Saddleback Church

October 15, 2010

 

Decade of Destiny Update #9

 

Hello Saddleback!

 

This weekend is FRIENDS’ DAY again, and I’m eager to share more powerful keys from God’s Word for your Decade of Destiny. Last weekend we looked at how to set up a plan to get where you want to be in 10 years based on Genesis 24. This weekend, I’ll share how to overcome the common pitfalls, problems, and people that sabotage your dream and destiny, based on the lessons of Noah from Genesis 6-9. You can’t afford to miss this … and care enough to invite a friend!

 

Here are SIX LINKS you need for Decade of Destiny:

 

1) To join or host a Decade of Destiny Small Group.

 

2) To subscribe to Drive Time Devotions so you can learn 40 promises of God to you.

 

3) To catch up and watch the messages you’ve missed:

• How to Get Where You Want to Be (Oct. 9-10)
• Blessed or Stressed: It’s Your Choice (Oct. 2-3)
• Preparing Your Mind For The Future ( Sept. 23-25)
• How To Get your Vision Back (Sept.18-19)
• Don’t Waste Tomorrow (Sept. 11-12)
• Possessing Your Destiny (Sept. 4-5)

4) To watch the pivotal DECADE OF DESTINY VISION MESSAGE.

5)  To choose a City PEACE Service Project for your small group.

6)  To help with the Decade of Destiny Health Expo (Oct. 30-31). Contact Carol at carolc@saddleback.com if you’re interested. There’s limited space available.

 
I DEEPLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

 

I would love to hear your testimony and feedback on what you thought of the Vision Rally and where we are going together in the next 10 years. Please take a minute to let me know your thoughts!  Below are just a few comments I’ve received. Share your thoughts with me about Decade of Destiny here!

 

 “Pastor Rick, your words of vision still echo in my head!  I've never been so humbled and motivated. Humbled that I have the privilege to be a small part of God's plans and motivated because I know that God will provide! I have felt for several months that we are all being prepared for a major step, and God confirmed that as you shared the vision. We are on an incredible journey together and I am TOTALLY and COMPLETELY SURRENDERED!”

“Being a part of this church family and journey is unlike anything I have ever been a part of. Every day I am challenged and stretched. I know this journey will be difficult yet rewarding … I am with you all the way! I am willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of this team and take Saddleback to the next level. Thanks for the opportunity for the journey of a lifetime. I love you and I love our Saddleback family!”

Decade of Destiny is a two month spiritual growth campaign beginning this week to prepare you spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically, and relationally to make the next 10 years the best years of your life.

 

October 8, 2010

From Pastor Rick

 

Dear Saddleback Family,

Below are the major promises of God’s blessing that I told you I’d send you. This would be a good list to read and discuss with your family at meal times.

 

 LAST NIGHT’S VISION RALLY MIRACLE!

A man who visited a Saddleback service only once came to last night’s Vision Rally. He was so moved and inspired by God’s Vision; he said “I want to be a part of this movement!” He was the first in line for me to baptize after the service, and then told a pastor he was giving $250,000 toward a Decade of Destiny project! He doesn’t even live in Orange County!

Each night lives are being changed! Great crowds and infectious enthusiasm! Tonight at 7:00 p.m. or Saturday at 9:00 a.m. are your last two chances to attend a Decade of Destiny Vision Rally! I will be baptizing after each rally.

                         

HAVE YOU DECIDED WHO YOU’RE BRINGING TO FRIENDS’ DAY THIS WEEKEND? The single greatest gift you can give your neighbors and co-workers is the good news of their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and an eternal home in heaven. Don’t waste this opportunity to make a friend for eternity!

A LIST OF GOD’S PROMISES OF BLESSING IF YOU DO WHAT HE SAYS:

 

We don’t deserve God’s blessings.       

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”  John 1:16 (NIV)

 

But God enjoys blessing his children and wants to bless you!

“I will enjoy blessing them. With all my heart and soul I will faithfully plant them in this land.” Jer. 32:41 (GW)                        

 

“My blessings are for Gentiles, too, when they accept the Lord; don't let them think that I will make them second-class citizens. They can be as much mine as anyone.”  Isaiah 56:3 (LB)

 

 

God promises to bless you IF you follow his instructions. Every promise has a premise. There’s a condition attached.

“You will experience all these blessings IF you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in your towns and in the country. You will be blessed with many children and productive fields. You will be blessed with fertile herds and flocks. You will be blessed with baskets overflowing with fruit, and with kneading bowls filled with bread. You will be blessed wherever you go, both in coming and in going. The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you… And the Lord will bless everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain.”  Deuteronomy 28:2-8 (NLT)

 

God wants to bless you visibly in front of others as a testimony.

“Lord, you have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You do much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.”  Psalm 31:19 (NLT)

 

God blesses you so you can be a blessing to others!

“I will cause my people and their homes around my holy hill to BE a blessing. And I will send showers, showers of blessings, which will come just when they are needed.”  Ezekiel 34:26 (NLT)

 

God’s blessing can be passed on to generations. You can create a legacy.

“After Abraham's death, God poured out rich blessings on Isaac.”  Gen. 25:11 (NLT)

 

It’s never too late to start living a God-blessed life!

“The Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the first half of his life.”   Job 42:12

 

God promises to bless my life IF I meet with him daily.

“Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching DAILY at my doors, waiting at my doorway.”

Prov. 8:34    

 

God promises to bless my life IF I study and do his Word.

“Blessed is the man… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his word he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”   Ps. 1:1-3

“The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:25

 

God promises to bless my life IF I tithe my income.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  Malachi 3:10

 

God promises to bless my life IF I help others in need, especially the poor.

“God blesses those who are kind to the poor and helpless. He helps them out of their own troubles. He protects them and keeps them alive; he publicly honors them and destroys the power of their enemies.”  Psalm 41:1-2

                                                             

 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.”  Prov. 22:9    

                 

God promises to bless my life IF I share the Good News.

“I pray you will be active in sharing your faith, so that you will fully understand every blessing we have in Christ.”  Philemon 1:6

                                              

“The man who PLANTS and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.”  1 Cor. 3:8

               

 Good people bless and build up their city.”  Prov.11:11                  

               

God promises to bless my life IF I participate in fellowship with other believers.

“I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.”  Rom 1:12

                                              

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed IF you DO them.”   John 13:17

 

SOME OF THE MANY VERSES ON BLESSING IN THE BIBLE

 

“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.”   Proverbs 10:22 (NIV)

 

“For those who are always generous and lend freely, their children will be blessed.” Psalm 37:26 (NIV)

 

“If you return to the Almighty, you will be blessed again. So remove evil from your house.”

Job 22:23 (NCV)

 

“Even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."  Luke 11:28 (NLT)

 

“(Help the unfortunate…) and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:14 (NIV)

 

“Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God's, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures.”  Deut. 15:10 (Mes)

 

“Worship the Lord your God and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.”  Exodus 23:25 (NIV)

 

“‘Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”  1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

 

“Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”  Deut. 15:10 (NIV)

 

“Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things.”  Psalm 128:1-2 (NCV)

 

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  James 1:12 (NIV)

 

"If they listen and obey God, then they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.”  Job 36:11 (NLT)

 

"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” Job 5:17 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.”  Psalm 1:1 (GW)

 

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”  Psalm 40:4 (NIV)

 

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house to worship; they are ever praising you.”  Psalm 84:4 (NIV)

 

“Give freely to the poor person, and do not wish that you didn't have to give. The Lord your God will bless your work and everything you touch.”  Deut. 15:10 (NCV)

 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in you.”  Psalm 84:12 (NIV)

 

“If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the Lord has blessed you with, then do this: Sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship.”  Deut. 14:24-25 (TEV)

 

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.” Psalm 89:15 (NIV)

 

“Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”  Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

 

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.” Psalm 128:1 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.”  Psalm 41:1-2 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”  Psalm 112:1-2 (NIV)

 

“Blessed are those who keep my ways.”  Proverbs 8:32 (NIV)

 

“Each of these blessings depends on your not turning aside in any way from the laws I have given you; and you must never worship other gods.”  Deut. 28:14 (Living)

 

“Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law.”  Psalm 94:12 (NIV)

 

“It is sin to despise one's neighbors; blessed are those who help the poor.”  Proverbs 14:21 (NLT)

 

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV)

 

“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.”  Prov. 22:9 (NIV)

 

“Good people will be generous to others and will be blessed for all they do.”  Isaiah 32:8 (NLT)

 

“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and gains understanding.”  Proverbs 3:13 (NIV)

 

“A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”

 Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)

 

“The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.”             Proverbs 3:33 (NIV)

 

“People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.”

Proverbs 11:26 (NIV)

 

“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”  Proverbs 14:21 (NIV)

 

“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”

Proverbs 16:20 (NIV)

 

“An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.”  Proverbs 20:21 (NIV)

 

“It will go well with those who convict the guilty and rich blessing will come upon them.”  Proverbs 24:25 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.”

Proverbs 28:14 (NIV)

 

“The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice

 Blessed are all who wait for him!”  Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)

 

“The best of all the first fruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.”  Ezekiel 44:30 (NIV)

 

“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.”  
Deut. 16:17 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the man… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on is word he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”  Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

 

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”’   Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”  Matthew 5:3-11 (NIV)

 

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28 (NIV)

 

“Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.”’  John 20:29 (NIV)

 

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"  Acts 20:35 (NIV)

 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”  Ephes. 1:3 (NIV)

 

“The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:25 (NIV)

 

“Even if you should suffer for what is right, you will be blessed.”  1 Peter 3:14

 

“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  1 Peter 4:14 (NIV) 

 

“If you can't carry that ten percent of your harvest to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshiped; if you live too far away, or if the Lord gives you a big harvest, then sell this part and take the money there instead.”  Deut. 14:24-25 (CEV)

 

“You should be happy to give the poor what they need, because then the Lord will make you successful in everything you do.”   Deut. 15:10 (CEV)

 

“… Each man is to bring a gift as he is able, in proportion to the blessings that the Lord your God has given him.”  Deut. 16:16-17 (TEV)

 

“Obey the Lord your God so that all these blessings will come and stay with you: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. Your children will be blessed, as well as your crops; your herds will be blessed with calves and your flocks with lambs. Your basket and your kitchen will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and when you go out. The Lord will help you defeat the enemies that come to fight you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will run from you in seven directions. The Lord will bless you with full barns, and he will bless everything you do.”  Deut. 28:2-8 (NCV)

 

"I will also bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the Lord and serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who have accepted his covenant.”
Isaiah 56:6 (NLT)

 

"A beautiful palace does not make a great king! Why did your father, Josiah, reign so long? Because he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him.”  Jeremiah 22:15 (NLT)

 

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will comes to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.”  Psalm 112:1-9 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.” Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV)

 

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing.”  Proverbs 10:7 (NIV)

 

“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” Proverbs 16:20 (NIV)

 

“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.”  Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)

 

Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)

 

“You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.”   2 Cor. 9:11 (CEV)

 

“The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (NIV)

 

“If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the Lord has blessed you with, then do this: Sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship.” Deut. 14:24-25 (TEV)

 

“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.”  Deut. 16:17 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”  Psalm 112:1-2 (NIV)

 

“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.”  Proverbs 3:13 (NIV)

 

“Blessed are those who keep my ways.”  Proverbs 8:32 (NIV)

 

“They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.” Psalm 37:26 (NIV)

 

“The best of all the first fruits will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest        on your household.” Ezekiel 44:30 (NIV)

 

Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some among you who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with others in need.”  Deut. 15:10-11 (NLT)

 

“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in his times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.”  Psalm 41:1-2 (NIV)

 

“Good people will be generous to others and will be blessed for all they do.” Isaiah 32:8 (NLT)

 

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28 (NIV)

 

I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.  In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.”  Romans 1:12 (NLT)

 

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”’  Mal. 3:10 (NIV)

 

“The best of all the first fruits will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.”  Ezekiel 44:30 (NIV)

 

“You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.”  2 Cor. 9:11 (CEV)

 

“If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the Lord has blessed you with, then do his: Sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship.”   Deut. 14:24-25 (TEV)

 

“God blesses those who are kind to the poor and helpless. He helps them out of their own troubles. He protects them and keeps them alive; he publicly honors them and destroys the power of their enemies”.  Psalm 41:1-2 (LB)

 

“Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some among you who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with others in need.”  Deut. 15:10-11 (NLT)

 

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed IF you DO them.”  John 13:17

Decade of Destiny is a two month spiritual growth campaign beginning this week to prepare you spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically, and relationally to make the next 10 years the best years of your life. October 7, 2010 Dear Saddleback Family,  What a fantastic evening! People didn’t want to go home! Last night over 2,500 more attended the second of this week’s FIVE DOD VISION RALLIES. Afterwards I baptized many people, including an entire small group, several married couples, a boyfriend & girlfriend, a dad & his son, and best friends. THURSDAY NIGHT VISION RALLY!   7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lake Forest Worship Center I can baptize YOU afterwards at 8:45 p.m.! “I have never felt so much hope and enthusiasm for my future. This vision rally changed my life!” “What a vision! What a church! I can’t wait for what God will do in me!” “I don’t know that I will be able to sleep tonight because I’m so excited for my life to make a difference.” “It was so great learning all the ‘Inside Information.’ Thank you. Thank you. Thank you God for our church family!” DO YOU “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR?”  Love begins when you walk across the street. Love is real when you care enough to invite them to a service this weekend for Friends’ Day.  Sadly, the longer you’ve been a believer, the more likely you will never invite unbelievers to attend with you. That’s why you lose your joy. Do you want to know the quickest way to get your joy back? Bring an unchurched friend this weekend!  THIS WEEKEND: A message of hope and inspiration: MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR NEXT 10 YEARS! Did you know we offer a full Sunday evening dinner in the Refinery after the last service each weekend? Over 350 people enjoyed the food and fun last week. This weekend, Chefs Chris and Pat are creating a gourmet Italian buffet.  Relax with all the friends you bring this weekend as we kick-off Decade of Destiny LAST CALL FOR YOUR PICTURES! We’re putting the final touches on the book TO EVERY NATION. If you went on a PEACE trip to any of the following nations please upload your photos (here) or bring them to a Vision Rally so we can include them in the book and movie.   Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte D'ivoire, Croatia, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Tajikistan, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zimbabwe I’ll see you tonight!

Saddleback Church Purpose Driven Network P.E.A.C.E. Coalition

Decade of Destiny is a two month spiritual growth campaign beginning this week to prepare you spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically, and relationally to make the next 10 years the best years of your life. October 6, 2010 ALERT: I WILL BE BAPTIZING AFTER EVERY VISION RALLY THIS WEEK INCLUDING TONIGHT! Dear Saddleback Family, Because of today’s culture of independent individualism, you might think that you don’t need the close fellowship of a small group to live out God’s destiny for you, but God would strongly disagree! A Christian without a small group is a defenseless spiritual orphan. As we begin Decade of Destiny, if you are not yet connected to one of our over 4,000 small groups, you need to start one! We’ll introduce you to some friends you can begin to build relationships with. Six Reasons You Need A Small Group 1. A small group moves me out of self-centered isolation. It’s the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It’s a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love. You learn to care about others and share the experiences of others: “If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor” (1 Cor. 12:26 NCV). Only in regular contact with ordinary, imperfect believers can we learn real fellowship and experience the connection God intends for us to have (Eph. 4:16, Rom. 12:4–5, Col. 2:19, 1 Cor. 12:25). REAL fellowship is being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ: “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16). This is the kind of sacrificial love God expects you to show other believers—loving them in the same way Jesus loves you. 2. A small group helps me develop spiritual muscle. You’ll never grow to maturity just by attending worship services and being a passive spectator. One of the main tools of spiritual growth is participation in a small group, where your spiritual muscles get a regular workout. The “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Eph. 4:16.) Over fifty times in the New Testament the phrase “one another” or “each other” is used. We‘re commanded to love each other, pray for each other, encourage each other, admonish each other, greet each other, serve each other, teach each other, accept each other, honor each other, bear each other’s burdens, forgive each other, submit to each other, be devoted to each other, and many other mutual tasks! These are your “family responsibilities” if you claim to be a part of God’s family. Who are you doing these with? Isolation breeds self-deception. It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking we’re mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships. We need more than the Bible in order to grow; we need other believers. When others share what God is teaching them, I learn and grow too! 3. A small group confirms my identity as a genuine believer. I can’t claim to be following Christ if I’m not committed to any specific group of disciples. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). When we come together in love as a small group from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and social status, it’s a witness to the world (Galatians 3:28, John 17:21). You’re not the Body of Christ on your own. You need others to express that. Together, not separated, we are his Body (1 Cor. 12:27). 4. A small group is the best way to share my God-given mission in the world. When Jesus walked the earth, even he had a small group! Today the church is Christ’s Body on earth. We’re not just to love each other; we’re to take that love together to the rest of the world. We’re his hands, his feet, his eyes, and his heart. He works through us in the world “He creates each of us to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing” (Eph 2:10 Msg). 5. A small group will help keep me from spiritually backsliding. None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin. God knows this, so he has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track. The Bible says, “Encourage one another daily … so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Heb 3:13). “Mind your own business” is NOT a Christian idea when it comes to helping each other! We’re commanded to be involved in each other’s lives. If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it’s your responsibility to go after them and bring them back into the fellowship. “If you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back” (James 5:19 Msg). Related to this is the benefit that being connected to a small group provides the spiritual protection of godly leaders. God gives shepherd leaders such as me, the responsibility to guard, protect, defend, and care for the spiritual welfare of his flock (Acts 20:28–29; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Hebrews 13:7, 17.). “Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God” (Heb 13:17 NLT). If you’re detached from the Saddleback Body of believers, I’m not responsible for you. If you are unplugged from the life of the Body and isolated from the fellowship of God’s family, Satan knows you’ll be defenseless and powerless against his tactics. 6. The Body of Christ needs me! You have a background and experiences that other people can learn from and draw strength from! God has a unique role for you to play in his family. This is called your “ministry,” and God has gifted you for this assignment. “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church” (1 Cor. 12:7). Your small group is the place God designed for you to discover, develop, and use your spiritual gifts and talents. LAST NIGHT’S FIRST OF FIVE VISION RALLIES THIS WEEK WAS HISTORIC! Over a thousand people showed up and the excitement was electric! “Awesome job tonight! That was truly motivating! My kids had fun playing in the bleachers as we promised to give them half their homework answers if they were quiet!” “We came together as a small group and everyone agreed that it was the most inspirational evening we’d ever been a part of.” “The vision is HUGE – but of course our God is bigger and this is Saddleback. We have a history of ‘going where no man has gone before.’ We are all SO excited about being a part of it!!!” “Tears came to my eyes several times as I listened to where we are going as a church family – and as a man I don’t cry much. It is such a privilege to be a part of something so significant.” “I’ve always been afraid to host a small group but I’m not going to miss this blessing. No way!” I’ll see many more of you tonight!

Saddleback Church Purpose Driven Network P.E.A.C.E. Coalition

Decade of Destiny is a two month spiritual growth campaign beginning this week

to prepare you spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically, and relationally

to make the next 10 years the best years of your life!

 

October 5, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family,

 

The phones have been ringing off the hook with excitement as we kick off Decade of Destiny (DOD) this week!

 

We’re using October and November to prepare you to make the 2010s the greatest decade of your life.

 

NO SMALL GROUPS WILL MEET THIS WEEK!

INSTEAD, BRING YOUR SMALL GROUP TO A VISION RALLY!

IF YOU’RE NOT IN A GROUP, BRING SOME FRIENDS!

 

1. DOD VISION RALLY TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m., Lake Forest Worship Center

I’m inviting Jr High students through Senior adults tonightto hear me explain all we’ve planned to enrich your life through Decade of Destiny. If you can’t come tonight, don’t miss the rally on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday this week or Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.

               

2. FRIENDS DAY THIS WEEKEND. Bring your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

I’ll be speaking on “Making the Most of Your Next 10 Years” with a powerful, but simple plan for changing yourself and your circumstances for the best. Everyone is interested in this subject, so care enough to invite friends and God will bless you and them. Here is an intro. you can e-mail to them. Click here.

3. DOD BRIDGE EVENTS

We’re planning a series of fun events during Decade of Destiny to make it easy for you to invite unchurched friends.

 

Monday Night Football & Family Night in the Refinery

Every Monday night at 5:30 p.m.
Watch the game on our 16 ft. high definition screen. Bring your whole family for video games, classic and Disney movies for kids and family members who hate football.  Our cafes deliver food and snacks to your seat so you don’t have to miss a minute of the game!   

 

Community Health Expo
After all services Oct.30-31

Learn from leading medical professionals like Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Daniel Amen, and Dr. Mark Hyman. I’ll be interviewing all three doctors. After all services you can consult with health experts in the areas of health, wellness, fitness, and nutrition.

 

If you’re a medical professional/health expert AND a member of Saddleback AND in a Saddleback small group, I invite you to share your experience and expertise with our church family at the expo. To learn more, attend a Vision Rally this week!

 

Blocktober!  October 31
At the Lake Forest campus on Halloween night 

Orange County’s largest community block party.  Invite your neighbors and bring your entire family.

 

Former President George W. Bush at Saddleback for our next Civil Forum on Global Leadership
November 29

 A one-on-one interview with Pastor Rick!

 

Apologetics Weekend: WHO IS JESUS?  

December 11-12  

The world’s leading scholars on Jesus will be speaking, including Dr. Scot McKnight, Dr. Christopher Wright, Dr. Philip Yancey, Dr. Greg Koukl, and others!

 

A two month spiritual growth campaign beginning this week
to prepare you to make the next 10 years your best years
and help you fulfill your destiny!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family,

This week we kick off our long-awaited Decade of Destiny spiritual growth campaign with five Decade of Destiny Vision Rallies. I’ll unveil the exciting resources, programs, events, and plans we’ve prepared for you. You may choose to attend any one of the four weeknight rallies or the Saturday morning rally this weekend. Don’t miss this!

 
ALL THIS WEEK
DECADE OF DESTINY VISION RALLIES!
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, or FRIDAY, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Or SATURDAY, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
With Pastor Rick at the Lake Forest Worship Center
Learn how to make your next 10 years the best!

OCTOBER 9-10 WEEKEND
FRIENDS DAY AT SADDLEBACK

A recent national survey revealed that 93% of Americans would accept an invitation to attend church with a friend if asked! Your friends and neighbors are waiting on you!  Bring your best friends and neighbors with you this weekend!  I will be speaking on “Making the Most of My Next 10 Years.” This is a topic everyone (including your friends with no church or religious background) will be interested in hearing.  Here is a link to an advertisement you can send to your friends. Click here.

If you missed any of my five Get Ready for Your Destiny messages just click the links here to catch up:

• Possessing Your Destiny (Sept. 4-5)
• Don’t Waste Tomorrow (Sept. 11-12)
• How To Get your Vision Back (Sept. 18-19)
• Preparing Your Mind For The Future ( Sept. 23-25)
• Blessed or Stressed: It’s Your Choice (Oct. 2-3) (will be available to view tomorrow)

COMING UP DURING DECADE OF DESTINY

We have dozens of activities and events to help you grow and prepare for the next 10 years that I will be sharing with you in the days ahead.

Weekend Messages by Pastor Rick

• Making the Most of My Next 10 Years (Oct.9-10)
• Clarifying My Dream (Oct.  16-17)
• Organizing My Life (Oct. 23-24)
• Maximizing My Health (Oct. 30-31) (With Health Fair)
• Getting Out of Debt (Nov. 6-7)
• Creating My Legacy (Nov.13-14)
• Succeeding At Life  (Nov 20-21)   (With Career/Job Fair)

Small Group “Life Management” Studies by Pastor Rick

ALL small groups will begin these studies the week of October 11

• Making the Most of What God Gives Me
• Managing My Troubles
• Managing My Time
• Managing My Talents
• Managing My Treasure
• Managing My Team

Decade of Destiny overnight Life Planning Retreats with your small group at Rancho Capistrano
Your small group will be able to reserve a date for your retreat during the Decade of Destiny campaign.


This Decade of Destiny is going to be the best thing to come into your life in a long time!

October 1, 2010 DECADE OF DESTINY LAST MINUTE UPDATE! Dear Saddleback Family, Did you know that God holds me responsible for your spiritual growth? Hebrews 13:17 says this about pastors: "Their work is to watch over your souls, and they will give an account of their care of you to God!" That verse sometimes keeps me awake at night - because I'm dead serious about this responsibility, and because I really do love you with my life! I've been working on our Decade of Destiny campaign all this year. I want your next 10 years (2011-2020) to be the most spiritually successful, profitable, and purposeful years of your life. I want you to be less stressed and more blessed - regardless of your stage of life. I want you to receive the spiritual wisdom, the emotional support, and the practical assistance you'll need to go after your God-given dream and fulfill your personal destiny in the next decade. None of us, however, can fulfill our destinies on our own. You have to help others reach their destinies and they have to help you. God set it up this way so we'd need each other! We're better together. I have so much to share about how Decade of Destiny will bless your life, but instead of putting it in a long News & Views; I'm asking you to NOT MISS two critical events: DON'T MISS MY MESSAGE THIS WEEKEND: BLESSED or STRESSED? IT'S YOUR CHOICE. This is the first message of Decade of Destiny. I'll share the five promises of God, where He guarantees that if you do these five things, he'll bless your life, family, and career in ways you can't imagine. I'll also share how we've built the Decade of Destiny on these promises. If you want the blessing of God on your life in the next 10 years, you need this message! I've spent the last few weeks studying EVERY promise of BLESSING in the Bible and I'm going to summarize how you can receive those blessings from God. Plan to attend a DECADE OF DESTINY RALLY this next week! On four evenings (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lake Forest Worship Center), I'm going to lay out my exciting plans as your pastor to help you fulfill your destiny in the next 10 years! I'm going to hold a Saturday morning Decade of Destiny Rally, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. next Saturday, October 9 for those who can't attend any evening. So you have no excuse! I am so excited to share both of these experiences with you. See you this weekend!

Saddleback Church Purpose Driven Network P.E.A.C.E. Coalition

September 10, 2010 Dear Saddleback Family, I felt the fresh wind of new joy meeting with our men this last week. Then, your enthusiastic response to last weekend’s message, Preparing To Possess Your Destiny has really excited me. I’ve felt this before – when God was getting us ready to really raise the roof! If you missed that message, you can watch it here. THIS WEEKEND All 4 Discovery Classes will be offered this Sunday! C.L.A.S.S. 101-401 are from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. Click here to register. I’ll speak on Preparing For YOUR Future: Part 2. Bring a friend! We honor our Executive Pastor, Glen Kreun, for 28 years of service to our church family and celebrate his retirement (and 70th birthday!). Saddleback would not exist as it does today without the tireless leadership of my best friend and co-leader, Glen Kreun. When he arrived as my second staff member, we had less than 200 in attendance. Together we forged not only a wonderful ministry, but an unbreakable friendship; one of the great teams of the last century. Great ministries are always built on great relationships – not just competence, but chemistry. Glen is retiring from staff, but he will always be my friend and yours, and will continue as a pastor of our church family. BRING YOUR PHOTOS TO CHURCH! We’re creating a book and movie starring YOU! In the past 2,000 years, no other church has sent members to every nation of the world. YOU have made history! To celebrate and commemorate this historic accomplishment, we're preparing both a large coffee table photo book and a documentary called "To Every Nation" which will include your name, and a photo of your Mission or PEACE trip. The documentary will contain the stories and pictures of about 15,000 members who've served. I don’t want your photo and group to be left out! 1.  Bring your trip photos this weekend. Use the envelopes provided in every bulletin and we’ll scan and return them to you. OR ….. 2.  EVEN BETTER, click here to upload your photos and tell us about the highlights of your trip. OR ….. 3.  Put your photos and information in a stiff envelope and drop it off at the church office, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. I'm more excited about our Fall spiritual growth campaign and the next ten years than the past thirty years combined! All that's happened in our past has prepared us for our greatest decade yet! I've been preparing all year to help you succeed in fulfilling your personal destiny, and fulfilling our church family's destiny together. There will be 5 parts to our Decade of Destiny campaign: 1. New Small Group studies on balancing and managing your personal life! 2. Six powerful weekend messages! 3. Small Group Retreats at Rancho Capistrano! Every night during the campaign, small groups will be staying overnight at our new retreat center for a “Life Planning Retreat!” 4. Vision Rallies where you can ask me any question! 5. We will begin 5 new Saddleback Churches in Orange County! See you this weekend!

Saddleback Church Purpose Driven Network P.E.A.C.E. Coalition

September 4, 2010 Dear Saddleback Family, THIS WEEKEND I begin a new 4 week series, "Preparing For Your Future." The first message is about overcoming past defeats, present discouragements, and the temptation (especially with the recession) to simply drift into the future. We cannot be "Waiting for the World to Change." We must move on with God's destiny for our lives, regardless of the economic situation. Based on the 3 instructions God gave Joshua to possess the Promised Land, this weekend's message is "Possessing Your Destiny." I guarantee that you'll be encouraged and inspired. PARKING FOR FAMILIES WITH STROLLERS OPENS THIS WEEKEND Beginning this weekend, September 4-5, the parking closest to our Children's Ministry Center will become our "STROLLER LOT". This lot will be reserved for families with young children in strollers. While the Stroller Lot is designated for young families on the weekend, it will be open for general parking during the week and for events. The handicap parking will still be available for those who need it. If you typically park in this lot on the weekend, we would ask that you park in the next closest lot, unless of course you have a child in a stroller. And for those of you with innovative and creative minds, it doesn't count if you merely own a stroller or even have one in your trunk......it's for those who currently have kids in a stroller. DECADE OF DESTINY LAUNCHES 10-10-10! I can say without hesitation that I'm more excited about the next ten years than the past thirty years combined. All that's happened in our past has prepared us for the greatest decade yet! So we're calling this year's Fall spiritual growth campaign Decade of Destiny. It's a plan I've been working on all year to help you succeed in 1) fulfilling your personal destiny, and 2) fulfilling our church family's destiny together. A BOOK & MOVIE STARRING YOU! We set a goal a number of years ago to follow Jesus' command to go to every nation in the world. There are 195 nations in the world and by the end of this year, we will have reached every single one! This has never been done before in Christian history and YOU did it. So in order to celebrate this accomplishment, we're preparing a historic book and documentary called "To Every Nation" which will include all the names of every person who has gone on a Mission or PEACE Trip. We're creating a large coffee table book and a film documentary of the stories and pictures of over 11,000 Saddleback members who've served on international P.E.A.C.E. trips and many more of you who've served here in America (i.e. Katrina Relief). We want include your name and photo of your group on a PEACE trip, the country you served, and date. There are 2 ways you can get us your photos and /or movies: Please bring them with you to the service you attend this weekend. We will collecting all the names, trip dates & locations, photos, and stories, so I need you to send them to us and loan us your photos. Respond to this e-mail RIGHT NOW with your full name, date of trip, country of mission/PEACE trip, e-mail address, home address, and phone number. Then, click here to upload your photos and tell us about the highlights of your trip. If you don't have a photo you can upload from your computer, place photographs in a large envelope with all of the information above and drop it off at our Ministry Office in Lake Forest (on the corner of Portola and Saddleback Parkways Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). GET WELL CARDS FROM CHILDREN I've loved all the hand-made get-well cards that kids in our church sent me after I accidentally burned my eyes with a toxic poison from a plant I was pruning in my yard. Below, Chad & Niki Huggins sent their drawings of the story of my accident. It is a privilege to be your pastor. I love you!

Saddleback Church Purpose Driven Network P.E.A.C.E. Coalition

July 31, 2010 Dear Saddleback Family,              This weekend I am teaching on "Trusting God in Life's Changes."              This is such an important need for all of us since the pace of change, the scale of change, and the kinds of changes we are facing today are unprecedented!              If you know someone who is out of work... has lost a loved one ... is facing marriage or personal stress (or got toxic poison in their eyes recently!)  BRING THEM WITH YOU THIS WEEKEND.              Both the message and the testimonies will strengthen you and those you care about.  Please share this with others.

Saddleback Church Purpose Driven Network P.E.A.C.E. Coalition