Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“Moses answered him, ‘Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.’

“Moses’ father-in-law replied, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God, and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.’”

Exodus 18:15-20 NIV

Moses was one of God’s chosen. He lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt (Exodus 4:18-26). He came to "the mountain of God" and received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). He spoke with the Lord face-to-face like a friend (Exodus 33:11). He was the one man in the Old Testament that Christ specifically likens Himself to (John 5:46). He was such a prominent part of God’s plan that he is mentioned as the representative of law (John 1:17). He died known as a ‘man of God’ to others (Deuteronomy 33:1). He even was seen on the mount of transfiguration with Christ and Elijah (Matthew 17:3).

Yet in all of his greatness, he was a man, part of the same sinful condition we all face. For no greatness cannot negate anyone from being part of the human race. And just like us, Moses faced all of the same trials we face each and every day.

We all tend to live prideful lives at times regardless of any ‘human standing’ we may enjoy, relying on our own strength at work, home, or church. And this passage from Exodus shows where Moses’ displayed his pride for being the judge of the Israelites.

But from this passage also comes the truth, showing ultimately where our strength is supplied. Nothing we do in life is light enough for our own works and we will eventually wear out through our own efforts. Pride establishes our own energy as the source of strength, not the Lord. Pride also establishes us as the center of solution, not the ‘body of Christ’. And both of these are counter to the message God desires us to understand.

Therefore what Jethro recognized about his son-in-law is a lesson for each one of us as well. We need to set our sight upon the Lord and allow Him to work through the ‘body of Christ’ in order for His will to be done.

This requires the existence of a growing, functioning ‘body of Christ’, working together in love so that the work of the Lord will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Paul recognized this truth when he said to the Ephesians:

“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 NIV

The Apostle Paul clearly sets forth where our strength comes from (‘From Him the whole body’), how we are unified through the Church (‘held together’), how we are built up (‘in love’), and how each one of us plays a role (‘each part does its work’).

May the Lord begin to show in each of our lives this valuable lesson Jethro set forth to Moses. From this message written many years ago, may we learn to set aside our pride so the Lord may work through our humility. May the work of the Lord be active in the ways He sees fit in each one of our lives.

May this work begin with me today…

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God bless each one of you. I continue to pray the Lord will show Himself to each one of you this week. All of us play an important role to the Church and ultimately a special purpose in His great design...

Prayer requests

Ramon – pray for him to follow God’s will, pray for less distractions from life, pray for wife’s health

Carmine – pray for the Presidential election and bringing forth a ‘godly’ leader

Steve – pray that he will not suppress the Spirit and allow Him to work in his life

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

Kelcy – pray for dizziness of mother and her health, pray for pastors and staff

David – 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 that I will be a good steward of God’s money, pray that I may continue to shepherd others through God’s strength, not my own

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

Continued prayer needs

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

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

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, 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, 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

Wednesday, March 12th, 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

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 NIV