June 1, 2008 by PastorMark.

#313, Planning for Change, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday, 06-01-2008

Text: Joshua 3:1-6; 14-17
Theme: With God’s help I must plan for change.

INTRODUCTION:

1. When I first gave my life to Jesus, a world of change opened up.
   1. “I passed from death to life.” 1 John 3:14
   2. I wanted to become like Jesus, but I noticed a resistance.
   3. My change became selective.
   4. But to resist change would steer me into a self-imposed desert.
2. The Israelites, God’s people, wanted to cross over.
   1. They faced great challenges - there was a swollen river ahead.
   2. To rush as a mob meant sure disaster.
   3. They needed a plan for change.
3. There are two dynamics to the experiencing of God’s good purpose.
   1. God who works in you.
   2. You, as you work out your salvation.
   3. How do we work together with God to plan for change?

Text: Joshua 3:1-6
Theme: With God’s help I must plan for change.
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” -Philippians 2:12b-13

1. God does his part. (He provides us the plan to go from desert to promised land)
   1. What plan did God give the Israelites? What plan does God give us?
   2. God gave the people a vision for change. (Here is where you are, there is where you can be.)
   3. The Word of God contains His vision for us.
   4. We can live in victory, overcoming sin and evil.
   5. God gave the people leaders who modeled change and encouraged change.
   6. Moses and Joshua were not afraid to lead.
   7. This church has leaders becoming like Christ in an increasingly godless world.
   8. God provided His presence.
   9. “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God … you are to move out from your positions and follow it.” –Joshua 3:3
   10. God provided His power.
   11. “I will lead you step by step.”
   12. “I will enable you to cross over.”
   13. God will do what we cannot, but God will not do what we can do.
2. We must do our part.
   1. How do we plan for change?
   2. Move toward good change.
   3. They “went to the Jordan” and camped there. (v 1)
   4. Hang out with people willing to obey God.
   5. Position yourself in a place where you can receive God’s plan for change.
   6. Keep your focus.
   7. “Then you will know which way to go since you have never been this way before.” –Joshua 3:4
   8. Obedience to Jesus is the goal (becoming like Him).
   9. We get inspired for change and then easily go back to the old habits. Change takes repetition and consistency before becoming a habit (3 months).
   10. “Consecrate yourselves.” (v 5)
   11. Consecration – to be set apart for a person or purpose.
   12. God won’t show us His will if we have no intention of doing it.
   13. Step out into the plan of God. (read Joshua 3:14-17)
   14. The priests willingly stepped into the Jordan.
   15. As they obeyed God’s plan the power of God showed up.
   16. It takes courage and faith to step out. Don’t just talk about it.

CONCLUSION:

1. Do you have a plan for change?
   1. What is the one area that God wants you to change first?
   2. As a church we’re working on loving relationships at home and church, small groups and team work. Why? We see discipleship as God’s promised land.
2. Are you willing to start a plan for change?

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June 1, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  • The monthly Missions Offering will be taken today.
  • Pastor M. Boucher, “Planning for Change,” Joshua 3:1-6, 14-17
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  • A new quarter begins today. All adults will meet in the
  • Youth Chapel for “Advice from God,” a study of Proverbs 3.
• VOCAL AUDITIONS at 3:00 PM in the Sanctuary
• ALPHA COURSE at 3:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall
• THE TRUTH PROJECT SMALL GROUPS at 6:30 PM

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY
  • 7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY
  • 7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY
  • 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
  • 6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
  • Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  • Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  • Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
  • Impact Student Ministries
  • Adult Bible Study (L.A.B.I.)—Israel and Prophecy (Rev. Fumio Taku)
• SATURDAY
  • 12:00 PM—Ministry of Joy Adult Fellowship
  • 7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• WE REJOICE with those who were baptized in water last Sunday night: Robert Lambert, Alyssa Miceli, Lindsy Thibodeau, and Bob Tomic. God bless you as you grow in your relationship with Him!
• ISRAEL AND PROPHECY! Come hear this special teaching by Rev. Fumio Taku this Wednesday, 6:30 PM, in the main sanctuary. Pastor Fumio has lived and ministered in Israel and will share slides.
• MINISTRY OF JOY ADULT FELLOWSHIP meets this Saturday after-noon, 12:00-2:30, for food (please bring a dish to share if you plan to eat lunch with the group), music, fun and fellowship.
• A NEW TUESDAY NIGHT PRAYER MEETING will begin on June 17 in the Prayer Room to pray specifically for our church, pastors and church body and the lost in our communities. More info to come.
• YOU ARE INVITED to participate in an exciting, one-day simulcast presentation, live from Focus on the Family, here at Leominster Assembly on September 27, 9:30-4:30. A limited number of tickets are available for sale to our membership. Prices until June 30 are $99/individual and $129/couple. Please contact the church office before they are gone, and make checks payable to Leominster Assembly of God. More details will be coming next Sunday.
• HOLY LAND TRIP: Stop by the trip table in the foyer to pick up a flier with all of the information for this Feb 23-Mar 4, 2009 trip.
• THE CARE NET FUNDRAISER CONTINUES. Let’s generously support our local pregnancy center. Pick up a baby bottle at the Welcome Center, fill it, and bring it back by Father’s Day.
• IF YOU’VE HAD A BABY and have not received your gift from the church, please see Tatiana McIntosh.
• IF YOU’VE TURNED IN LABI STUDIES to be corrected, please pick up your studies from the “Corrected” folder at the Welcome Center. Please see Donna Goss if you need any assistance.

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

• WE REJOICE with Jose and Esmerelda Gutierrez on the birth of their son, Jose Amando, on Tuesday, May 27. God’s richest blessings to all of you.

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Seekers of Light men’s study (Sullivans)—Sunday, 3:00 PM
• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• YACC for Young Adults (Riehles)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Beginning Loan Amount: $600,000
• Regular Principal Payments: 12,680
• Extra Principal Applied: 105,776
• Current Loan Balance: $481,544
• At an average $9500/month extra applied each month, the loan should be paid off by Aug 2011.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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June 1, 2008 by PastorMark.

Do you know that the longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119? What do you suppose God would highlight as the theme of this longest chapter (176 verses)? Almost every verse of this psalm speaks of the wonderful Word of God. The very character and nature of God is revealed in the Word He spoke into existence. God keeps His promises; therefore, our response should be as the Psalmist: “I rejoice in following your statutes” (14); “they are my counselors” (24); “Oh, how I love your law” (97); “I have put my hope in your word” (147). Every year I walk with Jesus I am more grateful for the Bible. May we, as believers, read and meditate on His Word each day, and may our church ever hold high God’s eternal Word!

Pastor Mark Boucher

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