation is God's answer to restoration and redemption.  When we fail to confront our fears we are oppressed and suppressed and will never reach our full potential in life.  If you desire to continue the conversation then I would read some of the stories of the OT where God used certain people to confront their fears...  One of the best is the story of Gideon.  Gideon had a terrible self assessment that God had to change so that He could lead God's people to victory.  The story is found in Judges 6 & 7.  Be strong and courageous! PL

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 Fear can be a debilitating emotion that locks up and freezes the best of us.  Most fears are caused by presentation and perception.  Most of the time, it's not real or is greatly exaggerated.  The opposite of fear is faith.  It is my belief that a follower of Jesus Christ should fear nothing.  Read Hebrews 11 as a faith builder this week.  Let's all walk in faith not fear.

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 God has a passion for all people of all races.  He died for everyone and it is our mission to spread the good news.  This week I encourage you to read the stories of Paul's missionary journeys found in Acts 16 & 17.  Is God calling you to pray for a certain people group?  How can you serve someone else in the world that is not like you?  This week pray about how you can spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

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 Your story is always the best story.  No one can argue with a changed life.  So here is your home work for this week... memorize 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," and then work on your 3 minute story... pt #1 My life before I came to faith in Jesus pt #2 - How I came to faith in Jesus pt #3 - How my life has changed since coming to faith in Jesus.   Then ask God for an open door to share your story with someone who does not know about him.  When you do, email me with the story - I'd love to hear all about it. streamschurch@msn.com.  

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  God prefers to use live bait when fishing for men; Real People Empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Acts 3 & 4 is a great example of how God used Live Bait.  Notice the references to Holy Spirit.  My favorite verse is Acts 4:13 "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."  I know sometimes your life stinks - that is what attracts other fish - you are not perfect.  God can use your life situation - empowers you with the Holy Spirit and uses you for His glory.  Isn't that AMAZING!  Pray today this prayer "Holy Spirit empower me to impact someone else for your Kingdom".

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I love to fish - especially ocean fishing.  There is nothing like catching the big fish and getting them into the boat.  I love fishing for men - I love it when people's lives are radically changed by the love, grace and salvation of Jesus Christ.  Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 and realize that we are the avenue that God has chosen to use for spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ.  Now, write down 3 names of people that you believe God is calling for you to share with about Jesus Christ.  Pray for those people every day and watch for an opportunity to share.

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“Sardines” has got to be the most interesting sermon title that I have come up with in a long time.  Great mental picture of Jesus and the 12 disciples living together 24/7, doing life and ministry together.  It is how we try and do ministry here at Streams.  Jesus calls you out of playing hide and seek and into a relationship with him and others.  I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12.  Jesus calls a group of people together for a purpose and everyone plays their part.  Ask yourself this week, what is the part God is asking me to play and how can I fulfill it in my Church.

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  I believe it with all my heart: "What you believe about eternity determines how you live on this earth".  It will drive the way view mankind, how you spend your money and what you do with your time.  I believe in a literal heaven and hell and it drives me to live for something more than this world.  Revelation 4 & 5 gives a unique picture of heaven.  In the best possible way John describes what he sees.  I'm sure there is no viable way to describe what he perceives but at least it gives us a small taste.  Read it and picture in your mind what is in store for you after this life and see if it doesn't make this world pale in comparison.  If you missed the service here is the Francis Chan youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnrJVTSYLr8

Looking forward to His return,

Pastor Lloyd

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