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