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Divine Appointments
11.1.09
Divine appointments. It's something that we plan and live for here at Life Connections. We don't know where or what time they may happen, but we put them in our PDA's and on our calendars. What's a divine appointment? It is simply when God interrupts your day with an opportunity to be a Christian or share the gospel with someone you had not planned on. It can happen at the grocery store, in the mall, on the job or at a gas station. It might happen early in the morning or just as your day is coming to an end. It may come at an inconvenient time, it may come in the form of a senior citizen, a co-worker or a child, but be assured, if you are spiritually alert they will come. Paul's came as he defended himself against accusation.
Have you had a divine appointment lately? If not, start planning on one tomorrow. Ask God in your morning devotions, make a note of it in your PDA or Day-timer and then wait? It will show up, just wait and see.
Jon Hudson
Hold On
10.25.09
"It was bound to happen. I woke up this morning and the bright and colorful leaves that were on the trees yesterday were now a fresh carpet covering over lush green grass. What happened? Simple, a storm blew through. The rain brought extra weight and the winds brought stress. They weren't strong enough to hold on, so they fell.
An important reminder to all of us. It's not so important how you appear on the outside or what you say to others, but the inward strength that you have for when the trials come. Renew yourself in the Spirit, get in a fresh prayer meeting; just you and God. Find a new scripture to draw strength from. Storms will come. Sometimes they are expected other times they come unannounced. What is important though is that you are prepared.
Ever notice in the middle of winter, one single leaf still standing when the others have fell? What was the difference? They held on in the storms. Do the same!
Jon Hudson
Let God Define You
10.25.09
Psalms 139:14 You are beautifully and wonderfully made.
Let God define you! We live in a world where people are defined by their education, the home they live in, how they dress, what they "look" like, how much money is in their account or how popular they are. Even character traits are defined because people don't really know everything about you.
We serve a God that looks at the heart. People can define you and make you feel so much less than what the God of the Universe truly sees! He loves you, designed you and made you perfectly the way He desired you to be. You have great worth in the eyes of God and that's what matters. So what do you want to achieve? What is your purpose for being here? It is to please Him and be what He desires for you to be! Let Him define you! The outcome will make a world of difference! You will feel loved, feel like you can conquer your greatest goals and more than anything, you will know that no matter how others are defining you, it won't matter because you have decided to let Him do the defining!
Mary Hudson
Read to Succeed
10.11.09
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.
"If you have a Bible that is falling apart, it probably means that your life isn't." I read that quote this week and it immediately struck a cord in my heart.
A person who reads their Bible is inspired by hope when everything looks hopeless, has faith when there should be doubt and is encouraged when the world around them is caving in.
An open BIble hears Moses as he stands surrounded by hopelessness and says, "stand still and see the glory of the Lord." A person of devotion can hear the the centurion speak in faith to Jesus and say, "if you will only speak the word my servant will be healed. A Bible that is falling apart in the hands of a believer can see Job in the midst of ruin living a life of expectation.
How's your life? What's your Bible look like? One impacts the other. Read to succeed!
Pastor Jon Hudson
Focus on the Family
10.4.09
Our Kids...our greatest treasure! As long as our kids are still breathing, we have the opportunity to influence them greater than any teacher, pastor, coach or friend. They are the only part of this world that we have the hope of taking with us into eternity.
We have all heard the profound poems and stories that grip our hearts about its not the houses we build or the fame we might want proclaimed, or the amount of money we have that matters but it's our families that truly have the greatest worth. Ministries may need to cease, jobs need to stop over taxing our time, and anything that crowds out your family may need to be stopped.
Are they hearing you pray over them? Have you considered teaching them a bible study? Are family devotions a part of your normal everyday routine? As James Dobson is famous for saying, "Let's focus on the Family."
Pastor Jon Hudson
An 80/20 Church
9.27.09
Let's become an 80/20 Church! Too many statistics are saying that it is nearly impossible. They say it is a given that only 20 percent of the church will do 80 percent of the work. But even sadder than that, statistics say that only 30% of those who call themselves Christians are truly sold out and living a "true" Christian life. Comparing Christians to neighbors and friends that have no church ties or affiliation, you can scarcely see a difference in how they live their lives compared to those who do call themselves Christians. This should wake the true church up! We need to take the initiative and determine within us that we will do everything we can to change these percentages!
Determine to Love God Well by taking time every day to listen to His voice in everything we do and say! When we love Him, we follow HIs voice and obey His word!
Determine to Love others well! If our loving union with God does not result in a loving union with people, we are not being honest but untrue to our walk with Him! How are you treating others?
Let's turn the tide and become an 80/20 church; become passionate about prayer and intercession; this is our hope to change the statistics and then with confidence we will see God at work like never before!
Mary Hudson
Make the Right Decision
8-31-2009
2 Samuel 12:20 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the Lord and worshiped. NASB
Often we look at our experiences, failures and short comings in a negative light, but the truth is, what is important is how we respond to our mistakes.
Here are four considerations to look at when you are faced with a negative experience:
• It's not a total failure when we discover how we failed and put that knowledge to good use.
• It's not a total failure if through it we discover something about our true selves and then change.
• It's not a total failure if it prods us to keep trying. Get up and go again!
• It's not a total failure if through it we become better disciplined individuals.
Everyone make mistakes, but not everyone makes right decisions after their mistakes. Make a decision today, don't let your failures be fatal, but stepping stones to a better life.
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Five Year Anniversary
3.9.2009
It was five years ago this weekend that Life Connections began its weekly operation. I must admit that our nerves were frazzled as we entered this building that day, we knew we were in God's will, that His hand was in the starting of the church, yet still there were so many uncertainties. We paid our rent one month at a time, had no sound equipment and it seemed just a handful of people. That day about 40 people joined us and since then we have never looked back.
Mary and I have always operated this work from the text above, "if it is of God..." Quite a comfort. If it is of God then we don't have to worry about it succeeding, the needs being met and most importantly God's power operating in it. As we reflect back on the past five years one thing we remain confident in, this is a work of God. We're thankful so many have joined with us over the past five years. There have been wonderful times of worship, powerful moves of God's Spirit and some fun times along the way. I hope you look forward as we do in being a part of what God wants to accomplish through Life Connections in the town of Fishers.
Jon Hudson, Lead Pastor
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The Rest of the Story
3.1.2009
Paul Harvey, I'm not really sure who introduced him to me or when I began to listen to him, I just remember listening. He had a way of telling his stories and when he reached the end and announced the name, often I was amazed and then would come the infamous words... "and now you know the rest of the story." What did we like about him? Simply this, he would bring us the human side of a famous person.
Jesus coming to this earth did much the same thing. God who had been heard, but not seen, God who had demonstrated His power, exposed His glory and greatness suddenly takes on human flesh and walks among us. Instead of seeing God whose throne was the heavens and the earth His footstool we see God walking in the same shoe leather, dealing with the same struggles as we did. He got upset when His house was abused, grieved at the loss of a friend and grew weary after long days. We got to see Him in a way we could have never imagined and some couldn't handle.
Guess what? We'll get to see Him and understand life in even a greater light in eternity. Another Paul put it this way, we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. In other words, we'll get the rest of the story. I don't know what your going through or dealing with, but I promise that some day you'll get the rest of the story.
Jon Hudson, Lead Pastor
Drift
2.22.2009
One definition simply means to be carried away, another a continuous slow movement from one place to the next and the final definition refers to a person who walks aimlessly or casually.
I am afraid that there is a spiritual drift that is taking place among people of faith. Once powerful churches and Christians simply being carried away by the cares of life, slowly moving from conviction to convenience and walking aimlessly and without spiritual passion. It's happening in individual lives, churches and organizations. What was once the core or central value is now somewhat irrelevant. Many have drifted from relationship to religion or from being led of the Spirit to being led by their flesh.
Spend a little time in an ocean, it doesn't take very long to drift from where you entered. Likewise, if we're not careful, we'll drift from the simple message of salvation to something so much less. Guard against spiritual drift, stay close to Christ. Let's remember of purpose at Life Connections, it's about being a book of Acts chuch; experiencing the same salvation, the same miralces and the same life changing experiences! Lets not drift to something significantly less.
Lead Pastor - Jon Hudson
A Different Perspective
2.15.2009
I know that God's Word is infallible and that men wrote as inspired by the Holy Spirit, but I've got a different perspective than those who transcribed Isaiah 59:19 for King James.
In the Hebrew language there was very little if any punctuation and in the translation of Isaiah 59: 19 I believe they missed it, they put the comma in the wrong place. Read it. "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard..." Wrong mind set. The emphasis should not be on the power of the enemy, but the power of God. I read it this way, "when the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard..." It changes everything when you take the emphasis off your problem and put your faith in the power of God. Get the right perspective!
I don't know what you've went through this week, what you're struggling with but I do know this, if you'll turn your face toward God and cry out to Him, he will come in like a flood!
Lead Pastor
Jon Hudson
NOTICE: The information / documents attached hereto above are intended only for the viewing and inspiration. It is the property of Jon Hudson. and shall not be used, disclosed or reproduced without the express written consent of Jon Hudson, Inc. If you desire to use any material please notify Jon Hudson by mailing request to address PO Box 396, Fishers, IN 46038.
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Life Connections
11616 E. 126th Street
Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317.577-HOPE
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