Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.” Deuteronomy 11:10-12 NIV
I cannot believe we are at the end of 2008. It has been an incredibly fast year, probably the fastest year on record for me. When you have children, this is what happens I am told. And according to these same sources, life does not slow down either. Instead time continues to move faster as you get older. So I guess I should hold on…
As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to pass on some thoughts about how the calendar year can also be a measuring of God’s providence. Because as these verses point out, God continually had His eyes on the land His chosen people were going to inhabit from “the beginning of the year to its end”.
This is very important to consider during these last days of the year. For many people, this year has been one of many challenges and people are hopeful for the New Year. For others, people may be anxious about the New Year and may not be so hopeful. The calendar year therefore becomes this dividing mark in our lives.
But I just love the lessons that we can learn from these verses because God clearly said that the land He was giving His chosen people was not like the land they knew. It was completely foreign and required people to understand that all of the life giving water was given from heaven above, not through irrigation by man. They were essentially instructed to trust in God.
Also, by making mention of the calendar year, He includes all of the seasons under his watchful eye. This is important to remember because throughout any given year there will time of plenty and a time of need. The harvest only occurs during a particular time of the year while other parts of the year may be marked by drought or famine. Yet God is in control at all times, even when it does not seem like it.
So as we begin to look toward the New Year, let us realize the new year may be a “land” that is unlike the one we all have been a part of this past year or maybe even this past decade. We may be entering a “land” which is not irrigated at all, but instead one that “drinks rain from heaven”. Nothing we do may be enough to sustain us (which is the truth already but may become quite obvious in the days ahead).
Yet we should not fear because God’s eyes are upon us regardless if it is the beginning of the year or its end. He is watchful always and there is no moment which slips past the providence of God.
Jesus instructed us to keep this understanding and not to worry regardless on how it may look:
“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33 NIV
There is a great deal of uncertainty which exists in our lives or the lives of people we know; but God desires us to trust completely in Him. This is why He probably led the Israelites into a land which could not be irrigated by man. And this may be a reason why we may be entering such a season as well…
Yet, I continue to pray that we can share a ‘culture of faith’ in our community, at our place of work, and throughout the Church well into the New Year. That Matthew 6 can become an integral part of who we are and can be demonstrated in everything we do as a fellowship of men.
Let us continue to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness always and know that all things necessary to life will be given to us, just like we have been promised…
Prayer requests
Greg – pray that he will continue to spot the temptations the enemy tries to put in his way and fight through them with Christ
Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God, pray for his brother which is dealing with a difficult custody battle
Richard – pray for this fellowship of men and that it can continue to make an impact on others for Christ
Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems
Carmine – pray for the troops which are serving overseas and for their financial health and security
Dick – praise for a new job, pray that he may make it back from Arizona safely and without incident
Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children
Mark – pray that this fellowship of men can continue to make an impact on men for Christ, pray for financial discernment as we continue to make ends meet, pray for the meaning of the Christmas season to be revealed in the hearts of all of us
***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ
Continued prayer needs
Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser
Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students
Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God
Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship
Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob
Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night
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
Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days
Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore
Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others
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
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
Brent – pray that he will find clarity and guidance for finding the right person to marry
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, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church in room C214 at Northshore Christian CHurch
Wednesday, January 14th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church – Start of the study of Ephesians
**** Wednesday, January 21st, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
**** Wednesday, February 4th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
Coming January 14th, 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”—A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…
As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.
By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".
Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...
I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.
God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
In Christ,
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
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7,8 NIV
Earlier this year I read this article about how the marathon received its name. According to the article the marathon was named after a runner who ran 26 miles non-stop to the city of Athens, over mountains and treacherous terrain, in order to share good news about how the Athenian army defeated the invading Persian army. Then, according to tradition, once he made it to Athens and shared this good news, collapsed and died right there on the spot from exhaustion.
The author of the article then went on to write a very interesting question. He said, “I have to say that I’ve always found this an improbable tale, even when I was told it in school. Why should anyone run themselves to death to bring good news?”
This was part of a communion message that I was going to share with Northshore this past summer, but I believe that it is probably even more relevant this morning then when I first wrote it because circumstances have changed. Life in a way has become more challenging for many of us with the recent economic woes.
As a Christian, even though the subject matter is different then what the author was alluding to, the author’s question carries great significance. Because I believe all of us who are Christians are essentially a marathon runner and are carrying the message of good news not just to the city of Athens, but to the entire world. We are carrying a message of victory.
But as the negative pressure of culture increases and the race becomes more difficult, more treacherous; the cost of running the race becomes quite obvious. For the message of truth will always expose darkness. Therefore when we live by the light, no longer can we live behind closed doors. Our faith becomes front and center to the identity we are.
This pressure did not stop the Apostle Paul; therefore it should not stop us either. Instead Paul was driven by his faith to press on toward the goal of living for Christ (Philippians 3:14). Regardless to the adversaries who quarreled against him in Ephesus, he continued to seek out doors to expand his ministry even against great opposition (1 Corinthians 16:9).
In fact, if you doubt his determination to finish the calling which God placed within him, just read 2 Corinthians chapter 1 where he says, “For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings” (v5) or “Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death” (v9). These two statements clearly show his grit to press on to the calling which God gave him.
The writer of Hebrews shared a vision which has stayed with me these last few years:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
This is the type of race I believe we must be prepared to run this coming year. There are many challenges which lay ahead all of us, but the news we have to share is of vital importance. Many have lost hope and it is up to each one of us who is a Christian to share the message of victory and to show that victory is within their reach.
The message that matters is Christ. We can bring people many things, but all of them may be temporary pain-killers to the disease we all face. Let us instead bring the anecdote which will cure everyone for life. Let us bring the message of Christ.
The race may be difficult and one which is filled with challenges. But with the encouragement of the saints and strength we find in Christ, the race can be won and the message is worth any price for “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Prayer requests
Greg – pray that he will continue to spot the temptations the enemy tries to put in his way and fight through them with Christ
Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God, pray for his brother which is dealing with a difficult custody battle
Richard – pray for this fellowship of men and that it can continue to make an impact on others for Christ
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems
Carmine – pray for the troops which are serving overseas and for their financial health and security
Dick – praise for a new job, pray that he may make it back from Arizona safely and without incident
Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children
Mark – pray that this fellowship of men can continue to make an impact on men for Christ, pray for financial discernment as we continue to make ends meet, pray for the meaning of the Christmas season to be revealed in the hearts of all of us
***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ
Continued prayer needs
Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser
Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students
Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God
Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship
Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob
Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night
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
Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days
Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore
Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others
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
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
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
Monday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, the annual Christmas/New Year Meeting (Monday meeting) with the location to be determined
**** Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, January 14th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church – Start of the study of Ephesians
**** Wednesday, January 21st, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
Coming January 14th, 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”—A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…
As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.
By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".
Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...
I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.
God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
In Christ,
Mark
Additionally, we are going to decide over the next week where to have the December 29th meeting and what it is going to look like. There is a strong possibility it may be a informal get together to talk about the Christmas season, read a little scripture, and plan for the future. Any ideas, please feel free to share. Stay tuned….
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
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7,8 NIV
Earlier this year I read this article about how the marathon received its name. According to the article the marathon was named after a runner who ran 26 miles non-stop to the city of Athens, over mountains and treacherous terrain, in order to share good news about how the Athenian army defeated the invading Persian army. Then, according to tradition, once he made it to Athens and shared this good news, collapsed and died right there on the spot from exhaustion.
The author of the article then went on to write a very interesting question. He said, “I have to say that I’ve always found this an improbable tale, even when I was told it in school. Why should anyone run themselves to death to bring good news?”
This was part of a communion message that I was going to share with Northshore this past summer, but I believe that it is probably even more relevant this morning then when I first wrote it because circumstances have changed. Life in a way has become more challenging for many of us with the recent economic woes.
As a Christian, even though the subject matter is different then what the author was alluding to, the author’s question carries great significance. Because I believe all of us who are Christians are essentially a marathon runner and are carrying the message of good news not just to the city of Athens, but to the entire world. We are carrying a message of victory.
But as the negative pressure of culture increases and the race becomes more difficult, more treacherous; the cost of running the race becomes quite obvious. For the message of truth will always expose darkness. Therefore when we live by the light, no longer can we live behind closed doors. Our faith becomes front and center to the identity we are.
This pressure did not stop the Apostle Paul; therefore it should not stop us either. Instead Paul was driven by his faith to press on toward the goal of living for Christ (Philippians 3:14). Regardless to the adversaries who quarreled against him in Ephesus, he continued to seek out doors to expand his ministry even against great opposition (1 Corinthians 16:9).
In fact, if you doubt his determination to finish the calling which God placed within him, just read 2 Corinthians chapter 1 where he says, “For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings” (v5) or “Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death” (v9). These two statements clearly show his grit to press on to the calling which God gave him.
The writer of Hebrews shared a vision which has stayed with me these last few years:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
This is the type of race I believe we must be prepared to run this coming year. There are many challenges which lay ahead all of us, but the news we have to share is of vital importance. Many have lost hope and it is up to each one of us who is a Christian to share the message of victory and to show that victory is within their reach.
The message that matters is Christ. We can bring people many things, but all of them may be temporary pain-killers to the disease we all face. Let us instead bring the anecdote which will cure everyone for life. Let us bring the message of Christ.
The race may be difficult and one which is filled with challenges. But with the encouragement of the saints and strength we find in Christ, the race can be won and the message is worth any price for “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Prayer requests
Greg – pray that he will continue to spot the temptations the enemy tries to put in his way and fight through them with Christ
Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God, pray for his brother which is dealing with a difficult custody battle
Richard – pray for this fellowship of men and that it can continue to make an impact on others for Christ
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems
Carmine – pray for the troops which are serving overseas and for their financial health and security
Dick – praise for a new job, pray that he may make it back from Arizona safely and without incident
Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children
Mark – pray that this fellowship of men can continue to make an impact on men for Christ, pray for financial discernment as we continue to make ends meet, pray for the meaning of the Christmas season to be revealed in the hearts of all of us
***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ
Continued prayer needs
Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser
Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students
Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God
Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship
Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob
Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night
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
Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days
Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore
Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others
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
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
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
Monday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, the annual Christmas/New Year Meeting (Monday meeting) with the location to be determined
**** Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, January 14th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church – Start of the study of Ephesians
**** Wednesday, January 21st, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
Coming January 14th, 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”—A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…
As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.
By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".
Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...
I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.
God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
In Christ,
Mark
Additionally, we are going to decide over the next week where to have the December 29th meeting and what it is going to look like. There is a strong possibility it may be a informal get together to talk about the Christmas season, read a little scripture, and plan for the future. Any ideas, please feel free to share. Stay tuned….
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
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 ESV
This passage of scripture may be only seven words in total in the ESV, but they represent the entirety of a Christian’s service to Jesus Christ because this statement from John the Baptist represents what true Christian service is all about.
We start here today because of how important this message is and how difficult it is to practice. For nothing is easier then to make yourself “larger” then Christ in this world and believe your ministry is the most important one or can make the largest difference in someone else’s life. Yet unfortunately, this human desire of success can sometimes be the largest impediment to what true success really is. Instead it is about allowing God to work through you, not relying on the works of men.
Early on in this ministry we dealt with the tension of ‘Him increasing vs. the human desire of success’ quite often. We asked the question—what is the meaning of success for the Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship? Over time we began to come up with our own answers. Some people said success was greater attendance. Some people felt it was the sharing of more biblical knowledge. Others felt it was reaching out to new believers or those who have not come to Christ. Even recently someone said it was about fellowship.
Yet the truth is that in some way it was probably all of the above without using a measuring stick because true success can only occur through Christ. Everything we are is only the instrument that God uses to share Christ to others. This mindset I believe must be at the forefront of everything we are as leaders. John the Baptist realized this profoundly which is why these were probably the last words that we have from John till the despondent message from the dungeon in Machaerus whether Jesus is after all the Messiah (Luke 7:19, Matthew 11:2).
This tension (‘Him increasing vs. the human desire of success’) unfortunately at times still exists within me which shows that first, ‘I am human, born into sin’ and that second, I have a long way to go to become Christ-like. I still struggle sometimes with success on what it should look like and many times I am way too hard on myself when I do not reach that artificial goal.
Through the process of meditating on this verse, I realized that John the Baptist was sharing three qualities which must be at the forefront of any ministry. First, humility must be present in knowing that it is not by you that the message is heard. And second, we must have a willingness to be esteemed as nothing in this world in order that Christ can be glorified.
Jesus said it best when He said: ‘Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it’ (Matthew 10:39 ESV). This should tell us that the standard of this world is corrupt. Yet how many times do we see people defending their actions or standing up for their decisions based upon factor x or standard y. Jesus said He is the only standard, not our life.
Difficult. Very difficult to put into action. But we should know that it should not deter us from serving our Lord because John the Baptist was sharing with us a third quality which should not be overlooked—we should feel honored that God calls upon us to share the god news of Christ.
American Presbyterian theologian Albert Barnes (1798-1870) said it best when he wrote: “It shows us, also, that it is sufficient honor for man if he may be permitted to point sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ. No work is so honorable and joyful as the ministry of the gospel; none are so highly honored as those who are permitted to stand near the Son of God, lead perishing men to his cross.”
The prophet Daniel shared with us this glorious calling when he said:
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 NIV
Therefore may we not be deterred by the difficulty of the road that lies ahead. For those who serve Christ are most exalted by God.
But as we move forward, as this ministry moves forward, my prayer is that all of us may decrease and realize that everything in this world that we raise up can do nothing but impede the message of Christ. We must raise up Christ and increase Him in everything we do and make it our lifelong goal to take us to a place of nothingness if it be that Christ is glorified.
Prayer requests
Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship
Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God and become the backbone for the church, home, and family
Richard – pray for reconciliation with his brother, pray that God will help him remove any anger he may be feeling at times
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems
Dick – pray for continued strength during these times of uncertainty
Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students
Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God
Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children
Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser
Mark – pray that Ephesians 1:18 will be realized in the hearts of men here at Northshore and that people will become energized to follow the Lord, pray for continued financial discernment during tight times, pray that I will continue to find strength in the Lord
***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ
Continued prayer needs
Greg – pray that his family will all find and keep a Godly mind, pray for all the churches who are being persecuted from those against Proposition 8
Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob
Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night
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
Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days
Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore
Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others
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
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
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, December 10th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church
**** Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Monday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, the annual Christmas/New Year Meeting (Monday meeting) with the location to be determined
**** Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church – Start of the study of Ephesians
Group Happenings
Coming January 14th, 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”—A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…
As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.
By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".
Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...
I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.
God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
In Christ,
Mark
Meeting Topic Schedule (for the rest of 2008)
December 3, 2008 - Abiding in Christ (Tim)
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
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 ESV
This passage of scripture may be only seven words in total in the ESV, but they represent the entirety of a Christian’s service to Jesus Christ because this statement from John the Baptist represents what true Christian service is all about.
We start here today because of how important this message is and how difficult it is to practice. For nothing is easier then to make yourself “larger” then Christ in this world and believe your ministry is the most important one or can make the largest difference in someone else’s life. Yet unfortunately, this human desire of success can sometimes be the largest impediment to what true success really is. Instead it is about allowing God to work through you, not relying on the works of men.
Early on in this ministry we dealt with the tension of ‘Him increasing vs. the human desire of success’ quite often. We asked the question—what is the meaning of success for the Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship? Over time we began to come up with our own answers. Some people said success was greater attendance. Some people felt it was the sharing of more biblical knowledge. Others felt it was reaching out to new believers or those who have not come to Christ. Even recently someone said it was about fellowship.
Yet the truth is that in some way it was probably all of the above without using a measuring stick because true success can only occur through Christ. Everything we are is only the instrument that God uses to share Christ to others. This mindset I believe must be at the forefront of everything we are as leaders. John the Baptist realized this profoundly which is why these were probably the last words that we have from John till the despondent message from the dungeon in Machaerus whether Jesus is after all the Messiah (Luke 7:19, Matthew 11:2).
This tension (‘Him increasing vs. the human desire of success’) unfortunately at times still exists within me which shows that first, ‘I am human, born into sin’ and that second, I have a long way to go to become Christ-like. I still struggle sometimes with success on what it should look like and many times I am way too hard on myself when I do not reach that artificial goal.
Through the process of meditating on this verse, I realized that John the Baptist was sharing three qualities which must be at the forefront of any ministry. First, humility must be present in knowing that it is not by you that the message is heard. And second, we must have a willingness to be esteemed as nothing in this world in order that Christ can be glorified.
Jesus said it best when He said: ‘Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it’ (Matthew 10:39 ESV). This should tell us that the standard of this world is corrupt. Yet how many times do we see people defending their actions or standing up for their decisions based upon factor x or standard y. Jesus said He is the only standard, not our life.
Difficult. Very difficult to put into action. But we should know that it should not deter us from serving our Lord because John the Baptist was sharing with us a third quality which should not be overlooked—we should feel honored that God calls upon us to share the god news of Christ.
American Presbyterian theologian Albert Barnes (1798-1870) said it best when he wrote: “It shows us, also, that it is sufficient honor for man if he may be permitted to point sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ. No work is so honorable and joyful as the ministry of the gospel; none are so highly honored as those who are permitted to stand near the Son of God, lead perishing men to his cross.”
The prophet Daniel shared with us this glorious calling when he said:
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 NIV
Therefore may we not be deterred by the difficulty of the road that lies ahead. For those who serve Christ are most exalted by God.
But as we move forward, as this ministry moves forward, my prayer is that all of us may decrease and realize that everything in this world that we raise up can do nothing but impede the message of Christ. We must raise up Christ and increase Him in everything we do and make it our lifelong goal to take us to a place of nothingness if it be that Christ is glorified.
Prayer requests
Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship
Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God and become the backbone for the church, home, and family
Richard – pray for reconciliation with his brother, pray that God will help him remove any anger he may be feeling at times
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems
Dick – pray for continued strength during these times of uncertainty
Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students
Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God
Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children
Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser
Mark – pray that Ephesians 1:18 will be realized in the hearts of men here at Northshore and that people will become energized to follow the Lord, pray for continued financial discernment during tight times, pray that I will continue to find strength in the Lord
***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ
Continued prayer needs
Greg – pray that his family will all find and keep a Godly mind, pray for all the churches who are being persecuted from those against Proposition 8
Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob
Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night
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
Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days
Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore
Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others
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
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
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, December 10th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church
**** Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Monday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, the annual Christmas/New Year Meeting (Monday meeting) with the location to be determined
**** Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church – Start of the study of Ephesians
Group Happenings
Coming January 14th, 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”—A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…
As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.
By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".
Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...
I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.
God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
In Christ,
Mark
Meeting Topic Schedule (for the rest of 2008)
December 3, 2008 - Abiding in Christ (Tim)
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
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…” Ephesians 1:18 NIV
One of the difficulties I find about writing this message each week is finding the right topic. Many times after I pray I find there are multiple things which could be said, with each one equally as important as the other. Other times much of what could be said is best left unsaid and should only be brought before the Lord.
So it is a difficult challenge, but one which I believe has produced fruit because of prayer and the Holy Spirit. And I feel very honored and humbled by the opportunity God has presented me in this endeavor.
As we approach the Christmas season, I definitely find myself in the category of having too many things to write about. Yet in the middle of all these topics—giving, ministering to others, thanksgiving—I find one central theme at the root of all of them… our Lord Jesus Christ.
See nothing else truly matters. If we desire to show others how people can give, I believe we should show them Jesus. If we desire others to minister unto those who are in need, I believe we should connect them to Jesus. If we desire people to understand why we have so much to be thankful for, I believe we should give them Jesus.
Once people have Jesus and allow Him to work in their lives, everything which is good and true will eventually manifest itself out from their life. This is the transformational power of Christ. This is because Jesus will equip people ‘with everything good for doing his will’ (Hebrews 13:21 NIV) and has already provided those who believe everything which pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
That is why I opened the message from Ephesians 1:18 because this truly is my prayer. I believe that Christ is everything to a believer. We do not need Christ plus philosophy; or Christ plus politics; or even Christ plus religion. We who believe have been given the fullness in Christ (Colossians 2:10 NIV), not something partial needing something else to complete our fullness. All we need is Christ because He is everything and can transform everyone.
So when the eyes of the heart are enlightened by Christ through the Holy Spirit, then true hope will be revealed. This will empower those to give, to minister unto others, to be thankful. This true hope is the greatest empowerment to face any trial of any kind. This is truly what I believe needs to happen, especially as the world becomes even darker and more challenging.
What makes this message more important than ever is that many of these trials are already here or are soon to come for many people, inside and outside the Church. Yet, through Christ, our sufferings in this world are only temporary…
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
This is another great promise God has promised us who are in Christ. I just love the English Standard Version (ESV) which says He will ‘restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.’ Or the New International Version (NIV) which says He will ‘restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.’
Christ is the center of this promise. All we need is Christ and regardless to the sufferings we all face, we will be restored to even a greater standing in Him. And this standing will be rooted in the truth of God and upon a rock which will never fail.
Therefore let us make this season a season where we share Christ. Nothing is more important or more transformational in this world then the power God has given each one of us who believe. Because sharing the wealth of God which is already inside each of us, is the greatest gift anyone could ever share…
Prayer requests
Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship
Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God and become the backbone for the church, home, and family
Richard – pray for reconciliation with his brother, pray that God will help him remove any anger he may be feeling at times
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems
Dick – pray for continued strength during these times of uncertainty
Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students
Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God
Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children
Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser
Mark – pray that Ephesians 1:18 will be realized in the hearts of men here at Northshore and that people will become energized to follow the Lord, pray for continued financial discernment during tight times, pray that I will continue to find strength in the Lord
***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ
Continued prayer needs
Greg – pray that his family will all find and keep a Godly mind, pray for all the churches who are being persecuted from those against Proposition 8
Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob
Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night
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
Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days
Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore
Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others
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
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
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, December 3rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church
Wednesday, December 10th, 7:00-9:00 pm, (Monday meeting) regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
**** Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Monday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, the annual Christmas/New Year Meeting (Monday meeting) with the location to be determined
**** Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
Coming in January 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”— A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…
As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.
By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".
Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...
I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.
God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
In Christ,
Mark
Meeting Topic Schedule (for the rest of 2008)
December 3, 2008 - Abiding in Christ (Tim)
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
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…” Ephesians 1:18 NIV
One of the difficulties I find about writing this message each week is finding the right topic. Many times after I pray I find there are multiple things which could be said, with each one equally as important as the other. Other times much of what could be said is best left unsaid and should only be brought before the Lord.
So it is a difficult challenge, but one which I believe has produced fruit because of prayer and the Holy Spirit. And I feel very honored and humbled by the opportunity God has presented me in this endeavor.
As we approach the Christmas season, I definitely find myself in the category of having too many things to write about. Yet in the middle of all these topics—giving, ministering to others, thanksgiving—I find one central theme at the root of all of them… our Lord Jesus Christ.
See nothing else truly matters. If we desire to show others how people can give, I believe we should show them Jesus. If we desire others to minister unto those who are in need, I believe we should connect them to Jesus. If we desire people to understand why we have so much to be thankful for, I believe we should give them Jesus.
Once people have Jesus and allow Him to work in their lives, everything which is good and true will eventually manifest itself out from their life. This is the transformational power of Christ. This is because Jesus will equip people ‘with everything good for doing his will’ (Hebrews 13:21 NIV) and has already provided those who believe everything which pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
That is why I opened the message from Ephesians 1:18 because this truly is my prayer. I believe that Christ is everything to a believer. We do not need Christ plus philosophy; or Christ plus politics; or even Christ plus religion. We who believe have been given the fullness in Christ (Colossians 2:10 NIV), not something partial needing something else to complete our fullness. All we need is Christ because He is everything and can transform everyone.
So when the eyes of the heart are enlightened by Christ through the Holy Spirit, then true hope will be revealed. This will empower those to give, to minister unto others, to be thankful. This true hope is the greatest empowerment to face any trial of any kind. This is truly what I believe needs to happen, especially as the world becomes even darker and more challenging.
What makes this message more important than ever is that many of these trials are already here or are soon to come for many people, inside and outside the Church. Yet, through Christ, our sufferings in this world are only temporary…
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
This is another great promise God has promised us who are in Christ. I just love the English Standard Version (ESV) which says He will ‘restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.’ Or the New International Version (NIV) which says He will ‘restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.’
Christ is the center of this promise. All we need is Christ and regardless to the sufferings we all face, we will be restored to even a greater standing in Him. And this standing will be rooted in the truth of God and upon a rock which will never fail.
Therefore let us make this season a season where we share Christ. Nothing is more important or more transformational in this world then the power God has given each one of us who believe. Because sharing the wealth of God which is already inside each of us, is the greatest gift anyone could ever share…
Prayer requests
Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship
Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God and become the backbone for the church, home, and family
Richard – pray for reconciliation with his brother, pray that God will help him remove any anger he may be feeling at times
Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems
Dick – pray for continued strength during these times of uncertainty
Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students
Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God
Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children
Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser
Mark – pray that Ephesians 1:18 will be realized in the hearts of men here at Northshore and that people will become energized to follow the Lord, pray for continued financial discernment during tight times, pray that I will continue to find strength in the Lord
***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ
Continued prayer needs
Greg – pray that his family will all find and keep a Godly mind, pray for all the churches who are being persecuted from those against Proposition 8
Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob
Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night
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
Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days
Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore
Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others
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
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
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, December 3rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church
Wednesday, December 10th, 7:00-9:00 pm, (Monday meeting) regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
**** Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Monday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, the annual Christmas/New Year Meeting (Monday meeting) with the location to be determined
**** Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church
Group Happenings
Coming in January 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”— A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…
As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.
By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".
Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...
I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.
God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
In Christ,
Mark
Meeting Topic Schedule (for the rest of 2008)
December 3, 2008 - Abiding in Christ (Tim)
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
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