Dave Pretlove

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,

God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Because we are compelled by Christ’s love, Lord willing, over the next 3 years we will:

a. Increase our emphasis and support in areas of foster care and adoption

b. Increase partnerships with local non-profits and ministries

c. 100 LifeGroups each with a local cause or a local partner ministry that the group is supporting and engaging

a. A campus of LifeChurch within 15 minutes of 85% of the people in Northern Nevada: Damonte, Carson, Sparks

b. Create more space at Damonte, Mezzanine, and parking: Late 2023 - Early 2024

c. Launch Carson Campus: Interest meeting in March, official grand opening in late 2023

d. Launch Sparks Campus: Late 2024

a. Discipleship Seminars: Starting Spring 2023

b. Life Christian Academy: ultimately K-8; Kindergarten launching Fall 2023 - K-3 launching fall 2024

c. Internship program and school of ministry

What is one thing that stood out to you about Christ’s love from Sunday’s message?

One idea from this weekend was that most people don’t make a difference in this world because they’re living for themselves. How have you seen this play out in your own life or the lives of others?

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul refers to us as ambassadors for Christ and reminds us that we don’t act on our own agenda, but on the Lord’s agenda and mission. What are some ways you can align yourself with Christ’s agenda and live out his mission in your everyday life?

Pastor Dave shared some of LifeChurch’s vision for the next few years. What areas of that vision are you most excited about and how will you be involved in the vision of our LifeChurch family?

What about your personal vision for making a difference? What are some ways this group can help you make a difference and be an ambassador in your family, at your work, or with your friends?

“Having Acts 1:8 power means God will empower your life and words in the sharing of the gospel in ways you will often not perceive. To put it another way, the Holy Spirit may grant much power to your witness in an evangelistic encounter without giving you any feeling or sense of power in it.”

- Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

This week, practice the spiritual habit of evangelism. You don’t have to have all the right words or know a bunch about apologetics. The same Holy Spirit that lives inside you will empower you this week to share with someone. Ask God to give you fresh eyes to see how to make a difference in someone around you. Pray Acts 1:8 this week and ask God to reveal an opportunity to share how Jesus has changed your life.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 ESV

“Let me be content to minister regardless of visible outcomes, trusting that the small mercies I extend will be woven into the larger theme of redemption at work in the lives of others as you woo them to yourself, drawing their hearts by graces offered.”

“A Liturgy Before Serving Others”, Every Moment Holy, Douglas McKelvey

We are so grateful to begin 2023 with a season of prayer and fasting and to focus back on increasing our hunger for the Kingdom of Heaven. We have focused in on the heart of God which has led us to other people! Last week it led us to one another as we look to grow our hearts for community and spiritually-healthy relationships. And now God has led us to our community and those that haven’t experienced him yet.

As we pray and fast this week for a greater heart to make a difference, I found myself reading further into 2 Corinthians. We left off at 6:3 on Sunday, but in 6:13, Paul encourages the church at Corinth to “widen [their] hearts”. What a beautiful phrase to use when asking the Lord to renew our sense of ambassadorship this week. As we’re praying and fasting to make a difference, let’s ask the Lord to widen our hearts. Widen our hearts to see the person in need. Widen our hearts to see the family that is desperate for hope. Widen our hearts to see the co-worker that needs kind truth. Lord God, we pray to widen our hearts to make a difference this week and this year.

Blessings,

Lydia Long