Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress.

"Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.”

Nehemiah 9:36-38 ESV

I am not sure how many people have come up to me this past week saying how disappointed they were about the election. Many people I associate with must have similar convictions because yes, I am also disappointed.

But after a day of mourning, analyzing the results (a.k.a. political junkie), and looking toward the future, my senses came to once again and I realized that we are truly blessed to live in a country where leaders are elected not designated. A place where “we the people” still carries weight, with each one of us having the freedom to shape our own destiny. Today our freedoms still exist while millions of others in this world live under oppression and are slaves to radical regimes.

Yet, this is not the entire story because what if our freedoms are removed? What if all of us lose our rights and end up like those millions who live under tyranny? It could happen because Thomas Jefferson warned early Americans that freedom only exists in a democracy when people are vigilant. And today I have serious questions about how vigilant the vast majority of Americans really are in the everyday ‘workings’ of our government.

But if this would happen and our freedoms are removed, what happens to each one of us as a Christian? Our lives would radically be changed because our lifestyle would be very different then it is today. This could change our Church. This could affect the way we worship. This could alter the way Christianity has existed in this country as we know it.

Thinking about this is important because I believe we must put all of this into perspective. Because there are millions of Christians who are worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ right now who live under regimes which are oppressive toward Christianity or live in places of extreme poverty or are starving because of the lack of basic needs. These people are worshiping God even though their political situation and the civil law they are within does nothing to promote their faith.

I believe we have to come to a fundamental understanding that even though we may be citizens of this great nation, our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We live under a completely different standard and by a covenant with God which is not of this world.

This leads us this morning to the opening passage from Nehemiah because the whole chapter is an acknowledgment of God’s power, His love, His greatness and ends with a recommitment of the covenant they have with God (‘because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing’).

See Nehemiah understood where their hope rested. Not in this world. Not in any political institution. Not in any freedom the world could offer. He knew that the Israelites needed to recommit themselves to their covenant with God and ask Him to forgive them of their sins. Nehemiah knew that the current world order was irrelevant, even as slaves to an oppressive king, because they we subject to a greater power.

The writer of Hebrews revealed to us the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him who spoke all things into existence also sustains His creation and consummates His purpose by His word:

“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3a NIV

Therefore let us all spend time this week recommitting to the covenant God has so lovingly offered us. For as our country focuses on change, let all of us as Christians do the same and ensure that we have sealed our names on the covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ through repentance and prayer.

The Church has been put in a glorious position. But we must be prepared for those times when He is ultimately glorified through us. My prayer is that this will become a week of reflection and a time when all of us are preparing for those future moments.

For we are all in this world, but not of this world. Rejoice not in the power Christ has given us, but always rejoice that are names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20), where our true citizenship rests.


Prayer requests

Calvin – pray that this group will begin to reach more men who are hurting and are without the Lord, pray for brother-in-law Chris that he may come to the group/church eventually and come to find the Lord

Richard – pray for the election, pray that his wife will find comfort and healing while she is dealing with some health problems

Bill M – praise God that everything has been healed from his prostate surgery, pray that he will continue to remain healthy and return to the group next year

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

Steve – pray for guidance in walking with the Lord

Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore

Greg – pray that he can be a better Christian example to his family and to others

Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days

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

Sky – pray that the move to Bellingham will be smooth and he will be able to attend school up there to pursue some of his goals

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

Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth

Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others

Mark – pray for our finances as we still continue to struggle in making ends meet, pray that I will remain focused on Him and that I can win the spiritual battles which have come my way, pray that the Lord can continue to use me for his glory, pray for Mark in Afghanistan who is dealing family trouble, pray for Iris who was with the Children's Ministry earlier in the year who is in critical condition in Italy after delivering her child

***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ


Continued prayer needs

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

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

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 that he will be able to find strength and healing

Dick – 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, November 12th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church

**** Wednesday, November 19th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Monday, November 24th, 7:00-9:00 pm, (Monday meeting) regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, December 3rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, December 10th, 7:00-9:00 pm, (Monday meeting) regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church


Group Happenings

Over the next four 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. 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"

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