Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when He said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.’” Deuteronomy 4:10 NIV

Each week, I have been blessed with opportunity to meet amazing people right here within the midst of Northshore Christian Church before and after each service.

Yesterday was no different when I had the opportunity to meet someone who was at Northshore for approximately five minutes ‘church shopping’, looking for a church home. Or when I had the opportunity to meet someone from Oklahoma who is here visiting some friends, stopping by to worship the Lord. Or when I was able to spend time with the faces I know and take time with them on the journey…

Each one of these opportunities, even though they are quite different from one another, are moments I believe that God has designed for the same reason—to connect with others for His glory. Because when we connect with others, we connect our lives with theirs in a way that is relational; so that God may use us to encourage or love others to build a stronger ‘body of Christ’.

And what happens each week when I seek out others in the lobby (a.k.a. lobby rat) is that the meaning of Church becomes rich, full of context. We were all called for one reason or another by God’s providence to meet together each Sunday morning (or Saturday night for some of you) and come together as one body. Sometimes the reason is obvious; sometimes the reason may only be known months or years from now.

Yet, I truly believe by how God describes the Church, He was never in the business of creating just a social club. His vision of the Church is something much more, something much deeper then just a simple gathering of like-minded folk.

In the opening passage shared from the book of Deuteronomy, Moses spoke about how he assembled the people of Israel together to hear God’s word. It was not just a casual calling of people together, because the Hebrew word used for ‘assemble’ in this passage when translated from Hebrew to Greek is the same word used for church ‘ekklesia’ in the Greek New Testament.

Therefore what I believe God had in mind for the purpose of the Church dates back to the beginning. Church is not just a New Testament idea that was brought about by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So I believe the discussion should begin in earnest because all of us (including me) have not come to a complete understanding of the meaning of church. Why does the Church exist? What has God called our church to do? What is the ultimate goal of the Church? There are numerous other questions one could ask, but the main point is that I believe God wants us to ask them as a congregation so we can discover His purpose in what we call the church…

The writer of Hebrews said something very subtle and even probably overlooked because we focus on the intent of the statement. He said:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 NIV

What I believe the key words today from the writer of Hebrews is ‘let us consider how’…

He was saying that all of us should consider how to spur one another to living out love, not just doing so. I believe we are called to consider the strategy, the planning, and the reason for doing so. It is not just a simple action, it is an examination to how we are to spur on others.

I believe the same type of reasoning should be applied to how we understand the meaning of Church. We need to consider how the church we are all part of is continuing the great commission which has been set before us by the Lord. We need to seek out the meaning of the church God has ordained in all of us.

Ultimately everything rest in the gospel, for the Church has been built on the foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Without Jesus, the Church would be meaningless. But each one of us can ensure our connection with this truth and that it truly exists in our church membership…

This is just the beginning to what I truly pray will be an exciting discovery in each of our lives. I call on each one of you to join me on this discussion in prayer. We are all part of the church, therefore are all part of the conversation.

If this happens and each one of us seek out the meaning of the Church in our lives, then I believe the Church will live out the purpose which it has been called…



Prayer requests

Bill M – pray for grandson’s brain tumor MRI that it will bring positive results, pray for the prostate scan and that he will be able to come to an educated decision about what course to take

Ralph – pray for mother in San Diego who has Alzheimer’s, pray for children to come back to the church, pray that he will be able to surrender to God in everything

Greg – pray for wisdom and discernment

Kevin – pray for a couple of people in church who needs strength, pray for ex-wife that she may come back to the Lord, pray for country, pray for CTL that it will impact the lives of men

Ernie – pray for his brother’s health, pray for his 21 year old grandson who has cancer and may he find the best treatment possible

Tim D – pray that he will be able to find a job

Tim W – pray for continued spiritual growth

Paul – pray for the Northshore bookstore ministry

Vince – pray for financial support in paying bills and working with social security

Ramon – pray that God will continue to give him strength

Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in joining with others in fellowship, pray God will comfort him during times of loneliness

Mark – pray for this group that it will continue to impact people for Him, pray for Church leadership, pray for my family, pray for financial discernment, pray for the health of this country

***Pray as Northshore begins new ministries this fall to help encourage others grow in their relationship with God


Continued prayer needs

Steve – pray for the forgiveness of his sins, pray for the cleansing of his mind

Gary – pray for strength as he works through all the various stresses of life, pray for the health of his wife

Tim H – pray for his wife to find her ministry

David – pray that he will be able to witness in Phoenix to others when he is there visiting

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

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 deal with the stresses of work

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

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life


Future Meetings

Wednesday, September 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church.

**** Wednesday, September 24th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, October 1st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, October 8th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, October 15th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church


Group Happenings

September 10th is going to be a kickoff barbecue for the Men’s Ministry starting at 6:30pm. More information can be found in the bulletin. Please make sure to RSVP with EmilyV@northshorechristian.org

Remember, we are going to be going to the fall every-other week schedule starting in September. But always know that I stand beside all of you 24/7 as we continue on this journey together…

But, there has been a call by a few brothers to meet every week. Tim Dressler has volunteered to come lead a group of men on the same night as CTL. So we are going to continue to meet each week if you are interested in order to keep some continuity for those who desire and need fellowship with others in the Word. Pray about this opportunity…


Memory Verse

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV