notes from Refuel 13

Wednesday was a pretty incredible day as I spent some time with some great people at the REFUEL conference put on by Pastor Jonathan Falwell at Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University.  The sessions we were able to attend were led by Pete Wilson from Nashville, Jimmy Carroll from Raleigh and a group of great pastors and church planters.  I’d like to share some notes that I took.

Pete Wilson from Crosspoint Church in Nashville notes ----

Leading through trials, adversity and crisis is the reality of really being a leader and is seen all through scripture.  We come to understand that God cared more about who they were becoming instead of where they were going.

What would you do if you were absolutely confident that God is with you?

The greatest illusion of all leaders is the illusion of control.  The more success you have the greater this illusion is.

We tend to jump to the conclusion that God isn't with us when things don't go our way, yet God is most powerfully present when we think he's not there.

We assume if the Lord is with you that everything will turn out great.  That's not what the bible teaches.

Joseph was stripped of his coat but not of his identity.

Just because you walk away from temptation doesn't mean that it's gone.  Potiphar’s wife went after him day after day.

Remember we are called to be faithful to God even if it feels like he's abandoned us.  Worship him even in tears.

So much of our so called prayer is not because we want God. It is because of what we want from him.

He is a God of resurrections.

Our faith shouldn't be in God's activity.  It should be in his identity of who he says he is.  He knows what's going on.

Psalm 18:2  NLT

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
 He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

Jimmy Carroll from Journey Church in Raleigh, NC notes:

The disciples actions said they weren't "all in".

We is always gonna be better than me.  But we cannot be a substitute for me.

2 Corinthians 5:17  NLT

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

This verse teaches us that in Christ we have a new identity.  We are no longer defined by what I say, what others say...

It further says that we have a new purpose.

Finally it says we have a new mission (see verses 18-20). We have been given the ministry of, message of reconciliation.  You are you are an ambassador of Christ.

The solution to lostness in any of our communities is you. Every follower of Jesus embracing the personal responsibility of being the hands bad feet of Jesus.

Be the greatest you can be.  But that is not who you are.  Your job is not your identity.  Be as happy as you can be.  But that's not who you are.  Be the child of God he made you to be so others see God and get to know him.

I'm a pastor.  We all are.  We are here to help people follow Jesus.  How many people are following Jesus because of you?  When was the last tine you cried for the lost ness in your city?

Discover who you are and deploy that truth.

Be intentional about helping others find Jesus.  Live out the mission that God has given to you.  But imagine what it's like when we run and work together.

It was great to spend time with Kirk Montgomery from Fairway Church in our community and Keith Fulcher who is caring from The Community Fellowship’s facilities.  These sessions and the awesome worship blessed us.  I hope the notes above encourage you!