Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Mens Fellowship

“Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, O LORD, are with these people and that you, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” Numbers 14:13-14 NIV

Two hundred-thirty-two years ago, as a group of respectable colonist were declaring their independence from the rule of men; while at the same time declaring their dependence upon God. Within the text of arguably the most famous document ever written by man, these men were declaring that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…” Each one of them held and professed by this document that their strength came not from themselves, but instead by their unity with God.

Many examples can be found within the speeches and writings of our Founding Fathers. One of these is our first President George Washington who said in his Farewell Address on September 17, 1796: "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible". And almost twenty years earlier prayed before his soldiers at Valley Forge with these words: "Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me Thy servant, who humbly prostrates myself before Thee."

Yet each week we are not here to speak of politics, nor focus on the documents written by the human hand. And today I do not believe we should change course. Yet from the testimony of our Founding Fathers, I believe there is a very important lesson we can draw upon and take with us as Christians. For how our Founding Fathers viewed unity and cherished the strength of unity with God is a great message to how we should be living our lives.

For God works through people and uses them in their own unique way to reflect His glory. And when He shines himself upon a group of people, each one of them is unified by Him. There is a bond, a brotherhood, which exists and can never be taken away by human hands.

Look at the verse mentioned at the opening of this email from the book of Numbers. Moses knew that God was with them, visibly seen by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Moses also recognized that the Lord was not just within him as the leader of the Israelites. But instead Moses knew the Lord could be found within each of them and made mention of His presence by saying that He has “been seen face to face.”

We have been unified by the ‘blood of the Lamb’ and are now one. His glory can be seen within each one of us when we are filled by the Holy Spirit and are within His will. The same light that shines from one believer can be found in the life of another Christian brother.

This fact was emphasized by Jesus when He prayed to the Heavenly Father that we may be all as one in the gospel of John:

“…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21 NIV

All prayers I believe are answered; and there is very little doubt that the prayer that Jesus prayed here was certainly answered. Therefore it must be so that all of us who believe in Jesus are not only one with one another, but are also one with the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brothers this unity therefore gives us much power as Christians. We can move forward in confidence knowing that God will be within each one of us to give us strength. No rule of man can hold us away from the promises which have been made to us by God. The Founding Fathers I believe understood this which is why they deferred to Him in the most important document of this nation’s birth.

But none of this means anything unless we understand it ourselves. We must commit to this understanding and realize that the unity we share with God is something special, something of truth, and something there to strengthen us. Let us rest our minds on this unity on Friday and pray that we can understand its fullest meaning in each one of our lives…



Prayer requests

Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant

Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her pancreas and arthritis

Paul – pray that he will find more time with God in His Word

Kevin – pray for wife that she may find happiness, pray for the Middle East and all of the difficulties they are having

Steve S – pray God will guide me in my relationships to fulfill/recognize my purpose as one of His disciples

Greg – pray for cousin who is having kidney problems, pray for a good time in Hawaii

David – pray that he will continue to dive into the Word deeper each day

Bill – pray that he makes the right decision regarding his prostate cancer, pray that the doctors will continue to give him good treatment, pray for wife which is dealing with fibromyalgia

Mark – pray for our finances as we continue to reduce our bills, pray for the continued strengthening of this group and that it may continue to do His will

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


Continued prayer needs

Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord

Tim – pray that he may be faithful in all things according to His will

Bill – pray for God’s spirit to bless all of the kid’s in the Royal Family kid’s camp and to support the counselors

Kelcy – pray for continued blessing and the blessing of his upcoming vacation time

Vince – pray that he can find a decent job, pray for Pastor Grant’s wife to be healed, pray for strength and peace for Dave

Brett S – pray for all men within Northshore which need healing

Carmine – pray that he can find ways to lower his blood pressure which was very high recently

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

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

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

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, July 2nd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in room C214 on the academy side of the church. (I will most likely be leading the group again unless something comes up with the family)

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

Wednesday, July 16th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

Memory Verse

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NKJV