Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 NIV

When our mindset sets itself upon material wealth, this verse begins to fall into one category and one direction. It tends to become a command to those who are endowed with material wealth to give their riches to the poor with the financial status of people becoming the measure of sharing.

Yes, I believe we are called to give financially to the poor if we are able. But I do not believe the Apostle Paul was only focused on material wealth when this verse was penned. For he used the Greek word κοινωνέω (koinoneo) which means to ‘share with others objectively or subjectively, by communicating or distributing as a partaker’. From this understanding, it becomes more a verse about unity then a verse which is directional in nature. For the Apostle Paul understood this unity when he spoke kindly of the Philippians in sharing his troubles: “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” Philippians 4:14 NIV

Brothers, my desire is to understand the riches of this message in my life. For truly this message is at the core of any Christian brotherhood. Because all of us joined together in the body of Christ have been given specific gifts to use within the body. When one member is struggling in seeing, let the ‘eyes of the body’ come to give aid. When one member is struggling in hearing, let the ‘ears of the body’ come to assist. When one member is struggling in walking, let the ‘feet of the body’ come to walk.

For this comes directly to the meaning Luke shared in the book of Acts when he said:

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.” Acts 2:44 NIV

Today I am sure all of us find ourselves dealing with different troubles. Yet I am also sure that all of us share something in common. And as we begin to journey down this path together as one brotherhood, one ‘body of Christ’; let us begin to see how we can overcome our troubles by what we share in common.

Christ said we should love thy neighbor as thyself (Luke 10:27), therefore let us give ourselves to others. For it may not be financial assistant that someone needs, it may only be a listening ear or a loving heart. By partaking together with someone else’s troubles, the ‘body of Christ’ is strengthened and the glory of God is revealed.

May the Lord continue to bring all of us to the foot of the cross everyday as one ‘body of Christ’. May the Lord continue to share His riches in your life and continue to do amazing things. May your life be marked by these blessings and your light shines into the darkness…

Prayer requests

Kelcy – pray for dizziness of mother and her health

David – praise for promotion at work, pray that the presence of the Lord will be visible to others in order that he may bless them

Tim – pray for discernment on his direction in life

Mark – pray the health of our unborn child, pray for continued strength in the new opportunities we have pursued as a family, pray for wisdom in making the right decisions over the next year

Ramon – praise for God’s blessing on his life

Ernie – pray for the health of wife in her leg and knee

Dick – pray for strength in new employment and possible relocation to the Seattle office

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

Continued prayer needs

Joe – pray that his condo may sell quickly and that he may finally be settled here in Mukilteo

Craig – pray that he will receive the blessing of health and guidance during the next few weeks

Norman – praise for the health of daughter in dealing with her seizures, pray for a safe trip for his daughter during upcoming youth retreat

Carmine – pray for strength in current job in dealing with relationships with employees, pray for job search if the Lord desires new employment

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

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 is back in the Fireside Room at Northshore. Here is the upcoming meeting schedule:

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

Wednesday, February 13th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting in the Fireside room at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, February 27th, 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…

Memory Verse

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8