Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV

Every four years I find myself glued to the television, watching some sporting event that I never would find time to watch if it were not for the Olympics. There is something about the Olympics, something about the thrill of the race which keeps me up to crazy hours of the night, cheering on the “good guys” that they may once again bring home the gold medal.

Last night was one of those nights when I watched the United States swimming team defeat the favored team from France in the Men’s 4x100 Freestyle Relay. It was awesome when the last swimmer of the relay overcame his opponent in the final 50 meters to not only win the gold medal for the United States, but to break the world record. So of course it would only seem appropriate to write something about the Olympics here in this message…

But this is not too far of a stretch to consider, because this is the type of race the Apostle Paul is asking each one of us to run here in this verse written to the Corinthians. He desires all of us, even when it seems the odds in this world are stacked against us, to run the race in such a way that we aim for the prize regardless of the obstacles which may be before us.

When we consider this type of athlete Paul is referring to, I believe there are some key qualities that he is asking us to have as we run the race: commitment, confidence, integrity, passion. There are many other qualities one could think of, but all of theme is designed to help us develop into the most complete athlete we can become.

I could spend time writing about each one, giving reasons why I believe they are important to have; but I believe there is something much more important to discuss because the world is in the business training a completely different athlete.

Instead of building up an athlete that is enthusiastic about the race or emotionally involved with others in the race, the world is training people to become what I like to call—the apathetic athlete. The enthusiasm is gone; the hope has been removed; the team has been replaced by the me; and now everything has been lost to apathy. I will be the first to tell you that I also have been the apathetic athlete as well at times.

Yet we are called to a higher calling as Christians. We must combat the lack of interest in our own spiritual growth and the growth of our fellow brothers and sisters by shedding the lack of apathy we have in the Church. Maintaining the status quo is no longer an option as the world continues its increase underneath the doors of our homes, schools, and churches throughout America.

But God has given us his Son to help us find the passion to run the race enthusiastically and cheer on others to run the race as well. The prophet Hosea shared this hope over 700 years before Christ when he said:

“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 NIV

We must not only acknowledge the Lord, but we must press on to acknowledge him. When we are struggling, dealing with the challenges and hurdles of the race, we are to press on through and find Him. This is our calling as Christians.

And let us not become discouraged because as surely as the sun rises, he will appear when we seek Him out. He will be there to refresh our strength when we find Him during the race that all of us are running.

Therefore my prayer is that each one of us will fight off apathy and continue to find the passion for Him that has been given to each one of us through Christ. Let us encourage one another on this race because the race is a relay, upon where we need each other, to help carry the message of hope to the ends of the earth…

The hope that only matters… our Lord Jesus Christ.


Prayer requests

Ernie – pray for wife that she may be healed of her pancreas problems, pray for Joe Marine who was involved in a boating accident

Tim D – pray that he will be the salt and light at his new job

Steve – pray that the Lord will help anyone who is struggling in this group

Bill M – pray that Bill’s wife can continue to deal with stress and that she may find peace

Paul – pray for guidance in making the right bids at work

Gary – pray for wife as she has reconstructive surgery this week to help fix her medical issues she is dealing with

Kevin – pray the Lord will guide him in making the right decisions on a job path, pray for the government and all of the leaders in this country

Vince – pray that the Lord will bring him peace, joy, and wisdom during the week ahead

Greg – pray for wife and the health issues she is dealing with, pray for Church leadership that they will make the best decisions for the congregation

Joe – pray for all the military members who are in harms way for their safety and quick return

Ramon – pray that God will continue to give him strength

David – pray the Holy Spirit will work through the Church and do His will

Mark – pray that family can make it through the next few weeks financially as we work with one income, pray that I may continue to be on mission, pray the Lord will continue to use me during the weeks and months ahead

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


Continued prayer needs

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

Sky – pray that he will be accepted into the RN program at college for this fall

Larry Miller – pray for wife Sandy’s mother that she continues to remain healthy, praise God for healing her of her recent illness

Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church

Brent – pray that he will find clarity and guidance for finding the right person to marry

Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease

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

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, August 13th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in room C214 on the academy side of the church.

Wednesday, August 20th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, August 27th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church



Group Happenings

August 27th we will be having a special night of prayer. That evening we will be looking into the scriptures on the meaning of prayer during our usual time of fellowship. But we will close the meeting with a special time of prayer… More will be shared in the next few meetings.


Memory Verse

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4 NIV