Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“See the Lord is going to lay waste to the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants—it will be the same for priests as for people, for master as for servant, for mistress as for maid, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken his word.” Isaiah 24:1-3 NIV
This past weekend my family and I went to Aquafest here in Lake Stevens. It is your typical small town festival, complete with music, food, rides, and a variety of booths. By the turnout, it seems like the whole city of Lake Stevens shows up because Main Street is just packed full of people.
When I thought over last week’s topic about what gates were during biblical times and how they were essentially the public square of their day; I realized that community events like Aquafest would be probably very close to the type of setting which took place before the city gates during biblical times.
So as I was walking around, I could not help but to consider the people who were there. With a simple glance you could tell there were people of all ages, backgrounds, religions, wealth, ect. It was a really good cross section of the local community with people of all types.
Yet I realized there is something very profound to consider here from the prophet Isaiah. For each one of us will face that moment when we are called before the gate to state our case why we should be admitted into the eternal city (Cf. Joshua 20:4). This is because each one of us has been appointed to die once in this life and face the judgment that is before us (Hebrews 9:27). We are all in this one sole category of men.
Therefore what the prophet Isaiah shared over 2500 years ago still holds true today—there is nothing this world can offer which will change our standing during the judgment that we all will someday see. Neither rank, wealth, nor power in this world will be able to deliver us from God’s judgment.
And the Apostle Paul reminds us of this same message where he wrote:
“‘As surely as I live’, says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” Romans 14:11 NIV
Therefore let us know that no works of man can increase our standing before the Lord; but as I scour the landscape before us, let us know how much work there is to do…
Because all of us stand before the gate into the eternal city and only one criterion will determine our admittance through the gate-- whether we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives as our own personal Savior. No standard of this world will matter.
Yet there are people within our midst that have not come to this saving faith. When their time to come before the gate for entrance into the kingdom happens, they will be told ‘I never knew you; depart from Me…’ (Matthew 7:23) And this for them will be the moment that they are eternally separated from God and banished into eternal torment…
Brothers, this past weekend at Aquafest I noticed many people, many who had this look of hopelessness. I was able to talk with some about our Lord Jesus Christ, but there were many I am sure who never heard this good news. And when I consider the day of judgment on this side of the gate, how sad I am for those who do not have this hope…
My prayer is that this group will continue to move forward and transform the lives of all of us, into men willing and eager, to go out before the gate, and share the hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ, so that every person will find admittance through the gate into the arms of our heavenly Father…
Prayer requests
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her leg, pray for Joe Marine who was involved in a boating accident
Tim H – pray that his family as a whole will become closer to one another even during the loss of a particular members of the family, pray for job change that it will go smooth
Paul – pray for health
Gary – pray for wife who may have to have surgery to help correct a health issue, pray that the Lord can help fill this feeling of emptiness
Steve – pray that he will continue to know the Lord more and more every day
Bill – pray that he will be able to lose some weight to help with the prostate condition, pray for making the best decision on treatment
Brent – pray that he will find clarity and guidance for finding the right person to marry
Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant, pray that both his wife and him will walk more in Christ each day
Vince – pray that he will hear God’s will more clearly in the days ahead
Greg – pray for the Men’s ministry
David – pray for continued blessings in his life
Mark – pray for continued protection of the family, pray for the health of the Church
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
Tim – pray that he can continue to learn to love God more each day
Sky – pray that he will be accepted into the RN program at college for this fall
Larry Miller – pray for wife Sandy’s mother who is hospitalized with a ‘mass’ found on her pancreas, pray that her father may have peace during this time
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease
Kevin – pray for wife that she may find happiness, pray for the Middle East and all of the difficulties they are having
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
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
Carmine – pray that he can find ways to lower his blood pressure which was very high recently
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
Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in his Bible reading, pray that all pain will be removed someday from his body
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, July 30th, 6:30-9:00 pm, barbecue, shortened meeting at Northshore Christian Church in the courtyard and 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, August 6th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, August 13th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
July 30th, we are going to have a barbecue at the church for the group starting at 6:30pm. Each person will bring their own ‘steak’, ‘chicken’, ect. to throw on the grill. But we are also asking that everyone will bring something to share like a side dish. We will discuss details at the next meeting on the 30th
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
Acts242mensfellowship.blogspot.com
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them.” Joshua 20:4 NIV
There is this road near my childhood home in Dover, Ohio that I always find very interesting. Every time I go home to visit, I always have to travel this road because it is the only way you can find your way back into the neighborhood where I grew up and my parents still live today.
This road is not interesting because of its historical value or because of any landmark that you will see. In fact it is a very typical road with rather normal houses you would find anywhere in the state of Ohio. But I find this road is interesting because of the number of times you enter and exit the city of Dover during a mile long stretch of roadway. You will literally enter the city of Dover three times and exit the city twice with each “significant” change of jurisdiction duly marked by a small sign that is easily missed by most travelers.
Now I am not sure why the city limits is drawn this way along this particular road (it would make sense to make the city limit boundary the road itself); but it clearly shows how the world we live in today is different from the first century.
Unlike today, cities during the first century had their jurisdiction clearly marked by city gates. When you entered the city you would have to pass through one of the city gates. When you left, you would have to do the same. So the city gates became where the centre of business, justice, and where community life took place. They essentially became the public square.
So when we consider this passage regarding the ‘cities of refuge’, I believe it takes on a very significant meaning when you set it beside the context of what the city gates were during the time of Joshua. Because the Lord was not just calling people to state their case why they should be admitted into one of these ‘cities of refuge’ in private; the Lord was calling people to make a public declaration before the elders, right there before the gate leading into the city.
This is essential to understand because the gate before each one of us that leads into heaven is much more of the first century kind. And we must realize that today we all find ourselves right there before that gate…
For it has been quoted quite often that we are all ‘in the world, but not of this world’ as Christians. Therefore none of us should be surprised about how public our lives really are because we are there before the gate just like everyone else. But we always remember that our public declaration on why we should be admitted through the gate must be different from those who do not believe.
The scriptures bring us a clear warning directly from our Lord Jesus Christ about how different our declaration should be:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few will find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
Brothers, may each one of us realize that Jesus Christ is our ‘city of refuge’ and that we can only enter through the narrow gate. Let us not be deceived into believing that we can enter through the wide gate simply because is marked by religion or self-righteousness. These can only cause us to stumble in the eyes of the Lord.
But let us find the narrow gate which is found by complete faith in Christ. Let us ensure that we are basing our hope on the things not of this world, but firmly planted in the truth.
Therefore my prayer is that we can encourage one another before this gate; pray together before this gate; stand beside one another before this gate; in order that all of us may come to the saving faith required to be admitted in through the gate which leads to life…
Prayer requests
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her leg
Steve S – pray that he continues doing good in his life and in the lives of others
Bill – pray that he will be able to lose some weight to help with the prostate condition, pray for making the best decision on treatment
Larry Miller – pray for wife Sandy’s mother who is hospitalized with a ‘mass’ found on her pancreas, pray that her father may have peace during this time
Paul – pray for continued blessings
Gary – pray for wife who may have to have surgery to help correct a health issue, pray that the Lord can help fill this feeling of emptiness
Vince – pray that his wife can become closer to the Lord and walk with the Lord more often
Greg – pray for cousin who is having kidney problems, pray for a good time in Hawaii
David – pray that he will learn more about joy and be more joyful daily
Mark – pray that I will continue to learn how to love my wife better with her love language, pray that the men of this group continue to walk together with Christ as their lantern
Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease
Tim – pray that he can continue to learn to love God more each day
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
Sky – pray that he will be accepted into the RN program at college for this fall
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant, pray for Brent who is being pressured to get married
Kevin – pray for wife that she may find happiness, pray for the Middle East and all of the difficulties they are having
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
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
Carmine – pray that he can find ways to lower his blood pressure which was very high recently
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
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
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, July 23rd, 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 30th, 6:30-9:00 pm, barbecue, shortened meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, August 6th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
July 30th, we are going to have a barbecue at the church for the group starting at 6:30pm. Each person will bring their own ‘steak’, ‘chicken’, ect. to throw on the grill. But we are also asking that everyone will bring something to share like a side dish. We will discuss details at the next meeting on the 30th
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
“When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them.” Joshua 20:4 NIV
There is this road near my childhood home in Dover, Ohio that I always find very interesting. Every time I go home to visit, I always have to travel this road because it is the only way you can find your way back into the neighborhood where I grew up and my parents still live today.
This road is not interesting because of its historical value or because of any landmark that you will see. In fact it is a very typical road with rather normal houses you would find anywhere in the state of Ohio. But I find this road is interesting because of the number of times you enter and exit the city of Dover during a mile long stretch of roadway. You will literally enter the city of Dover three times and exit the city twice with each “significant” change of jurisdiction duly marked by a small sign that is easily missed by most travelers.
Now I am not sure why the city limits is drawn this way along this particular road (it would make sense to make the city limit boundary the road itself); but it clearly shows how the world we live in today is different from the first century.
Unlike today, cities during the first century had their jurisdiction clearly marked by city gates. When you entered the city you would have to pass through one of the city gates. When you left, you would have to do the same. So the city gates became where the centre of business, justice, and where community life took place. They essentially became the public square.
So when we consider this passage regarding the ‘cities of refuge’, I believe it takes on a very significant meaning when you set it beside the context of what the city gates were during the time of Joshua. Because the Lord was not just calling people to state their case why they should be admitted into one of these ‘cities of refuge’ in private; the Lord was calling people to make a public declaration before the elders, right there before the gate leading into the city.
This is essential to understand because the gate before each one of us that leads into heaven is much more of the first century kind. And we must realize that today we all find ourselves right there before that gate…
For it has been quoted quite often that we are all ‘in the world, but not of this world’ as Christians. Therefore none of us should be surprised about how public our lives really are because we are there before the gate just like everyone else. But we always remember that our public declaration on why we should be admitted through the gate must be different from those who do not believe.
The scriptures bring us a clear warning directly from our Lord Jesus Christ about how different our declaration should be:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few will find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
Brothers, may each one of us realize that Jesus Christ is our ‘city of refuge’ and that we can only enter through the narrow gate. Let us not be deceived into believing that we can enter through the wide gate simply because is marked by religion or self-righteousness. These can only cause us to stumble in the eyes of the Lord.
But let us find the narrow gate which is found by complete faith in Christ. Let us ensure that we are basing our hope on the things not of this world, but firmly planted in the truth.
Therefore my prayer is that we can encourage one another before this gate; pray together before this gate; stand beside one another before this gate; in order that all of us may come to the saving faith required to be admitted in through the gate which leads to life…
Prayer requests
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her leg
Steve S – pray that he continues doing good in his life and in the lives of others
Bill – pray that he will be able to lose some weight to help with the prostate condition, pray for making the best decision on treatment
Larry Miller – pray for wife Sandy’s mother who is hospitalized with a ‘mass’ found on her pancreas, pray that her father may have peace during this time
Paul – pray for continued blessings
Gary – pray for wife who may have to have surgery to help correct a health issue, pray that the Lord can help fill this feeling of emptiness
Vince – pray that his wife can become closer to the Lord and walk with the Lord more often
Greg – pray for cousin who is having kidney problems, pray for a good time in Hawaii
David – pray that he will learn more about joy and be more joyful daily
Mark – pray that I will continue to learn how to love my wife better with her love language, pray that the men of this group continue to walk together with Christ as their lantern
Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease
Tim – pray that he can continue to learn to love God more each day
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
Sky – pray that he will be accepted into the RN program at college for this fall
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant, pray for Brent who is being pressured to get married
Kevin – pray for wife that she may find happiness, pray for the Middle East and all of the difficulties they are having
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
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
Carmine – pray that he can find ways to lower his blood pressure which was very high recently
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
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
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, July 23rd, 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 30th, 6:30-9:00 pm, barbecue, shortened meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, August 6th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
July 30th, we are going to have a barbecue at the church for the group starting at 6:30pm. Each person will bring their own ‘steak’, ‘chicken’, ect. to throw on the grill. But we are also asking that everyone will bring something to share like a side dish. We will discuss details at the next meeting on the 30th
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
Monday, July 14, 2008
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.” Ephesians 6:21-22 NIV
Earlier this week, I had a conversation with someone who was going to a bible college in southern California. It is a moment that I will never forget because of the meaning upon which it underscores in our service of the Lord.
After a brief conversation about why he was here in Washington, I decided to ask based upon what he was taking in college and where he was studying, “Are you planning on going into the ministry?” Upon which he quickly replied with all honesty, “Why? Do you have a job?”
Now I know what he was thinking; this guy may be on staff with a particular church and maybe I can make a connection with someone which could help lead me to employment after college. But I was taken aback by this person’s boldness and it led me to asking myself a few pertinent questions: “If we have the desire to be part of the ministry, do we simply go work for the church?” “Is this how Christian ministries are built, through the hiring of people?”
After considering each question for a while, I came up with a few answers that would certainly equate with being no; but after some consideration and searching the Scriptures for answers, I was led to this particular verse from Ephesians.
Because here you have Tychicus—in his words a ‘faithful servant in the Lord’—going on behalf of God to share good news with the people of Ephesus. He was a man from Asia and must have spent a great deal of time going forth to share the good news because he is also mentioned in Acts 20, 2nd Timothy 4, and Titus 3. Yet each time he is mentioned, there is no reference to him being anything more then someone willing to serve…
I believe this brings forth a very important lesson for each one of us. None of us are called simply to hear the good news, but we are called to share the good news. There is a particular mission for each one of us not based upon title or employment. But instead a mission that only you are able to complete because it is uniquely tailored by God for your spiritual gifts, for your time and place.
If we believe that any Christian ministry or church is built only by the hiring of people, then we have a misguided understanding of the scriptures. Because the calling which has been set upon each one of us uniquely, has been set upon us all through God, not through the church or by any one individual. The calling set upon us has been given only through His divine appointment…
The writer of Hebrews certainly agrees upon where it is written:
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” Hebrews 3:1 NIV
The church will sometimes have a place for those who wish to seek employment, but we must always remember that this does not mean we are not already “employed”. My prayer is that each one of us will understand maybe we are called to come on a Wednesday night not just so we can be uplifted, but maybe because we can uplift someone else.
When we begin to live with this type of mindset, then all of us will have a better understanding that no person can choose their own ministry. Instead, we will begin to see that only God ultimately chooses where we are to serve…
It may not be in the place we first thought. It may not be what we first considered. It may not even mean a job or a place of employment. But following where He decides that we serve will mean that we are following God’s will and serving in a way that God truly desires…
Then He will be glorified….
Prayer requests
Sky – pray that he will be accepted into the RN program at college for this fall
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her pancreas and arthritis
Steve S – pray for Vince this week as he works through problems with his neighbors
Bill – pray that he will be able to lose some weight to help with the prostate condition, pray for making the best decision on treatment
Vince – pray for forgiveness and mercy on how he is handling his neighbors and wife
Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease
Greg – pray for cousin who is having kidney problems, pray for a good time in Hawaii
David – pray for Sue’s dad who recently collapsed from an irregular heartbeat, pray that he will be more kingdom minded
Mark – pray for our finances as we continue to reduce our bills, pray for strength during distractions, pray for the men of this group and the purpose of this group
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant, pray for Brent who is being pressured to get married
Tim – pray for his health and that he may see a doctor regarding his heart, sleep issues
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
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
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
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
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
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, July 16th, 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 23rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, July 30th, 6:30-9:00 pm, barbecue, shortened meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
July 30th, we are going to have a barbecue at the church for the group starting at 6:30pm. The details are going to be worked out in the coming meetings, but I wanted to make sure all of you are aware of this and will hopefully plan on coming…
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
“Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.” Ephesians 6:21-22 NIV
Earlier this week, I had a conversation with someone who was going to a bible college in southern California. It is a moment that I will never forget because of the meaning upon which it underscores in our service of the Lord.
After a brief conversation about why he was here in Washington, I decided to ask based upon what he was taking in college and where he was studying, “Are you planning on going into the ministry?” Upon which he quickly replied with all honesty, “Why? Do you have a job?”
Now I know what he was thinking; this guy may be on staff with a particular church and maybe I can make a connection with someone which could help lead me to employment after college. But I was taken aback by this person’s boldness and it led me to asking myself a few pertinent questions: “If we have the desire to be part of the ministry, do we simply go work for the church?” “Is this how Christian ministries are built, through the hiring of people?”
After considering each question for a while, I came up with a few answers that would certainly equate with being no; but after some consideration and searching the Scriptures for answers, I was led to this particular verse from Ephesians.
Because here you have Tychicus—in his words a ‘faithful servant in the Lord’—going on behalf of God to share good news with the people of Ephesus. He was a man from Asia and must have spent a great deal of time going forth to share the good news because he is also mentioned in Acts 20, 2nd Timothy 4, and Titus 3. Yet each time he is mentioned, there is no reference to him being anything more then someone willing to serve…
I believe this brings forth a very important lesson for each one of us. None of us are called simply to hear the good news, but we are called to share the good news. There is a particular mission for each one of us not based upon title or employment. But instead a mission that only you are able to complete because it is uniquely tailored by God for your spiritual gifts, for your time and place.
If we believe that any Christian ministry or church is built only by the hiring of people, then we have a misguided understanding of the scriptures. Because the calling which has been set upon each one of us uniquely, has been set upon us all through God, not through the church or by any one individual. The calling set upon us has been given only through His divine appointment…
The writer of Hebrews certainly agrees upon where it is written:
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” Hebrews 3:1 NIV
The church will sometimes have a place for those who wish to seek employment, but we must always remember that this does not mean we are not already “employed”. My prayer is that each one of us will understand maybe we are called to come on a Wednesday night not just so we can be uplifted, but maybe because we can uplift someone else.
When we begin to live with this type of mindset, then all of us will have a better understanding that no person can choose their own ministry. Instead, we will begin to see that only God ultimately chooses where we are to serve…
It may not be in the place we first thought. It may not be what we first considered. It may not even mean a job or a place of employment. But following where He decides that we serve will mean that we are following God’s will and serving in a way that God truly desires…
Then He will be glorified….
Prayer requests
Sky – pray that he will be accepted into the RN program at college for this fall
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her pancreas and arthritis
Steve S – pray for Vince this week as he works through problems with his neighbors
Bill – pray that he will be able to lose some weight to help with the prostate condition, pray for making the best decision on treatment
Vince – pray for forgiveness and mercy on how he is handling his neighbors and wife
Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease
Greg – pray for cousin who is having kidney problems, pray for a good time in Hawaii
David – pray for Sue’s dad who recently collapsed from an irregular heartbeat, pray that he will be more kingdom minded
Mark – pray for our finances as we continue to reduce our bills, pray for strength during distractions, pray for the men of this group and the purpose of this group
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant, pray for Brent who is being pressured to get married
Tim – pray for his health and that he may see a doctor regarding his heart, sleep issues
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
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
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
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
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
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, July 16th, 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 23rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, July 30th, 6:30-9:00 pm, barbecue, shortened meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
July 30th, we are going to have a barbecue at the church for the group starting at 6:30pm. The details are going to be worked out in the coming meetings, but I wanted to make sure all of you are aware of this and will hopefully plan on coming…
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
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV
This past week, I have had the opportunity to sit down and watch the HBO miniseries John Adams. I recommend that everyone find time to watch this miniseries (available on DVD) because you walk away with a very powerful understanding of all the difficulties our Founding Fathers faced while establishing this great country.
It is a great lesson about duty and staying the course in the face of great opposition… And all of us as Christians face this prospect each day because the world is trying to derail us at every turn. There is no question that the war is raging and regardless to any amount of apathy that each one of us may have, the battle lines have been drawn and it dissects each one of us straight through the heart.
That is why I love the passage from 2nd Timothy quoted at the beginning of this message. To reference us as a ‘good soldier of Jesus Christ´ I believe is a very accurate interpretation of where we find ourselves. It not only applied to Timothy, who was at the forefront of the early Church, but applies to all of us today as well.
Because there are three challenges that all of us deal with daily in our spiritual lives as Christians: the evil world system, our sinful nature, and Satan our enemy. All of them are there, challenging our faith in God and trying to disrupt the good work which God has been doing in each of our lives.
These tests sometimes work alone, challenging us through various trials we face; but many times they are integrated to such an extent that we cannot distinguish one from the other, challenging us on multiple fronts at once. They even can come through various means, sometimes in ways that we were not even expecting.
Therefore each one of us is truly on the frontlines of this battle. We are the Christian soldiers that the Apostle Paul is describing to Timothy here in this passage.
But we must remain focused on where our commission is from… We are not commissioned by anything of this world; instead our commission is from above. We are part of the Lord’s army, fighting the spiritual battle we face as Christians. Therefore we must follow through on fighting not with the weapons of this world (2 Corinthians 10:4), but with weapons of righteousness in both the right and left hand (2 Corinthians 6:7).
Yet we cannot stop there. We must go further. We must transform our lives into the Christian soldier the Apostle John describes. For it is written:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV
Our focus must be completely on the mission which is before us. The ‘affairs of this life’ are but a mere distraction of our ultimate focus. The purpose upon which God has called each one of us should be our life as Christian soldiers. Just as a soldier is severed from the normal affairs of a civilian life, so our lives as Christian soldiers should be severed from all things of this world.
Therefore my prayer is that each one of us can bring this type of living into our everyday life as Christian soldiers. May each one of us realize the distractions this world offers us and turn our attention to the soul. I know it will not be easy because we live in the world; but my prayer is that all of us will understand that we are not of this world but instead live within the grace of God.
Join me on this transformation as we begin to realize our duty together. Join this fellowship of men as we follow our great Commander-in-Chief, our Lord Jesus Christ…
Prayer requests
Vince – pray that he can begin to build a bridge to his neighbors, pray for peace between him and his neighbors
Tim – pray for his health and that he may see a doctor regarding his heart, sleep issues
Greg – pray for cousin who is having kidney problems, pray for a good time in Hawaii
David – pray that he will be used in Marysville to reach the lost souls of his new neighborhood
Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant, pray for Brent who is being pressured to get married
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her pancreas and arthritis, pray for a friend in Marysville who is Muslim and for a Catholic friend named John who passed out that both of them will meet Christ
Steve S – pray for increased unity with one another throughout the Church and within the community
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Bill – pray that his appointments go well with the surgeons performing his treatment of prostate cancer
Mark – pray for our finances as we continue to reduce our bills, pray for more focus in the Word over the next few weeks
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
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
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
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
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
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
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, July 9th, 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 16th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, July 23rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
Either late this month or early August, we are going to have a barbecue in combination or in lieu of our Wednesday night meeting. So start to consider which Wednesday works best so we can discuss this at our next meeting…
Also I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the offering we took for the “Charity and Faith Mission” lead by Pastor Titus in South Africa. If anyone still would like to contribute, we will continue to do so until the end of the month. Next month we are planning on helping out another group, someone locally this time… Therefore start praying how you believe this group should be used in the coming months, as we reach out to those in need…
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
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV
This past week, I have had the opportunity to sit down and watch the HBO miniseries John Adams. I recommend that everyone find time to watch this miniseries (available on DVD) because you walk away with a very powerful understanding of all the difficulties our Founding Fathers faced while establishing this great country.
It is a great lesson about duty and staying the course in the face of great opposition… And all of us as Christians face this prospect each day because the world is trying to derail us at every turn. There is no question that the war is raging and regardless to any amount of apathy that each one of us may have, the battle lines have been drawn and it dissects each one of us straight through the heart.
That is why I love the passage from 2nd Timothy quoted at the beginning of this message. To reference us as a ‘good soldier of Jesus Christ´ I believe is a very accurate interpretation of where we find ourselves. It not only applied to Timothy, who was at the forefront of the early Church, but applies to all of us today as well.
Because there are three challenges that all of us deal with daily in our spiritual lives as Christians: the evil world system, our sinful nature, and Satan our enemy. All of them are there, challenging our faith in God and trying to disrupt the good work which God has been doing in each of our lives.
These tests sometimes work alone, challenging us through various trials we face; but many times they are integrated to such an extent that we cannot distinguish one from the other, challenging us on multiple fronts at once. They even can come through various means, sometimes in ways that we were not even expecting.
Therefore each one of us is truly on the frontlines of this battle. We are the Christian soldiers that the Apostle Paul is describing to Timothy here in this passage.
But we must remain focused on where our commission is from… We are not commissioned by anything of this world; instead our commission is from above. We are part of the Lord’s army, fighting the spiritual battle we face as Christians. Therefore we must follow through on fighting not with the weapons of this world (2 Corinthians 10:4), but with weapons of righteousness in both the right and left hand (2 Corinthians 6:7).
Yet we cannot stop there. We must go further. We must transform our lives into the Christian soldier the Apostle John describes. For it is written:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV
Our focus must be completely on the mission which is before us. The ‘affairs of this life’ are but a mere distraction of our ultimate focus. The purpose upon which God has called each one of us should be our life as Christian soldiers. Just as a soldier is severed from the normal affairs of a civilian life, so our lives as Christian soldiers should be severed from all things of this world.
Therefore my prayer is that each one of us can bring this type of living into our everyday life as Christian soldiers. May each one of us realize the distractions this world offers us and turn our attention to the soul. I know it will not be easy because we live in the world; but my prayer is that all of us will understand that we are not of this world but instead live within the grace of God.
Join me on this transformation as we begin to realize our duty together. Join this fellowship of men as we follow our great Commander-in-Chief, our Lord Jesus Christ…
Prayer requests
Vince – pray that he can begin to build a bridge to his neighbors, pray for peace between him and his neighbors
Tim – pray for his health and that he may see a doctor regarding his heart, sleep issues
Greg – pray for cousin who is having kidney problems, pray for a good time in Hawaii
David – pray that he will be used in Marysville to reach the lost souls of his new neighborhood
Ramon – pray for Brett S who has a liver disease which is progressing and needs treatment or possible transplant, pray for Brent who is being pressured to get married
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems with her pancreas and arthritis, pray for a friend in Marysville who is Muslim and for a Catholic friend named John who passed out that both of them will meet Christ
Steve S – pray for increased unity with one another throughout the Church and within the community
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Bill – pray that his appointments go well with the surgeons performing his treatment of prostate cancer
Mark – pray for our finances as we continue to reduce our bills, pray for more focus in the Word over the next few weeks
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
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
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
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
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
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
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, July 9th, 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 16th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, July 23rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
Either late this month or early August, we are going to have a barbecue in combination or in lieu of our Wednesday night meeting. So start to consider which Wednesday works best so we can discuss this at our next meeting…
Also I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the offering we took for the “Charity and Faith Mission” lead by Pastor Titus in South Africa. If anyone still would like to contribute, we will continue to do so until the end of the month. Next month we are planning on helping out another group, someone locally this time… Therefore start praying how you believe this group should be used in the coming months, as we reach out to those in need…
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
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