Weekly Message / Prayer Request

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

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