God – Page 14 – John Markum

It’s Time!

Posted on May 17, 2011 by johnmarkum

I’ve talked a lot lately about a momentum I feel here at Edgewood. As we experience God’s hand of favor we have seen more and more people getting connected to our church family, more individuals giving their lives to Christ in faith, going public with their faith through baptism, inviting friends to church with them, watching their friend’s life get changed by the Gospel, plugging into a ministry and serving, and on we could go. Regardless of how you slice it, there is something powerful taking place in our church!

Some critic out there is thinking, “It’s not all about the numbers, you know!” And they would be right (kinda). So why do we make such a big deal about the numbers? Why do we geek out over 1,880 people coming to our Easter weekend services, and a baptism rate that is on pace for 100+ new baptisms in 2011? Because they are not just numbers. Each number represents a life that is being changed. A marriage being restored. A teenager coming back home. A person far from God being awakened with life in Christ. A casual attender becoming a committed member. A shy, insecure woman boldly proclaiming to the world her faith in Jesus through baptism. And when we look at those statistics, make no mistake: we are all about the numbers!

And it’s when I look at the way God has been blessing us and moving in our people, that I’m overwhelmed with the thought that this is just the beginning. It is time for each of us to get serious about the calling that God has placed on our lives and on our church. This is not the time for the church to grow complacent about the impact God is bringing us. This is not the time to back down. We can not take this for granted! Instead, this is the time for each of us to rise into the holy anointing God has for all of His people, and for this church specifically.

If you are a committed member, stay faithful! Your commitment to the ministry of this church is producing a great impact for the Kingdom of God. Thank you for your faithfulness!
If you have been observing Edgewood from the sidelines, it’s time to get in the game! You were created to have a part in this move of God. Join us in turning the QC upside down with the Gospel!
If you have never shared what God is doing here with anyone else, step out of your comfort zone and invite someone to see it for themselves. We have 4 services every weekend, so there’s room for everyone!
If you are far from God, out of church, or burnt-out on church, I’m not saying we’re perfect, or even that we are the only thing God is doing in our city. What I am saying, is that God is doing some amazing things here and you have GOT to see this for yourself! We happen to be a little excited about it…

Blessings,

John

Signs that you ARE getting it

Posted on May 16, 2011 by johnmarkum

At the end of last week I shared a list of signs that you might not be getting it when it comes to your walk with Christ. I encourage you to check that out here. But today I wanted to share some of the signs that you are getting it:

You are excited about bringing people you know to your church, and pray for them to receive Christ.
When you hear the Word on your own or in church, you ask yourself, “What does this mean for me?”
You feel guilty when, for one day, you miss out on your prayer time.
You can’t be satisfied with status quo.
You genuinely feel as though giving your tithe is an act of worship. (If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, we don’t want your money. Honest.)
You willingly forgive others who hurt you.
You humbly seek forgiveness when you hurt others.
Your moral standard is not based on a set of rules that you should keep, but in a relationship that you should honor.
You seek to obey God in your actions, regardless the cost of others’ approval.
You are whole-heartedly sold out to the work of God in your church.
You acknowledge that faith requires action.

Notice that none of this had to do with how much Scripture you could quote or how many services you attended this week. That’s because getting it, is a heart issue. And your actions will always follow your heart. When my heart is right with God, I want to hear from Him more in His Word, be in His house, and act like Him to the people I come in contact with.

Blessings,

John

Signs that you don’t get it.

Posted on May 13, 2011 by johnmarkum

Regardless of how much Bible you know, how long you’ve been in church, or how intelligent you sound during a Bible discussion, below are a few of the signs that you are just not getting it:

You read the Bible or hear a message, and think of other people that need to change.
You’ve believed the myth that Knowledge = Discipleship.
You talk about people’s problems to other people.
You come to the conclusion, “They’ll never change.”
You have a good memory of others’ short-comings, but a bad memory about your own.
You make excuses for your actions.
You’ve spent more time on facebook this week than in THE Book.
The last time you were in church was your last crisis. The next time you’ll be in church will be the next crisis.
You attend 3 churches, but are committed to none.
You’re more concerned with how people see you than how God sees you.
You’ve read the first 10 signs, and still think you have nowhere to improve.

James 1:22 tells us, “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” If we can have all the right responses to every spiritual questions, but live in a way that is not like Christ, and think that God approves, according to the Bible, we are spiritually delusional! Let’s be humble enough to take on the attitude and actions of Jesus. Only when we humble ourselves will we start to get it. Later this week, I’ll share some signs that you are getting it.

Blessings,

John