Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Mens Fellowship

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

I was speaking with a friend over lunch the other day about a movie which recently came out in the theaters. My friend was very excited and was just bursting at the seams to share something about this movie. It evidently made such an impact on him that he said, “You have to go see this movie! It is awesome and is definitely worth the price of admission!”

That caused me to think, when was the last time that we shared something about Church with our friend with the same zeal and passion? When did we have a conversation with someone that went something like this, “You have to come on Sunday! It is just awesome to be in Church with other believers, worshiping the Lord, and is definitely worth the price of admission!”

Now I must admit I have not been this person either. I have not gone to people I know and shared with them how great Sunday is at Northshore Christian Church with the same zeal and passion I have about a movie that they have to see. I have definitely fallen short as well.

But this passage from the Lord says ‘let your light shine before men.’ And I believe the Lord says this because He knows we have a tendency as men to hide our light; put it under a bushel; bury it deep within. He knows that we have a tendency to make our worship with the Lord a private matter, allowing others to worship as they choose.

Brothers, the Lord really convicted me of this passage the past week which is why I am sharing it with you this morning. Because I believe He wants all of us to let our light to shine. I believe He wants each one of us to share something about the Church, just like how eager we are to share something about a recent movie we have seen.

If someone we knew was sick and needed a doctor. And this person was avoiding the doctor because of fear or just not wanting to find out the truth. Each one of us would probably plead with them, “Get yourself into the doctor’s office because you are sick! You need help!” Yet there are many people we all know who are spiritually sick. Religion may be a private matter, but the Lord is the only surgeon able to heal.

Paul said to the Philippians:

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2:14-16 NIV

Brothers we are called to hold out the Word of life to those who are sick! We are called to shine like stars because we are the light of the world! We are called to share with others how great it is to worship our Lord together in one community called the Church! These commands are definitely not easy and I struggle like all of us do at times, shining the light of Christ into the world of darkness. But this is our mission and the reason why we are here. We have been called to share the good news to all creation in order to make disciples of all nations.

Therefore let us pray that we may accomplish this mission the Lord has presented us with. May we have zeal to share the good news and the community of faith we share within Northshore Christian Church to others who so desperately need to hear.

I look forward to meeting with all of you on Wednesday in order to continue the journey together as one body of Christ…

Prayer requests

Ramon – praise for God’s blessing on his life

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

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

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