I Declare War : week 4

Levi Lusko -- Fresh Life Church

Fight Like A Wolf

Habakuk 1:6-8

Evening wolves

Cognitive horsepower cannot be going to worry and worship at the same time.

Worrying makes it worse.

This life is not a playground, it's a battleground.

2 Corinthians 10:305

1. Control The High Ground

Fight for the high ground!!

8 hours of sleep

8 glasses of water a day

8 first and last minutes of the day given to Jesus

Guard the first and the last.

When the devil gets a foothold he wants a stronghold.

Starve your fear, feed your faith!

The secret to a miserable life is to focus on yourself.

2. Fight Fire With Fire

The devil can't burn what's already burning.

3. Raise Your Voice

Gethsemane - the battle before the battle.

Matthew 26:30 "when they had sung a hymn"

When the devils trying to remind of your past, remind him of his future! 

I am on the winning team!

Worship is a weapon against darkness!

Worship doesn't win the war, worship is the war.

In the midst of it, who is at the center of your story?

Who is getting the glory?

4. Keep Showing Up

You are not the only one trying to win the war within.

I Declare War : week 3

Levi Lusko -- Fresh Life Church

Act Like A Wolf

Actions speak louder than words.

Faith without works is dead.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

You are a son of light and a daughter of day!!

Let's ACT like it!

Your daily activity should come from your new identity.

Associates that we keep.

Assess your ::

1. Pack

Not only warriors but nurturing.

They desire to belong.

Leadership is by example.

There is a sense of teamwork in a wolfpack.

A lone wolf has no protection.

"You are the average of your five closest friends."

2. Posture 

You do feel how you hold yourself.

Posture and feelings.

Posture and well-being.

Joel 3:10

Believing that you can change a weakness into a strength.

3. Pre-Game

What is your ritual to performing at your best?

4. Props

Exodus 17 

Journal

Gratitudes

Outfit yourself accordingly 

Don't act like something you're not. 

Act how God calls you to.

Don't do what you feel.

Do what's right.

Another note on posture :

Revelation 1:8

I am the Alpha and the Omega

Bow

I Declare War : week 2

Levi Lusko  -- Fresh Life Church

Speak Like A Wolf

Words are weighty.

What we're weaving on earth we're wearing in Christ.

If Jesus is the Lord of your life, then He needs to be the Lord of your lips too.

1. Your words impact other people.

2. Your words impact the future.

3. Your words impact you.

"Thank you."

I Declare War : Week 1

Levi Lusko -- Fresh Life Church

Why declare war? You are at war whether you want to be or not.

It's not a playground, it's a battleground.

The devil - the world (worldview that is hostile to God) - an enemy within (the flesh).

We all need protection from ourselves.

We sabotage ourselves.

You can't win the battle you won't admit you're in.

The wolf will rise in your heart.

Theodore Roosevelt story about crossing the barb wire.

Equal parts warrior but lover.

To be a wolf, you have to ::

Think Like A Wolf

You are what you think.

Proverbs 23:7

You can change the way you feel by changing the way you think.

Take the reigns on your thinking.

You don't have to think about everything you feel but you will feel everything you think about.

As goes the inner war, so goes the outer war.

1. Negative thoughts can't lead to a positive life.

Begin with your thought life.

Polarity of the mind.

The weapon is no good if you're learning to use it when it counts.

Colossians 3:1-2 set your mind.

Romans 12:2 the renewing of your mind

Matthew 22:37 with all your mind

What happens in your mind really does matter.

The reward for negative thinking is more negativity.

2. You will find what you're looking for.

Selective attention and confirmation bias.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 this is how Christ wants you to live!!

Gratitude, prayer, being happy.

Let's be a merry people!

3. It's impossible to worry and to worship at the same time.

You can't grumble and give God glory at the same time.

You can't complain and encourage someone at the same time.

Once A Man, Twice A Child

1 Corinthians 16:10

The Shoulders Of Giants

1 Timothy 4:12

Don't dismiss the young or old, embrace and see the value of all people.

Seeing the beauty of every season.

Neither either or, but better together.

Acts 2:39

1. Humility + Honor

Disrespect and lack of humility
1 Kings 12:4
1 Samuel 18:8-9

2. Security + Confidence

Co-labor, collaboration to fulfill the greatest commission.

3. Commitment to legacy and a light touch.

Once A Man, Twice A Child

Fresh Life Church - Levi Lusko

*I didn't have my phone so I had to find a scrap piece of paper and can't write as fast and not sure what goes where...just a heads up this isn't quite like other notes I've taken..*

Lose yourself in serving.

You can't get to maturity without community.

They're not thinking about you..they're thinking about themselves.

Better to know before you go.

1 Corinthians 13 - Adulting

Praise what is inside of you!

There is a king inside of you!

Don't cut them down, call them out!

Paul was telling the Corinthians :

1. Time does not guarantee progress!

What they were in 1-3 they weren't in 4-7

2. Having experience is overrated.

Hebrews 5:12

God doesn't care about what you do, but who you are.

3. Success without love is failure.

Look at the unity...me first - you're a baby.

Use the gifts of the spirit with fruit of the spirit.

Greatness isn't me first, it's bending the knee and serving others.

Caring about the body of Christ.

Height of maturity is love of God and others. 

Ephesians 4:13-16 in LOVE.

Proverbs 27:17 God intends for you to get sharp.

Psalm 1 : flourishing

The reward for immaturity is poverty.

You can be wealthy with money - but poor where it counts.

Galatians 4:1 

It's not just what you are it's what you choose.

Love is not something, it's some ONE.

What they needed to become a man was to look to the Son of Man.

1 John 4:8 God is love.

Let His love in and love with come out.

Once A Man, Twice A Child

Fresh Life Church - Levi Lusko

Where Night Becomes Morning

The seasons of life and what to do about them.

The universal dilemma is life is fleeting, life is temporary, and life is fragile.

An age old quest to find the "answer" or the meaning of life.

Nicodemus was extremely religious.

Those who knew God the most wanted the least to do with those who needed God the most.

The worst place is to think you don't need anything from God.

Nicodemus had the right relationships.

He was one of the three most rich in the entire city.

He was highly respected.

Nicodemus had everything that we desire and think would help us find our happiness in them. But one thing he didn't have was being born again.

Luke 17:33

Acts 20:33

Revelation 12:1-11

A costly sacrifice is needed for us to experience second birth.

God doesn't want to ruin your life, He wants to save your life.

Brought To Bring

Fresh Life Church

Levi Lusko

Mark 2:1-12

What God has done for you and in you, is not just for you.

Alie Gwinn:

We were brought to Christ to bring others.

1. We must see the need

They hoped for a better future for him.

2 barriers : complacency and callousness

Don't just met needs with your hands, but with your heart.

People do not suck, sin sucks!

2. It isn't convenient

Self-preservation.

It's not about us. Bringing people to church is not about us.

3. It's not for the faint of heart.

See obstacles as opportunities.

If we can't do it with ordinary methods, find extraordinary ones!

4. It's rewarding

Back to Levi:

"We never saw anything like this!"

Church with an open door.

Esther 4:14 Mordecai tells Esther "such a time as this."

You were brought to bring.

Happy Trails : week 4

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Beard Oil and Mountain Dew

Psalm 133

Colossians 3:14

Ephesians 4:3

John 17:11

"It is your job to protect the unity of your church. It is so important that the new testament gives more attention to it than to either heaven or hell. God deeply desires that we experience oneness and harmony with each other. Unity is the soul of fellowship. Destroy it, and you rip the heart out of Christ's body." Rick Warren

Where there is unity there is strength, but where there is division there is weakness.

The devil attacks unity because he knows where he can divide he can conquer.

Three things that are building blocks to unity : 

1. Humility 

2. Trust

3. Tenacity

Only where trust exits can you give vulnerability.

Low trust = willing to admit you've made a mistake or need help.

Tenacity is determination or grit.

Profound humility with furious resolve = level five leader - Tim Collins.

If we're walking in unity : 

1. Life becomes enjoyable.

Extremely good and extraordinarily pleasant.

There is something when people are at peace and when there isn't tension.

2. Teamwork will be even more capable.

Anointing oil always spoke of new opportunity of service.

Unity unleashes power in your team.

The Holy Spirit hates discord + division.

Leviticus 26:8

3. It becomes sustainable.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Where is there need for repentance?

Happy Trails : week 3

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Life Is Just Not Fair

Psalm 130

Penitence

Reasons to praise God because life isn't fair : 

1. The Way He Listens

When we cry out, He listens!

Just because you don't listen doesn't mean he doesn't.

Psalm 50:15 call upon Me in your day of trouble.

2. The Way He Forgives

We've all done unjust and crooked things.

Romans 3:23 all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 wages of sin is death.

There is forgiveness with You.

Exodus 34:6 God is merciful.

3. The Way He Heals Us

We all come to Jesus broken.

Salvation happens in an instance, but deliverance is a process.

He seeks to conform us into the image of His Son.

3 postures if you want healing : waiting, hoping + watching.

Waiting : seek him daily, ask forgiveness daily.

Hoping: hope in His word.

Watch: expectantly.

Sometimes it's darkest before dawn.

It's not going to be quick or in an instant.

It's not fair, it's better than that, it's God's grace!!

4. The Way He Helps You Make Good

We carry regret + remorse over things we've done in the past.

God gives us opportunity to make good on the bad we've done!

Abundant redemption!

There's not just redemption but a thousand ways to be set free!

Joel 2:25 I will restore to you what the locusts have eaten.

Ephesians 4:28 let him who stole steal no more and use your hands to make restitution.

**There can be a bright future even after your biggest failure.**

What you've received you can help other people avoid doing what you did.

Reception

Reconciliation

Restoration

Redemption

Who's going to pay for all this??

REDEEMER!!!

Life is just, but not fair.  

Happy Trails : week 2

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

The Good Life

Blessed = happy, happy

Fear the Lord.

Walk in His ways.

1. What does it mean to walk in God's ways?

Thinking how He thinks.

Looking how He looks at life.

Making decisions though the grid He does.

The answer is LOVE!

2. What are the benefits of walking in God's ways?

Blessings on our feelings.

It is well with my soul.

Shalom - peace - wellness

God is in control.

Blessing on your finances. 

Your work will give you what you need.

Good things will come your way.

When you're loving God and loving people it is impossible to be lazy!!

Daniel 6:3

Excellent spirit was found in him.

Magnetic to blessing.

Blessing on your family.

Keep cultivating, keep protecting, keep nourishing your children.

Tend to your spouse.

If you want to change the world, start in your own home.

Blessing on your future.

If you love God, legacy and impact future generations.

1 Chronicles

David gave the money for Solomon to build the temple.

3. Why do we choose our own path?

Oftentimes God's trails don't make sense to us.

If I follow God that will take me away from my dream.

Some of the best blessings lie on the other side of discomfort.

God knows things that you don't know. 

Matthew 5 - beatitudes.

Even in hard situations, He's going to bring the good life to you.

4. What is the secret to walking in God's ways?

Fear the Lord.

Psalm 25:14 

Be in awe of Him.

God created the heavens and the earth, that is AWESOME! 

When God wants to right a wrong, he sends a child into the world.

**Side note, I wish Levi would have expanded on this.**

The power to do your duty comes from being overcome by God's beauty.

You can never do anything to make Him stop loving you.

You're left at camp misery because of sin.

Powered by grace!

Life and liberty in Jesus Christ!

Powerful and Personal

I want to say this was Steven Furtick but I can't remember...

Powerful and Personal

Genesis 1:3 God SAID, "let there be light."

John 10:27 My sheep know My VOICE.

Every sheep has a relationship with the shepherd. The shepherd loves the lock and the individual sheep.

He's powerful while speaking to you personally.

He loves you with the same power that He created the world with!

James 4:8 Lean into God and He will lean into you.

To hear God's voice, you need to want to hear it.

If He loves you enough to die for you, He loves you enough to speak to you.

He is easy to discover. He is one prayer away.

Mathew 7:8

"Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

2 Timothy 3:16 "exposing our rebellion."

Hebrews 4:12

God speaks to us in dreams and impressions.

John 16:13+14

Psalm 46:10

How can you hear God's voice?

1. Seeking it

2. Scripture

3. Spirit

4. Stillness

5. Skill

Rick Warren "you are as close to God as you choose to be."

If you listen to God's voice, it will unleash :

1. Wild

2. Wise

3. Wealthy

4. Well

Unpredictable, uncontainable, and uncomfortable.

"Tossable" is not in God's vocabulary.

What you're doing right now will lead to either a life you love or loathe.

Happy Trails : week 1

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Entrances, Exits, and Everywhere In-Between

Psalms of Ascent (the songs of travelers)

Psalm 121

John Philips says it is a Psalm for when the shadows depend and the future looks bleak.

He says I lift my eyes to the hills, he is asking which false god would he choose to help him through this trial.

He doesn't look to the mountains and stop there, he looks above them.

Are we going to look to the hills or to the One who created the hills?

In God you have :

1. Sure-Footed Guide

Because He never sleeps, you can!

2. Shelter For Every Season

Shade at your right hand.

In every season we have shelter from the sun or moon.

The right hand was a position of power and strength.

The devil attacks where you're weak AND where you're strong.

Even your strengths can be areas of vulnerability.

3. Guardian For Our Soul

Constantly moving us toward our better self.

The most selfless thing you can do is to take care of your soul.

The Psalmist changed from "my" to "you" in vs. 3.

You can't pour out from an empty cup.

Put your oxygen mask on first and then help others.

You can't lead people where you haven't already been.

Going out and coming in He's got you!

Summer Reading Series 2018 : Carl Lentz : Own The Moment

Guest Speaker : Fresh Life Church

This Is Us

John 13:34-35

Jesus is let down right before and right after He said this passage.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Do you think people know christians by LOVE?

Let's be apart of the answer, not the problem.

This LOVE is...

1. Defined

"As I have loved you."

When you didn't earn it or deserve it.

He loves you relentlessly with a ridiculous grace!

Definitions matter.

If we don't have definition we have disfunction. 

Look to Jesus to define this love!

2. Developed

John 13:34

Simon Peter says, "where are you going?"

It should be getting better, you should be full of more grace.

Are you getting better with age?

It would be criminal to allow Jesus to change your eternity but not change your testimony. 

Are there underdeveloped areas of love in your life?

God will use you even in MID-DEVELOPMENT! 

God can still use you even if you don't have it all together!

How many times have I been the christian who stays on shore when the jet skis have chased the sharks out of the area and others are getting back in the water?

There is some danger out there. There is some fear out there.

Jesus is on the jet ski helping us wade through the murky waters.

3. Dangerous

Dangerous when demonstrated.

Galatians 6:2-5

Each one should carry their own load.

One half says carry each other's burdens.

This is not a contradiction.

If you would help everyone out, you can carry your own burdens.

Say that's not us...

THIS is us.

GRACE! LOVE!

Summer Reading Series 2018 : Sadie Robertson - Live Fearless

Guest Speaker - Fresh Life Church

God didn't give us a spirit of fear!

Fear can get really ugly.

Worse place to be when you're fearful is hiding.

Thrive in a place of freedom!

"God placed the best things in your life on the other side of fear." Will Smith

Hebrews 10:35

Just believe what God says.

Confident trust and belief in : He is who He says He is!

Daniel 1:17 chapter one David was a faithful servant of God!

Daniel 6:10 Just as he has always done!!

Daniel 6:16-23 + 26

To be confident in something we need to be confident of the consistency.

Matthew 27:63-66

If God placed something on your life no human can get in the way.

Matthew 4:10-11

When both Jesus and Daniel were faced with someone asking them to worship them they both stated only one God and both times angels came!

You can be following the perfect plan Jesus has for you and still be led to the lions den.

Revelation 4:8

It doesn't really matter where you're going, but when you get there you can confidently say holy is my God!

We try to shut the mouth of the lion but God will shut the mouth of the lion on your behalf.

Daniel 6:22 no wounds

You can come out unharmed!!

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know!

Praying for the situation to change, start praying for your heart to change!

Even when...

Even when...

Even when...

Be still and know that He is God!

What does it look like to live bold?

Daniel is in complete darkness, sometimes fear doesn't give you a face.

How do you fight against it?

All you can feel is the presence of fear. 

The only way to fight that is the Name of Jesus!

One Name that diminishes fear.

The enemy isn't going to stop. 

But Jesus is always there.

We feed our fear when we try to control our situations.

Summer Reading Series 2018 : Craig Groeschel - Divine Direction

Guest Speaker : Fresh Life Church

Making decisions that honor God.

The decisions we make today, determine the stories we'll tell tomorrow.

Make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.

What is God's will for my life?

He cares about...

1. Who before do

Who you are before what you do.

1 Thess 4:3 Be holy!

Holy means set apart; different.

Talked about calling and character.

Who does God want me to become? 

Primary calling : live a life pleasing to God.

Character over profession!

Do anything with integrity than being a pastor without it.

2. Why before what

Motives matter to God.

Proverbs 16:2 The Lord judges motives.

Pray Psalm 139 : search my heart!

It's almost impossible to get to the right place when you start with the wrong motives.

Should I buy this car? What's the motive?

You're about to post a photo...What's the motive?

Motives matter!

Colossians 3:17 whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Sometimes the most important things you do is not what you do, it's who you raise!

Your gifts will not take you farther than your character can sustain you.

"My sinfulness wants me to feel important."

If you've 'done it right' you'll hear, "well done my good and FAITHFUL servant."

If I"m faithful with who and why God will give me more.

How did Jesus endure?

He knew WHO He was and WHY He came!!

If you're becoming the right who, God will help you choose the right do!

If you're driven by the right why, then God will lead you to the right what!

Summer Reading Series 2018 : Alex Seeley - Tailor Made

Guest speaker : Fresh Life Church

Our generation is having an identity crisis.

The enemy doesn't want us living up to our potential.

Proverbs 18:21

God is the author of words.

The enemy only knows how to imitate or pervert the truth.

God takes pleasure when we create!

The enemy's only plan is to steal, kill, and destroy.

Our words form our world.

Labels are very, very powerful.

The devil understands words heal or hinder.

You can be saved but not free.

Making agreements with a lie gives the devil power.

Who does God say I am?

You are here on purpose!

Psalm 139:14-17

My parents had nothing to do with me coming to be!

Don't let the enemy take one more day of your life!

Ephesians 3:10-12

Confidence

The enemy doesn't need you to sin, he just need you to believe the lies he's telling you.

God needs you to be who He made you to be.

It's not arrogance to be who you are in Christ...it's a responsibility!

The enemy loves to divide!

The devil dismantled and we wrongfully hate people and no one gets healed.

Peacemaker.

Special :: set apart, beloved, better, greater, exceptionally good or valued.

Summer Reading Series 2018 : Carlos Whittaker - Kill The Spider

Carlos Whittaker

Kill The Spider

Hope!

Everything Carlos touched was "gold" and he started stepping into darkness and allowing the devil to convince him he was the one who created that gold.

Scripture does not say every good and perfect gift comes from your hustle. 

Sin has consequences.

There is no dancing in darkness.

The devil prances around in the darkness to devour you.

In the darkest moments : 

1 Peter 5:10

There will be suffering.

Shrink that suffering!

Spending our time "cleaning the cobwebs" when really we're praying the wrong prayer : KILL THE SPIDER!!

Past the symptoms to the root.

Drive a stake in the spider.

Your hope is not found in striving, it's found in surrender. 

Spider : an agreement you have made with a lie.

The root of our behaviors.

A cobweb is a mediator that brings false comfort to that lie.

Go from the lie to the truth.

It's not difficult to find your cobwebs.

To get to the spider we need to hear from God Himself.

The Holy Spirit is what is going to reveal to you the lie that you're believing.

WE HEAR FROM GOD WHEN :

1. We pay attention!

God is speaking to us all the time.

2. We ask questions!

We don't serve a vague God.

We serve a specific God.

Confess the lie.

Reject the lie.

Replace with God's truth!

Romans 8:6

PEACE!!

We can't put the period where the period is not.

John 10:10

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

Is there a period after life? 

NO!

ABUNDANCE!

Jesus didn't die so we can just cope through life!!!!!

You need to get off auto mode, and put it in manual.

If you live in auto you're not living in the abundance of all that God has for you!

FROM THE BOOK : 

"Turns out helping somebody else through their story helps you work through yours."

"If you have ever been only a few feet from help and not felt the strength to go get it, you understand. Sometimes when help is staring you in the face, and you rejected it, you have to get up and go get it." 

"Gaze at God. Glance at life."

Needle Craft

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Needle Craft

Acts 9:36-42

We're supposed to go into the world, not for them to come to us!

Every subcategory of every industry of the world.

We can't reach a world we're not willing to touch.

Use what's in your hand to unlock what's in God's heart.

1. Thread

Willingness

2 Corinthians 8:3

2 Corinthians 8:12

Do you have a willing heart?

Here am I, send me!

He's not looking for ability, He's looking for availability.

2. Pattern

Serving

Acts 10:38

Willingness is awesome, but it's not enough!

Matthew 26:14

"Most of the evil is done by people with good intentions." T.S. Eliot

Rise up and follow the pattern of doing good.

Follow-thru. 

....and she did them!!

You may be full of it, but you have to act on it.

We accommodate to Jesus.

Philippians 2:13

3. Scissors

Missing

We approach something and then something is missing.

They are crying because Dorcas is missing. There was a great void and loss.

Garments and tunics for widows. 

You need the skill and ability (finances).

God doesn't bless us to increase not our standard of living, but our standard of giving.

"Live so as to be missed." Robert Murray M'Cheyne

4. Fabric

Lasting

vs 42 many believed on the Lord!!

The physical resurrection was performed so that others could have eternal resurrection!

Father's Day

Craig Groeschel - guest speaker Fresh Life Church

Faith On Fire

Psalm 112:1-6

Culture says we need to raise well-rounded, well educated, and happy kids.

We are to release Christ-centered, Biblically anchored, world changers!!!

Managing exposure.

What we expose them to determines what they become.

Proverbs 13:20

Three things to expose kids to :

1. The joy of knowing God personally!

John 17:3

They are not rejecting christianity but rather the hypocrisy in religion.

Inconsistencies they see in the home.

**Rules without relationship = rebellion!**

Every day language of incorporating spiritual language into every day living.

Connect the spiritual to the natural.

"You worked hard to develop the gifts God gave you."

"Can you believe how God has blessed us?!"

If they hear and see it, they catch it.

If they hear it and don't see it, they reject it.

Create a culture rather than an expectation.

Expose them to the JOY of God speaking, directing + leading.

**If you want them to see a Father in God, let them see God in their father.**

2. Presence and power of God in His church!

Church is not a destination, it's an identity.

Difference between christians and a Christ-centered family!

3. Thrill of being used by God!

Joshua 24:14-15

We will serve the Lord!

We exist to see those stranded in sin find life and liberty in Jesus Christ!

Up In Smoke : week 4

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Worth Dying For

Daniel 3:14

Living in the world but not of the world.

Don't make these two mistakes :

1. Separation 

Don't pretend you're already in heaven.

You can't reach a world you've abandoned.

2. Imitation

Don't live exactly like the people of the world.

Instead, infiltrate!

Love. Give. Serve. Have influence.

When you see someone at the top of a mountain you don't say they fell there.

How did they get to the top of the mountain?? ::

1. Consistency of behavior

Don't wait until you're in the heat of the moment. 

Make some decisions ahead of time where you are not willing to cross the line.

The key to confidence in the bad times is consistency in the good times.

2. Courageous under pressure

They knew who God was.

The book of Isaiah was written before the book of Daniel...so they had access to the verse 43:2.

3. Cut loose by the fire

They were better off after the situation than before.

Strangely wrapped, but a gift.

Firmly tied...came out unbound and unharmed.

1 Peter 1:6-7 greatly rejoice

The only thing that comes out of a fire is preciousness.

When life gets 7X hotter, God's trying to make you 10X better!

God can deliver you from or through.

Sometimes he calls you out of the furnace, other times he calls you to stay in the furnace and he delivers you that way.

Our God is able!

No matter what, He delivers.

And even if He doesn't...

4. Collected and not sour

When there is grace on your life you can live like no one else.

The hard things you go through don't have to define you!

God wants to give you a victor personality and free you from the victim mentality!

Go through bitter experiences without becoming bitter.

Live a life coated in God's power!

Jesus willingly went into the fire so you could safely come out.

John 3:16 

Up In Smoke : week 3

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

No Where To Go But Up

Isaiah 6:1-5

This happened in the year that king Uzziah died.

There were a few good kings.

Outside of David and Solomon, Uzziah was in that top 3. 

He reigned 52 years.

Uzziah sought God, and that's what made him different. 

2 Chronicles 26 tells a lot about his life.

Uzziah was king at 16.

As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

Towards the tail end of his life Uzziah got lifted up with pride and crossed a line he shouldn't have crossed. He got leprosy and had to live out his life in seclusion.

2nd half of vs 1 : I SAW THE LORD!

1. Connection between tribulation and revelation.

Who is your Uzziah : Levi's first ever teaching.

Who are you looking to fulfill things that only God is supposed to fill in you.

That's not rated to hold what you put in it.

Only God is capable of holding the weight of your soul!

In the pain I'm posturing you to receive a new revelation.

Matthew 5:3 MSG

Less of you, more of God!

2. Connection between praise and power

Isaiah 6:4 the cause was praise, the effect was power.

Smoke is a picture of the glory of God.

HOLY : every time the angels passed they see a new thing in God.

Your worship can never get old if you're praising God for something new He's showing you.

Worship starts in heaven and the effect is felt here on earth.

Look up to God from your problems and then look back and see God' glory all around it!!

"The national glory of Israel died out with king Uzziah, and has never revived to this day." Franz Delitzsch

6 wings - only 2 used to carry out their mission, so 4 were used to worship!

Worship God - you become like what you worship!

"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is; to come suddenly at the turn of the road upon some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch; to hear a good joke and find no one to share it with...the scotch catechism says that man's chief end is 'to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' But we shall then know that these are the same thing. Fully to enjoy is to glorify. In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him." C.S. Lewis

3. Connection between humility and wholeness.

Isaiah falls on his face and says his greatest natural ability (his tongue - writing - speech) is terrible compared to Who I see. 

Don't lose yourself in your own story, find yourself in His story.

4. Connection between availability and opportunity.

Here am I, send me!

The world needs people who have the spirit of a volunteer.

John 12:41

John repeats what Isaiah said after his own encounter. 

All Team Meeting

Chris Gwinn - Fresh Life Church

It's The Thought That Counts...not really

Genesis 18 + 19

Private compromise

Abyss of stickiness

Compromise

1. Bible reading

2. Prayer

3. Confession

4. Giving

5. Community

Public complacency

Presence

Invitation

Outreach

To hell with good intentions!

Ditch the compromises

Work in me before you work through me.

Be Jesus.

They have a soul.

Up In Smoke : week 2

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Why God Refuses To Meet You Halfway

Genesis 15:1-18

1. When God Seemed To Be Sleeping

5 years have passed since they left Urr, Abram is 75 now.

You are choosing either your perception of your situation OR faith in God's divine orchestration.

Evaluate your reality in light of God's identity!

Don't be afraid - I AM!!

Look forward, not back.

God's purpose never thwarted - His strategy seldom makes sense.

Learn to process what you're going through.

Don't walk by sight, walk by faith.

We can face whatever we face if we have God to help us process it.

There are bad things in what you're facing, but there's still good inside of it.

Life of surrender and obedience and a God who is in control of everything!

Choose faith.

Fear is a choice, just like faith is.

Take the backseat and trust where God is driving you.

Don't make rash decisions in the storm.

Hold on to what God gave you in the calm when you're in chaos.

Conscious choice to believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts.

Doubt is not the enemy of faith, certainty is.

2. When Abram Was Sleeping

Abram fell asleep.

A darkness spread over the land.

Fire AND smoke.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit walking through.

Abram woke up to the smell of smoke.

Mark 15:33

You don't get salvation by achieving but receiving. 

Smoking oven (devise used to carry coal from place to place) and burning torch (oil lamp - four wicks).

God can't meet us halfway because He's going the whole way!

Up In Smoke : week 1

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Good Night Failure, Good Morning Grace

Apostle Peter

One weekend of his life.

Matthew, Mark, Luke + John all give a complimentary account of the same story.

Mark 14:27-31

John 18:15-18 + 25-27

Peter began to curse Jesus as if to say would a disciple of Jesus curse him like this?!

Luke 22:61-62

The power of your tongue!

Peter was talking about how terrible he thought Jesus was as Jesus was walking by.

Peter went to go fishing. 

Basically his way of saying, 'I'm going back to my old way of life.'

John 21:4-19

Jesus was replicating how he called Peter to be his disciple in how He revealed Himself after His resurrection.

If it could happen to Peter it could happen to me.

4 Things That Will Help You Avoid Going Up In Smoke :

1. Keep Your Guard Up

The problem is pride.

If you're standing take head lest you fall.

If you're standing, you're perfectly poised to fall.

Broken heart to see others sin.

Luke 22:31 MSG Simon, stay on your toes!

2. Get Back Up

If you've been knocked down, get back up!

What now?

It helps to think of God as our parent.

Your Father knew you were going to fall before you fell.

Luke 22:32 - when you fall, strengthen your brethren!

It can be something new and something beautiful!

3. Don't Get Tied Up

Look around to those around you and you'll make yourself a critic.

Feed my lambs, feed my sheep, the end of your life is going to be a persecution for your faith...John 21:21 "what about this man?"

God gives you a second chance and you're so tied up in wondering what God has given someone else?!

Hebrews 12:1-2

Don't worry if God has given others more grace!

4. Hold Your Head Up

Separate the forgiveness from the shame.

John 18:18 warming himself by the fire. So Peter is smelling smoke. Chapter 21:9 fire of coals. 

Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?

Jesus gave Peter an opportunity to have a different smell associated with the smell of smoke. 

More powerful than sound or sight is smell.

He heard the rooster and as he did he remembered that Jesus is our Redeemer!

Jesus was saying goodnight to all of Peter's failure and saying good morning to new grace!!

Here are my mistakes, make me new!

Mother's Day

Jennie Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Mothership

Definition of mothership : A large vehicle that leads, serves, and carries other small vehicles.

Matthew 1:1

The genealogy of Jesus.

1. Tamar : Genesis 38 - Judah's daughter-in-law

2. Rahab : Joshua 2 - prostitute

3. Ruth : worshipped other idols

4. Listed as the wife of Uriah (whom we know as Bathsheba who slept with king David)

5. Mary : mother of Jesus - full surrender to the Lord

34 mothers weren't mentioned here (the men's names were).

Do you ever feel like anyone could do your job?

You're not just filling a hole that anyone could fill, you are fulfilling God's unique call on your life!

1. Rise Up And Lead

Leaders follow the leader.

Leaders speak life.

Leaders love like they've never been hurt.

(Jensen Franklin book title)

Leaders embrace the season they're in.

1 Peter 1:6-7

Leaders rise up in His strength.

Be aware of who you can bless.

2. Take Your Place And Serve

Romans 12:11

Get in the rhythm of saying yes to God!

Nurturing and caring.

Ruth chose to serve her mother-in-law.

Ephesians 4:1-13

Roots down deep.

If you're not planted, you won't flourish.

3. Carry What He's Given You And Change The World

Each woman in the lineage of Jesus had something she was carrying.

You have a story. 

Your story matters.

What you're carrying is who you are.

Be a genius at being you.

God's given you your story for a reason.

You're carrying the Gospel. 

Mark 16:15

Don't let yourself be faded where you are.

Change the world within your home, your workplace, wherever you are.

Rumble Strip : week 4

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Singing Shoulders

Ephesians 5:14-21

Everything you do for God is a response.

You've got His favor and you cannot lose it!

Gift of the Holy Spirit

From the conscience, companions, to the Comforter!

When you're not paying attention you drift toward selfishness.

Command : understand what the will of God is.

Ephesians 5:17

Love Him, love people.

Knowing His will isn't the problem, doing His will is the problem.

But we have a Helper!

Verses 18-20 are the focus.

Music in your mouth can lift up your day, but God's melody in your heart will light up your life!

The book of Job - creation sings!

Give glory and praise to God like the mountains and rocks.

Being filled with the Spirit is like being intoxicated.

Rumble strips are also called drunk bumps.

The Spirit and spirits can both put you under their control.

Being filled with God's Spirit is to get the thing that being filled with spirits you're trying to get.

Dissimilarities - they both take you to courage and happiness but in different ways.

Alcohol depresses your ability to see your reality.

Acts 2 : full of courage and joy by the Holy Spirit!

2 Kings 6 : Elisha is not phased.

The Spirit of God helps you see more!!

We make foolish decisions when we look for what is already ours.

Dissipation : debauchery - to be spent - to be consumed - a sexual/perverse type of violence.

Good news! We have the power of God's Holy Spirit to supply what we need!

Hypersensitive in a good way to being in control.

You give God more of you, you don't need more of Him!

We don't need more of God, He needs more of us!

The Holy Spirit isn't a force to be conjured but a friend to be cultivated.

Neglect is abuse too.

We're so afraid of abusing the Spirit so we end up neglecting the Spirit.

Gratitude helps!

The Word of God helps!

Colossians has a rant : Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and gyms and spiritual songs..."

We're not looking to forget, we're looking to remember.

Worship is more than singing, but it is not less.

Singing is an aspect of worship but not the totality of worship.

It's all meant to be a part of your worship experience. Singing, giving, reading His word, etc.

As you tap into the Spirit filled life you are singing with God.

Snow White whistled while she worked, you're singing while you live.

Ask yourself : Could I worship God while I'm doing what I'm doing?

Rumble Strip : week 3

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Ten And Two

Ephesians 5:14-21

Tell 3 people where you're going to be and when you expect to be back.

Who goes looking for you when you're in danger??

Wake up O sleeper!! You're foolish if you think the present isn't going to affect your future!

Rumble Strips save lives.

Exterior rumble strips of the people in our lives.

Time is short. Redeem the time because the days are evil.

Time is wicked fast.

Life expectancy :

81 women

76 men

VS21 Submitting to one another out of reverence to Christ.

Reverence meaning smitten and enamored and in awe.

The behavior leads to the blessings.

Submission : voluntarily place yourself under someone's authority.

When you're following the right voices you avoid the wrong places.

Intentionally make it as hard as possible to ruin your life!

We need to have:

1. The Right People

The core voices in our lives.

You're loco if you're living solo!

Jesus had His 12 and then He had His core 3 within that.

Helping shape your decisions + values.

Nothing is going to shape and impact the trajectory of your life more than who you do life with.

Proverbs 13:20

"Show me your friends and I'll show you your future." Craig Groeschel

1 Corinthians 15:33 

When you're living with the wrong people they're rumbling the wrong things.

This life is an assignment.

2. The Right Spirit

Calm down porcupine!

Proverbs 16:18

You're resisting the opportunity to grow.

Humility.

Grateful heart.

Thank you! You didn't have to say that, and I know that must have been hard.

Proverbs 27:17

3. The Right Questions

Force it to the light!

Will you rumble this because you know me!

What do you think is the most God-honoring decision?

Proverbs 20:5

Accept recommendations instead of seeking affirmations on decisions you've already made!

It's a two-way street.

Others rumble you and you rumble others. 

See something, say something.

Will you love me enough to say something when you see me making bad decisions?

Is there anyone that is going to search for you when you're lost in the forest?

4. The Right Posture

Love.

Speak the truth in love.

Galatians 6:1 "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out."

Eye to eye.

Make it as easy as possible for them to receive your rumble well.

Numbers 13:25 to 14:10

10 said "no" and 2 said, "let's go!"

The enemy doesn't want you to get to the promised land!!