What’s happening this morning…Sunday, Mar11 th , 2012 Paul Johnston CONTINUES on our series of the “Fruit of the Spirit” – with “GOODNESS”! Our HOST this morning James Rowden Leading Worship is : She Says Electric Speaking : Paul Johnston ANNOUNCEMENTS Mar 18 th , 2012 Speaking – Luc Deschamps - Fruit of the Spirit – “Faithfulness” Mar 25 th , 2012 Speaking – Patti White - Fruit of the Spirit – “Gentleness” Apr 1 st , 2012 Speaking – Dave Klingensmith - Fruit of the Spirit – “Self Control” FINANCES WHAT’S COMING UP! March 2012 - Offering 2012 Needs: $ 29,740 2012 Received: $ 25,298 NO Langley Community Meal for March We’ve had to cancel our community meal this month due to some mechanical problems with our dishwasher. Our hope is to have it up and going for next week. Our Next Meal is Wednesday April 4 th @ 6pm. 2 Corinth 9:7 Pledge – If you haven’t had a chance to share this with us we encourage you to do so by the end of today thru the website or by filling out a form. It essential in helping us to more effectively anticipate and manage the resources we're entrusted with. Friday Night Prayer Gathering – This Friday – 7pm Come – spend an evening praying – worshipping. We’re praying for God’s continued will and desires to be released here for FLV. Simply Women Breakfast –Sat. Mar 17 th 9am We’ll have a great breakfast, gather as women connecting with God. Please let Patti know if you can make it so we know how much to prepare. FLV’s (St. Patty’s Day) Soup Sunday - Sunday Mar 18 th is Soup Sunday! It’s an opportunity for us all to enjoy a meal together and just hang out with each other. If you’re new to FLV and want to get to know us and give us a chance to know you COME! Soup Recipe is available in the hallway. We need a few volunteers! We’re looking for a few people to work as a group in helping keep the building clean. If you want to help out please see Leith White. 5708 Glover Road | Langley, BC | V3A 8J7 | p: 604.530.8463 | e: [email protected] | w: www.langleyvineyard.com You can CONTRIBUTE to FLV thru debit or by credit card anytime – AUTO Debit Withdrawal is now available too - See Leith for more info. Article:How to Boast ** For bulletin updates, scheduling or announcements email [email protected] ** OR scan this! Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 1:31 “Boast in Jesus” is one of those churchy exhortations that we Christians often toss around without much thought. What does it mean? Is it redirecting all compliments to God? Is it acknowledging God after touchdowns and during acceptance speeches? Is it a statement stamped on our money? These common forms of boasting in the Lord often (though perhaps not always) amount to empty lip service. Here are six ways to get beyond mere words: 1) RECOGNIZE THAT IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS. In the context of 1 Corinthians 1:31, Paul discourages the Corinthians from deriving their self-worth from personal achievements and crediting their salvation to their own lovableness. Jesus is the source and sum of everything; we are not. This compels us to live a life marked by grace and humility. 2) ENJOY ACCOMPLISHMENTS BUT DON’T TAKE THE GLORY. God created us to work, and there’s a holy satisfaction in a job well done. In fact, Jesus wants us to do a good job (Matt. 25:21). Problems arise, however, when we begin to derive our value, identity, and security from our accomplishments. We drift from dependence on God to reliance on self. 3) LEARN FROM DISAPPOINTMENTS BUT DON’T DWELL ON THEM. Conversely, when we fail or when life gets hard, we can boast in God by trusting in him. Dwelling on disappointment reveals a faith vested in whatever was lost rather than a faith planted in the infallible God. 4) SEEK AND PRACTICE HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE. We will all take credit we don’t deserve. We will all pout over disappointment. We will all get caught chasing our own glory rather than God’s. This is not an excuse but rather cause for true humility (not the lip service kind) and ongoing repentance, which keeps us close to Jesus and his life and death on our behalf. 5) REDEEM THE GIFTS, DESIRES, AND PASSIONS YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN. Maybe God blessed you with incredible talent, extensive wealth, a keen mind, etc. Think about how to use these gifts for the Kingdom. This could simply be doing what you do with excellence and then faithfully stewarding the influence, relationships, and resources God grants you, or it could be more specifically applying your gifts to the work of ministry. 6) EMBRACE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE WORK AND MISSION OF JESUS. Give, serve, and become a member at your church. Be hospitable to your neighbors and share the life and things God has given to you. Talk about his work in your life. Invite others to know him. Live generously and show that your hope, your confidence, your worth—your boast—is in Jesus. By Jameie Munson – Repriinted from Resuregence