Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Mens Fellowship

“…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:2-5 NIV

As the year comes to a close, my mind is drawn upon all the amazing things which have taken place through the divine intervention of our Lord. Many great blessings have been bestowed upon all of us through His love and mercy. It is a time to rejoice for a year full of trials, in order that we all may be refined becoming the jars of clay the potter so wishes us to become…

Therefore let our minds rest upon the hope that fills all of us as Christians. For we as Christians do not possess hope as the world obtains its meaning. The definition of hope the world uses is wishing that something would come to pass, not knowing the outcome. It is a hope which is built upon sand, sitting at the mercy of the ocean tides.

The Apostle Paul here in the book of Romans talks about a hope which contains no uncertainty. Instead it is a hope which speaks of something certain, but not yet realized. This hope is one which fills all of us as Christians. We should rejoice that we have access to this hope because everything the Word proclaims is certain. Our salvation is secure through the ‘blood of Christ’. This is a hope which is built upon a rock able to stand against the strongest ocean waves.

Brothers, this hope may come at the peril of many trials. It may require that we face sufferings and times of perseverance, but our Lord is faithful. His covenant is true and through the difficulties of life He has promised to share all of His glory with us.

For the Apostle John wrote:

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...” 1 John 3:1 NIV

And John also shared with us the words of Christ himself during a time of prayer for all believers in the gospel he penned:

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me…” John 17:22,23 NIV

Therefore as we enter the New Year I am filled with so much hope!! I am certain the Lord will continue to bless us throughout this coming year and work through His body, the Church, to do amazing things. We should rest our thoughts and prayers within the Christian hope so proclaimed, not the hope of the world.

May we persevere as One body of Christ, standing beside one another in unity through all the trials which may come. May all of us come together with our burdens so the Lord may give us peace with His Word.

God bless, and have a wonderful New Year sharing in the glory of God…


Prayer requests

Craig – pray that he will find comfort during his recent bought of asthma, pray the Lord will give him peace

Ramon – pray that Ramon may learn to trust Him for all of his needs

Mark – pray for protection of our unborn child, pray that the Lord will teach me to be an effective shepherd

David – pray that David may become an effective witness for Christ and to learn how to pray

Ernie – praise for continued strengthening of wife during current health episode, pray for the health of wife

Kelcy – pray for Kelcy and his wife in knowing how to serve God this coming year

Tim – pray for health and that any medical issues be resolved in the coming weeks

Dick – praise for job opportunity, pray for safe travels to and from Oregon, pray that strength will be provided for new job

***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church

Continued prayer needs

Carmine – pray for a friend in Boston (Paul) who has been recently laid off

Larry – pray for leadership in leading group of men with CTL, pray that the marriage ministry will begin to make a larger impact on the Church

Gary – pray for strength in working with IRS, praise and prayer for staph infection, pray for stepdaughters in their struggles

Norman – pray for daughter with clinical tests this week trying to determine cause of seizures

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life

Michael – praise for Michael finding a Church in Alabama for himself and family

*** pray also for the men’s ministry in developing Godly leaders


Future Meetings

Please make note that the next meeting will be at Starbucks in Everett. It is a great opportunity to take this ministry out into the world and to shine our light into the darkness… On January 16th we will return to the Fireside room. Here is the upcoming meeting schedule:


Wednesday, January 2nd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Starbucks on Evergreen Way at the intersection of 75th in Everett (call Mark for directions)

Wednesday, January 16th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting in the Fireside room at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, January 30th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting in the Fireside room at Northshore Christian Church


Challenge

May we find peace and power within our inner being in order to build unity throughout the Church…