Throughout 2012, we will be focussing on 4 vital biblical themes: Truth, Freedom, Life & Love. Jesus said ‘I am the …truth’ (Jn 14:6), so if we genuinely know him, we have access to all truth. He also said ‘the truth will set you free’ (Jn 8:32) introducing our 2nd theme of freedom. He also promised us ‘life in abundance’ (Jn 10:10 – our 3rd theme) and finally the Bible teaches us that ‘God is love’ (1 Jn 4:16). Somtimes people say the Bible is hard to understand. If we summarise God’s purposes, we will find the following closely related themes:

There is a Biblical concept in the 2nd word of our church name – LAKESIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH PERTON
Community is an outworking of another important biblical concept – RELATIONSHIP
Both concepts are found in the 1st two chapters of Genesis, both come from God’s heart and describe the age of the Kingdom of God which is currently breaking into this present age. God is into good relationships that produce authentic community and has chosen to involve you in his plan! Every

genuine church will be following these concepts whether in city, town or village, to build authentic relationships of love and trust that enables every person to realise their God-given destiny
 
The final 9 chapters of Ezekiel describe a vision God gave to him of a new & perfect Temple in which God came and filled with his glory and from which a river of life flowed (reflected in Revelation 21 &22). The final words of the book of Ezekiel are: ‘The Lord is there’. We have the privilege and opportunity to be that community filled with the glory of God and from which flows a river of life, where people can say to their friends and families: ‘The Lord is there’
 
The goal of CHURCH is to demonstrate God’s kingdom and to provide a community that can be found nowhere else on earth simply because the ‘Lord is there’
We want people to experience the presence of God in our church services, in our children’s and youth work, in our small groups and church activities and through us, as work colleagues, family members, neighbours and friends. This is the most exciting time to be alive and involved in God’s plans. Those of us involved in the recent Alpha courses have seen God doing wonderful things in the lives of those who have attended – we get to the point where we can’t wait for the next week to see what God will do. The end result of seeing and experiencing God at work is ENTHUSIASM which produces EXPECTATION for more! If you want to be involved in the next Alpha Course starting in March 2012, please email: info@lakesideperton.co.uk
 
People can’t help tell their friends and family what has been happening to them – it just spills out all over the place! This is called evangelism, impossible to do in your own strength, completely natural to do in the power and love of God
I believe God wants to do similar things in all of our small groups: home groups, youth groups, worship groups, planning groups…’wherever 2 or 3 gather in my name, I am there in the midst’. Do you want God to fill the group you are involved in with his glory to produce a river of life that flows out to others? If so, why not start praying for it…
This is the most exciting time to be alive and involved in God’s plans. (intentional repeat)
 
2012 can be the most transformational year of your life – but how do you get there? Being intentional helps a lot – try finding a quiet place and ask God to help you understand yourself and the dreams and longings you have for yourself and your involvement with Lakeside Church. Write them down and act upon the specific words God gives to you in personal devotions, through Bible reading, sermons, recordings, books, conferences and through other people. Start a personal spirtual journal in January 2012 and capture these words of life from God to you. If this is new to you, try this simple framework, asking God for:
a) a word of instruction, b) a word of correction, c) a word of encouragement; writing down the first thoughts that come to you

Why not commit to reading through the whole Bible in a year? Go to our ‘Know God’ drop down tab on the home page and click on ‘The Bible in a year’
 
LAKESIDE 2012 teaching themes: TRUTH, FREEDOM, LIFE & LOVE

God bless you,

Rob Pearson, Pastor