Reflections From Sunday

It was good to be back @GFchurch this week. It always seems like an eternity when we are away from our family at Gateway. Natalie and I celebrated 15 years of marriage on January 28, 2010, so we took that weekend to ourselves. It was so refreshing. I thought I would share a picture from our wedding day. We haven't change much at all. Yeah, right!

I really enjoyed service this past Sunday, Scott Finch is doing a great job leading worship and it is a blessing to hear God's people sing praises to Him on a weekly basis. Zach Snow and I team taught the last 2 verses in the first chapter book of James.

"26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." NASB

I also like the way this reads in The Message:
26-27 "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."

We discussed the that our "religion" has to be pure, practical, personal, and practicing. I know the word "religion" has a negative connotation to many, but take time to watch the service here at GatewayTV if you missed it. We addressed that whole issue of "religion" as well. Also, notice that the scriptural text above states that we are to "visit", this gives us a demand to do something. It must involve action! Not only does our religion have to be pure, personal, practical and practicing, but we must keep ourselves unstained by the world; or as The Message states, "guarded against corruption from the godless world"

Lord, would you continue to give us opportunities to, both personally and corporately, share the truth of who You are with a world that is unconvinced of who You are and Your love for them. May our lives be pure, and our faith lived out in action.

ConnectGroup schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
Wednite (youth) @ 7pm @ The Snow's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch

.. I love our church
.. I love our team
.. I love our people
.. I love our community
.. I love what He is doing in us
.. I love what He is doing through us
.. I love that He is not done with us

There are some awesome things coming up in the life of Gateway Fellowship.
.. new ConnectGroup video studies by Zach Snow
.. new Creative Arts stuff being led by Scott Finch
.. new way to stay connected with GFchurch Facebook Page

Sunday Reflections

Today was a great day at GFchurch. Our Creative Arts Pastor, Scott Finch did a great job leading worship this morning. I always love watching His people engage in worship. The vibe in the building this morning was awesome! I preached part 4 of the series "James:: The Essentials" this morning. We looked at James 1: 19-20
"19 This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

We see here that there are three things we are told to do specifically:
1. Be quick to hear
2. Be slow to speak
3. Be slow to anger

If you were unable to attend the service this morning, you can catch it here
GatewayTV

Next week, I will be in Oklahoma preaching for a Youth Conference. Zach Snow will be preaching part 5 of James:: The Essentials. He will be covering verses 21-25 of chapter 1. You will want to be there!

The following week on February 7, 2010 Zach Snow and I will team teach verses 26-27 of chapter 1, as we look at what "pure and undefiled religion is". I always enjoy the times that we get to tag-team preach the scriptures. You will want to be there as we cover these awesome verses.


ConnectGroup schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
Wednite (youth) @ 7pm @ The Snow's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch

.. I love our church
.. I love our team
.. I love our people
.. I love our community
.. I love what He is doing in us
.. I love what He is doing through us
.. I love that He is not done with us

There are some awesome things coming up in the life of Gateway Fellowship.
.. new ConnectGroup video studies by Zach Snow
.. new Creative Arts stuff being led by Scott Finch
.. new way to stay connected with GFchurch Facebook Page

Sunday Reflections

Today was a great day at GFchurch. The worship led by Scott Finch and Steve Baker was great. Here is a video clip before everyone got there this morning. We walked through part3 of our, "James:: The Essentials" sermon series covering verses 12-18 of James 1. You can watch the complete service by watching GatewayTV.

In the Scriptures that we studied this morning we can see that there is (1) a promise in verse 12 (2) a caution in verse 13 (3) a truth shared in verse 14 and (4) a declaration made in verse 17.

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

~James 1: 12-18

There are a few things to think about here. What does it say about those who persevere through trial? How are we tempted and why? What does it birth?

Rejoice in knowing that everything that is good and perfect comes down from the Father of lights and that there is no VARIATION.

I am already looking forward to next weeks message!

ConnectGroup schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
Wednite (youth) @ 7pm @ The Snow's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch

.. I love our church
.. I love our team
.. I love our people
.. I love our community
.. I love what He is doing in us
.. I love what He is doing through us
.. I love that He is not done with us

There are some awesome things coming up in the life of Gateway Fellowship.
.. new ConnectGroup video studies by Zach Snow
.. new Creative Arts stuff being led by Scott Finch
.. new way to stay connected with GFchurch Facebook Page

Information vs. Encounter

We used this video this morning in Chapel. Louie shares the difference between information and encounter while talking about Krispy Kreme.

Sunday Reflections

We had an amazing day at GFchurch. The service had great energy and it is always great seeing old friends. We are in a series called, "James:: The Essentials" and we walked through part two of the series this morning as we looked at verses 9-11 of the first chapter in James.

.....9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.....

We looked at how these verses give us an example of how to get perspective on our possessions. We understand that we are all in "absolute poverty before God apart from His grace". We understand that we are to take our eyes of of what we "don't have temporally" and fix our eyes on what we "do have" in Jesus Christ. We also understand that the fleeting pursuit of riches is all in vain. Christ has called us to live with an open hand. We must be the possessors of our possessions and not allow ourselves to become possessed by our possessions!

A few things we can do to get perspective is to (1) trust He is is control (2) be content with what we have (3) be compassionate with what He has given us.



ConnectGroup schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
Wednite (youth) @ 7pm @ The Snow's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch

.. I love our church
.. I love our team
.. I love our people
.. I love our community
.. I love what He is doing in us
.. I love what He is doing through us
.. I love that He is not done with us

There are some awesome things coming up in the life of Gateway Fellowship.
.. new ConnectGroup video studies by Zach Snow
.. new Creative Arts stuff being led by Scott Finch
.. new way to stay connected with GFchurch Facebook Page

What I Need From You

I read this blog post from a fellow pastor, who is asking his church to pray for him, and it resonated with my heart so much that I wanted to pass it on to you and ask you to to the same.

Here is what I need from you…PRAYER! Here is what I ask you to PRAY DAILY:


#1 Guard my Heart…
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

My heart is pulled by so many things, but I want The Spirit of God at the door, opening and closing as He leads.

#2 Guard my Marriage…
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage should be honored by all…”

God’s plan for me always involves living out an obedient marriage. My call demands it.

#3 Guard my Family…
Job 1:10 “”Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?”

The enemy will attack whatever he can get his hands on. I don’t want that to be my kids. They are affected by everything in our lives. God is going to use them in a big way, I know He is.

#4 Guard my Ministry…
2 Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
2 Timothy 4:5 “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

This year is going to bring great challenges and great reward. I want to lead on the micro and macro level this year. God has pruned us and we are ready for much growth. Please pray as God leads.

#5 Guard my Church Family…
Philemon 1:7 “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”

Refreshment is the prayer I pray for our church family. God is going to use them supernaturally this year. I am praying for these specific things in 2010.

If you would agree with me in prayer this year and regularly pray this prayer for me, would you comment here or email me at trent@welcometogateway.org

Sunday Reflections

We began a new series in the NT letter of James this morning. I am excited about walking through this letter with the body of GFchurch. This morning we looked at the first 8 verses of James and have asked the church to read those verses everyday this week. We looked at the scriptural directive to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2-3) this morning. Notice the scripture says, "when you encounter" not "if you encounter". Life is full of trials that we will walk through and we need wisdom when we do the walking. we are directed, once again, in scripture to ASK for wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). I am praying this for our church and for our people. May we continue to ASK God for wisdom in all that we do. In the midst of the trial we will walk through, may we count is or consider it joy because the testing of our faith produces endurance. I am confident that He has called us all the persevere, to endure, to finish the race that is set before us.

I am praying for 2010 and all that He is wanting to do in us and through us!

ConnectGroup schedule beginning Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
Wednite (youth) @ 7pm @ The Snow's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch

.. I love our church
.. I love our team
.. I love our people
.. I love our community
.. I love what He is doing in us
.. I love what He is doing through us
.. I love that He is not done with us

There are some awesome things coming up in the life of Gateway Fellowship.
.. new ConnectGroup video studies by Zach Snow
.. new Creative Arts stuff being led by Scott Finch
.. new way to stay connected with GFchurch Facebook Page