Bob and Mavis Green preached this message called “For Freedom” at our services in Lower Manhattan and Union Square on April 28, 2013.
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Sunday Services-
Lower Manhattan – Scholastic Auditorium 11am
Union Square - New York Film Academy 7pm
We are so excited and thrilled to hear from our very own Family and Pastoral Care Pastors, Bob & Mavis Green, who are pillars in our church. They will be imparting an incredible, life-changing message, “For Freedom”, and you don’t want to miss! Join us at Lower Manhattan and Union Square on April 28th.
Ben Rodgers from Children’s Cup preached this message called “Fear Factor” at our services in Lower Manhattan and Union Square on April 21, 2013.
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Sunday Services-
Lower Manhattan – Scholastic Auditorium 11am
Union Square - New York Film Academy 7pm
Our devotional series is a collection of writings from members of Liberty Church. This piece was written by Emily Kirkendoll.
Somewhere in my apartment building, a shrieking lady lives with her, I presume, teenage-ish shrieking daughter. They like to shriek at each other, periodically. I’m not sure what she looks like or which apartment she lives in, but I imagine she could light a candle by breathing on it, and this fascinates me. I begin to wonder a few things: Does she realize how unhinged she sounds? Is all this noise really working for them? And, as a matter of curiosity, how does my voice sound from their apartment?
During a thunderstorm this week, I happened to be reading Psalm 29: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks cedars…twists oaks…”, etc.
So I Googled “what causes thunder”—not that I didn’t already know. I found a Scientific American article that explained how the electrons from the cloud heat the air molecules to three times the temperature of the sun creating a vacuum…C’mon. Don’t Google it right now. So rude.
The article wraps up by stating, very scientifically, that this awe-inspiring force of nature reminds us of our insignificance. Really? Is that the point? And is that what the Psalm is saying? Is God throwing a tantrum just to make us feel powerless? Is the voice of the Lord like the voice of the Shrieking Lady trying desperately to gain control by making us feel small?
I was reminded of another mom at Liberty. We had been commiserating about our kids’ growing independence and how fearful it made us that we couldn’t always protect them or control their actions as they went out into the world. As I was remembering our conversation and praying for her, I imagined her speaking in a strong voice. I heard her speaking over her children as they left for school with foresight and wisdom, reminding them of their spiritual identities. She was not screaming, but her voice was carrying over the distances and throughout the day. Her kids were not intimidated by bullies or led astray by peer pressure or shamed by teachers or corrupted by strangers…not because she was able to control them by screaming and lecturing them, but because she was able to lead them by speaking truth over them to guide them in the challenges they would face.
I think this is actually closer to the freedom God has entrusted us with. His voice is powerful because it speaks truth on a level above our circumstances, not because it is loud or booming or scary. It’s not meant to drown us out or intimidate us either. His voice reminds us of who we are in Him and guides us throughout our day. In fact, in Psalm 29 God’s thundering over the water elicits a response and blessing for God’s people.
So whose voice is in my head right now? What is it speaking to me? Is it truth? Is it leading me forward in peace and joy? (Think about Isaiah 55:9-13) And how does my voice carry into other apartments? I’m not one for a lot of volume, but am I using derision, sarcasm, gossip, pessimism, or even deliberate lying to get my way? (Read Luke 12:2-3)
Prayer: Lord God, help me to discern your voice above the roar of the media, my own thoughts that cause a division in my heart, and any outside forces that try to drown you out. Help me to cultivate a listening ear, that hears you throughout my day, covering me with your love, grace, patience, wisdom, protection and strength. May I not be bullied by the challenges of life but rest in your sovereign assurance that my identity, hope and future are solidified in who You say I am and what You say I am called to do. Help me to watch the words that come from my own mouth, which speaks life or death, so that I am speaking life into every situation and about every person whether they are friend or foe. Amen!
Mike Murphy preached this message called “I’ll Be Back” at our services in Lower Manhattan and Union Square on April 14, 2013.
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Sunday Services-
Lower Manhattan – Scholastic Auditorium 11am
Union Square - New York Film Academy 7pm
Our guest speaker series continues this month as Ben Rodgers, Executive President of Children’s Cup, joins us at both communities on April 21st. Ben lives and breathes “missions” so prepare to be inspired.
Hope to see you there.
Paul and Andi Andrew preached this message about “Marriage & Relationships” at our services in Lower Manhattan and Union Square on April 7, 2013.
Subscribe in iTunes to the LibertyChurchNYC podcast to receive new teaching automatically.
Sunday Services-
Lower Manhattan – Scholastic Auditorium 11am
Union Square - New York Film Academy 7pm
We are so excited about this month’s guest speaker series. Join us at both of our Lower Manhattan (11:00am) and Union Square (7:00pm) communities to hear from Pastor Mike Murphy of Shirelive in Sydney, Australia. He’s a mentor to our own pastors and has had a significant impact on our church.
Hope to see you there.
