Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Mens Fellowship

“I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge—because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Christ Jesus to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 NIV

About ten years ago, my life was filled with the habit of seeking the answers to life’s problems in all the wrong places. It was a time where my life was not marked by the faith I have today. Instead I found myself off the path of righteousness, living in rebellion of our Lord, looking for meaning in the experiences of this world not through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But God is one of love and grace, and through His power rescued me from that sinful condition. He sent angels into my life and presented me a ‘roadmap’ to living by faith. It began by rediscovery of the Word and putting God back into my everyday life, not just on Sunday mornings.

Today I find myself filled with joy of the prosperity God gave me and compelled to share the good news to all who may hear. For I was a man who spent part of his life not seeking first the kingdom of God, yet God loved me so much that He brought me to this point of incredible peace. Through His son Jesus Christ, God has presented me a gift and enriched my life in every way necessary.

What is exciting is that this gift is available to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. For once we become a Christian; our lives have been enriched in every way. No longer do we lack what is sufficient to living the life which we have been called out by God. The resources necessary to sustain us through the mission God has presented us is available even when they do not seem to exist. Strength, wisdom, peace, and every other resource we need is available if we seek first His kingdom.

Yet the ‘world’ does not understand this prosperity which is why the ‘world’ continues to persecute all who believe in Jesus Christ. For the ‘world’ continues to evaluate our prosperity as Christians through the language of material wealth. To all who do not believe, resources are instead measured by wealth, buildings, internet websites, television, ect. It is the mindset of the Western culture which permeates into their view of Christians.

But Jesus himself wanted His disciples to rely completely on Him to show them (and the world) where all true prosperity comes from. For He said in the gospel of Mark:

“Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.” Mark 6:8,9 NIV

Brothers, I believe all of us must transform our mind and begin to understand the great blessing of prosperity which has been bestowed upon our lives. The Apostle Paul presented us with the truth when he said ‘you have been enriched in every way’.

It is so easy to fall into the trap of not believing that statement because many days we feel lacking in resources; but we must stop listening to the voice of doubt. We must stop seeking answers to life’s problems by evaluating our ‘worldly’ means. Instead we need to begin putting our complete faith in the Lord and knowing that the Lord will provide all that is necessary for the journey.

Therefore join me in prayer that all this will be accomplished in our lives. Join me in prayer that the Church will continue to be true witness to the prosperity which has been shared to all who believe. May God continue to bless all of us on this journey.


Prayer requests

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

Mark – pray for continued health of family, pray for a stronger home / work balance, pray that the Lord will teach me to be an effective shepherd

David – pray for growth in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for new opportunities each day for growth, pray that His daughter may be saved

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

Ernie – pray for the health of wife in her leg and knee, pray that his son can reach sergeant with the Everett Police department and that he may received protection while on duty

Dick – praise for strength in new employment

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

Continued prayer needs

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

Ramon – pray that Ramon may learn to trust Him for all of his 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 is back in the Fireside Room at Northshore. Here is the upcoming meeting schedule:

Wednesday, January 16th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting in the Fireside room at Northshore Christian Church (call for directions).

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


Challenge

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

Memory Verse

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6,7 NKJV