The Thursday Update

DECEMBER 14, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

Encouragement.  It’s the action of giving someone support, confidence, and hope. 

We all need it, yet most people struggle to find it.  I think that the number one reason why people are discouraged is because they look for encouragement in all the wrong places, from the wrong people, and for the wrong purposes.  So where do we find encouragement?  Here are two of the best places to find it reliably.

First and foremost, we find it from God Himself.  God is a God of encouragement.  He offers all who trust Him eternal encouragement (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).  How could we ever find that from anyone or anything else?  Second, we find it from others who are walking in the same direction as we are.  It’s why 1 Thessalonians 4:18 says we should encourage each other with the words of God, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says the people of God who come together should encourage each other and build each other up.  See also Hebrews 10:22-25.

So if you need encouragement, you’ll find it from God’s Word and God’s people.  I think that’s why He created the church.  We’ll look at the subject of encouragement as we continue looking at the events surrounding the birth of Jesus in Luke 1.  All the more reason to be at church.

Warmly,
Vince

DECEMBER 8, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

Every Christmas, we all look forward to opening all kinds of gifts from all kinds of people.  We look under the tree to find wrapped gifts just waiting to be opened.  Deep down inside, we hope for things that we really want.  Sometimes we find them and other times we don’t.  Regardless, rarely do any of these gifts make a truly lasting change in our lives that will make Christmas all that we hope it will be. 

Maybe that’s because these gifts never can. 

But there are gifts that come our way that can’t be bought in stores, wrapped in boxes, or even placed under the tree.  They can only be experienced in life when God gives them (and people just can’t).  These gifts are truly lasting and life-changing because those are the only kinds of gifts that God sends out to His people.  And, of course, the greatest gift of God is the arrival of Jesus Christ from heaven to earth on Christmas. 

On Sunday, we’re beginning a new series, What’s Under Your Christmas Tree?  We’ll explore three amazing gifts that God sent out surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, and how these same gifts (in different forms) can be ours as well.  No matter what you find under your Christmas tree this year, God has gifts that are so much greater waiting for you if you will accept them.

Make this Christmas series a priority every Sunday.  It is the gift that God is looking for from those who love Him. Invite someone you know to join you, too.

Warmly,
Vince

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

This week is a busy one here at Lakeshore and everything going on is so important and exciting to be a part of.

Earlier tonight, we continued our series in the book of Revelation by looking at the first half of the final 7 years of life on earth before Jesus returns.  We looked at the “seal judgments” and the four horseman of the apocalypse.  Who is the rider on the white horse? (hint: it’s not Jesus, but the exact opposite person).  Who is the rider on the red horse?  The black horse?  The Ashen horse?  What will happen to Christians then (those who are not a part of the Rapture that happened just before the start of the 7-year tribulation?  What will happen to the environment?  This fascinating chapter tells us how the end of the world begins.  The good news is that true Christians have nothing to fear!  Those who are not, however, will. If you missed tonight's Midweek service, you can watch it here.

On Friday night and Saturday, we'll be packing over 160,000 meals for Feed My Starving Children and it will be payed for through our giving to Making Waves 2024 (Guests who attend the event and are not a part of Lakeshore will be encouraged to donate $50/person to cover their costs).  It is one of the most energizing and action-packed events of the year and to think of the stomachs that we will fill and the lives that God will change through us is overwhelming.  I look forward to seeing you there if you’ve signed up to pack food.

On Sunday, we’ll wrap up our short series, “From Hunger To Hope”, and announce the packing totals from Feed My Starving Children.  We’ll also explain how you can be a part of helping those in need through Making Waves 2024.

Hope to see you here throughout the rest of the week and on Sunday!

Warmly,
Vince