E3 Service

"Avoiding the Freeze-Don't let your heart grown cold towards..."

1) Each Other
2) The Hurting
3) The Lost

Well, there is nothing like going home after a youth service, kicking back in the hot tub, and sipping on some Italian Soda's that we got you guys last night (good thing there were non-alcoholic or I would have been in trouble last night.Almost had the whole bottle).

We had several "wins" from last night. Here are a few I thought deserved recognition.

1) We had a good showing at prayer.
2)Most everybody was at our 6:20 meeting on time.
3) We had more students than we did the week prior (45 J.H., 52 H.S., and 19 workers for a total of 116)
4) 6 People committed their lives to Christ in the High School service while
4 did in the J.H. service (Praise God!)
5) We had several first time visitors

"Avoiding the Freeze-How to keep your walk with Christ from growing cold."

(E3 Student Ministry Room pictured on left)


We used to live in a home where when winter hit-it got cold in the house! I always had thought it was because we had only a window unit for heat but when we renovated the house I found out the source of the problem-NO INSULATION IN THE WALLS! Insulation is important because it helps preserve the heat in the house and keep the cold out!

Our hearts are alot like that. If we don't have the proper insulation around our hearts (prayer, bible study, connection with the church, etc. ) our hearts can become cold and without heat (passion, fire, etc.)

So how do peoples walk with Christ begin to grow cold?

1) They slowly drift away from their time with Christ.
· “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
· When you begin to drift away in your prayer life and bible study time your walk with Christ will begin to grow cold!

2) They begin to drift away from the church.
· “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

3) Hang around wrong crowds.
· “Bad company corrupts good character.” (I. Cor.15:33)

4) They allow sin to enter into their hearts.
· “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:2)


We will continue our study on "Avoiding the Freeze" this Wednesday night in the E3 Room.

God will move when....

"And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief." (Matthew 13:58)

As I began reflecting on the New Year I thought to myself, "What will hinder God from moving miraculously in my life?" "What will make this year any different than any other years prior?" "What will keep me from becoming a better husband, father, or minister?" The answer is the same thing that has always kept God from moving in my life...me! Wait a minute, you mean I can keep God from doing great things in my life? Yep! In Matthew and in many other instances in the Bible Jesus was amazed at people's unbelief and therefore held back from doing the miraculous!

What if this year we truly submitted to God in EVERY area of our life? Not just in prayer and Bible reading but with our mouths? With our conversations? With our attitudes? With our relationships? It's up to you and me. God is withholding just to withhold, he is waiting on us so quit waiting on Him. Make a move!

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8