Aboite Church » Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:11:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Shaped To Make A Difference http://aboitechurch.org/shaped-to-make-a-difference/ http://aboitechurch.org/shaped-to-make-a-difference/#comments Fri, 22 May 2009 18:29:30 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/?p=334 web1

Pastor Rich teaches this series on discovering God’s will for our lives by discovering how He has shaped us. Learn how God wants to use our spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences for a life of significance!

Messages in this series include:

Why God Shaped You the Way He Did
Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts
Following Your Heart
Using Your Abilities
The Purpose of Your Personality
Employing Your Experiences

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/shaped-to-make-a-difference/feed/ 0 Day 21: Ready for the Inconvenient http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-21-ready-for-the-inconvenient/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-21-ready-for-the-inconvenient/#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:00:35 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-21-ready-for-the-inconvenient/ Red Starting Line

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 9:10-11

Reflect

  • Jesus and his disciples were looking for some quiet time alone, but the needs followed them in the form of crowds of people. When you are involved in ministry, do you have an assumption that you will only care for others when it’s convenient? What resources can you call on when you’re asked to help, but it’s not convenient?
  • As the crowds arrived, Jesus set an example: He went beyond simply acknowledging the people, but spent the day powerfully teaching them, healing them and finally, feeding them. Sound exhausting? Ephesians 6:10 says we are to Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. How are you daily putting on God’s armor, readying yourself to do his work in all circumstances?

For further study: Mark 6:30-44, Ephesians 1:18-23, 1 Corinthians 16:33

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-21-ready-for-the-inconvenient/feed/ 0 Day 20: Passionate Service http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-20-passionate-service/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-20-passionate-service/#comments Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:00:53 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-20-passionate-service/ Sunrise Through the Clouds

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 19:45-48

Reflect

  • This is just one example of Jesus’ passion for the things of God. God has placed specific passions in each of our lives, and those passions can be used to effectively serve others. Name one or two of your passions.
  • How can you dedicate these passions to God, to be used in caring for others?

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-20-passionate-service/feed/ 0 Day 19: Giving Thanks http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-19-giving-thanks/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-19-giving-thanks/#comments Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:00:48 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-19-giving-thanks/ Written Thank You Note

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 17:11-19

Reflect

  • The lepers had received the incredible gift of renewed health, but only one took the time to thank the Healer. As you put your faith in action, you may not always receive the response you might expect. Yet, you can keep caring for people, as Jesus did, because this is his work, not yours. What expectations might you need to leave in God’s hands as you reach out to care for others?
  • A spirit of thankfulness provides great fuel for helping others. As we acknowledge what God has done and continue to do for us, we’re inspired to share these great gifts with others. What are two ways you can remember each day to thank God for all your blessings?

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-19-giving-thanks/feed/ 0 Day 18: Failing to do Good http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-18-failing-to-do-good/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-18-failing-to-do-good/#comments Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:00:42 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-18-failing-to-do-good/ Offering Soup from Spoon

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 16:19-25

Reflect

  • God doesn’t measure our works only by what we do, but also by what we don’t do. The rich man ignored the beggar at his gate. Who might be “beggars” at your “gate”—people you know are in need by you choose not to notice?
  • What does this story say about God’s expectations of his followers? What does it mean to you personally?

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-18-failing-to-do-good/feed/ 0 Day 17: Giving What You Have http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-17-giving-what-you-have/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-17-giving-what-you-have/#comments Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:00:48 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-17-giving-what-you-have/ Old Coins

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 21:3

Reflect

  • The amount this widow gave was small, but it was huge in Jesus’ eyes because she gave everytnig she could. In our services to God, he only asks us to give what we have–and let him do the rest. How does this truth reassure youas you put your faith in action?
  • The humble poor have much to teach those who live with abundance. Giving is an antidote to greed, a sure way to protect our hearts against seflishness. What does sacrificial giving mean to you? How do you practice sacrificial giving?

For further study: 2 Corinthians 9:6-12, 2 Corinthians 8:12, Luke 6:8

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-17-giving-what-you-have/feed/ 0 Day 16: Answering the Call http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-16-answering-the-call/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-16-answering-the-call/#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:00:25 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-16-answering-the-call/ A Desert Road During the Day

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 4:42-43

Reflect

  • Jesus knew his mission, and he remained focused on that mission. As you reach out to help others, you may find the needs overwhelming. Just as Jesus chose not to do everything others demanded of him, you can’t do everything either. But you are called to do what you can. Think of a time you were frustrated because too much was expected of you. What happened?
  • As you consider Jesus’ faithfulness in doing what he was sent to do, what can you learn about focusing on God’s call on your life to care for others—without becoming ineffective by trying to do everything?

For further study: John 4:34

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-16-answering-the-call/feed/ 0 Day 15: You Give them Something to Eat http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-15-you-give-them-something-to-eat/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-15-you-give-them-something-to-eat/#comments Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:00:48 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-15-you-give-them-something-to-eat/ Bread, Grapes, and a Cup

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 9:12-17

Reflect

  • Jesus called on the disciples to help with the miraculous feeding of the multitude. It wasn’t glamorous work, distributing the food and then collecting the leftovers. But the disciples did it willingly because they knew they were participating in God’s work. What is your response when you’re asked to do a seemingly small part of an outreach ministry, like cleaning up after an event? How are you inspired by the disciples’ willingness to serve in any capacity?
  • Notice that Jesus preceded his miracle with giving thanks to God. How can you practice thankfulness in the outreach ministry you do?

For further study: Deuteronomy 10:12, Ephesians 6:7

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-15-you-give-them-something-to-eat/feed/ 0 Day 14: Our Mission http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-14-our-mission/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-14-our-mission/#comments Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:00:27 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-14-our-mission/ Wheat Field

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 4:18-19

Reflect

As we close this week, consider once again Jesus’ mission in Luke 4:18-19. Since Jesus’ mission is also our mission, what do these verses mean to you personally? What does it mean to you to:

  • Preach good news to the poor?
  • Proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind?
  • Release the oppressed?

For further study: Matthew 71, Matthew 5:7, Luke 6:41-42, Micah 6:8

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

]]> http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-14-our-mission/feed/ 0 Day 13: Accepting Others http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-13-accepting-others/ http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-13-accepting-others/#comments Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:00:57 +0000 Senior Pastor Rich Pagan http://aboitechurch.org/be-the-church-day-13-accepting-others/ Man Sitting Alone

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 6:36-37

Reflect

  • God asks us to imitate him in extending mercy, but one concrete thing we are not to do in imitation of God is to judge others. God honors compassion, not judgment. Why do you think God tells us not to judge others?
  • James 2:13 tells us that Mercy triumphs over judgment! How do you offer mercy to others? In what areas could you improve in putting aside judgment and instead offering mercy to others?

For further study:Matthew 5:7, Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:41-42, Micah 6:8

Spend Time in Prayer

  • What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
  • Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
  • Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

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