Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:19 NIV

One of the things which is very noticeable if you travel the London Underground in England is the phrase ‘Please mind the gap’. It is to remind unsuspected travelers of the gap which exist between the train and the station platform anytime people are entering or exiting the train. Over time, the voice (a recorded audio message which is played) actually becomes rather annoying because you have been ‘minding the gap’ at every station now without tripping or falling. Yet the reminder continues every time you enter or exit a train…

This verse from Jesus is very similar in our lives. Here Jesus is reminding his disciples about the gap which exist between them and the world. On one side of the gap is the life of worldly living, which is very similar to the station platform because it is where people rest their faith in the things of this world. On the other side of the gap is the disciple, which could be like the train, always moving toward a destination and resting their hope on God.

These two are separated by an eternal gap, essentially preventing each one of us from being in two places at once. It is the dividing line between the train and the station platform, forcing each one of us to choose where we stand as a disciple of Christ. And it is the place where many trip and fall as Christians because they were not mindful of the gap because it is sometimes blurred or distorted. Yet it is there regardless of what people may claim and has been a part of this world since the beginning.

Now this is a tough message and maybe even controversial because we are called as Christians to bring people together in the name of love. We are called to eliminate differences which exist between people because we are all born of one God. None of us want to be divisive which is why many of us exit the train at every station and even hang out on the station platform at times.

But unfortunately the gap exists because the war between the ‘god of this age’ (2 Corinthians 4:4) and our heavenly Father is raging in the hearts and minds of all men. None of us can avoid choosing sides and will eventually be forced to address the gap.

In the book of Isaiah, the Lord has called each one of us to shine the light of the gospel into the darkness of this world:

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:6-7 NIV

Therefore let us leave the station platform once and for all and join others in a life that completely rests their faith and hope in God. None of us should be surprised that such a decision will lead to many daily trials and tribulations; but God has promised to take hold of our hand in this decision and forever keep His covenant.

The world which is ruled by the ‘god of this age’ will continue to hate us and question why we have made such a decision, yet this should never deter us from our life with Christ. Instead it should encourage us as Christian brothers that we are making an impact for our Lord Jesus Christ. For the enemy will continue to attack those who are on the front lines, advancing the Name which is above all other names.

So my prayer today is that all of us will choose the correct side of the gap and travel the road which is less traveled. May we all come together in prayer and love those who have not made that decision, by continually standing beside them in the love that Christ has demonstrated to each one of us…

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I look forward to meeting with you on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. We are going to be diving into the trials and tribulations as a disciple of Christ during our time in the Word. Please be aware that we are going to be meeting in room C214 which is on the academy side. I look forward to spending time together in the Word, prayer, and fellowship with all of you as we journey together down the road of life…

Mark


Prayer requests

Dick – pray that he will be more obedient to the Lord daily as he continues to walk in faith

Ernie – pray for his wife who is having some pancreas problems and needs healing, pray that he may be able to sell his motor home

David – pray that the Lord will continue to stretch him as a disciple and take him to the next level

Kelcy – pray for the car ministry here at Northshore, pray that Al Moran continues to rest peacefully at home and have a speedy recovery

Steve S – pray that he can continue to find faith in God

Greg – pray that Greg will be able to handle the season of trials which is coming and that he will be able to handle them with strength and grace

Ramon – pray that Tina can have some healing in her health troubles and can change her diet and exercise routine

Tim – pray that he will be more submissive to His will during the next few weeks

Mark – pray that I can show more love to my wife as she continues to press on toward the birth of our child, pray that she will have peace during the process, pray for financial discernment as we continue to adjust to our financial situation, pray that this group can continue to walk in the will of the Lord

***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message


Continued prayer needs

Gary – pray for sister-in-law who has serious infection in organs, pray for wife Terry who may have to have surgery here in the near future to take care of a serious health issue

Monte – praise God for a new job that he has been blessed with

Keith – pray that their youngest daughter will be able to do well in college, pray that Nate will be able to find a job

Vince – pray that his wife may do well in an upcoming job interview, pray that she may become encouraged by some recent blessings, pray for Vince and her that they may hear the Lord

Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in his Bible reading, pray that all pain will be removed someday from his body

Bret – pray for rest, pray for a the right relationship with a girl he recently met

Mike – pray that his interview will go well with the City of Everett

Larry – pray for financial security as he works on building a new house near Arlington

Brett S – pray for a small girl in his wife’s class which had a heart transplant

Carmine – pray that he can find peace with his coworkers

Jeff – pray for more quality time with children and family

Gary Cercone – pray that daughter Jennifer and grandson will receive continued blessings from the Lord

Norman – praise for the health of daughter in dealing with her seizures

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

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life


Future Meetings

Wednesday, May 28th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in room C214 on the academy side of the church

Wednesday, June 4th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, June 11th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church (will probably be led by someone else because I will not be in attendance)

Upcoming Event

If you were in church this weekend you saw a preview of “Lord Save Us from Your Followers.” On Sunday June 8th at 6pm Northshore will host a special advance screening of this movie one week before its theatrical debut. After the screening there will be discussion with the film’s director and star, Dan Merchant. This movie makes for some very interesting discussion. It should be a great night to do something different together as a group.

Form more on the film, check out this Today Show clip: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24047551#24047551

Also check out the web site: http://lordsaveusthemovie.com/


Memory Verse

“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 KJV