Countdown to the 40 Days (campaign and conference)

What a weekend we had! With rehearsal for the "Defining Moments 2" production, wedding rehearsal, the DM2 production last night, today's worship focusing on "You Are Here" and studying Galatians 1 and our final DM2 production tonight, I am exhausted!! But this is for God's glory and I am extremely glad I am doing this for HIM! :)

I just couldn't stop thinking about the upcoming 40 Days of Purpose this Fall. Along with other events planned: Ladies' Retreat, Zoe conference, 40 Days conference, I sense that God will be outpouring His great love on us!! I just thought I'd share with you, if you have never experienced the 40 Days of Purpose campaign, take time in reviewing this:

During 40 days, your church members will rediscover God's five eternal purposes for their lives:
WORSHIP: We were planned for God's pleasure!
FELLOWSHIP: We were formed for God's family!
DISCIPLESHIP: We were created to become like Christ!
MINISTRY: We were shaped for serving God!
EVANGELISM: We were made for a mission!

And what will be the end result?

1. Your members will learn to CENTER their lives on God, not themselves, and live a lifestyle of worship for the glory of God because we were planned for God's pleasure. This begins with complete surrender of our lives to Christ.

2. Your members will CONNECT with other believers who experience real fellowship because we were formed for God's family. This includes identifying with other believers through baptism, joining a local church family and participating in some kind of small group fellowship.

3. Your members will CULTIVATE spiritual maturity and godly character because we were created to become like Christ. This includes developing the habits necessary for spiritual growth.

4. Your members will CONTRIBUTE something back by using their talents in ministry because we were shaped for serving God. This includes discovering your SHAPE for ministry and finding a place of service in your church.

5. Your members will COMMUNICATE God's love to others and develop a heart for the world because we were made for a mission. This includes learning to share your faith and participating in some kind of mission activity.

I must admit that it is easy to forget these important aspect of our Christian service. Sometimes, we forget that God is at the CENTER of our lives!! We may simply go about "our" own ways. The Lord's congregation ought to be CONNECTED to each other in fellowship. When we do not spend time with God in daily bible readings, prayer and bible studies, we lack the opportunity to CULTIVATE ourselves and one another toward spiritual maturity. We give back to God by CONTRIBUTING our time and energy for others. And lastly, COMMUNICATION is the key to a successful mission for God.

This fall will be a great "reminder" for those who have taken it over a year ago and an exciting adventure for those new with the campaign.

I have been praying for you. I believe God is preparing us all for a mighty movement of his hand in our generation, and I have often prayed that you and your congregation would experience the incredible sense of hope, energy and joy that comes from discovering what God put you on this planet to do.