I hope that this week has been an adventure for you! Sharing your faith is an adventure where you never know what might happen next. It is Saturday and I have had two oppertunities to share my faith today. It is 1:55 p.m. and I may get another before the day is done.
I am excited about tomorrow. I will be wraping up the Every Day series and we will be having the easter egg hunt at the park. If you want to sign your kids up call the office (239-4054) and leave a message with the number of children and their ages. Sign up is not necessary, but gives us an idea of what to prepare for.
We have added a lot of new events to the web site www.firstagwashington.org . We are working to make it more and more fun and more interesting. We are also starting work on a A.t.t.i.c. Youth site that will be more secure than the my space page, but just as fun and interactive.
I am working on a wikipedia entry for our church. I hope to have it complet in a week or so. Why you ask? Because we want to get out in the market place and get out where those who need the message of Jesus can hear it.
Have a blessed day!
Paul
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Enlarge: daily Witnessing
Hey gang it works!!!
This morning I got up out of bed a bit early, and before I even left my room gave God the first fruits of my day. While praying I asked God to help me find an opportunity to share my faith today. By 7:45 a.m. I was sharing my faith, and not through any role I have as a pastor, just in meeting with people in a public place.
Ask God for opportunity and you will get it!
Paul
This morning I got up out of bed a bit early, and before I even left my room gave God the first fruits of my day. While praying I asked God to help me find an opportunity to share my faith today. By 7:45 a.m. I was sharing my faith, and not through any role I have as a pastor, just in meeting with people in a public place.
Ask God for opportunity and you will get it!
Paul
Monday, March 26, 2007
Enlarge: Daily Witnessing
There is a great request of God by a man named Jabez. It is found in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 4:9-10. The Bible says, "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
Jabez asked two things. First, that the lord would enlarge his territory. God wants to enlarge your territory. Since God instructed us to "fill the earth" in Genesis we have had a desire to expand and enlarge our territory. This is evident in the conquests of ancient kings and empires, colonialism, the westward expansion of North America and finally, the quest to grow beyond this planet into space exploration. We are beings who want to expand and enlarge our territory.
For the common person who is not an explorer, astronaut, warrior or conqueror this passion is often lost. It is lost in the cage of a cubicle, or the maze (rat race) of a schedule that is too busy with non-expanding work.
One way for the Christian to break out of the cage and find the excitement of enlarging their territory is through leading friends to Christ. I may not find a new continent, but I can lead literally hundreds, even thousands, of people into the kingdom of God in my lifetime! I can be a conqueror, an explorer of dangerous territory, a warrior who is building a kingdom.
The second prayer is that he would be free from pain. The fear of being a warrior, conqueror, or explorer is the threat of pain, discomfort, and even death. It is a dangerous job. The fear of witnessing is that it will bring pain, frustration, and unwanted discomfort to our life. Yes, there will be pain and uncomfortable times. However, there will also be times of victory. "But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, his greatest fulfillment of all he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." Vince Lombardi.
Have a great day,
Paul
Jabez asked two things. First, that the lord would enlarge his territory. God wants to enlarge your territory. Since God instructed us to "fill the earth" in Genesis we have had a desire to expand and enlarge our territory. This is evident in the conquests of ancient kings and empires, colonialism, the westward expansion of North America and finally, the quest to grow beyond this planet into space exploration. We are beings who want to expand and enlarge our territory.
For the common person who is not an explorer, astronaut, warrior or conqueror this passion is often lost. It is lost in the cage of a cubicle, or the maze (rat race) of a schedule that is too busy with non-expanding work.
One way for the Christian to break out of the cage and find the excitement of enlarging their territory is through leading friends to Christ. I may not find a new continent, but I can lead literally hundreds, even thousands, of people into the kingdom of God in my lifetime! I can be a conqueror, an explorer of dangerous territory, a warrior who is building a kingdom.
The second prayer is that he would be free from pain. The fear of being a warrior, conqueror, or explorer is the threat of pain, discomfort, and even death. It is a dangerous job. The fear of witnessing is that it will bring pain, frustration, and unwanted discomfort to our life. Yes, there will be pain and uncomfortable times. However, there will also be times of victory. "But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, his greatest fulfillment of all he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." Vince Lombardi.
Have a great day,
Paul
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Enlarge: Daily Witness
How can I share Jesus Every Day without loosing all my friends? For some reason the greatest hindrance in sharing our faith is that people will not accept us if we share what we believe. This week I will be discussing this in more detail. Here are the Scriptures we studied in the Sunday Service this week.
Colossians 4:4-6
“4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
1 Peter 3:15
“15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Mark 16:15
“15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
Romans 10:15
15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and he who wins souls is wise.”
We are responsible to share Jesus with our neighbors.
“Proclaim it clearly”
Use normal words, not religious images.
Use everyday connections, apply the Good News.
Use the Scriptures, not church or religion.
Use your testimony, not just any story.
“Be Wise…toward outsiders”
“Let your light shine before men…”
Know what to avoid, but also, how to relate to people.
“Make the most of every opportunity.”
Look for opportunity.
Take a chance on God.
“Be…full of grace”
Understand what grace is, God was gracious to you.
Show God’s grace to others.
Speak with gentleness and respect.
“Be Prepared”
Know some scriptures that lead friends to Christ.
Tell friends what you know for sure about God.
Be prepared to pray with others about anything.
“How beautiful” can you be?
What makes a beautiful witness?
Courage, not Fear
Boldness, not Timidity
Integrity, not Hypocrisy
Kindness, not Harshness
Optimism, not Negativity
Contentment, not Complaining
Joy, not Depression
Peace, not Strife
We may not feel so beautiful, or able to be beautiful. However, God in his creating and saving power can and will make you beautiful if you call on Jesus name.
Paul
Colossians 4:4-6
“4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
1 Peter 3:15
“15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Mark 16:15
“15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
Romans 10:15
15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and he who wins souls is wise.”
We are responsible to share Jesus with our neighbors.
“Proclaim it clearly”
Use normal words, not religious images.
Use everyday connections, apply the Good News.
Use the Scriptures, not church or religion.
Use your testimony, not just any story.
“Be Wise…toward outsiders”
“Let your light shine before men…”
Know what to avoid, but also, how to relate to people.
“Make the most of every opportunity.”
Look for opportunity.
Take a chance on God.
“Be…full of grace”
Understand what grace is, God was gracious to you.
Show God’s grace to others.
Speak with gentleness and respect.
“Be Prepared”
Know some scriptures that lead friends to Christ.
Tell friends what you know for sure about God.
Be prepared to pray with others about anything.
“How beautiful” can you be?
What makes a beautiful witness?
Courage, not Fear
Boldness, not Timidity
Integrity, not Hypocrisy
Kindness, not Harshness
Optimism, not Negativity
Contentment, not Complaining
Joy, not Depression
Peace, not Strife
We may not feel so beautiful, or able to be beautiful. However, God in his creating and saving power can and will make you beautiful if you call on Jesus name.
Paul
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Elate: Daily Integrity
Psalm 33:1 says, "Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him." Another way that we live a happier, more fulfilled life through daily integrity is through righteous praise. "It is fitting for the upright to praise him." When we live a life of integrity we realize that God has changed us in ways that we could never change ourselves.
There is nothing more joyful than seeing personal growth in your own life! Without the Lord we struggle to make changes in our habits and lives constantly failing. With God's help we experience changes that will last. We stop being failures and start winning.
Romans chapter seven summarizes the frustration of trying to change without the help of God through Jesus and his powerful Holy Spirit. Then, Romans chapter eight summarizes the personal victory of life through the Spirit of God. Romans 8:37 sums it up like this, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Believers are winners, not losers. If God is making a conqueror out of a loser like me, then it is fitting for me to praise him!
Paul
There is nothing more joyful than seeing personal growth in your own life! Without the Lord we struggle to make changes in our habits and lives constantly failing. With God's help we experience changes that will last. We stop being failures and start winning.
Romans chapter seven summarizes the frustration of trying to change without the help of God through Jesus and his powerful Holy Spirit. Then, Romans chapter eight summarizes the personal victory of life through the Spirit of God. Romans 8:37 sums it up like this, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Believers are winners, not losers. If God is making a conqueror out of a loser like me, then it is fitting for me to praise him!
Paul
Golf in the Snow
Last Saturday Tony Rowden and I thought we should get out and play some golf. After two holes, it started to snow. We were bummed, but continued to finish the front nine. Here are ten actual comments we made while playing golf that we never though we would make, ever!
10. I got a boggie no that one, argh, I just swallowed a snow flake.
9. Did you see my shot? No, I have a snow flake in my eye!
8. Ya' know, Spring starts next week.
7. It's nice to have the course to ourselves.
6. This is not flurries!
5. I think cold air delrium is setting in.
4. Do winter rules apply?
3. Look at that snow flake it's huge?
2. How will I track my ball in the air? The ball will be grey on a background of white.
1. I think we are getting some accumulation.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Time Away
Monday and Tuesday I spent with my three children at my parents farm. My wife was in Seatle visiting her sister. We love working on the farm together. We learn some great life lessons together while we work. many of the things that I learned from my father were learned while working together on the farm.
P.S. The boys don't really ride on the tractor, they are still too little. But I have fun plowing up the garden.
Paul
Elate: Daily Integrity
The product of Daily Prayer and Daily Study is Daily Integrity. The product of Daily Integrity is elation. Here are some synonyms for elation: -Joy -Delight -Jubilation -Excitement -Bliss -Pleasure -Happiness. All the things we seek in sin, we find in purity!
Here are the Scriptures and the outline for the message this last week.
1 Chronicles 29:17
7I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
Psalm 78:72
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Nehemiah 7:2I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.
The CORE of integrity is the heart. A pure heart will be filled with joy and peace.
The COURAGE of integrity makes a happy life. No one is happy about their timidity.
The CLAIRITY of integrity make tough choices easier to make. Make decisions based on principal.
The CAPABILITY of integrity brings hapiness through success.
I have some other Scriptures that I will share with you tomorrow that show us more benifits of integrity.
Have a great day.
Paul
Here are the Scriptures and the outline for the message this last week.
1 Chronicles 29:17
7I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
Psalm 78:72
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Nehemiah 7:2I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.
The CORE of integrity is the heart. A pure heart will be filled with joy and peace.
The COURAGE of integrity makes a happy life. No one is happy about their timidity.
The CLAIRITY of integrity make tough choices easier to make. Make decisions based on principal.
The CAPABILITY of integrity brings hapiness through success.
I have some other Scriptures that I will share with you tomorrow that show us more benifits of integrity.
Have a great day.
Paul
Friday, March 16, 2007
HUGE Thanks!
Tonight is our workers appreciation banquet. We as paid staff of the church felt that it would be great to thank all the volunteers who make our church a great church. We feel that having dinner and saying thanks is a very small way to let you know how much we appreciate your ministry.
There are so many ways people help out around here. Some tasks are never noticed and others are very visible. Either way, every job is essential to the whole church working well.
Three nights ago Gabe was in bed, but not yet asleep, the story of my life! While I was policing the bedroom to keep the kids in bed he began to sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." I was stunned because we have never sung that song to our kids and wondered where they learned the whole thing. I asked, "Where did you learn that song?" Gabe said, "Oh, some class." I am more and more amazed at what my children are learning from the people who volunteer in ministry at First AG.
I hope you are having a great week in prayer and in studying the Word of God. Every Day matters are what really matter.
Paul
There are so many ways people help out around here. Some tasks are never noticed and others are very visible. Either way, every job is essential to the whole church working well.
Three nights ago Gabe was in bed, but not yet asleep, the story of my life! While I was policing the bedroom to keep the kids in bed he began to sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." I was stunned because we have never sung that song to our kids and wondered where they learned the whole thing. I asked, "Where did you learn that song?" Gabe said, "Oh, some class." I am more and more amazed at what my children are learning from the people who volunteer in ministry at First AG.
I hope you are having a great week in prayer and in studying the Word of God. Every Day matters are what really matter.
Paul
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Growing Worship Team
I took Gabe to worship practiice recently and let him play the guitar with me. It looked something like this.
Paul
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Engage: Daily Study
In the second sermon in the Every Day series we are challenged to Engage in Daily Bible Study.
The term study makes us think of school and cramming for exams and stress! The Daily Study that I am talking about is not stressful and filled with fear of failure at exam time! Every time you study the Scriptures you are a winner! You are receiving relief from all the things about life, and perhaps school, that you hate.
If you can read, I guess you can if you understand this blog, you are a privileged citizen of the earth. According to The White House Conference on Global Literacy (www.globalliteracy.gov/index.html) 18% of the world is illiterate, that is over 770 million people. Take the opportunity to read!
Richard Steel, a British essayist said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." The Bible says, "...physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things." (1 Timothy 4:8). We need to exercise and take care of our bodies. How much more should we take care of our spirit which is eternal and will outlast our body! You exercise the soul and mind when you read the Scriptures!
Have a great day in the Word.
Paul
The term study makes us think of school and cramming for exams and stress! The Daily Study that I am talking about is not stressful and filled with fear of failure at exam time! Every time you study the Scriptures you are a winner! You are receiving relief from all the things about life, and perhaps school, that you hate.
If you can read, I guess you can if you understand this blog, you are a privileged citizen of the earth. According to The White House Conference on Global Literacy (www.globalliteracy.gov/index.html) 18% of the world is illiterate, that is over 770 million people. Take the opportunity to read!
Richard Steel, a British essayist said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." The Bible says, "...physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things." (1 Timothy 4:8). We need to exercise and take care of our bodies. How much more should we take care of our spirit which is eternal and will outlast our body! You exercise the soul and mind when you read the Scriptures!
Have a great day in the Word.
Paul
Engage: Daily Study
All leadership is influence. You can not influence if you have not learned and gained information. Leaders are Learners. People who influence their world are learners and learners are readers. This message chalenges you to be learning and studying the Bible Every Day. Here is the outline for the message.
Why should I study the Word Every Day?
It is Authentic Truth
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
It Is Active Truth
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Why should I stand on the Word Every Day?
Because of God’s Promises to me.
2 Corinthians 1:20 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Because of God’s Power through me.
1 Peter 1:23-25 “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.”
1 John 2:14 “ I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
Because of God’s Provision in me.
Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Because of God’s Plan for me.
Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Jeremiah 29:11 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God Bless you,
Paul
Why should I study the Word Every Day?
It is Authentic Truth
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
It Is Active Truth
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Why should I stand on the Word Every Day?
Because of God’s Promises to me.
2 Corinthians 1:20 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Because of God’s Power through me.
1 Peter 1:23-25 “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.”
1 John 2:14 “ I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
Because of God’s Provision in me.
Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Because of God’s Plan for me.
Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Jeremiah 29:11 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God Bless you,
Paul
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Early Prayer
As I mentioned yesterday, this Sunday's sermon has really stirred me! I determined to give God the first moments (first fruits) of my day and my wife has been doing the same. I used to get up and immediately get inthe shower and get ready, then pray. Now, I am praying, then getting ready. This pays off! I may not be praying in a way that is most comfortable to me, but it is most pleasing to God. A small change with big results in my heart.
William Cowper, a British poet (1731-1800) said,
"Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees."
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
William Cowper, a British poet (1731-1800) said,
"Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees."
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Too Much On My Plate
We are in our Every Day Series of messages, and this week we are all striving to be persistent in our private place of prayer.
I hope that you have already experienced more of God in the last two days by taking the time to pray in the morning. This is one sermon where I have convinced myself of the need for more prayer, earlier in my day! It has already been great for me.
Let me challenge you with a thought. What's on your plate today? We use this term to refer to the responsibilities that we have to deal with. There are certain things on my plate that I have no choice to remove. God is my first priority. I am a husband and Stephanie is my second priority. I am a father and Gabe, Ben and Elizabeth are my third priorities. I am a pastor, my fourth priority. I have employees to pray for and lead. I own my home and property, which is another priority. There are many others down the list.
There are some things on my plate that I don't really need. I could be reading and learning something that could change my life, rather than watching the news that I already heard earlier in the day on the radio. Why watch the weather report again when it has not changed, if it even matters. I don't need to stop for another cup of coffee every time (I know, contradicting my blog title). I don't have to waste time on useless things.
If I got rid of the non-priority items on my plate, how much more clear would my plate be for my daily private place of prayer? If you removed some useless things at night could you go to bed and wake up early ready to give God the first 30 to 60 minutes of your day?
Every day we are bombarded with false information form our surroundings. We need to start Every Day by getting the truth into our heads and God's peace in our hearts.
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
I hope that you have already experienced more of God in the last two days by taking the time to pray in the morning. This is one sermon where I have convinced myself of the need for more prayer, earlier in my day! It has already been great for me.
Let me challenge you with a thought. What's on your plate today? We use this term to refer to the responsibilities that we have to deal with. There are certain things on my plate that I have no choice to remove. God is my first priority. I am a husband and Stephanie is my second priority. I am a father and Gabe, Ben and Elizabeth are my third priorities. I am a pastor, my fourth priority. I have employees to pray for and lead. I own my home and property, which is another priority. There are many others down the list.
There are some things on my plate that I don't really need. I could be reading and learning something that could change my life, rather than watching the news that I already heard earlier in the day on the radio. Why watch the weather report again when it has not changed, if it even matters. I don't need to stop for another cup of coffee every time (I know, contradicting my blog title). I don't have to waste time on useless things.
If I got rid of the non-priority items on my plate, how much more clear would my plate be for my daily private place of prayer? If you removed some useless things at night could you go to bed and wake up early ready to give God the first 30 to 60 minutes of your day?
Every day we are bombarded with false information form our surroundings. We need to start Every Day by getting the truth into our heads and God's peace in our hearts.
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Good News!
We as Christians always have good news. We have the gospel. The great thing is that when you have The Good News you will experience lots of other good news along with it!
1. Last week during revival the Lord blessed us to be able to give over $1,700 to our guest ministers. We were stunned at the unbelievable giving of the church! God job everyone. God knows your heart and will reward you for your giving and the time we give him.
2. During revival services we as a church experienced several great things. One person saved. Three filled with the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 2:4). One individual called into ministry. One testimony of healing and many great encouraging experiences for us all.
As you continue to pray and seek God you will experience more good news!
Let me encourage you to have faith in God for miracles. I am convinced of two things . First, we doubt God's willingness to help way too often. Second, we don't spend enough time with God to have a decent conversation with him to receive the things we need. We need Quality time with God (full of faith). We also need Quantity time with God (full attention).
God Bless you all,
Paul
1. Last week during revival the Lord blessed us to be able to give over $1,700 to our guest ministers. We were stunned at the unbelievable giving of the church! God job everyone. God knows your heart and will reward you for your giving and the time we give him.
2. During revival services we as a church experienced several great things. One person saved. Three filled with the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 2:4). One individual called into ministry. One testimony of healing and many great encouraging experiences for us all.
As you continue to pray and seek God you will experience more good news!
Let me encourage you to have faith in God for miracles. I am convinced of two things . First, we doubt God's willingness to help way too often. Second, we don't spend enough time with God to have a decent conversation with him to receive the things we need. We need Quality time with God (full of faith). We also need Quantity time with God (full attention).
God Bless you all,
Paul
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Every Day
In this series we are looking at things that every Christian needs Every Day.
Every Day we are bombarded with influences that squeeze God out of our thoughts and add all kinds of wrong thoughts to our thinking. We have to fight back against this flood of influences. You will be influenced, but you can choose what will influence you the most.
Every Day, every Christian must ENGAGE in Daily Prayer.
The Priority of Prayer
Exodus 33:7-117 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.Acts 2:42
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The Privacy of Prayer
Matthew 6:6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
ŽThe Persistence of Prayer
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
The Praise of Prayer
Psalm 145:2
Every Day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.
The Privilege of Prayer
Ephesians 3:12
12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence
1 John 5:14
4This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears
us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Presence of Prayer
Hosea 6:1-2
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
The Power of Prayer
John 14:12-14
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Exodus 33:9
9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.
The Peace of Prayer
Exodus 33:11
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
First A/G Washington www.firstagwshington.org
Every Day we are bombarded with influences that squeeze God out of our thoughts and add all kinds of wrong thoughts to our thinking. We have to fight back against this flood of influences. You will be influenced, but you can choose what will influence you the most.
Every Day, every Christian must ENGAGE in Daily Prayer.
The Priority of Prayer
Exodus 33:7-117 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.Acts 2:42
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The Privacy of Prayer
Matthew 6:6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
ŽThe Persistence of Prayer
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
The Praise of Prayer
Psalm 145:2
Every Day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.
The Privilege of Prayer
Ephesians 3:12
12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence
1 John 5:14
4This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears
us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Presence of Prayer
Hosea 6:1-2
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
The Power of Prayer
John 14:12-14
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Exodus 33:9
9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.
The Peace of Prayer
Exodus 33:11
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
First A/G Washington www.firstagwshington.org
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