THIS PAST WEEK AND WEEKEND I SPENT SOME TIME WITH SOME INCREDIBLE “DIFFERENCE-MAKERS” – MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE STRIVING TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR GOOD AND FOR GOD IN TODAY’S WORLD.

Last week I was down in the Dominican Republic training pastors and spending time with some of the key spiritual leaders of that nation. The 1500 pastors and spouses I was training are with the Assemblies of God, the largest protestant denomination in the Dominican Republic. I also spent time with Fidel DiLorenzo, the leader of the 9000 protestant pastors and churches in that nation. We are planning together for an event later this year that will provide training for the government leaders of that nation, and we are looking at providing future conferences for the evangelical pastors there. Seeing what God is doing through the Christian leaders of the Dominican Republic makes me believe that the Lord is going to bring transformation to that nations in a number of different areas.

This past weekend Vicki and I had opportunity to drive to Baton Rouge to join 12+ influential pastors from our state in a special worship service for Governor Jindal and Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne. During one point in the service, several other pastors and I laid hands on Governor Jindal and prayed for him – praying that the Lord would work through him and his cabinet in the upcoming years to make a positive difference in the lives of the citizens of our state. I believe that the Lord is raising up good and godly men and women as leaders in our state, people who want to be and will be “difference-makers” for good and for God.

THE GOOD NEW IS THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN CAN BE A “DIFFERENCE-MAKER” FOR THE LORD. Whether you live in the Dominican Republic, the United States or some other nation; whether you are a government leader, pastor, businessperson, laborer, homemaker, student etc.; you can by utilized by the Lord to “make a difference” for God and for good in our world today. Acts 10:38 records that: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with Him.” As Christians, the same Holy Spirit that indwelled and empowered Jesus lives inside of us, and He will enable us, like Jesus, to “do good” and bring help, hope and healing to people’s lives as we surrender and submit our lives to Him.

Therefore, I want to encourage you in 2012 to allow the Holy Spirit to fill your life with His presence and power, so that He can work through you to “make a difference” in the lives of others, to “make a difference” for good and for God in our world.

THIS MONTH AT OUR CELEBRATION CAMPUSES AND THROUGH OUR LIFE GROUPS WE’RE LEARNING HOW TO BEGIN BEING “DIFFERENCE-MAKERS” IN OUR WORLD. As we begin this “Difference-making” journey together, I want to encourage you to do several things.

• Acquire the MAKING A DIFFERENCE E-Book here, which provides Scripture readings and Devotionals from our Pastoral Staff to help encourage and strengthen you throughout the month of January
• Participate with us in the 12-FASTING & PRAYER EMPHASIS (instructions can be found in the MAKING A DIFFERENCE E-Book), making sure to pray for the Lord’s direction for your life, His provision for your family and Church family, and salvation for loved ones
• Listen and view the DO SOMETHING FOR YOU message from this past weekend so that you can learn how to set financial, physical and spiritual goals for your life for 2012 (you can view the message daily via our Online Campus, or you can acquire a CD copy of the message from our campuses)
• Get involved in a LIFE GROUP (Life Group Connection Events will take place this weekend at our Campuses), so that you can have a godly support network, grow in the Lord, and have some friends that join you in meaningful ministry activities
• Attend the I WANT 2 KNOW event (if you’ve never done so) at our Campuses on Sunday, January 22 (following the Sunday services) so that you can learn about the history, mission, vision, values, beliefs and membership opportunities of Celebration Church
• Determine that you’re going to get involved in serving God by serving others in 2012 (the VOLUNTEER REVOLUTION on January 28-29 will give you insight regarding this)