Al Jennings II

Using Facebook as a Ministry Tool

2Tim. 2:9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.  

Summit member Lori Hobbs posted a status with a few statements that she got out of the message that I ministered yesterday: “Wanna Be Startin’ Something’”. That REALLY touched me and also got me thinking about something. When you use Facebook to pass on something that blessed you from the message, you have the opportunity to touch people in your circle of friends that I don't know. What if all of us did that. I believe God would do some incredible things. I believe it also will open doors for people to inquire about our encounters. So I challenge you to pass along things that minister to you from the encounters and post it on your Facebook page. 

Thanks Lori for this flash of inspiration! I'm being blessed all over again from the message that I taught by reading the responses to what you got out of the message. The word of God is not bound!

Merry Christmas!

John 1:1  In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.  2 He was in the beginning with God.  3 He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make.  4 Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.  5 The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. 

John 1:6   God sent John the Baptist 7 to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.  8 John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light.  9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world. 

John 1:10   But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came.  11 Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted.  12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.  13 They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God. 

John 1:14   So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. 

What a wonderful passage of scripture. As we reflect on Jesus during this Christmas season, let’s purpose to renew our commitment to him and live with a greater passion for Him. Because of Him we’ve been reborn; and our rebirth was not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan - our rebirth came from God!

His life on earth changed everything; changed the world. He didn’t die for a select group of people or the elite, He died for the entire world. And when we received him, He gave us the privilege to be children of God. Let’s share His love with others. Let’s let others know why He lived, why He died, and why He rose.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Speaking to Your Circumstances and Keeping Your Word

Psa. 138:2 I will worship toward your holy temple,

    and praise your name

    for your lovingkindness and your truth;

    for you have magnified your word above all your name. 

Mark 11:23 for assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 

Psa. 15:4     "keep your word even when it costs you, (message)

Confession of God's Word is powerful. Jesus says in Mark 11:23 that you can have what you say. There is a correlation between having what you say and being a person of your word. Before you can believe that what you say will come to pass, you have to be a person of your word. You have to be the kind of person who does what you say you're going to do. In other words, if you say that You’re going to be somewhere at a certain place and time, be sure that you follow through with that commitment. The Bible calls that, keeping your word even when it costs you. Why is this important? Because if you use your words loosely and tell someone that you're going to do something for them and don't get it done when you said you would; if you don't fulfill your commitments like that on a regular basis, subconsciously (in the spirit of your mind - Ephesians 4:23) you really don't believe in your own words. Because you have a pattern of not fulfilling your commitments in a timely manner. That being the case, whether you realize it or not, has an affect on your believing that you can speak to your circumstances and cause them to change. Because you really don't believe your own words. Subconsciously your word is not your bond. Furthermore, you're not acting like God. We can depend on God that His word is good. And to act like God means that our words should be good. You can't believe that your words will change the circumstances if deep down in your heart you know your word is no good.

You think your words aren't that important? Think again. Even God says that He magnifies His word above His name. Your word represents you. You are only as good as your word. 

So if you are not a person who follows through on their commitments, you can change it right now. Begin to be a person of your word. Don't commit to things, dates, or times if you're not going to do exactly what you say. And once you do that, you will begin to believe in your own word. Once you make the adjustments to become a person of your word, then you will be able to believe that your words will change the circumstances and praise God they will!

Al's home, Christmas time & family

This morning I picked up Al at the airport and the Jennings' household have been looking forward to seeing him. They barely made their flight out of Florida, but the favor of God prevailed and they made it. It's good to have him home.

With all the exciting things going on in ministry, it's kinda hard to sort of shut things down in December. Nevertheless, I try to cut down on my work load as it gets close to Christmas. I like to use that time to spend time with family. I really appreciate my family understanding the season that I'm in re: ministry. The past few months I've been really devoting a lot of my time to the multi-site thing and time with my family has sacrificed. But, I have a great and understanding family and I get a lot of love coming from them. BTW, I'm attaching an excellent article on multi-site ministry that made the top headline in USA TODAY yesterday. It gives a lot of perspective on how God is using this model today.

Once things settle down a bit, I'm going to take a vacation. Maybe a cruise, maybe Europe (I've been having a desire to go back to Italy lately; love that joint). But first, I would like to get a site goin' in South Bend!!! Plans are in the work. Oh boy, here we go again. But whenever the vacation does come, it will be sweet.

This is It!

I'm excited about a new series we're beginning at Summit Church on January 26/27 beginning with a message to help jumpstart our new year entitled, "Wanna' Be Startin' Somethin'"

Here's the schedule:

December 26/27 - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

January 2/3 - Man in the Mirror

January 9/10 - Smooth Criminal

January 16/17 - Human Nature & Special Dance Presentation

January 23/24 - You Are Not Alone 

Spread the Word, invite a guest, and let's expect a harvest!

Crazy Praise!!!!!!!

This morning's worship was incredible!!! Zach captured it on video and here is a portion of it. This clip features the Summit Band with Floyd Thomas on the keys and W.R. Sanders on the guitar. Enjoy!