Those are not the words you want to hear from God when you are in the middle of a tragedy.  God doesn’t always answer our prayers as expected.  Sometimes he has to bring you through it rather than delivering you from it – but whatever it is He chooses to do –  it’s for God’s glory AND for OUR good!

Go back and read the rest of the chapter.  We serve a trustworthy God who has never made a promise that was too good to be true.

Are you a follower of Jesus? Don’t answer too quickly. You may indeed be a passionate, fully devoted follower of Jesus. Or, you may be just a fan who admires Jesus but isn’t ready to let him cramp your style. Then again, maybe you’re not into Jesus at all. Some people don’t know what they’ve said yes to and other people don’t realize what they’ve said no to. Join us for this series as we learn to live the way Jesus lived, love the way He loved, pray the way He prayed, and never give up living for the One who gave His all for us.

Join us this Sunday as we begin this brand NEW series!

Worship Experience Schedule:

Sundays @ 9:45 & 11:30AM
Location: Barber Middle School (Next to Acworth Elementary)
www.freedomchurch.tv

I’ve mentioned before that I see this verse every time I open my computer.

God has been so good to us.  So much better than we could ever ask, think, or imagine.  Even in tough circumstances the hand of God has been evident every step of the way.  I am not just writing that to write it.  I write it because it’s true and because I realize it now more than ever before.

We have seen 651 people give their lives to Christ in our 1st 4 years.  220 in 2011 – more than any other year of our history.   However, I believe that we are going to see even greater things in 2012.  Greater things in the lives of those far from God.  Greater things in the lives of those who have been followers of Christ for years.   He has done it before, Now God, do it again…

…So that people far from God – can experience life in Christ!  It’s not just a slogan. It’s a vision.  It’s God’s vision.  Therefore, it’s ours as well.

1. Our staff, volunteers & all who make it happen – you are stellar & I’d do it again with all of you! #FreedomChurch
2. Wow and Gratitude are my words for the day we experienced at Freedom. God is good!
3. 4 years young; 638 Salivations; 290 Baptisms; Freedom Church is just getting started. Looking forward to whats to come!
4. Happy Birthday Freedom! Thank you for investing in Genesis Church! You’re making an impact in West TN as well.
5. Major shout out and many thanks to Nikki Barden for an Awesome day with our Freedom Kidz!!!!! You are also my superhero!!!
6. 638 salvations! 290 baptisms! All in 4 years at Freedom Church!! Way to go God!!
7. Happy 4th birthday Freedom Church! 638 balloons = 638 lives changed — at Freedom Church
8. All Things New was an amazing series at Freedom Church, We’re so blessed to have amazing pastor/speakers like JR Lee, Austin Porter, Todd Lollis, and Tony Nolan. Already stoked for Not A Fan. Is it Sunday yet?
9. Awesome worship experience at Freedom church this morning and lunch w friends.
10. Just Love Freedom Church!

The Last 10 Via Twitter:

•  11LocsJan 29, 9:25pm via Twitter for iPhone

  @malthegal it was soooo good being at @freedomchurch today! Can’t wait to join you again soon :-

• daniellucasJan 29, 4:10pm via TweetCaster for iOS
  
  Happy Birthday @CrosspointKY and @freedomchurch! Can’t believe it has been 4 years! So happy for @Jrlee and his friendship! Best is coming!

• KaylaPellumJan 29, 2:50pm via WebAwesome service this morning! The performance at the end was incredible!! Oh how I love me some @freedomchurch

  ToddLollisJan 29, 1:49pm via HootSuiteDear @freedomchurch vol., You’re not just a vol. You’re an instrument that God is using!! The last 4 yrs proves YOU are making a difference

  TerriBrooks1Jan 29, 1:35pm via Twitter for iPhone@freedomchurch best birthday ever! Christ was in the house!!!

  missterimom1Jan 29, 10:45am via HTC PeepRT @ToddLollis Happy 4 year anniversary @freedomchurch ! We’ve seen God do many, many great things. But we haven’t seen anything yet!

  tonynolanliveJan 29, 10:19am via Twitter for iPhone@Jrlee is giving God glory for the “preview reel” HE created with @freedomchurch.#bestisyettocome

  ToddLollisJan 29, 10:16am via HootSuiteHappy 4 year anniversary @freedomchurch ! We’ve seen God do many, many great things. But we haven’t seen anything yet!#TheBestIsComing

  hales3trJan 29, 9:03am via Twitter for AndroidHappy 4th Birthday, @freedomchurch! You’re growing up so fast!

  kelsianneJan 29, 8:24am via Twitter for iPhoneHAPPY BIRTHDAY @freedomchurch! You’ve taken me on the most incredible journey the past four years and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

  BrandonJ_MillerJan 29, 7:44am via WebCONGRATS on 4 great years to @Jrlee and the @freedomchurch team that are impacting this community for the Kingdom. Your risk = His reward!

  TerriBrooks1Jan 29, 6:03am via WebHAPPY BIRTHDAY @freedomchurch!!!! I LOVE YOU! HAPPY TO SERVE WITH THE BEST!!!

  Jason_BolinJan 29, 12:06am via Web@freedomchurch Happy 4th Anniversary! You guys are impacting our community in a big way and I celebrate with you!#YourBestIsYetToCome

  tonynolanliveJan 28, 7:42pm via Twitter for iPhoneI’m stoked for @freedomchurch ! 4 awesome years of hundreds getting saved and baptized and the community experiencing Jesus!

The next several weeks are going to be more of the same!

This coming Sunday we celebrate our 4 Year Anniversary!  Bring as many people with you  as possible as we celebrate in style all that God has done in our past as we believe it is a preview of what He is going to do in the future!

The following week we are kicking off a brand new series entitled “Not a Fan“.  Earlier in 2011, I spent some time with a 5-6 other guys and an incredible Pastor named Bob Russell.  Long story short – he gave us a book entitled Not a Fan and after reading I knew we would eventually make it into a series at Freedom.  I can’t wait to see what God is going to do during these 5 weeks!  Trust me.

I haven’t preached since January 8th and I can’t wait to give you what God’s given me for Sunday!  See you then!

“Tell me what distinguishes him from so many others”.

I had never been asked that question about this particular person so I thought about it for a few moments before answering…

1.  Good communicator?  Yes.    Distinguishing characteristic?  No.
2.  Good leader?  Yes.  Distinguishing characteristic?  No.
3.  Engaging Personality?  Yes.  Distinguishing characteristic?  No.

After a couple minutes of thinking through some of the potential answers, I blurted out the following.  ”The distinguishing characteristic of that man is that when I am around him it is evident that he has been with Jesus.  As a matter of fact, I want to be more like Jesus every time I am with this person.”

I am not sure that there was a greater compliment I could have given him.  I am not sure there is a greater compliment that anyone could ever give us.

That said, what is our (yours and mine) distinguishing characteristic?   I am not sure what it is right now but I know what I desire for it to be.

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

At Freedom Church we believe that God has called us to impact the world with the Gospel. We believe that the message of Jesus Christ can and will change lives!

• No matter how far you/they have gone…
• No matter how bad it’s become…
• No matter how long it’s been…
• Our God can make ALL THINGS NEW!

We have seen it happen hundreds and hundreds of times and that is going to continue this Sunday in a powerful way!  Here’s where I need your help.

You do a fantastic job week in and week out by bringing friends and family with you but beginning this week I want all of us to step it up even more.  The next couple of weeks are going to be some of the most powerful we have ever seen and I want as many people in our city as possible to experience it with us!

• Make phone calls.
• Send invites via Facebook/Twitter.
• Do whatever you have to do.

Let’s pray that the people we bring with us will be impacted by the message of Jesus and I guarantee your life will be impacted in the process as well.  You don’t have to do this alone.  God is with you in your invitation!

Acts 1:8 And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

I love what God is doing during this season and I look forward to seeing you – and those you bring with you – on Sunday!