Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV

All of us who believe can attest to knowing God in some way or another. It would be impossible to be a Christian believer and think otherwise. But do we know everything about God and all that He truly is? That is an impossible task because God is greater than our most complete comprehension. We are limited by our own knowledge and can really only attest to the communicable attributes that He shares with us.

God is so much greater and has a whole realm of incommunicable attributes that is impossible for us to understand in their completeness like eternity (God has existed for all of eternity), unchangeableness (God does not change, but we do), or omnipresence (God is everywhere present, but we are only present only in one place at one time) to name a few. There are others, but these attributes are very difficult for us to comprehend because God does not directly communicate them to us.

Yet these incommunicable attributes are very important because they are the width, length, depth, and height to God. They are the completeness and the power upon where the greatness of God stands.

This is where I believe our own sinful nature and faulty thinking fail us because we only sometimes see and hear God in a way that limits who He truly is. For in our own box, we stuff God thinking He can only work in these ways that suit our needs… Whether they are communicable or incommunicable attributes, they become limited by us and are never seen for being of God.

This past week I realized this struggle when I saw Him through the eyes of a child. Last week when I attended Group Connect, at the beginning of the meeting there was a mixer where we were to start talking with someone of the same hair color, asking them questions. Now I had trouble at first (seemed like grey was the predominant hair color—just kidding Greg) finding someone, when this four year old girl came up to me and said, “Hey, you have my hair color!”

Now I thought I was there to start connecting others into a small group; so this four year old girl did not fit the mold of what I thought was going to be one of the highlights of the evening. Yet God rolled me over because here was this girl sharing with me God in this innocent, loving, childlike way by talking about the movie Ratatouille. Strangest thing, but God was revealed by her heart and about how God loves rats too…

This is why I believe we must understand what Paul’s statement in the opening passage ‘to comprehend with all the saints’ really means. Because my view of God was not complete nor was it comprehensive unless I heard about who God was to someone else. God is well outside of my box as well and can be many different things to many different people because He is God. But unless I share moments with others, I would not know this and not understand more about God and how He works…

See everything is created by God and therefore everything is a reflection of who God is. The Apostle Paul shared this to the Romans when he said:

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36 NIV

Brothers, God can be found in each person who believes. There is a story about God in each person who is a Christian. The stories may be different and calling may be unique to everyone, but God communicates who He is through each one of them.

This is why I believe this Men’s Fellowship is so important, because it is an opportunity to hear a little more about who God is from the Word and see who God is from other Christians. When we take God outside of our little box and allow God to be God, change occurs and lives are transformed.

We live in a time when this is desperately needed because the world is looking through lens which are extremely biased in one direction or the other. To the world, God only works through the lens of racism, demographics, cultural mediums, religion, and other challenges which have yet to be tested.

But to us who are of the family, brothers and sisters in Christ, God works by the means He has so designed. Therefore let us worship Him, who is the most Almighty of Almighty, and the One who is our Creator and Maker of all… The One who loves each one of us! Then our worship will lead to a greater understanding of our God…


Prayer requests

Calvin – pray that he will make the right decisions in possibly purchasing a practice in Seattle

Richard – pray that He will watch over the leaders of this country

Greg – pray that our hearts and minds will rest on the Lord, not on the election or anything else

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

Ernie – pray for granddaughter Deana who was recently released from the hospital

Paul – pray for the Northshore bookstore ministry, pray that God will continue to do His work He is doing in each one of us

Bill M – pray that he will continue to heal well from his surgery

Vince – pray for continued health, pray that God will help him with medical insurance

Mark – pray that I will be a spiritual leader in my own home, pray that I may be given strength in leadership here at the Church, pray for this group that God’s will be done

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


Continued prayer needs

Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school this week so they may learn and become better students

Steve – pray for guidance in walking with the Lord

Tim W – pray for the country during difficult times

Kevin – pray for his youngest daughter and her boyfriend that they make smart choices, pray for exwife

David – pray that he will be able to serve in the children’s ministry and make a difference in the lives of kids

Ralph – pray that he will be able to surrender to God in everything

Larry Miller – pray that the marriage ministry will make an impact on the couples who attend Northshore

Ramon – pray that God will continue to give him strength

Tim H – pray for his wife to find her ministry

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

Sky – pray for some financial help and that he can help make some additional income for the family

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

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

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

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, October 22nd, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church

Wednesday, October 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, November 6th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, November 13th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, November 20th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church


Group Happenings

Over the next seven meetings, we are going to be focusing on topics during our study of the scripture which will help us have victory in our everyday life.

The enemy is constantly trying to steal our joy and take our focus away from God. Our belief is during this time of uncertainty, our focus should remain squarely on Him. Therefore we are called to read the Word and come together as Christian brothers to encourage one another and learn more about the power of God in our lives.

This series will certainly help us grow in our relationship with one another so we can stand together united in Christ. I believe this will only strengthen the Church and bring us to a stronger commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray all of you will join us in the coming weeks and invite others to join...

In Christ,
Mark


Meeting Topic Schedule "Having Victory in our Everyday Life"

October 22, 2008 - Armor of God (Tim)

October 29, 2008 - Power and the Word (Mark)

November 5, 2008 - Growing in Faith (Tim)

November 12, 2008 - Obedience and the Law (Mark)

November 19, 2008 - Claiming Victory as an anointed one (Tim)

November 24, 2008 (Monday Meeting) - Living in the Kingdom of God now (Mark)

December 3, 2008 - Abiding in Christ (Tim)

*** All meetings are at Northshore Christian Church from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in room C214


Christmas Topics (proposed)

December 10, 2008 - The Coming Messiah (Mark)

December 17, 2008 - The Arrival of the Messiah (Tim)

December 29, 2008 (Monday Meeting) - Blessings -- here, now and tomorrow (Mark)


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