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A Beat Down

05/09/2012 4:21 pm
By alonso, randy

David Jeremiah, Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, and Bible teacher of the nationally syndicated radio and TV program, “Turning Point”, once told me a very powerful deception of the enemy. In relation to sin and failure he told me that Satan will tell you two lies. The first is; “That will never happen to you”.

He puffs us up with pride in areas we think we are invincible. Beware. It’s only a set up because, after we actually do that thing he convinced us we would never do, he then tells us the second lie; “You can never come back”. It’s true - he gets us coming and going, that dirty deceiver! The end result of his double-edged lies is guilt and shame that leads us to being marginalized and beat down.

Only God knows how many Christ followers are on the sidelines having disqualified themselves because of Satan’s lies. By the way, it’s okay to hate Satan. He is the source of the sewer pipe of all things sinful and horrible that is inflicted upon human beings. It’s okay to hate the devil folks! Remember who he is. Jesus said he is a murderer. His native language is deception and lying. (John 8:44-46). He is out to destroy you! He is not a competitor you shake hands with at the end of the game.

The antidote to all things Satan related is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us of our sin and has given us right standing with God while distancing us from the enemy’s devices. II Timothy 1:12, says, “…I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

When we fall to Satan’s deceptions it causes us to worry, shrink back, loose confidence, project our problems on others, and feel sorry for ourselves. We don’t feel like anything. We don’t feel like persevering, going to church, praying with our family, or being unselfish.

As awful as this all is, it is very simple to escape the enemy’s traps. Remember, the Word of God is your greatest weapon. Scripture is living truth. It doesn’t take very much of it to set your heart straight and reorient you on the truth about you.

I’m not going to give you three things to do today in order to overcome the deception and lies of Satan. I’m just going to say, ‘Open your Bible’. It was Watchmen Nee who said, “No Bible, no breakfast”. That’s how you smack the enemy in the mouth first thing in the morning, everyday of your life. I think James said it more spiritually - “submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you”.

Great Preaching = Great Receiving

05/01/2012 4:17 pm
By alonso, randy

The Central Life family is a great crowd to speak to. They are exceptional listeners. By that I mean, they are engaging and very interested in the content of the message and the context of the scriptures taught.

Our Weekend Worship Experiences are the highlight of our ministry week and most definitely a partnership between God, the communicator, and the listener. It’s the rallying point and spiritual highlight of our week as a family. It serves as restoration from the week past and our rest toward the week ahead. Your involvement makes you a vital part of the spiritual dynamics. We encourage participation with words of affirmation, laughter, and insights.

As the chief presenter at Central Life, I have the privilege of leading this experience in our largest settings. Along with our Worship and Creative Teams that prepare our experiences, I receive the feedback of an expectant crowd of worshippers. The following is a list of helps to encourage you is this great, weekly, church family event.

1. Think and pray about coming to church hours before. Make an adjustment in your heart’s attitude. Deliberately turn toward expectancy.
2. When you come to church be proactive with your words and body language as you enter the environment. Your spirit says, “Yes”, before you come in.
3. Engage in the text. Whether you carry a Bible or use a smart phone with YouVersion or read along on the screen, be intentional about wrapping your mind around the word of God. God will immediately begin to speak to you when you do this.
4. During the musical portion of our worship experience, personalize the words of the songs and express yourself. God will use it to draw your spirit-man close and prepare you for greater intimacy during the entire experience.
5. Listen to the prayers attentively and engage in them. Personalize them, feel them, and offer yourself.
6. Take notes by writing keys thoughts and phrases down in YouVersion or in a notebook to enhance your retention for the purpose of applying what you are learning.
7. Encourage the presenter when the Holy Spirit prompts you. This edifies the word that is being taught and affirms the truth. Purposely engage with your body. Sit attentively, smile, and speak.
8. Be aware of distractions and remove them. Sit toward the front. If you must leave, remain in the back when you return. Recognize that qualified children’s ministers have prepared for the benefit of your children. Take advantage of this for them, for you, and for others in the worship experience.

The end result is that God is glorified, believers are encouraged, and people who are hurting or far from God can hear and respond to God’s truth and unconditional love.

A MUST for your AUDACIOUS Faith

03/26/2012 4:58 pm
By alonso, randy

Before we can achieve the high level of effective faith we call audacious at Central Life we must have the basic truths of biblical faith imbedded in the core of our being. Then, we can build toward the kind of faith in action that causes others to say, “You did what? You gave what? You believe what?”

The scripture says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. Biblical faith is so audacious! From believers like Noah building an Ark to Moses holding a staff up to see the Red Sea part, to the Widow’s mite and the Centurion who believed Jesus just needed to say the word and healing would occur. For most Christians there is great margin for great leaps into audacity.  The Bible proves it.

The following is a short list declaring the power of a foundation of faith for our lives that will lead to the kind of audacious faith that moves mountains and changes nations. When the people of Central walk in faith we conquer kingdoms on the Space Coast with a ripple affect that can be felt around the world as we do our part in Kingdom advancement.

1. Faith determines what GOD can do in my life. “According to your faith be it unto you.” Matthew 9:29. This tells us we get to choose how big God will be our lives. Talk about no limitations. What is going on in your life today that requires God’s invention?

2. Faith can solve the IMPOSSIBLE problems. “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed.” Luke 17:6. Even small faith in a big God will get you big results. It’s okay if your faith is small in some area. Confess it and then express it anyway. God is great at compensating our weakness.

3. Faith is the SECRET to achievement. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23. Nothing of greatness is ever achieved without a step of faith. When we step out, up, over, and sometimes down, God always meets us there. Look out when natural intersects with supernatural.

4. Lack of faith is SIN. “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. Rarely do we consider that lack of expressing faith is the equivalent of sinful behavior. If we did, we would believe more and sin less.

5. Faith is the way to PLEASE God. “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. Hebrews 11:6. What an opportunity to dismiss manmade living. Faith is the path to the inexplicable.

6. Faith produces SUCCESS in living. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” I John 5:4. We WIN! The moment we received Jesus as Lord we stepped into complete victory over death, hell, and the grave. What a life and future.

This is the foundation of audacious faith, one of the nine core values of Central Life. Build on that!

How private is your praying?

03/14/2012 8:54 am
By alonso, randy

When Jesus said in Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly...”, He obviously had good reason for such privacy. He practiced this kind of praying regularly Himself as the Son of man. His dependence on the Father to do His will necessitated such focus. Jesus often found private places in the fields and on mountaintops. The key was being separated from outside distractions.

The reference in Matthew 6 to a ‘secret’ place most commonly meant a storeroom. An innermost room or secret room, a private place where no one passing by could look in to see what was going on. A storeroom was also a place where one would keep their most prized possessions. What kind of prized possession is prayer?

In the secret place of prayer several things can occur. First, no one else can hear or criticize the thoughts and words being communicated or spoken. No disturbing influences or distractions can interrupt. It’s easier to be honest and pour your heart out as the Holy Spirit more freely guides you. Listening to God takes on greater joy and intimacy.

We learned this past weekend in “Open Skies”, (our new series on prayer) that a correct picture of God will impact our personal relationship to God and thereby, the quality of our private moments with Him. The two chapters we focused on in Revelation 4-5, gave us the amazing and correct picture we need to understand Who we have been invited to speak with.

As an encouragement to our entire church family I want you to join me this week in prayer with this one exercise in mind. Find the private place (if you don’t already have one) everyday this week that you can give God your full and undivided attention to in order to pray. Not to bring a laundry list of trouble and needs, but rather to seek His presence and feel the grandeur and majesty so amply on display in the picture John gives us in the book of Revelation.

Let’s all start there in a renewed effort to re-ignite a more powerful prayer life. Imagine the collective heart of our church family spending such quality and intimate time with the Father, Son, and Spirit. I have a hunch the greatest challenge will simply be carving out the time and taking the initiative necessary to pull this off. I am praying for you to find that special time and prized place where treasures of intimacy await.

Living in the Moment

02/29/2012 12:00 pm
By alonso, randy

Your momentum in life is better when you focus on your future rather than your past. Why? Because you serve a God who is more interested in your future than He is in your past. (Phil. 3:13-14).  If you are mourning the past, you are limiting the future. If you are trying to recapture a past victory, you can not see your future triumphs.

You can learn from the past; and in so doing, the past may keep you from making a future mistake and that's great.  That's called wisdom.  However, every time you listen to the nagging voice of your past, you are giving ear to an enemy who constantly plots to sabotage your future. So don't confuse the two.

The sad regret of a broken relationship, or a financial deal you wish you had never agreed to, or time wasted that could have been spent with your children - I am here to tell you, remind you, wake you up to the fact that, those moments are gone and God is ready to give you a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit! 

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Psalm 45:7

Don’t miss the moment that is before you because you are paralyzed by the pain of your past. That is like saying NO to the ‘oil of gladness’ right now! The Holy Spirit is alive and well in you right now. When you magnify the mistakes of the past, you ignore the God of your future.

The oil of gladness that rested on Jesus was without measure. In other words, there was no limitation. Isaiah 61 says, “The Spirit of Lord is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me.”  When Jesus went into the synagogue at Nazareth and opened the scroll at that place He said, “This day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears”. In Acts 10:38 the Apostle Peter spoke of how “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.”

The ‘oil of gladness’ is none other than the Holy Spirit who has taken up residence in YOU! You have the sacred presence of God to make you glad today not about your past but your future. God is providing fresh grace and provision for where you are headed. He doesn’t provide for you in the place where you were. He provides for you in the place where you are going.

Maybe the best thing you could do today is have a funeral for all those bad memories that have been haunting you. You are forgiven and free! Where you are going is where the fresh supply of the ‘oil of gladness’ awaits you.

Your Pastor is thinking of you and praying for the family that makes up Central Life. “Come Holy Spirit and build in us the spiritual momentum that will propel us into the best season of our lives for You. In Jesus name”.

You have to know, Central Life

02/10/2012 8:47 pm
By alonso, randy

You have to know that we are so ready to take it to the next level and it's about time! Audacious Faith is in order. Simplicity that leads to Excellence is taking hold. Out not In means we are tenacious about reaching our lost friends and family. Now!

You have to know that what we witnessed last weekend was nothing short of life changing with an eternal impact - 15 people inviting Jesus to be their Master. It is imperative that all of us realize that there is a great need to 'press in' to God in prayer for more of the same.

You have to know that this weekend we are going to see Christ followers SET FREE from so many of the ills that are hindering the explosive growth every church is capable of and every family deserves!

You have to know that what God is doing at Pineda Pointe by moving us onto the site of Temple Beth Sholom is a modern day miracle and a fulfillment of the great vision God birthed in us in 2008. You can read that 25 Year Vision at centralLIFE.org, click First Time.

You have to know that our Staff, Elders, and Teams of leaders are doing an amazing job doing the work of the ministry. From painting and cleaning at Pineda this week for our Grand Re-Opening, to Guest Services, LIFEGroups, Musicians and Production, Celebrate Recovery, Sister City, Kidz and Students, and on and on.

What do you say to a church family that is on the brink of great spiritual explosive growth?

You have to know...KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS because if He is not in what we are doing and BECOMING, then we should get out.

I love my church. I love what I do. All for a risen, coming, King!

Let the Critics Whine

01/25/2012 11:47 am
By alonso, randy

One of my favorite leadership lessons comes from Nehemiah. He was busy about the work God had called him to do - the work of keeping the barbarians out of Jerusalem as he rebuilt the walls of protection for his people.  Enemies rose up against Nehemiah as he was giving them a swift kick in the gluteus by God's authority.  In a ploy to distract him, his enemies invited him to a powwow
of sorts outside the city in the plain of Ono. ("Oh no!" is exactly what his enemies were saying by the time the job was done.) 

His response contains a life lesson for all leaders. "They intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them saying, 'I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?'"  Nehemiah 6:2b-3.

The antidote to the advances of life's most toxic people (those in the form of the negative and faithless) is to have a great understanding of your purpose and calling in life. Nehemiah had it! He knew it was foolish to waste time with people who wanted to argue and drain energy that could otherwise be used for what was really important. I've had a few nights of sleep cut short by listening too much to the enemies' advances.

So when it comes to staying true to your vision here is a sure way to make constant progress.  Listen carefully, evaluate promptly. Be wise to accept constructive criticism and wise counsel with a discerning heart. God's Spirit will guide you in
this skill based on your work and your need for focus. If however, what you are listening to is mental clutter from a toxic people then don't listen to the same verse twice. Let the critics whine like Nehemiah did and put your head down and finish the work at hand. Be faithful to the One who is faithful.

How important is the work God has called you to? Remind yourself of the eternal value of your calling. Check off the vision killers and move on. God will be honored and lives will be changed because you stayed on task by remembering what is most important.

Remembering a Simple Christmas Spirit

12/22/2011 5:28 pm
By alonso, randy

At Central Life we began to model the simplicity of our existence more intently a couple years ago by keeping church life simple. We only try to do a few things in relation to life and eternity and we trust we are doing them well. We have begun to see the fruit of this effort and our approach to Christmas is one of those attempts. With that in mind I trust the following will encourage you.

Love -  the foundation of grace.

Simple random acts of kindness, the ones most undeserved, get us to the core of a simple Christmas. It's the unexpected gift, an encouraging word, a kind gesture that means so much. Do you by chance have a small gift you have kept from over the years? Maybe one your child gave you. If you do, you cherish it, don’t you? It represents a simple and pure love. Those little gifts, in all their imperfection, help you slow down, smile, and remember what really matters. Jesus' gift of love to us is perfect, and we receive it despite our imperfection. In fact that's what makes His love so powerful - grace at its best!

Reflect on God's love for you - not the complex deep theological truth - but the simple idea that He loves you just the way you are. You don't deserve it and neither do I. We don't need to overcomplicate grace. Slow down, soak it in, and give it generously to others.

Joy – the expression of gratitude.

We all know a Scrooge or two. They are no fun to be around and really no fun during the holidays. A Christ-follower without joy is a poor reflection. Someone once said, “I’m smiling on the inside”. Someone else said, "Then tell your face!” If we really believe that Jesus is who He says He is and that salvation is real and that He has prepared a place for us, then joy should show. If not, we’re missing the big picture. When you don't see the big picture, your perspective becomes skewed and gratitude can turn to grumbling. Joy is gone.

When you focus on all the good gifts that God has given (even in the midst of the difficulties life can throw your way) gratitude rises up, and your joy returns!

Peace -  the result of conquering fear and anxiety.

Is anyone out there under pressure? Sure, the pressure is on. Money is tight; family is arriving; food needs prepared; and gifts aren’t wrapped. On top of that someone is really upset with you.

There is a reality to all this that is merely part of being human, and for some instances we need to just keep going and press through. There is another level, however, that is about a deep, inner peace. That deeply abiding inner peace is needed for your life for the long haul. That kind of peace is not gained by smarts, solving problems, or getting everything just right for everyone else. It is realized by simply sitting at the feet of Jesus and remembering the fact that "He's got it" and is willing to share it with you. Just stop and listen. It's His family and He cares even more than you do. In the end, your family is not going to fail. In the end, the success you experience is because of God's favor. There is great peace in knowing and resting in that truth.

With that in mind sit back and enjoy the Christmas story, Luke 2:8-14.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

There is simplicity to Christmas. Christ has come for you! When our focus is on Jesus, life doesn't necessarily become easy, but it does become simple. We don’t need to complicate Christmas. We need to enjoy it.

Everyone Needs A Lift

11/02/2011 7:31 am
By alonso, randy

Here are three easy ways for you to let someone in your life know how much you appreciate their hard work, sacrifice, and service to you. Candidates for your kindness may be your mom, boss, neighbor, friend, coach, a staff member at your church, or a child.

Pray for them - Pray specifically. Ask God to protect them, encourage them, and care for them. Pray for their rest at night, their current challenges, and that the Word of God will be more alive in their life than ever.

Give a gift – As a Christ Follower it is our nature to give. When you give it works both ways. God blesses you for your generosity and the person you focus on feels special, appreciated, and loved. Win, win!  Many people feel unappreciated. Since YOU are the church do what the church is supposed to do. Give and share.  A $5 Starbucks card can be the lift someone really needs today. A surprise lunch at school for your student. A gift card to a local restaurant. It doesn’t take much but means a whole lot.  How about a hand written note or verbal thank you?

Walk in their shoes – Think through the person’s situation and feel their challenges. Understand what they are dealing with and the pressures they are under. Choose to be their advocate, friend, encourager, and prayer warrior. Assume the best and always give them the benefit of the doubt.

Do this often and allow it to become a great habit. Romans 12:9-10, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

Burden Me, Crazy!

09/19/2011 4:05 pm
By alonso, randy

If someone offered you ONE MILLION dollars ($1,000,000) and you only had to do one thing each week for one year to collect, does that sound like an offer you would feel pretty good about pulling off? I mean, just one thing, once a week, fifty two times. Done! Then bank your Benjamin’s.

I know you are wondering, “What’s that one thing once a week for one year?” Answer? “Having one guest once a week for one year at church in the seat next to you.” Most people, I assume, would say; “Consider it done! There is no way in heaven or earth that I could not get one person a week to church with me for a year in order to collect $1,000,000. That would be the best year of my life!”

What an amazing thought! Think how incredible the unexpected blessings would be if you and I did something so astounding. What if 10, of those 52, people received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and became audacious faith followers? What if those 10, each brought 10, more to church in the same year? Could you imagine what would be going on in our church?

Just for kicks, look what happens when you do the math on three hundred people doing that very thing.

We would have that many guests in one year. 15,600!!! What if ten percent of them became part of the church family? That would be 1,560 new people! Add the original 300 and we have 1,860 in weekly attendance in one year’s time! What if those 1,560 just brought one other person each who became part of the church family in that year? Double it…
It’s just plain crazy isn’t it? Or is it? Of course the whole idea behind this off-the-wall "Burden Me, Crazy" blog is… shouldn’t we be doing something like this anyway? You certainly don’t need a sermon about reaching others for Christ. We know what we are supposed to be doing, right? Enough talk; let’s get with the program for the heavenly reward. There’s an old song that says, “Drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe.”

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and Barbarians, both to wise and the unwise...For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” Romans 1:14, 16

I learned a long time ago, “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me”. Which is another way to say, lead by example. So I am going to go public with something on this date September 19, 2011.

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”  Luke 15:4

For the love!

A MUST read for our church family

09/01/2011 6:40 am
By alonso, randy

The Holy Spirit was evident in all our weekend experiences Saturday and Sunday. Two people gave their lives to Jesus by inviting Him into their heart for the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life!  Many, many others made commitments and decisions with regard to their lives.

In addition, the Holy Spirit was pressing in on the believers to the point that I believe He wanted to break into our church in the most beautiful of ways. He wanted to take us to a NEW LEVEL in the NEW MAN! A greater awareness and power, folks!  We almost witnessed an outpouring of the power of God. That's not to say He didn't work. He did.  However, there was more He wanted to do in manifesting His mighty presence in our midst.  He was about to unleash on the entire church family!

At Pineda Pointe He did and we experienced great joy and liberty as the tip of the iceberg was touched, but there was more He wanted to do. As honestly as I know how, I am sharing with you that I sensed a ‘lid of oppression’ at Central’s 1st service Sunday morning - not so much in the second service. I want you to hear me clearly and be encouraged by what I am sharing with you. This weekend we are having one worship experience at the Central campus at 10 am. An opportunity awaits us!

Jesus said in John 16:7b-9, 13a, "...I will send Him (Holy Spirit) to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world of sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me....When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth..."

Absolute trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us through the written Word and His witness in the NEW MAN will allow a mighty move of the Spirit on our entire church family.  No longer will we be intimidated by the prince of the air!  He is defeated and has no authority over you!  You can drop the sin, the fears, and the anxieties.  You don't have to live under them when you are already victorious over them in Christ! 

As I have considered what I believe the Holy Spirit desired last weekend, it is a combination of things - the final outcome being an outpouring of grace resulting in great freedom and liberty in your lives and consequently in the life of our fellowship.

When the Holy Spirit moves like He did, He wants to guide us into a greater awareness and realization of truth. I believe as a church family there is resistance to the liberating truth of God's Word. To begin with, it usually means repentance and brokenness over sin will accompany His visitation.

I love you all so dearly and the breakthroughs that our God wants to see in us as a church family means captives will be set free! Captives not as in the lost, but us!  I firmly believe that when revival hits the church, the lost world around us are going to be the first to know.

Please consider for the rest of this week what specific area the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about. Give it to Him. Allow Him the freedom to capture your heart and by faith give Him whatever you are hurting over or are in denial about. It could be…

• Relationships that are strained or broken.
• Ministry that is not seeing fruitfulness.
• Discipline not being exercised.
• Finances not being trusted for.
• Dreams being hindered.

Many believers are currently bound by fears due to the economy and bound by inhibitions related to the power of praise and worship. Our God is ready and willing to deliver us. My heart goes out to all. When you come to church this weekend, bring someone with you as a guest who needs Jesus as Savior and prepare to open your heart in prayer immediately as you enter the Worship Center.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You.”  What a promise! A breakthrough by the Holy Spirit is imminent as we collectively keep our minds fixed on the Holy One. We are not as free as we could be but we will be.

I believe a shake up in our NEW MAN is in order. A great step of faith by all is required. Will you pray for the lid to come off so we can kick the enemy out and experience the victory that is already ours in Christ?

CHANGE; What makes the difference?

08/27/2011 8:04 am
By alonso, randy

Years ago I heard an interesting statement about change. It went something like this; “The only difference in me five years from now will be the books I read and the people I meet.” That’s pretty simple and very true.

In a growing ministry a leader is usually a great reader and in a growing ministry new people come into your life constantly. The end result for me is waking up daily with a plan for the future that ‘lights me up’. That thing we often call, passion. Not only do we want it, we need it. We can’t avoid the fact that we as humans are designed by our Creator this way.

We do not do well without faith, hope, and love for the future (I Cor. 13:13). When we don’t have direction, purposeful work, and positive relationships, we become dull people. In the spirit of change, I want to ask you…

What is your Intake? Are you desperate for HIM, only? Our lives - without Jesus Christ as Lord and acknowledging every truth in the Bible about HIM - are futile (John 1:1-5. Colossians 1:15-18). What God has mercifully and graciously done in my life has nothing to do with me and everything to do with HIM. The best book you will ever read that will change your life in the next five years, hands down with no rival, absolutely and positively, is the WORD of GOD.

I have read many amazing books on church growth and the Christian life. That’s what I do. The best one on both subjects is the Bible. I cannot afford to only read about the Bible, I must read THE Bible. On a daily basis I am prone to the relentless discouragement the Devil is trying to heap on me. I am also prone to sin if my heart is not set on affections above. In short, I am a wreck without God.

What makes us think we can operate supernaturally without supernatural intervention? God’s Word and the Holy Spirit are the weapons of our warfare, our WMD’s.

Understand, I am not looking to just mosey through life and settle for average. This blog is not for you if that’s the case. When this life is done I want nothing left on the field or in my accounts. All spent, all gone for His GLORY!

One day I am going to stand before the Creator who saw fit to redeem me by the blood of His own Son. Are you kidding me? That appointment is already set. Procrastination is not an option. There are some days I just have to wake up and remind myself to quit making excuses or feeling sorry for myself.  “…I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him UNTIL THAT DAY.” II Timothy 1:12.

You and I must repeat the basics of the Christian life daily like any good soldier would do.

• Read God’s Word.
• Pray (all day).
• Talk with, meet with, people who love God with all their heart.
• Practice generosity everyday.
• Share my faith.

What is your Outreach? There can be no vibrancy in my Christ following without reaching out. If all we ever do is sit in a classroom all our life reading and hearing about a certain subject, memorizing lists and taking quizzes and tests, you and I would be some pretty empty, bored people.

If all you ever do is attend church, that’s not reaching out and activating your faith. That’s just the start. Nothing will cause you to be changed more than serving and sharing your faith. A Christ follower who is not serving is dead in the water. Christians can’t cocoon.

If you are a Christ follower connected to our fellowship you are constantly representing Jesus and His church. His reputation is on the line. A simple phrase we repeat often is, ‘Invest & Invite’. This should be on all our minds everyday. Who am I investing in spiritually by praying for their salvation and when is the moment the Holy Spirit will give me to make the invite?

There are 400 plus people now connected to our church. If we are a growing, changing people, there is no reason why that will not become 800-1000 people in the next twelve months. I love you dearly as a fellow Christ follower and I am praying for you!

“Father, I pray for my church family. You love them so much! May your Holy Spirit fire us up today for the joy you have set before us. To lay our lives down like Jesus did for the glory of God and the good of others. In Jesus name, Amen.”

Rock the Marriage Altar

08/16/2011 3:56 pm
By alonso, randy

Let’s not kid ourselves. Married life can become so ho-hum, mundane, and lack luster that even your dog needs counseling. Some guys have the romantic flare of Attila the Hun and some girls have the sexiness of the phone book. Yeah, I want to get your attention. What are you all thinking? Where’s the spark, the passion, the wonder and discovery? Is the thrill gone?

The marriage vows are too sacred and powerful to let lie in a heap of complacency. Neglect, a marriage does not make. Lack of communication about sex, money, work, in-laws, ministry, life goals, and kids will spoil any marriage. Great marriages have a healthy dose of friction, intrigue, romance, and unwavering commitment. I said, ‘Great marriages’!

You can have ‘a’ marriage that is average, awful, aimless, and apathetic. Or, you can invest, plan, love, look each other in the eyes often and kiss passionately at least once day, and have a great marriage!

It’s time we get our act together. Come on, you’ve got what it takes. You’ve proven it when you fell in love. Check this out…

She is your Lady. Treat her like one and she will constantly make you proud.

She is your Confidant. Tell her everything and she will give you her all, always.

She is your Lover. Romance her and she will always have “somethin’ cookin’”, and I’m not talking in the kitchen.

She is your biggest Fan. Take care of yourself and she will sing your praises.

She is your Reason. Make sure your world revolves around her only, and she will be her best for you only.


He is your Man. Treat him like a champion and he will be that man.

He is your Rock. Believe in him, tell him, and he will fortify your home.

He is your Stud. Take care of yourself and he will have eyes only for you.

He is your Velvet. Make your home beautiful with the spirit and he will hear your heart.

He is your Lion. Give him all of you and pity the fool who tries anything with you.

I went into my personal well of life experience and thought about these things. D’anae and I have been married for 32 years and I love her more today than the first day I ever saw here. That happened to be Saturday, February 1, 1975. It is also the day I received Christ as my Lord and Savior. That was an EPIC day!

I tell you all this having traveled a rocky road in marriage. Our marriage is far from perfect and I am the main reason. But the longer I love her and the longer she loves me the more passionate we have become. We’ve paid too high of a price to get this far and not cash in. Everyday is sweeter than the day before. When two are one in Christ, it is impossible to lose in life and eternity.

Read the Song of Solomon, I Corinthians 13:4-7, & Proverbs 31:10-31 this week with your love. Then pray together, and live big!

It's Time to Step Up and Be the Church

08/05/2011 11:50 pm
By alonso, randy

Central Ministries is one church in two locations. Pineda Pointe campus and our Cocoa campus.

I have just completed sermon preparation for this week’s message “Konnekt”, we value relationships. I want every member of Central Ministries to read this blog. As school starts and we get into the fall season (which is hardly imaginable when it’s 916 degrees outside), each one of us has a huge opportunity and responsibility to step up in the church family.

Getting Konnekted is in reference to joining a LifeGroup. And in some cases being a leader. I want to speak to both. LifeGroups are such a high priority for us that we focus and streamline our ministry in such a way that everyone can get involved. Even our Kidz and Students ministries have a small group element. When someone gets involved it simply means they are going to be in community with other believers. Everyone who is a Christ follower should be anyway, right?

The very first scripture we share with people in The Code, 101, class for membership is; Ephesians 2:19, “…You are a member of God’s very own family…and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” (LB) We are Konnekted in our church family because we make it high priority! But like any family it requires some degree of concentrated effort and time on the part of each individual. That’s why we pay attention to the busy lives most people lead and do less for more.

At Central Ministries we put our highest priority on three purposes; Weekend Worship Experiences, LifeGroups, and Serving. We don’t overload the weekly schedule and expect people to be at the church building several nights or days a week. Ministry occurs best in your homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.

When you Konnekt in a LifeGroup you meet at a leader’s home once a week through the fall semester, take a break at the Holidays, and meet again through the spring semester beginning in January. It works out to be thirty weeks a year. Groups can throw in some extra activities if they like, and that’s about it.

We commonly tell our people that LifeGroups are the backbone of the church’s ministry, and they are! In LifeGroup you will find friendship, love, support, encouragement, the Word, and probably some great eats. Acts 2:42-47 is an awesome Bible template laid out for groups right at the start of the first church in Jerusalem. Check it out.

In addition to participating by attending is the opportunity to lead. Let me ask you a question, “What’s the buzz going around about your faith? Anyone noticing you audacious faith life?” For some of you reading this it represents the perfect challenge to step up and allow more people to follow you by leading or hosting a group in your own home. God has shaped you to lead and share. It’s your time and our LifeGroup system is the place we are asking you to thrive by exercising your gift to lead.

So be ready, I’m calling everyone out this weekend to participate. And you know why? It’s about people receiving the life changing power of the Holy Spirit in order to live exceptional lives. Jesus wants to shake the Space Coast and it begins with lives formed in circles in someone’s home, gaining strength and confidence in order to revolutionize the spiritual life of our community.

Giving Fatigue

07/14/2011 8:54 pm
By alonso, randy

It’s hard for me to write the title to this blog. As a Pastor of a growing local church in an economic downturn it simply means the needs are greater than the resources.

When I say ‘giving fatigue’ I am thinking of a man who received $250,000 this past year and attended our Bible Study looking for encouragement. I gave him $10 for gas. Really? How did that happen? Giving fatigue and poor management. When word got out that he had come into this sizable amount of money the calls and requests from his church family (not ours) proceeded to drain him. Beware.

He gave and gave to a line of bold requests literally knocking at his door, often neglecting his own family. He succumbed to the pressure and told me his home is about to go into foreclosure. How awful! When he first received the money twelve months ago he told me he was going to pay off his house. It never happened. In retrospect he just needed some fortitude to say ‘No’, graciously. Sad story. He is a broke, and a broken man.

As a Pastor I hear all the worst of life’s dilemmas and tragedies. It does wear you down if you are not anchored in dependence on God for strength and wisdom. In the last twelve months particularly the financial pull has become more constant than at any other time in my thirty years of service to God’s church. People are hurting and some have become desperate.

On the other side is the financial crunch we are experiencing in our ministry. We believe God for greater things regardless of the economy. It’s definitely a double edged sword cutting both ways. Our own Strategic Partners locally and globally are feeling it from us because our giving to support them is down by 47% from a year ago. I don’t like being the bearer of bad news but it is a reality the church family needs to know.  And this is not a plea for money.  I just want you to know I understand what's going on. It's everywhere including the church.

On one hand you want to meet every need and even feel guilty when you can’t.  The requests are constant. Then on the other is your own financial tension trying to run a growing ministry with resources being painfully stretched.

But be encouraged! God is faithful when we honor Him with the first.  He loves to redeem the rest. Romans 11:16 says, "For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy...".  Give God what is first and thereby honor Him. When you do He promises to make the rest holy.  

Here is one antidote to ‘giving fatigue’ that we all can participate in. GIVE YOURSELF. Read the following example (II Corinthians 8:1-5). Give time. Give by serving. Give God your heart!  After all, we are saved to serve. Many of you do. Thank you very much from a grateful Pastor.

We have five amazing Teams you can give to by simply serving for the fall semester. Think of it as a great commitment for a short time. God will show you the way once you step in.
• Kidz Central
• Students
• Weekend Production
• V.I.P. (guest services)
• LifeGroups (home bible study host and teachers)

Join one this weekend!  Lose yourself in loving service to Your King. It truly is more blessed to ‘give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35), and there are many ways to do it. This is a supernatural outlet for Christ followers.  In fact, we must serve or grow stagnant.  People who do nothing become ingrown, selfish, and cranky. Serving creates spiritual growth in you.

Our church ministry is run on a two semester school calendar. We train all our leaders in the various areas of service. We’re ready for you, are you ready for us?

Giving fatigue can now be turned into Giving RELIEF. God bless you as you find your place in Kingdom service.

© Copyright 2012, Central LIFE
300 Tucker Lane, Cocoa  |  5995 N. Wickham, Melbourne, FL 
P: 321-632-2880  |  E: MyHome@CentralLIFE.org

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