Open Doors

We don't often give doors much thought. Unless of course they don't work or won't open. Then we know something needs to change. It's interesting to think about the message of Jesus as it pertains to doors. Not only it's reception in an individual heart but also breaking open the doors in area after area, culture after culture, nation after nation.(Acts 1:8-witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of the earth. )

This week we continue our study in the book of Acts. We will begin by seeing how one life can make a difference in generations to come. There is no question that life could be yours. I invite you to read Acts 9 -It is the story of Saul's encounter with the risen Lord. That encounter not only changed a life but is still testifying to the power of that risen Lord today. Our lives can have that same kind of impact in the lives placed in our paths.

We had a wonderful Annual Business meeting last Sunday. We heard some testimonies, recounted with joy how God has led and directed our church this past year. We also passed next years budget. It can sound kinda drab until you realize that a budget becomes a full ledger of God 's leading, guiding and directing a congregation to consequential ministry in their lives and community. What a joy to see how God is growing us on so many levels. It was Paul's desire " to present every person mature and equipped forChrist filled ministry." This is our church desire also. If you want to see a copy of the budget please feel free to contact our church office.

I hope to see you at this weekend. I know you will be blessed as you worship with the community of those who believe in Jesus.

God BLess

Pastor Randy

30 Years

This week Deb and I celebrated 30 years of Marriage. One the one hand we both can't believe it. TIme went by so fast. On the other hand we expected it. I don't think either of us thinks marriage is all that easy. I think you have to work at some stuff-well more stuff than just some. On the other hand there are things only the Spirit can do-If we will let him! When I think about being patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not rude, not proud, not self seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, never delights in evil, rejoices in truth, always protects, always trust, hopes and perseveres I am so glad the Spirit is working and transforming my life. If I submit to that work--I might make another 30 years of marriage. If I don't that's a list that will kill me if done only on my own effort and strength. Well first you have to have the want to- and thats in short supply in most of our lives. I am so thankful the Spirit gives the ability to do in the believers life.

I wouldn't mind another 30 years. I don't really want to hang on forever but if I can spend those years with Deb, who more than anyone I know exemplifies the above qualities-well I might just look forward to that and hang on as long as I can.(Better exercise today) Anyhow I want to encourage all of you married folks to expect to be together until death separates you. And keep allowing the Spirit to work deep in your life so that your spouse will have the best,growing godly spouse possible. That will take you to the finish line-together.

Thanks Deb for the best 30 years of my life. I definitely got the better end of the lifetime deal we made 30 years ago. I Love You!

Well moving from one extra-ordinary miracle to another I invite you to explore the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church this weekend. I will be dealing with the topic "Are Miraculous Gifts For Today?". The miracle of the church and how God can take people who have been dead in sin and bring them back to a life lived in the presence of God and using that life for his purposes and glory is really worth taking a look at.

See You This Weekend

God BLess

Pastor Randy

No Accidents

Lots of stuff happens. As I was praying, I recognized my tendency for wanting circumstances changed. My tendency is to believe I know how things should be changed rather than wondering what God wants to do in the midst of those circumstances. If this sounds like a tendency you have, I invite you to think along with me this weekend as we look at the life of Philip (Acts 8). This guy was a real normal guy living the normal Christian life and God used him in (what we would say) small but extraordinary ways. I want that to be true in my life!

I hope you were able to be with us last weekend. What a wonderful challenge by both the Livesay's (Haiti) and Pastor David Kiamu (Liberia). You can listen his message online at www.constancefree.org. I encourage you to do it.

Deb and I watched the movie "The Princess Bride" recently. I have seen the movie probably 100 times. It's the only movie I believe is an all time classic. I am sure you disagree and all I can say is ... well ... nothing. You either get it or you don't. Anyhow, during the Miracle Max scene (my favorite scene) he ask's our "mostly dead" hero, "What do you got to live for?" What comes out of our mostly dead hero sounds like "true love." A noble cause of course but not enough to motivate Max. He eventually responds to an opportunity for revenge. It's a great reminder to live for something that truly exceeds the norm.

Helen Keller once said, "Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self gratification but through fidelity to a worth purpose."

So "what do you got to live for?" Perhaps a better question: what are you living and giving your life for right now that will last forever? I believe a follower of Jesus has the greatest opportunity in the world to live for the cause of Christ, a worthy purpose that will exceed all time and history.

What a privilege to do that together as the body of Christ. "He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose! - Jim Elliot

It's my hope and prayer that your desires continually grow for the worthy purpose of the name and cause of Christ.

"I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. Philippians 3:7-9

See you this weekend!

God Bless,

Pastor Randy

A Special Week!

This week at Constance we will get to experience the book of Acts present tense. Speaking this week will be David Kiamu. David is a leader in our Liberian Free Church and a point person for our partnership in Liberia as well as Reach Africa.( consortium of African countries working together to reach Africa with the Gospel). David has been to Constance before to meet with our Global team and it's a joy to welcome him to our pulpit this weekend. I heard him preach at our Congo Conference last July(in English) and was inspired by the Word he preached and His heart and passion for our Lord.

We also welcome for a Grace Story this weekend Troy and Tara Livesay. Troy and Tara have been ministering in Haiti for several years, have adopted three Haitian children and recently went through the earthquake in Haiti. You will be inspired by their first hand reports of what God is doing in Haiti. Tara's parent's Randy and Carolyn Porter and sister Tina and husband(Matt and Tina CLeary) all are regular attenders at Constance. Recently Matt and Tina adopted Annie from Haiti. You can find out more at Livesayhaiti.blogspot.com

I am always amazed at how God uses ordinary, avaliable, powered by His spirit people. It's the normal Christian life as we learned last week by examining Stephens Life. It's my prayer that our time together this weekend will inspire you by means of God's Spirit to give yourself totally to God.

My wife recently alerted me to this quote, "There is a cost to following Jesus, but there is a greater cost in not following Him. Whatever you give up to follow Christ will be more than made up to you in this life and certainly in the life to come." As a Pastor almost daily I get to see first hand the high cost of not following Jesus in real life circumstances. It saddens me because I know Jesus died to bring us life. Sin always has as a purpose separation and death.

I encourage you with the words of the Apostle Paul, " to live a life worthy of the calling you have recieved.... and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus....

I close with some of my favorite AW Tozer words, " Everyman is as close to God as he wants to be, he is as holy and full of the Spirit, as he wills to be...

Hope To See You This Weekend!

God BLess

Pastor Randy

It's Official-Kinda

Recently Deb and I became empty nesters. It's been a process. So now we begin to ponder what is next? It's a big question. I think many times Christian parents become "empty nester's" without contemplating how God can now use them in different or more intense ways. I intend to pursue God and his intentions for my life more intensly and deliberately with these new circumstances. If this is your situation I hope you will do the same. I have seen many do the opposite and truthfully it relegates kingdom work and God's call to an after thought rather than the first and best thought.

This weekend we will investigate the life of Stephen. Stephen is the first martyr in Church History. Take some time to read his story in Acts 6-8. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to live and serve with the same joy and grace as did Stephen. As believers though few of us are asked to give as Stephen the ultimate witness(a martyr) all of us are asked to lay down our lives for the sake of the name of Jesus.

Stephen teaches each of us to "lead a life worthy of your calling" in a gentle, humble and patient way. The writer of Hebrews speaks of those who willingly lay down their life for Jesus as those "of whom the world was not worthy". It is my prayer that the life of Stephen will ignite in each of us a desire for God to be glorified in our lives. What a privilege.

"To this end I always pray for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus becasue of you, and you will be honored in him, becasue of the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess. 1:11-12)

Hope to See You this Weekend!

God Bless

Pastor Randy

It's Official

According to most Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. Whether it is true or not most of us recognize a mental and physical shift this time of year. That of course can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. One thing I know-Regardless of your shifts one thing should not change-Your walk and pursuit of God.

Whether you are reading in the Old or New Testamnet of the bible one thing is always clear-God never takes second place. So I want to encourage each of you not to allow the "summer slump" to get to your walk with God! Use the summer to allow the Holy Spirit access to speak to your life. Continually ask God what He is trying to teach you through his Word. In what ways does He desire to deepen and change you. I encourage you to use some of your down time to read larger portions of the Bible just to allow the Holy Spirit to speak into your life.

This week, walking alongside Peter as a leader of the early church we will ask the question "What would be different if Jesus was really First? in my life? church? community?"
What do you think? We will be taking stories from Acts 3-4, I encourage you to read these passages and see what difference Christ wants for you.

June will be a great month at Constance. We have some special guests coming to share I think you will enjoy. This week Larry Backlund representing Dr. Pat and Newsservice 2000 will share in our services. This is a ministry we support as a Body that is focused on encouraging the Persecuted Church.

I also want to encourage you if you have not done so yet to make a commitment to our Church of Influence Fund. Your gifts not only encourage our ministry here but throughout the world. I know as well from my own life the great joy in being able to give to our local body and see the impact we bring to our communities as we unite together. I am continually thankful for the generous heart of our Body.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ...that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27.

See You this Weekend

God BLess

Pastor Randy

My Influence Revealed?

"With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day....praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:40-41,47.

The gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by the Father(Acts 1:4-5, John 14) was given to the church at Pentecost.(Acts 2) This is the record of God's creation of the church, desgined to be a supernatural movement, powered by the Holy Spirit unlike any other organization. It's main task by means of the Holy Spirit is to give testimony to the Good News about Jesus' life, death and resurrection "that through repentance in the name of Jesus Christ forgiveness is found."Acts 2:38) And the Lord added to their number daily as they were faithful to this call.

This is more than an institutional call! This is God's plan for each indivdual believer empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to all that Jesus is in their lives. This is the influence given to each believer. Influencing my world in many locations(wherever I am placed) with the love and good deeds of Christ. It is my prayer that this vision will be your vision for our world!

It is during the month of May that we ask you to prayerfully and by faith consider your financial support for our local church. I believe this is an expression of belief and faith in God's church to influence our world with message that salvation is found in no other name but Jesus. I want to encourage you to give yourselk in obedience, fully to this privilege of influencing our world in many locations with the love and good deeds of Christ!

For each of us The Church of Influence Fund becomes a yearly way to assess our generosity. Most of the church funding comes from the general fund, but a very important 20% of our funding comes from the pledges we make to the Church fo Influence Fund. The funds are used for current ministry including some staff costs. If pledges exceed our current ministry needs, this allows us to expand our ministry influence in this community.

This year we will use some of the funds to save for parking expansion, auditorium technology and seating enhancements, replacing worn carpeting, and improved signage inside and outside the building. All of these measures will make our experience and that of our guests much more pleasant.

Our pledge desisions should be made by this Sunday, May 23rd. They can be mailed into the church, placed in the offering plate, or communicated online through the church website. I will be praying for you as you faithfully and obediently step out in faith to honor our Lord with a generous heart and mind.

See You this Weekend!

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Inner Circles

But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

Jesus says His followers are empowered witnesses. That is our identity. Being a witness is simply a function of who we are as Christians. We just tell others about all Jesus is in our own lives.

How being an empowered witness is our identity and not just a task is all because of the Holy Spirit.

Do not leave Jerusalem; but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5

This week we will learn about "the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." If you are a believer this promised gift is yours. The Holy Spirit is the reason you are an empowered witness.

I trust you will make this weekend a priority on your schedule. Understanding these important truths is so important to our lives and witness in OUR WORLD. By means of the Holy SPirit we are way more influential than most of us realize.

This weekend you will see many ministry testimonies of God's goodness to our Constance Family. We will also be reading a first hand testimony of one of the great "fishers of men". You can read ahead in Acts 2:1-41.

I am so encouraged by our churches desire 'to exist for the one not yet here.' This is a living out of our vision to influence our world in many locations with Christ's love and good deeds. What a joy for each one of us to fully participate in God's heart and kingdom priorities.

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Circles of Influence

Most of us underestimate our influence. I was talking to a friend in the church lobby Wednesday night. He told me he had been praying for his neighbors and his Christian testimony in his neighborhood. He has had some talks with neighbors about spiritual things and some of the neighborhood kids have come to youth group at times. One neighbor seemed to have no interest, and he had no opportunity to talk about spiritual things with this family. This family knew some of the neighborhood kids had come to Constance. This week that family asked for the times of our Constance Worship Services. They said they were coming to Church this Sunday. Amazing! Also an answer to faithful prayers (Pray and Watch) and living an authentic Christian life before neighbors.

I believe God has strategically placed each one of you as beacons of hope and light in your neighborhoods. The hope we have and the light we shine all comes from Jesus who uses your life and circumstances to show his love and mercy to all who are still far away from knowing him.
"And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making hsi appeal through us...." 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Ask God to continually help you to see your neighbors and friends as He does, pray for them, love them, serve them in Jesus' name. "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view...." 2 Corithinas 5:16. I know God will bless this faithfulness for it is his desire that all come to a knowledge of faith in Jesus Christ!

Speaking of influential people. Who has more influence than Mom's?? This week is Mother's Day and also a day we do Baby dedications. This week we will have many guests invited by these parents. Please pray for these family members and friends that Our Father by means of the Holy Spirit would work in hearts and lives and draw them to Jesus. Pray for these families as they desire to raise their families with Jesus at the center of their lives.

This month we are considering our vision as it pertains to the call of God in our lives as a local church body. Our vision as a church is to influence our world in many locations with Christ's love and good deeds. During this time would you come before God and ask what that means for God using your time , talent and treasure for His kingdom building purposes.

Who in your life has God placed so that they can see God's love and grace??? "Father, please send your Holy SPirit to work in the hearts of these people. Draw them to Jesus and make them kingdom workers."

See you all this weekend!

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Being a People of Vision

"The vision at Constance Free Church is to influence OUR world in many locations with the Christ's love and good deeds."

I love our vision statement! It is so personal! It paints a reality of each one of us, in our unique worlds, walking in step with the Father, taking each situation of our lives as an opportunity to share Christ with others. To truly be a church and people of influence.

Oswald Chambers shares some thoughts about the everyday circumstance of our lives:

"The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight....

It was said of Jesus — 'He will not fail nor be discouraged . . .' (Isaiah 42:4) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible. Getting into God’s stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give up because the pain is intense right now— get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose."

This is my desire for us as a body of believers, namely that we would allow God's Spirit to transform how we view our world. That the impossible becomes possible as people are attracted to the love and good deeds of Jesus Christ that are lived out through his people. Pray and Watch God work through your lives.

I look forward to worshiping together this weekend. There is a tremendous blessing and encouragement when we come together as a church family. Make this a priority for your weekend.

Sharing in the Vision,

Pastor Randy