Hey Gang… it’s been awhile since I wrote you, so I thought I better give you a quick heads up some great things happening at Life Fellowship.

During our Sunday Morning services this past Sunday you may recall that we lifted up in prayer a family from Life Fellowship who’s adopted son was involved in a very serious car accident the day before Thanksgiving. The accident killed his girlfriend and left 19yr old Taylor paralyzed from the waist down with no feeling or movement.

Well brace yourselves, because on Sunday at the same time that we united to corporately pray for a miracle in Taylor’s body, was the same moment that  feeling miraculously came back into his legs. Can someone say praise the Lord? Coincidence? I don’t think so. The miracle has begun!!! Lets keep the prayers coming.

I love hearing that don’t you? I also love hearing how God has supernaturally been using our series “Hope Restored” to heal hearts, emotions, and the despair that so many feel this time of year. I promise you, that you’ll not want to miss this coming Sunday, the coffee will be hot, the worship passionate and the message practical and impactful to your life.

Lastly, on Thanksgiving week 50 LF Servant Leaders united together to take the good news of Jesus Christ into the inner city of Dallas. It was an amazing time of serving, praying and sharing Gods love. If you haven’t seen it yet check out the 3min Recap Video. You’ll be glad you did.

As I close, I want to say that Tatum and I so appreciate all that God has entrusted us with here at Life Fellowship. We have the hardest working, most talented staff in all the world. We have the most energetic, generous and caring congregation I’ve ever been a part of. And we have been given a compelling mission by the Lord.

Together, we can.

I’ll see you on Sunday,

Chris Lindberg | Senior Pastor Life Fellowship

P.S. Hey, LF Ladies don’t forget to register for the Christmas Ornament Exchange, which happens THIS SUNDAY NIGHT. If you haven’t registered yet you still can.

Some months ago I received a letter that said, “I just finished reading an article you wrote in the Evangel.  Please help me.  After years of marriage, my husband recently left me.  Currently my son is in jail.  I have a beautiful house and plenty of money, but who cares?  I have so much pain in my heart.  What should I do?”

Then a few days ago, my wife went to a floral shop to buy flowers for a friend.  She didn’t know the clerk, but the lady opened up and said to Sandi, “I owned my own shop, but I lost it due to the economic downturn.  Then my son-in-law was killed in a car crash.  Our financial problems caused my husband and me to argue regularly, and he recently walked out.  Now I’m facing eviction from my apartment.”  There’s lots of pain in our world today.

The pit called pain is nothing new.  3,000 years ago, David wrote Psalm 56 as the Holy Spirit inspired him.  The inscription tells us from where he wrote it:  “A Psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath.”  Now, those words were not added by the translators; those words are verse one in my Hebrew Bible.

Remember David’s life?  We first meet him as a shepherd-boy.  When he takes down Goliath, he receives national fame.  That fame causes jealously to rise in King Saul and he tries to kill David.  So David runs for his life and hides in a cave for several months.  He’s so lonely and discouraged.  When he feels it’s somewhat safe, he flees from Saul to a city called Gath—only to be captured by some other enemies!  You talk about going from the frying pan to the fire.

It’s at that point in his life David writes Psalm 56.  He’s in a pit called pain, but the Psalm is more than a complaint; it’s also a how-to manual on how to climb out of the pit.  So, what should you do when…

You’re in pain due to a broken marriage?

Financial pain stares at you daily and you cannot take it anymore?

You’re under pressure at work and it hurts?

Your children are ignoring God and that hurts so badly?

Etc, etc, etc,….

To begin, Release Your Frustration.  David sure did.  Many wrongly think God’s plan to handle pain goes like this:  push your pain deep down inside, put a smile on your face, pretend your pain isn’t that bad, and tell everyone you’re doing great.  That’s not what David did.  He released his frustrations and pain.  Just read verses 3 & 4.

Notice to whom David released his frustrations.  To God!  When you’re in the pit called pain, I’m not suggesting you tell everyone nor wear your pain on your shoulder, but I am urging you to tell the Lord Jesus about it.  “Cast all your care upon Him, because He really does care for you,” the Bible says.  That’s what Peter did.  That’s what the Apostle Paul did.  And so can you.

I recently visited a lady in the hospital.  She was hurting physically and discouraged emotionally.  I pointed to a plaque the hospital had on the wall:  “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55.22).  I told her that word “cast” can mean “to roll.”  I said, “Sometimes our pain is so heavy we can’t lift it; that’s when we can roll it, push it the Lord’s way.”  That day we prayed and she handed her pain and frustration to the Lord.  Believe me, it helped her in a big way—and it will help you too.

Next, Receive Help From Friends.  David sure did.  He had some good friends who helped him shoulder his pain and who encouraged him.

It’s so common when you are in a pit called pain to hear a voice inside you whisper, “Keep it all secret.  Go it alone.  Don’t tell anyone about this.  Isolate yourself until you get better.”  Let me clear something up for you—that voice is NOT the Holy Spirit!

For example, not long ago I was eating popcorn.  An un-popped kernel cracked one of my back molars.  It hurt and I was in pain.  Did I keep it secret?  Did I stay away from my dentist till things became better?  No way!  I immediately called my dentist, for I knew he was my source of help.

When you are in the pit called pain, reject that whisper that says go it alone, isolate yourself until you feel better.  Mark my words, that’s neither God’s way nor is it wise.

I really hope you have two or three spiritual, trusted, prayerful, confidential friends to whom you can talk and lean upon when needed.  If you don’t, get active in a good church and ask God to bring friends into your life.  Remember, whenever God plans to bless you, He will send someone into your life.

Third, Resist All Bitterness.  David sure did.  You see, David was in a mess and he was hurting inside.  And remember, he didn’t cause the problem nor was it his fault.  At a time like that, it’s easy to become bitter.  But he didn’t!

How do I know that?  Because God labeled David “a man after My own heart,” and God doesn’t say that about bitter people.   What’s more is the fact God helped David out of his pit called pain, and God rarely answers the prayers of bitter people.

One of the sharpest tools the devil uses against us is bitterness.  I’ve watched people in pain get bitter at others.  All it does is dilute their faith and hinder their prayers.  I’ve observed adults in pain become bitter at God.  I’ve heard them say, “God could have stopped this from happening.  I’m angry at God and I’m not going back to church.”  The enemy smacks his lips and says, “My strategy worked.  I’ve distanced them from God Almighty who could help them.”

Learn something:  bitterness in your spirit is like an infection in your body.  I once had an infection in my body.  My temperature soared to 104.4° and one of my fingernails turned lime green.  Oh, was I sick.  My wife called our doctor and he said come immediately.  He froze and then lanced my finger, pushing the infection out.  Within a matter of hours I was feeling much better.  But when that infection was in my body, I was so weak and that’s all I could think about.  When bitterness is in your spirit, you’ll be spiritually weak and that’s all you’ll think about.  That’s not God’s plan for you and it’s sure not the way to get out of the pit called pain.  Resist all bitterness and let faith in God rise in your life.

Last, Refocus On God.  David sure did.  Just read verses 10-13.  Pain—we all face it and none of us wants it.  Here’s the challenge with pain:  how we handle it.  For example, the girlfriend of one young man leaves him and he jumps off a bridge; the girlfriend of another young man drops him and he writes a country western song that makes him $3 million.  It’s all in your focus.  As a child of the living God, the key is to refocus on God.

Let me tell you a story.  I had a good friend.  He was an electrician.  One day he went to work and never came home—he was electrocuted on the job that morning.  His foreman called to ask if I would go and inform his wife of the tragedy.  My friend and his wife had four young children.  When I told her the terrible news, I literally watched a wife slide into the pit called pain.

But the Lord Jesus was so faithful and this young wife was so wise.  She leaned hard on the Lord and focused the eyes of her heart on her faithful God.  (You see, when you change your focus, God will change your feelings.)  During the next several weeks and months, God lifted her above her pain.  Today she is healed and healthy.  And what God did for her, He can do for you—that’s a promise!

Now, let’s pray.  “Lord Jesus, please come and help me.  I need Your assistance.  March into my life and be my Lord.  Give me uncommon strength so I can climb out of the pit called pain.  Empower me to focus on You.  I’m thankful nothing is too hard for You.  In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.”

“Are you Dr. Tom Lindberg?”  That’s what the man asked me as I answered my phone.  “Yes, can I help you?”  “You don’t know me.  I live in Oklahoma.  I read an article you wrote in the Evangel and I need help.  There are some things in my life I need to change, but I don’t know how to change them.  Can you help me?”

Can you identify with his question:  There Are Some Things In My Life I Need To Change, But I Don’t Know How?  Now some people think God does it all.  They assume if you give yourself to God like a lump of clay, He will totally refashion you.  People who think like that are half right, but they are also half wrong.  God does change us, but we must cooperate.

There’s a strategic verse in Philippians 2 which says, “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” (Phil. 2.12-13).  Notice you are to “work out.”  In other words, you give it all you’ve got and work on the outside.  Then the Bible promises God will “work in,” that is, He will work on the inside to change you.  Weigh carefully four principles in order for your life to change.

To begin, What You Do Daily Sets What You’ll Become Permanently.  The Bible says, “Whatever you sow you will reap” (Gal. 6.7).  Do you realize that’s an unbreakable law of God?  It’s true in the garden in your backyard, and it’s also true in your life.  You really want to change?  Start planting good seed this week and it will change you next month.

I heard an amazing testimonial from a lady.  She was haunted by her painful past.  She just could not get over it nor away from it.  Then she made a decision.  Every day she began to write down on paper something good and positive about her life.  And when those haunting thoughts came, she wrote them down too.  But those terrible thoughts she took outside and literally burned the paper with a match.

She did that daily.   In a matter of weeks, her life began to change.  You see, she discovered what you do daily sets what you’ll become permanently.  God will work in you to change your life.

Now somebody reading this right now feels unworthy.  You don’t feel you’re good enough for God to help you; you just don’t feel worthy.  Listen, God’s eye is on you!  He will empower you to take the right steps and thereby change.

Next, What You Think About Longest Will Become Strongest In Your Life.  The Bible teaches, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23.7).  Could that verse be any more clear?

For example, King David had a son named Amnon.  Now Amnon had a half-sister named Tamar.  The Bible says she was beautiful.  Amnon thought, “I want her!”  As a matter of fact, he thought that way so long that he became sick (see 2 Samuel 13).  You see, he thought, thought, thought about wanting Tamar so long that one day he raped her.  That’s why I say what you think about longest will become strongest in your life.

But praise God it works positively too.  I had lunch with a man recently.  He confessed to me about his foul mouth.  “I thought about it over and over and over—how my foul mouth displeases my wife, disheartens my mother, and dishonors my God.  I thought about it a long time.  Then I asked God to change me.  He did!  My mouth has changed.”

Your thoughts are like fertilizer.  That’s why the Bible says, “Whatever is good, holy, pure, and righteous, think about those things” (Phil. 4.8).  Remember, what you think about longest will become strongest in your life.  That’s how to change your life by the power of the Lord Jesus.  Let the Holy Spirit fill your mind.

Third, Who You Associate With Today Will Decide Changes In Your Life Tomorrow.  The Bible says, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” (Prov. 13.20).  There’s a man in the New Testament named Demas.  When we first meet Demas, he’s with Luke the Apostle and things are going well for him.  Then Demas began hanging around the wrong people.  The last we read of Demas is when Paul wrote of him, “Demas has left me, having fallen in love with this world” (2 Tim. 4.10).

Now read the next words carefully:  Every friendship you have either nurtures a strength in you or feeds a weakness in you.  You see, who you associate with today decides changes in your life tomorrow.

Several months ago, I began missing a man in church.  I had personally prayed with this man to receive the Lord.  I had laid hands on him when he was baptized with the Holy Spirit.  As I checked on him, I discovered he had made some new friends.  They led him away from church and now he doesn’t have much time for God.

But thank God it works the other way too.  A man told me, “My life was pretty messed up.  I began spending time with so-and-so (a great man).  He brings out the best in me.  Praise God my life is changing for the good since I’ve begun spending time with him.”

Is God talking to you right now?  Are there good friendships you need to develop?  Are there bad friendships you need to stop?  “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” (Prov. 13.20).

Last, What You Are Willing To Let Go Of Determines What God Will Allow You To Hold Onto.  When the Lord Jesus first met James and John, they were running a small fishing business.  He said to them, “Come and follow me.  I’ll make you fishers of men” (Mark 1.17).  The Bible records they did what Jesus offered—they left their fishing boats and followed Him.

Now, think what they let go of that day: a small fishing business.  Think what they gained: the opportunity to become Apostles.  You see, what you’re willing to let go of will determine what God will allow you to hold onto.

I’ve talked with people who told me, “I want to change, but I’m not willing to let go of such-and-such.”  Remember, if your hand, heart, or mind is filled with something, God cannot give you something new.  And never forget that God has something better for you in the future.  Allow God to transform you by the power of His Spirit.

Today, don’t ignore things that need to be changed in your life.  Don’t pretend that everything is OK when deep in your heart you know you need to change.  Let’s settle it today.  I challenge you to bring it to God right now and ask Him to change you.  “Lord Jesus, help me.  I admit I need to change.  I cannot do it by myself.  Thank you for hearing my prayer and working in me today.”  That’s a request God will ALWAYS answer.

_________________________________________

Thomas Lindberg, D.Min., is the Lead Pastor of First Assembly Memphis

Habakkuk 2:2-3
Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

HEAR IT:
Social networking is the biggest trend to hit our culture in the past decade. People are communicating through technology using websites such as Facebook and Twitter. You can create an entirely new identity and persona with the stroke of a key. God asks us to do a similar thing, believe it or not with our lives. We all have a God-given vision for our lives and when we’ve discovered it, God asks us to write it down and make it plain so we can have clear direction to run with it when the time comes.

In Habakkuk 2:1; we find the prophet climbing a watchtower so he can hear what God wanted to say to him. He climbed the watchtower to get away from anything or anyone else that might distract him from hearing the voice of God. We need to do the same thing. In order to truly learn the vision God has for us, we need to separate ourselves from the things that might get in the way and get rid of old habits that might be hindering us. This is the only way we can fully devote ourselves to being on watch for the direction of the Lord.

SEE IT:
In 1979, interviewers asked a question to new graduates from Harvard’s MBA program. “Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?”

This is how the graduates responded:

84% Had no specific goals at all.
13% Had goals, but they were not written on paper.
03% Had clear, written goals, and plans to accomplish them.

In 1989 the interviewers caught up with the graduates to see how they were doing. This is what they found.

The 13% of the class who had goals were earning, an average twice as much as the 84% who had no goals at all. Even more staggering the 3% who had clear, written goals were earning on average, ten times as much as the other 97% put together!

The problem with starting new habits is knowing which ones will provide the desired outcome. Writing down your goals gives you a direction to go with an end in mind. By following the instructions in Habakkuk 2, you can write down a clear God-given vision for your life. And when you seek Him you can know the steps you need to take to achieve that vision.

DO IT:
01. Take some time right now and write down a list of where you feel God wants you to be in a year from now.

02. After the sentence, describe the vision in two paragraphs.

03. Write down a list of new habits that will help you achieve that vision/goal.

“When man works, man works. When man begins to pray God begins to work.”

Here is a list of 31 prayer topics that we are asking each person at Life Fellowship to cover in prayer. Believing God for miracles, favor, protection and increase.

Simply find the current day of the month and locate the corresponding topic of prayer for the day. And when you pray, you can know that you are joining with hundreds of other believers at Life Fellowship as we believe God for His Best.

01. Repentance
02. Our Teens at “True”
03. Missionaries We Support
04. Life Fellowship Kids
05. Pastor Chris
06. The President of USA
07. Increase of God’s presence at LF
08. Single Parents at LF
09. Spirit of Peace & Unity
10. Pastor Heather
11. Revival
12. Pastor Ryan
13. The Life Fellowship Elders
14. Increase of God’s peace
15. Financial Favor
16. Boldness to Live for God
17. Singles
18. Walk in Love
19. Marriages Strengthened
20. Life Fellowship Volunteers
21. Local Government & Officials
22. Salvation of friends & family
23. Healings (emotional/physical)
24. School Teachers
25. Repentance
26. Strategic Wisdom
27. More of God & Less of us.
28. Spiritual Growth of Believers
29. Godly Parenting
30. Our Military
31. Worship Services at LF

Tuesday June 12^th | 11am – 2pm | Cost is Free

Come join us for a day at the pool. This is a fun outing with you and your kids as you connect with other women in the church. We will meet at a large neighborhood pool here in Allen. Pack a lunch, load up the kids and come ready to swim and soak in the sun. Registration is not required.

LOCATION: 1575 Boyle Parkway Allen, TX 75013

This morning while in prayer, I was filled with an overwhelming thankfulness as to where God has brought Life Fellowship. The only way to describe it is that I am “Draped in Gratitude”.

It was two years ago now when the enemy gave his best attempt to snuff out this life giving church. He knew the powerful past, the commitment established from the very beginning to reach the lost and build disciples and quite frankly he was frightened of the future.

You see, since the inception of Life Fellowship Church, God has graced our efforts in unimaginable ways to help everyday people find their way back to God. Hundreds of lives have been changed. Families united. Grace showered down.

Over these last two years, Tatum and I have been surrounded by some of God’s finest and most faithful as together we have laughed, stood strong, prayed, played, believed, and worked hard. Trusting God for His Best.

In the last four months, and for the very first time since I have been here as the Pastor of this great church, I am watching with excitement as this congregation is springing back to health; Both Spiritually & Relationally. I am seeing new life sprouting up all around.

IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS I’VE WATCHED AS TOGETHER WE…  

01. Responded with living compassion to the Aarons at the loss of their son Jenson.
02. Gave/Giving Generously to the Wall Builders Project.
03. Stood strong in our commitment to Missions.
04. Increased our efforts to reach into a broken hearted teenage generation for Christ.
05. Invited the cities of Allen/Lucas & Fairview to experience “I want an Indestructible Marriage” message series.
06. Launched dynamic and budding Men’s & Women’s Ministries.
07. Increased the amount of volunteers serving in ministry.
08. Saw men rising up to put their talents & muscles to work for the Lord.
09. Witnessed our LF Kids adopting orphans from Africa to support monthly.
10. Watched God heal and restore marriages.
11. And best of all, we’ve seen over 150 people make decisions for Christ.

I AM WATCHING GOD BUILD HIS CHURCH. 
He’s unleashing Faithful allies, New friends, Recovered gifts, Fresh passions, Restored virtue, New love, Spiritual amnesty, and Reborn freedom.

LET ME GIVE YOU A SAMPLE OF WHAT I’M HEARING.

“We are so blessed God has brought us to Life Fellowship. We’re excited by the vision and thankful to be a part of this wonderful family at LF.”  - M.A. Allen, TX 

“LF People Rock… So Blessed.” - K.O. McKinney, TX

“My kids can’t wait to be in church every Sunday.” - Unknown Allen, TX

“I felt welcomed and at home the first day I attended.” – B.W. Allen, TX 

“God is using LF to change the life of my teenagers. I can’t thank you enough.” - D.H. Allen, TX

“LF is filled with God’s Presence. I always leave overcome with emotions and full of joy.” - A.C. Allen, TX

“Sunday’s at LF are my favorite day of the week.”  - C.D. Anna, TX 

IT’S THE TOUCH OF GOD
I am learning very quickly that what’s happening at Life Fellowship is not the Work of Man, but the sovereign Touch of God. You see on the day of Pentecost, we see the Holy Spirit touch the lives of 120 men and women in a small room. The world would change because of the Touch of the Almighty.

And because of the touch of God, I believe the future is bright for Life Fellowship. We’re marching forward. There is too much to accomplish. We believe that if you sit on the bench you’re going to get a sore butt. So we’re not standing on the sidelines. We’re shouting out, put me in coach. I’m ready for action.

OUR MISSION: 
To reach people far from God and build life long followers of Christ.

THE LF VISION ON THE HORIZON:
01. I see us launching a Hispanic Service in the near future.
02. I see us launching an Internet campus to stream our services live.
03. We’re making plans for a mission’s trip this fall plus seeking ways to increase our mission’s support.
04. We’re partnering with Dallas Dream Center to serve inner city kids and families of Dallas, providing much needed supplies, food and outreach.
05. We’ll be mailing a citywide postcard this fall to promote a relevant and powerful series called “Stuck In A Rut” New rules to win with Finances, Marriage, Work, Parenting & God.

YOU BELONG IN THIS STORY:
I want you to imagine a place where people came together to contribute to the greater good of others, a place where people come to give rather than take, and a place to love irrationally and to be loved unconditionally.

That place is the church.

Jesus tells a story of a shepherd and 100 sheep. Somehow one of those sheep wanders away from the fold. It’s only one sheep. No big deal, right? Wrong. He tells his followers to leave the 99. Find the one who is missing and bring them home safely.

You matter to God. If you are missing… have lost your spiritual bearings… then it’s time to find your way home to God.

We will help you. Life Fellowship Church is a safe home. Come as you are… no need to dress up. There are age appropriate classes that your children will love. You can grow at your own pace.

Most importantly, you will discover your part in the incredible story God is authoring at Life Fellowship.
LIFE FELLOWSHIP SERVICE TIMES:
Sundays at 10 & 11:30am
Wednesdays at 7pm for your kids (preschool – 12th grade)
Together We Can,

Chris Lindberg
Senior Pastor – Life Fellowship

VBS “ZAPPED” IS ON THE WAY AND YOU’RE INVITED

July 30 – August 3rd | Ages 3yrs – 6th Grade | 9am – Noon

EASTER 2012 – “Death In His Grave”

Begin making plans now to attend and invite your friends and family members to this year’s amazing Easter Sunday presentation, “Death in His Grave”. It all happens on Sunday, April 8th with three identical service options at 8:30am, 10:00am & 11:30am.

In addition to the powerful adult service presentation, there will some stellar stuff for the kids including a LIVE Petting Zoo, Inflatables and an Easter Egg Hunt which will take place at 9:30am & 11:30am. Your child is going to walk away with a pile of candy and a chance to win some amazing prizes. It’s a Sunday you and your family will not want to miss.