5/23/18

Make Your Rising 6th Grader's First Time @ Fuse a Good One

We know! We can't believe your student is going into Middle school either. With all the changes that are to come, we want to make the transition into Fuse a good one.

FUSE is a place for students in 6th - 12th grades to help them learn about God and grow together with other students. We can't wait to have your child with us at FUSE!

HERE'S WHAT IS HAPPENING TONIGHT:

Tonight is a big night at Fuse! Here's how you can make your rising 6th grader's first night a good one.

We know you may have several questions about our student ministry, and we would love to help! Here's some things you need to know for tonight:

We have activities and snacks on the lawn beginning at 5pm and our student service begins at 7pm. Everything is located at the Branch.
Students will need to check in right inside the double doors with our check-in team. They can check themselves in, or you can come in with them!
We LOVE parents! Whether you're interested in volunteering with us, or you just want to hang out with your child tonight to see what all we do, we would love to have you.
Service ends around 8pm and students are invited to stay and hang out for a little while on the lawn if they would like! We do not have a formal check out system, so you will need to discuss with your child how you will pick them up. We have a car line, or you can meet them inside the Branch or on the lawn.

Questions? Find any adult wearing a Fuse lanyard tonight or contact us!

Trey Varner at (770) 229-8663 or Trey@RockSpringsOnline.com

Zach Anderson at (770) 229-8663 or Zanderson@RockSpringsOnline.com

1/7/17

21 Days of Fasting and Prayer

Starting tomorrow, we will be fasting and praying for 21 days collectively from January 8-29th as a church for things in our personal lives and a our church and we want you to join us! Before you do, we wanted to give you a little more information so you can feel prepared.

What is a fast?
Fasting is a tool that a Christian may use to seek a closer relationship with God through going without food and/or drink for a period of time. Although we don't recommend you go without food and drink completely for 21 days :)

What kind of fast can I choose from?
While everyone has their own preference, the spiritual benefits are the same. You can fast just about anything dealing with food or drink, the key is do sacrifice something of significance in order to grow closer to God. How does this happen? It is a constant reminder to pray throughout the day for what you are fasting for and it shows God you are serious about the things you are praying for. Some people do a Daniel fast, some fast all food certain times during the day (such as 6am to 6pm), some give up certain food groups completely that they love. You can find different types of fasts online.

What are some verses dealing with fasting?

Here are some verses for you to look up about fasting.

Scripture References for Fasting:Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14

Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word:1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30,Acts 13:2

Corporate Fasting:1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37

How can Fuse encourage me?

Good question! We will be posting a short encouragement every day on social media to keep you going. And always, if you need more encouragement talk to Trey, Zach or Amy about how to stay strong. We also suggest that you make a list of the things you are praying for so you can see it often and be reminded.

How can I fast for Fuse?

This is the first time we have challenged our students to fast with us! Every year our church fasts together corporately and we yield the spiritual benefits all year long. We feel that the same is true for our student ministry and we want you to join the journey with us. We can't wait to see how God will move at Fuse, the best is yet to come!

6/17/13

PRIME

Read 39 & 40

So as I am writing this I am feeling like my good friend Jonah. The lord wanted me to write the blog earlier in the week, but I felt like I didn’t have time and basically I just didn’t feel like doing it. So now it seems like I will be writing this from the belly of a whale. I tried to run, but that got me nowhere. So lets dig in to Exodus 39 and 40. Starting with 39 I will be honest it started off kind of boring until I started digging into it.

Chapter 39 begins talking about the garments of the priest. It gives great detail on how each one of these garments were made and we are able to see the beauty in each piece. As I began reading, I couldn’t help but think about how much detail and time God put into creating each and every one of us. However, we tend to forget or many times don’t take the time to look at the detail that God put into his creation. As we read on through this chapter starting in verse 32, it begins to talk about the tabernacle that Moses was instructed to create. When I began to look at this I started to see how the tabernacle was a emblem of Jesus. The tabernacle was not just a place it was also a place inside their hearts were the Lord would reside. The tabernacle was a symbol of every real Christian. In the heart of every follower the Father dwells.

So looking at chapter 40 it talks about how the tabernacle is erected. The beginning of the chapter talks a lot about when it should be done. Its worth reading, but I want to spend our time looking at the end of the chapter. The verse that really stuck out to me was verse 34. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” That was extremely powerful to me, because it reminded so much of worship song I used to sing about becoming living sanctuary. That needs to be my goal every day is to be a living tabernacle and the glory of God fill me everyday. It talks about the cloud that covered the tabernacle so people would know that the Lord was there. When the cloud would move they would follow. That is something that really hit home for me. I need to realize when the lord wants me to move and follow his plan even if I am comfortable right where I am.

So this week, ask yourself: “What are some details in my life that I often overlook?” Thank God for taking time to make you and your situation just right for you. I also want you to look at yourselves as a tabernacle the Lord presence fills and to go with his plan and not your own.

-Brett

6/16/13

PRIME - Day 19

Read Chapters 37 & 38

Like the previous chapters, we again are bombarded with details! Do you think God was trying to make a point? Just curious...

Here are a few things that I noticed:

1) In Chapter 37, where God give instructs on how to build the Ark of the Covenant (which held the stones that had the 10 commandments on them, AKA really important box), we see a repeating pattern of a certain type of metal used...gold. Of course we can easily figure out that gold was used because the container was holding one of the most precious pieces of the Old Testament. Aside from this made me think, how often do we use our best resources for the glory of God? How often do we give our precious time up to serve others, draw closer to God through prayer, or read the bible?

2) In all the meticulous details, there was order. Sometimes we can complain that we have to obey rules, listen to authorities, and abide by the laws but this goes back to the very beginning. What would have happened if all of the people under Moses decided they didn't want to build the altar in chapter 38? Do you think God's plan would have been fulfilled? Things would have gone crazy!

I saw a recent trend on twitter #IfThePurgeWasReal , talking about the new movie out called The Purge where crime is legal for 24 hours in the United States. Can you imagine if that was really allowed? When you think of extreme bases like that, it makes you thankful for order and authority!

Its important to remember that God has placed order and authority in our lives today, just like he did back when Moses was leading the Israelites, to protect us and not to limit our potential.

-Amy

6/14/13

PRIME- Day 17

¹⁴The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” - Exodus 33:14

Exodus 33 & 34

Wow! The Lord sent down some pretty harsh words to the Israelites. The Lord said that they were so hard headed that he couldn't stand to be with them during the journey. It's crazy to think that someone could be that hard headed. I know there have been many times in my life that I have been hard headed and stubborn. I thought my way was the best way and I didn't care what others thought. Over the years, I've realized that my way isn't always best. Listening to others and taking advice from people who love and care about you has the potential to help you. Wilson Mizner said "To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it."

To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it. - See more at: http://www.lorensworld.com/life-work/taking-advice-from-others-quotes-to-remember/#sthash.lPGj2Fmw.dpuf

Humility
In Exodus 33:13, Moses prayed to God asking him to reveal his ways to him. Moses had a intimate knowledge of God...yet he prays "please show me your ways." If Moses realized he hadn't arrived, it probably means we haven't either. Throughout history and the bible, the best leaders are life-long learners. As we continue to learn, we must pray with humility that God will guide us only as he can. Some of the best spiritual leaders lead out of the overflow of what God is teaching them. Make sure that your cup is overflowing onto others lives each day.

Vision
Exodus 34:6 says that the Lord passed right in front of Moses. Yes, it was obvious that Moses knew it was the Lord but how many times has he done things in front of us but yet we don't see it? Maybe it is because it isn't the answer we are looking for or what we want. We pray "God I need you to help me in this certain area of my life. Show me your plan." It sounds great but there is only one problem. Many times, we aren't that concerned with "his" plan. We worry more about "our" plan and what we want for our lives. Make sure that no matter what God is trying to do that we are open to his plan. Let us not be so narrow minded that we don't see what God is doing in our lives.

Prayer
Today, ask God to teach us humility. When we humble ourselves, God is able to use our talents, our testimony and our treasure for him. Our prayer should be just like Moses "please show me your ways." Also, no matter what we are praying for in our lives, make sure that we are looking for what he trying to show us. Not necessarily what we want for our lives but what he wants for us. His will rather than ours be done.

-Trey

6/13/13

PRIME - Day 16

Read Exodus 31 & 32

(You think Moses really looked like this?)

I don't even know where to start. Moses is still up on the mountain, just listening to God. Great things can happen when you get alone and listen to what God has to say. I know that sometimes I need to just shut up and let God speak, which is what Moses did up on Mt. Sinai. These two chapters of Exodus are absolutely packed full of great and challenging verses, and the only thing I know to do is break it down section by section.

Ex. 31:1-11
You have been given gifts by God. Isn't that an amazing thought? God has actually placed gifts within you to do great things for Him! God tells Moses that he has already planned for these guys, Bezalel and Oholiab to be expert craftsmen in completing all of the tasks God has asked the people to do. Apart from their crazy names, these guys were extremely talented. But, I bet you've never heard of them before! God has certain gifts that he gives each of us, but not all of us are called to be the "Moses" - the leader who gets all of the attention. Some of us are to work behind the scenes, but that does not mean our jobs are any less important. Whatever God has gifted you to do - you need to be using that gift for Him. If you don't know what your gift is, then you need to pray that God would reveal it to you, so that you can get to work!

Ex. 31:12-18
The Sabbath Day. This is something you don't hear much about anymore, but I think it's something that is vitally important to our Christian faith. If God rested after the 6 days of creation, don't you think it's important that we take time to rest. He says, "It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy" (v. 13). A sabbath is a time to spend resting in God, and we all need times where we completely rest in God - like a child climbing into his mother's arms. We need to curl up with God and allow him to care for us. Many people treat Sunday as their sabbath, and they go to church and spend time thinking about God. That's great. It's something we should all do. Whether it's Sunday or some other time, we all need a sabbath.

Ex. 32
I mentioned earlier that Moses was still up on the mountain. (I guess as long as God felt like hanging out, he was going to stay!) By this time, the people were growing impatient. I can imagine the things that went through their heads: "Did Moses die? Where is he? Did he leave us behind? This whole God thing must have been a lie! He left us down here to be eaten by wild animals! I never liked him in the first place! We should've stayed in Egypt! The people grew impatient. They decided to turn to other things. And that's often what we do. When God doesn't do what we want, when we want it, we tend to turn to other things for satisfaction. As we can see, the people turned elsewhere for satisfaction, and it got them in some trouble. We learn that thousands of them even died for their disobedience to God. We have to remember that God will always come through right when we need it. Let's not get impatient and turn to other things. Let's trust Him always.

See. I told you. This just scratches the surface of what we can learn in Exodus 31 and 32. Dig into it for yourself. God has something to teach you if you'll take the time, like Moses, to listen.

-Taylor

6/12/13

PRIME - Day 15

Read Exodus 29 & 30

Exodus chapters 29-30 are once again full of God's specific instructions to the Israelites. Since He had just finished instructing them on how to build the place of worship, He was now giving them specific instructions on how to use it, and boy were they shocking!

These ritualistic sacrifices were done in such a way that make it hard to go into detail about them without making you want to skip lunch!
The things that God required to cover the sins of His people were simply horrifying. Not only were they to perform such sacrificial killings of animals but the instructions also required that they make quite a mess with it, even applying blood to themselves! (Chp. 29 vs. 19-21)

I know what your thinking..."Nnnnahhh Jack!"

The ability to come close to God after sin and death entered the world came at great expense. Not only that but these actions were to repeated regularly to make payment for the sins that the people constantly committed. That's exactly why these two chapters should give us reason to smile and be thankful, (right after our stomachs settle of course! :)

"God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we where still sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Because of this we don't have to bear these responsibilities anymore. Jesus became everything that was required to wash away our sins and debts towards God once and for all. Never again would it be our responsibility to make atonement for our own sins. All we have to do now is place our trust in Christ and live everyday in response to the great price that he paid for us.

-Brian