Saturday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Annual Family Business Mtg & Pie Social
What a great time we had together tonight!
I believe many good things came out of the business that was discussed.
One important point of order, was the decision to make next year's annual family business mtg after church on a Sunday AM with a potluck, so it will be easier for all members to attend...
Here's a few highlights from the teaching I shared opening the mtg.:
(I will leave some copies of the full teaching in the foyer if you missed tonight's fun)
Prodigal Friendly Church:
1. Teach believers to appreciate diversity.
2. Teach believers to respect the spiritual journey of every person in the room.
3. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead people into the lifestyle changes they need to make.
4. Train people to understand the difference between these three things...absolutes, cultural expectations, and preferences.
5. Pray to God that there will be an authentic move of God in people in every church service you have.
"Let God renew and clean the heart, body, and spirit of a prodigal. When we try to clean people up it usually brings confusion."
party on, church
Essential commitments for leadership:
(remember: everyone's a leader, a minister and everyone needs a ministry)
If you were to look thru the NT for the phrase "make every effort," you'd find it 6x:
1. Vow to maintain integrity, 2 Peter 3:14
2. Vow to forgive those who hurt you, Hebrews 12:14,15
3. Vow to relax and trust God, Hebrews 4:11
4. Vow to be an ENCOURAGER, Romans 14:19
5. Vow to be a peacemaker, Ephesians 4:3
6. Vow to never stop growing, 2 Peter 1:5-8
Privileges of Church Membership:
Many people are confused, cautious, sceptical; fearing commitment, obligation...
But there are HEALTH BENEFITS
"helper's high"
regular acts of kindness or serving stimulate the release of endorphins
improve mood and immune system
lower blood pressure, improves self-esteem, increases sense of well-being, lowers stress
retired men who volunteer one day a week live two-and-a-half times longer than retired men who don't volunteer at all...
(this explains why Pastor Short may just out-live us all, unselfishness)
Romans 12:1-5
tithing income and time
1. A church family helps us grow up together
2. A church family moves us out of self-centered isolation
(the first symptom of spiritual decline is usually inconsistent attendance at Sunday services...when we become careless about fellowship, everything else begins to slide too)
3. A church family is our primary place of service
"the difference between being a church attender and a church member is service. Attenders are spectators on the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. Attenders are consumers; members are contributors. Attenders want the benefits of a church without sharing the responsibility..."
real life, abundant life begins when we ask the right question:
what can I give? not, what can I take?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Amazing Grace: Abraham's Grace (sermon notes from today's extra special celebration service)
A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point."
"One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.
"TWO POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"
"Come on in!"
I doubt St. Peter will meet you at the gates of heaven...But I do know, the only way to Heaven is the amazing grace found in Jesus Christ! John 14:6
Genesis 18: Abraham's Grace
Would you press God like Abe did?
Hebrews 4:14-16 (approach the throne of grace with confidence)
God invites us to try to change His mind.
Three simple thoughts from this story of gutsy Abraham:
1. God hangs out with people of grace!
Gen. 18:1-5
God inhabits the praises of His people. (praising Him, praising one another)
Homebuilders: Criticism creates distance, Affirmation creates intimacy
(does this apply to our relationship with the Lord?)
Amazing Grace not cheap grace!
ROMANS 6:1-4
John 1:14 (grace AND truth)
How can you tell if someone's truly been hanging out with God? They can't help but exude amazing grace! I've met people who know their bible but act like sour grapes...this should not be!
What does grace really look like?
We talk about it so much, it may have lost some meaning...
In this series we will be looking at many different pictures of grace, tastes of grace:
Acts 11:19-24
Grace is inclusive, never exclusive!
Grace remains committed even when people are different, even if someone disagrees...
(separatist mindset, superficial issues)
I wore jeans this morning to service...This time I roused a rabble on purpose...
One Sunday morning, an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean...he wore jeans, a denim shirt, and boots that were very worn and ragged.
In his hand, he carried a worn out old hat and an equally well-worn, dog-eared Bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and fine jewelry.
As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached hima nd asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask Him what He thinks would be approapriate attire for worship in church." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the cowboy and said; "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did He tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church."
If a church doesn't live grace, of course God isn't there!
Cause God hangs out with people of grace!
2. God blesses people of grace!
Genesis 18:17 says that all nations on earth will be blessed thru Abraham...
Remember that song from kids church, sunday school: father Abraham had many sons...
(we had some fun singing it with the "kids")
Romans 4
Ephesians 2
When you have experienced the blessings of His amazing grace how can you not share the wealth?
Nothing can be added, nothing to subtract, Grace has nothing to do with us And this is just a fact. It's nothing that you bought, And nothing that is taught. It's nothing that you can lend, And nothing that you can spend. It's nothing that grows old, It is nothing that you hold. It is there when you feel it, It is there when you don't, It is there when you accept it And there when you won't. It is nothing that you can earn, And nothing that you learn. It is nothing that you choose, And nothing that you can loose. It is there in the morning, It is there late at night, It is there when you are on top of the world Or in your greatest fight. It's nothing about the clothes we wear Or the things that we do without, It has nothing to do with our appearance, That's not what grace is all about. Grace can be summed up as great riches At Christ's expense, And to the human part of his people, It just doesn't seem to make sense. Unmerited favor full of riches and beauty untold, And we may never understand it until We get to heaven and walk on streets of gold. It is nothing that you bring with you, When you kneel at the cross and pray, But once you accept the Lord Jesus Christ, Grace will never go away. By Cheryl P. Ellicott
God hangs out with people of grace...
God blesses people of grace...
And...
3. God responds favorably to people of grace!
Genesis 18 gives us apicture of Abe arguing with God for grace for Sodom and Gomorah.
Obviously God responded favorably, giving in time after time, moving from 50 to 10...
God was unable to grant Abraham's grace fully for the lasciviousness of Sodom and Gomorrah even squeezed out the number 10...
I wonder what would have happened if Abraham would have kept pressing beyond 10?
I don't know if you noticed but our world is looking more and more like Sodom and Gormorrah?!
Do you have grace enough to plead for the sinners surrounding you?
God is not willing that any should perish!
He's calling all of us to plead for the souls haning between heaven and hell...
This glimpse into Abraham's grace motivates me to try to follow in His footsteps so I may know the favor, blessing and presence of my God!
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point."
"One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.
"TWO POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"
"Come on in!"
I doubt St. Peter will meet you at the gates of heaven...But I do know, the only way to Heaven is the amazing grace found in Jesus Christ! John 14:6
Genesis 18: Abraham's Grace
Would you press God like Abe did?
Hebrews 4:14-16 (approach the throne of grace with confidence)
God invites us to try to change His mind.
Three simple thoughts from this story of gutsy Abraham:
1. God hangs out with people of grace!
Gen. 18:1-5
God inhabits the praises of His people. (praising Him, praising one another)
Homebuilders: Criticism creates distance, Affirmation creates intimacy
(does this apply to our relationship with the Lord?)
Amazing Grace not cheap grace!
ROMANS 6:1-4
John 1:14 (grace AND truth)
How can you tell if someone's truly been hanging out with God? They can't help but exude amazing grace! I've met people who know their bible but act like sour grapes...this should not be!
What does grace really look like?
We talk about it so much, it may have lost some meaning...
In this series we will be looking at many different pictures of grace, tastes of grace:
Acts 11:19-24
Grace is inclusive, never exclusive!
Grace remains committed even when people are different, even if someone disagrees...
(separatist mindset, superficial issues)
I wore jeans this morning to service...This time I roused a rabble on purpose...
One Sunday morning, an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean...he wore jeans, a denim shirt, and boots that were very worn and ragged.
In his hand, he carried a worn out old hat and an equally well-worn, dog-eared Bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and fine jewelry.
As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached hima nd asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask Him what He thinks would be approapriate attire for worship in church." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the cowboy and said; "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did He tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church."
If a church doesn't live grace, of course God isn't there!
Cause God hangs out with people of grace!
2. God blesses people of grace!
Genesis 18:17 says that all nations on earth will be blessed thru Abraham...
Remember that song from kids church, sunday school: father Abraham had many sons...
(we had some fun singing it with the "kids")
Romans 4
Ephesians 2
When you have experienced the blessings of His amazing grace how can you not share the wealth?
Nothing can be added, nothing to subtract, Grace has nothing to do with us And this is just a fact. It's nothing that you bought, And nothing that is taught. It's nothing that you can lend, And nothing that you can spend. It's nothing that grows old, It is nothing that you hold. It is there when you feel it, It is there when you don't, It is there when you accept it And there when you won't. It is nothing that you can earn, And nothing that you learn. It is nothing that you choose, And nothing that you can loose. It is there in the morning, It is there late at night, It is there when you are on top of the world Or in your greatest fight. It's nothing about the clothes we wear Or the things that we do without, It has nothing to do with our appearance, That's not what grace is all about. Grace can be summed up as great riches At Christ's expense, And to the human part of his people, It just doesn't seem to make sense. Unmerited favor full of riches and beauty untold, And we may never understand it until We get to heaven and walk on streets of gold. It is nothing that you bring with you, When you kneel at the cross and pray, But once you accept the Lord Jesus Christ, Grace will never go away. By Cheryl P. Ellicott
God hangs out with people of grace...
God blesses people of grace...
And...
3. God responds favorably to people of grace!
Genesis 18 gives us apicture of Abe arguing with God for grace for Sodom and Gomorah.
Obviously God responded favorably, giving in time after time, moving from 50 to 10...
God was unable to grant Abraham's grace fully for the lasciviousness of Sodom and Gomorrah even squeezed out the number 10...
I wonder what would have happened if Abraham would have kept pressing beyond 10?
I don't know if you noticed but our world is looking more and more like Sodom and Gormorrah?!
Do you have grace enough to plead for the sinners surrounding you?
God is not willing that any should perish!
He's calling all of us to plead for the souls haning between heaven and hell...
This glimpse into Abraham's grace motivates me to try to follow in His footsteps so I may know the favor, blessing and presence of my God!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
10 Year Old Minister Delivers the Word
I found this on facebook! PREACH IT LITTLE MAN! Mabye this will be Nathaniel in a few years...but don't worry I won't pressure my little man to be anything he isn't...I'll let him discover how God has gifted him...mabye He won't be a preacher, mabye he'll play in the nba and buy me a big mansion...hee hee
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Don't miss out on all the fun! Family Night, Wednesdays 7pm
HOMEBUILDERS
(that's a crazy Kathy)
YOUTH GROUP
(yup, that's an up-side down board member!)
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
(that's Ray in front, his head itches)
KIDS CLUB
(that Megan is so shy)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Prayer Changes Everything
Today was my final sermon in the prayer series (please no tears).
I hope you've been blessed by this sermon series...I know I have learned alot...
By now you understand why I had to share the short video clips by Philip Yancey. I encourage you to read his book on Prayer...
I've grown in my own prayer life!
I forgot my notes at the church, so I hope you don't mind an overview from memory:
Even if the circumstances haven't changed, Prayer truly changes everything! Because once you consult heaven, your perspective on the circumstance changes!
Scandal plagues our society (even spiritual leaders are failing)...this is not new...open your Bible...the greatest ministry scandal is found in 2 Samuel 11 & 12 (David & Bathsheba)...
The reason we know King David as a man after God's own heart is because of HIS PRAYER found in PSALM 51! I believe the sinners response to sin is everything!
What is truly impressive is the way David OWNS his sin...(doesn't gloss over it or try to explain it away)...this is how Prayer truly changes everything!
(I especially love the way he handles the obvious need for a leaders role to change after moral failure...He prays for a willing spirit to sustain him as he walks thru the consequences)
Based on the cries of Psalm 51 we need to pray for:
1. Mercy and Forgiveness
2. Restoration and Renewal
3. God's Glory
4. God's Blessings
We can't skip step one and jump to step 4! (I got a little firey today in my preaching)
I can't remember all the scriptures I shared but I do remember encouraging everybody to go to 2 Corinthians 7:9&10 and pray for wisdom regarding Condemnation vs. Conviction...
If you came to my blog to get all the details of my msg. today and you can't find that one point or that one scripture that the Holy Spirit truly touched your heart with...email me and I'll be sure to get you detailed notes...luv ya
What a privilege it is to be your pastor!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Amazing Grace (postcard)
If you don't receive our mailings, shoot me an email with your updated address, contact info or fill out the tear-off from your bulletin on Sundays...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Marriage Encounter
SO EXCITED!
We've already registered 3 couples from our church...
And I only just began promoting it...
AG Marriage Encounter weekend is coming to Medford!
Our own backyard!
And this is the best part...It's ONLY $75 AND that includes two nights lodging and meals!
Mark your calendar for March 13, 14, 15!
Register online at agme.org
Or work out the details with Holly or I!
THERE IS LIMITED SPACE, ONLY 20 COUPLES, so make up your mind quick cause you haven't much time!
Y
EAH!
EAH!Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Annual Reports available in the foyer / Mark your calendars for the Annual Business Meeting and Pie Social, Feb. 22: 6pm
Here are my words for the annual report:
(To see words from many of our leaders, financial reports, board nominees... pick up an Annual Report in the foyer)
Looking back at 2008, I am amazed at all that has taken place! My home has been transformed by a little angel from Ethiopia. My church has been transformed in the areas of hospitality, child-like faith, favor, integrity, living simply, loving generously, caring deeply, speaking kindly, commitment, focus, balance, strength, endurance, wisdom, but most of all truly leaving it all IN HIS HANDS!
I’m feeling a little nostalgic as we approach the 5 year mark as senior pastors of Rogue River Assembly of God. I feel proud of the purposeful traditions that have become expected in the life of our church. For instance, our Acts of Kindness Events truly have an impact on our community even around the world from the water bottles at Rooster Crow to the operation Christmas Child boxes. And, the commitment of coming together as THE BODY OF CHRIST across denominational lines with the Church in the Park, Baccalaureate, Easter Sunrise Service, etc. And our re-commitment to missions is growing with the faith promise program and missions conventions. Not to mention, our faithful support of Christian Life School…
But beyond our “doing,” I think our “being” is truly becoming ALL ABOUT LOVE! Our special guests say to me all the time, “your church is so loving, you got a good thing going here,” when I have the opportunity to share a meal after their ministry. That doesn’t come from any man-made program; that’s all about JESUS!
We have deeply felt the impact of our little city being a retirement community. This year alone we have buried two of the board members that hired me only five years ago. I miss Don Luker and George Hill every day! We have celebrated the lives of huge pillars of this church: Jerry Lyon, Herb Cassel, Ethel Brenhaug, Wilma McElmurry, Ruby Miller, Alice Heron... These Memorial Services are where our church has shined much love and hospitality! I desperately need to give Lorin and Jan Short praise for their unwavering commitment to our seniors! How we love you!
Saying Thanks doesn’t seem like a good enough expression to all the outstanding leadership that fills our pews! To my beautiful soul-mate, Holly, you and Jesus are my world! To my precious son, you brighten up every day! To all the West family here and in heaven, how can I not be faithful with such a great crowd of witnesses?! To Queen Mary, thanks for putting up with me! To Mrs. Shelli, you truly are making a difference in children’s lives! To Linda and Frank Accardo, your faithfulness blesses our families! To Grandma Max, your prayer chain rattles the gates of heaven and hell! To Phyllis Hill, you truly are my spiritual hero! To Kat Luker, your grace amazes me! To Tom and Ruth Vallo, what an amazing gift from heaven you are to us! To Buzz and Maureen Bozeman, your greeting is just like a hug from Jesus! To George and Laura Hunt, this church would have fallen apart a long time ago if it wasn’t for your genius! To Edith and Richard Hoggard, thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit! To Kathy Quinones, you make our church look good! To Melisma Ramos, your friendship and faithfulness is making a difference for the Kingdom of God! To Bo and Cindy Dara, you make church FUN! To Cliff and Trudi Leidecker, your contributions do not go unnoticed, there’s a whole lot of treasure piled up in heaven! To Bob and June Robertson, you make our whole church smile! To Walt Heron, your leadership through the valley of the shadow of death inspires HOPE! Although this list reflects those leading a ministry, all those behind the scenes deserve high praise. I only just scratched the surface of all the faithful heroes of Rogue River Assembly of God!
With overflowing blessing and abundant Life,
Reverend Paul B. West
I’m feeling a little nostalgic as we approach the 5 year mark as senior pastors of Rogue River Assembly of God. I feel proud of the purposeful traditions that have become expected in the life of our church. For instance, our Acts of Kindness Events truly have an impact on our community even around the world from the water bottles at Rooster Crow to the operation Christmas Child boxes. And, the commitment of coming together as THE BODY OF CHRIST across denominational lines with the Church in the Park, Baccalaureate, Easter Sunrise Service, etc. And our re-commitment to missions is growing with the faith promise program and missions conventions. Not to mention, our faithful support of Christian Life School…
But beyond our “doing,” I think our “being” is truly becoming ALL ABOUT LOVE! Our special guests say to me all the time, “your church is so loving, you got a good thing going here,” when I have the opportunity to share a meal after their ministry. That doesn’t come from any man-made program; that’s all about JESUS!
We have deeply felt the impact of our little city being a retirement community. This year alone we have buried two of the board members that hired me only five years ago. I miss Don Luker and George Hill every day! We have celebrated the lives of huge pillars of this church: Jerry Lyon, Herb Cassel, Ethel Brenhaug, Wilma McElmurry, Ruby Miller, Alice Heron... These Memorial Services are where our church has shined much love and hospitality! I desperately need to give Lorin and Jan Short praise for their unwavering commitment to our seniors! How we love you!
Saying Thanks doesn’t seem like a good enough expression to all the outstanding leadership that fills our pews! To my beautiful soul-mate, Holly, you and Jesus are my world! To my precious son, you brighten up every day! To all the West family here and in heaven, how can I not be faithful with such a great crowd of witnesses?! To Queen Mary, thanks for putting up with me! To Mrs. Shelli, you truly are making a difference in children’s lives! To Linda and Frank Accardo, your faithfulness blesses our families! To Grandma Max, your prayer chain rattles the gates of heaven and hell! To Phyllis Hill, you truly are my spiritual hero! To Kat Luker, your grace amazes me! To Tom and Ruth Vallo, what an amazing gift from heaven you are to us! To Buzz and Maureen Bozeman, your greeting is just like a hug from Jesus! To George and Laura Hunt, this church would have fallen apart a long time ago if it wasn’t for your genius! To Edith and Richard Hoggard, thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit! To Kathy Quinones, you make our church look good! To Melisma Ramos, your friendship and faithfulness is making a difference for the Kingdom of God! To Bo and Cindy Dara, you make church FUN! To Cliff and Trudi Leidecker, your contributions do not go unnoticed, there’s a whole lot of treasure piled up in heaven! To Bob and June Robertson, you make our whole church smile! To Walt Heron, your leadership through the valley of the shadow of death inspires HOPE! Although this list reflects those leading a ministry, all those behind the scenes deserve high praise. I only just scratched the surface of all the faithful heroes of Rogue River Assembly of God!
With overflowing blessing and abundant Life,
Reverend Paul B. West
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Stewardship Seminar, Bob Rufe
This morning's Celebration Service was so good!
Passionate Prayer, Powerful Word, Ardent Worship and Meaningful Relationships...
Here's some notes I took while Bob was speaking on TRUSTING GOD:
(remember he is available the next few days for personal, confidential appointments)
Matthew 13 (Parable of the Sower)
Kingdom Living, Overcoming Fear, Enduring Financial Hardship
The 4 soils are not just 4 people, more complex
~Hard Heart
~Superficial Heart
~Divided, Compromising, Fearful Heart
~Good, Receptive Heart
Attitude is Everything!
God Owns it all...we are but Stewards!
Do we really Believe?
Prov. 3:9,10; Eph. 2:4; James 3:17; Mat. 13:22; 1Tim. 6:9,10
Don't want to minimize the anxiety of our present economic tide...
Man's view of money... Deceitfulness of Wealth... love of money... world's views very dangerous...
I wish I had copies of the videos Bob shared to put on my blog, very inspiring... And Bob's testimony was truly moving as well... I am so thankful for AG Financial and there generosity in sharing Bob with us this weekend...
Web: www.AGFinancial.org E-mail:brufe@agfinancial.org
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Thanks for the WONDERFUL surprise!
Ya'll BLESSED your pastor tonight!
I had a few clues that something was in the works...
Melisma told Holly and I that we were going out to dinner with her on Feb. 7, 3 weeks ago...
Everybody was whispering behind my back while we were moving the Peter's stuff today...
Rusty and Buzz started to give it away with some funny phone calls...
But, we REALLY were SURPRISED!
My favorite part was pulling up to the church (Melisma told us she left her purse at the church) and Kirkwood Hall was filled with people sitting in the dark ready to shout SURPRISE!
My 5th anniversary as your Senior Pastor was very special!
Ya'll made my favorite food, the Mexican food potluck was perfect and very yummy!
And I was a little red-faced by the time the "poem lady" was done, BUT I loved it!
Thanks again for all the hard work...
Holly, Nathaniel and I love ya'll so much!
(sorry I don't have pictures to put on the blog, it was a surprise so I didn't have my camera)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
A taste of our amazing new series at Homebuilders, Wednesdays 7pm (Adult Bible Study, Youth Group, and Kids Club meet as well)
Four Ideas for being a "Transitional Generation" parent:
1. Admit your brokenness
2. Develop the courage to make changes
3. Establish replenishing relationships
4. Keep the eternal perspective
Hebrews 12:1-3
How might you apply the encouragement of this verse to the issue of parenting?
2 Corinthians 5:17
What could this mean for our past, present, future; especially as it relates to our parenting?
Galatians 6:2
Practical ways in which to embrace the SHEMA: during mealtime, bedtime, on holidays, vacations, and even driving...
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
This is the Shema, recited and prayed everyday in a Jewish household...
How do you see this passage as speaking to parents today?
And tonight we're tackling THE SABBATH: personal weekly rhythms...
Tithe Rap
I'm thinking about sharing this on Sunday morning...
I guess this is one way to find out if our church is uptight?
SO FUNNY, and a great message!
Jesus is STRONGER, Christian Life School Chapel
Mark 1:21-28
At the NAME OF JESUS every evil has to flee!
What are you afraid of?
No Fear In Jesus Name!
Rock, Scissors, Paper: a game about what is stronger
Rock breaks the scissors
Scissors cut the paper
Paper covers the rock
Can Jesus be compared to rock, scissors, paper?
He is our rock, can cut through any circumstance, and truly covers us...
Some children may try to show they are stronger by acting tough, saying mean things, pick on others, even beating up...
That's not real strength, Love and patience take much greater strength...
Jesus never uses His strength to hurt others, we must follow his example...
What all can your remote control do?
off or on, channels, volume, fast forward, reverse, pause...
you are in complete control of your tv, dvd...
turn it off more often, we watch too much tv and play too much video games...
There is power in the words Jesus spoke that day in
Mark 1...
Jesus came in and took CONTROL of the life of that man...
Jesus wants to be in control of your life too, because He wants what's best for you!
Let Him have your plans, words, things you do, places you go...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Prayer Problems, sermon notes
A couple of announcements:
*the annual reports are in the foyer, pick yours up asap...
*check out the youth room, Melisma is doing such a great job leading, they just painted, it's now the best room on campus...
*we're having loads of fun playing volleyball in the gym every other saturday, zach rusty bo just fixed the lights, YEAH!...
*Don't miss out on stewarship week, beginning next Sunday...
*Homebuilders series is amazing Tiva said so, Don't miss out on Wednesday evenings, 7pm...
One day, Joe, Bob and Dave were hiking in a wilderness area when they came upon a large, raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so. Joe prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength to cross this river." Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs, and he was able to swim across the river in about two hours, although he almost drowned a couple of times. Seeing this, Dave prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools to cross this river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about an hour, after almost capsizing the boat a couple of times. Bob had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools, and the intelligence, to cross this river." Poof! God turned him into a woman. She looked at the map, hiked upstream a couple of hundred yards, then walked across the bridge.
Dennis King wrote an article: "I'm Not a Superhero!" A Pastor's Plea for Prayer...
Some might imagine that pastors are spiritual superheroes soaring above all normal earthly struggles. But we are vulnerable human beings who, as Paul wrote, carry around the treasure of God's ministry "in jars of clay" (2 Cor. 4:7) (1 Thess. 5:25)
What happens when people pray for their pastors?
1. Empowered Preaching...1 Cor. 6:19
2. Clear Discernment...Jn. 10:4
3. Courageous Leadership...Ps. 27:2,3
4. Spiritual Protection...Zech. 13:7, Phil. 1:19
THE GREATEST GIFT you give your pastor is prayer!
We will all struggle with Prayer Problems from time to time we need to press on through these "valleys"...
Ginny Kisling said it all...we may have an idea of what the ministry (workplace, home, "fill in the blank") can be - and then there's the reality of what it is...
Biblical Principles to help you hang on to your hope for breakthroughs:
1. Walk out your calling...Gal 6:9
2. Take up your position with Kingdom authority... Mt. 11:12
3. Submit to God's schedule...1 Chron. 22:8-10
4. Surround yourself with like-minded people...Prov 24:6
Godly character qualities are forged in the "valleys"...
1. Faithfulness...Mt. 25:23
2. Purity of Heart...Ps. 24:3,4
3. Endurance...Heb. 12:1
4. Single-minded focus...Phil.3:14
(character demands we not lose our generosity and hoard during economic difficulty)
Desperately, helplessly, lovingly I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate, And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."
Wait? You say wait! My indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why?
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word. "My future and all to which I can relate, Hangs in the balance and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a Yes,' a go-ahead sign. Or even a No,' to which I can resign.
"And Lord, you promised that if we believe, We need but ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.'"
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate. As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut. And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?" He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine. And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the Heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run. "All you seek I could give, and pleased you would be. You would have what you want, But you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My Love for each saint. You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. "You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair; You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the Joy of resting in Me. When darkness and silence were all you could see. "You'd never experience that fullness of Love As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove. You'd know what I give and I save...(For a start), But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. "The glow of My comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last "You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee, What it means that my grace is sufficient for thee.' Yes, your dreams for you loved ones overnight would come true. But, oh, the loss if I lost...What I'm doing in you!
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see, That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me. And though oft' may my answers seem terribly late. My most precious answer of all is still, Wait.'"
*the annual reports are in the foyer, pick yours up asap...
*check out the youth room, Melisma is doing such a great job leading, they just painted, it's now the best room on campus...
*we're having loads of fun playing volleyball in the gym every other saturday, zach rusty bo just fixed the lights, YEAH!...
*Don't miss out on stewarship week, beginning next Sunday...
*Homebuilders series is amazing Tiva said so, Don't miss out on Wednesday evenings, 7pm...
One day, Joe, Bob and Dave were hiking in a wilderness area when they came upon a large, raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so. Joe prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength to cross this river." Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs, and he was able to swim across the river in about two hours, although he almost drowned a couple of times. Seeing this, Dave prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools to cross this river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about an hour, after almost capsizing the boat a couple of times. Bob had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools, and the intelligence, to cross this river." Poof! God turned him into a woman. She looked at the map, hiked upstream a couple of hundred yards, then walked across the bridge.
Dennis King wrote an article: "I'm Not a Superhero!" A Pastor's Plea for Prayer...
Some might imagine that pastors are spiritual superheroes soaring above all normal earthly struggles. But we are vulnerable human beings who, as Paul wrote, carry around the treasure of God's ministry "in jars of clay" (2 Cor. 4:7) (1 Thess. 5:25)
What happens when people pray for their pastors?
1. Empowered Preaching...1 Cor. 6:19
2. Clear Discernment...Jn. 10:4
3. Courageous Leadership...Ps. 27:2,3
4. Spiritual Protection...Zech. 13:7, Phil. 1:19
THE GREATEST GIFT you give your pastor is prayer!
We will all struggle with Prayer Problems from time to time we need to press on through these "valleys"...
Ginny Kisling said it all...we may have an idea of what the ministry (workplace, home, "fill in the blank") can be - and then there's the reality of what it is...
Biblical Principles to help you hang on to your hope for breakthroughs:
1. Walk out your calling...Gal 6:9
2. Take up your position with Kingdom authority... Mt. 11:12
3. Submit to God's schedule...1 Chron. 22:8-10
4. Surround yourself with like-minded people...Prov 24:6
Godly character qualities are forged in the "valleys"...
1. Faithfulness...Mt. 25:23
2. Purity of Heart...Ps. 24:3,4
3. Endurance...Heb. 12:1
4. Single-minded focus...Phil.3:14
(character demands we not lose our generosity and hoard during economic difficulty)
Desperately, helplessly, lovingly I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate, And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."
Wait? You say wait! My indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why?
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word. "My future and all to which I can relate, Hangs in the balance and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a Yes,' a go-ahead sign. Or even a No,' to which I can resign.
"And Lord, you promised that if we believe, We need but ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.'"
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate. As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut. And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?" He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine. And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the Heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run. "All you seek I could give, and pleased you would be. You would have what you want, But you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My Love for each saint. You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. "You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair; You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the Joy of resting in Me. When darkness and silence were all you could see. "You'd never experience that fullness of Love As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove. You'd know what I give and I save...(For a start), But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. "The glow of My comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last "You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee, What it means that my grace is sufficient for thee.' Yes, your dreams for you loved ones overnight would come true. But, oh, the loss if I lost...What I'm doing in you!
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see, That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me. And though oft' may my answers seem terribly late. My most precious answer of all is still, Wait.'"
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Rogue River Assembly Of God Heroes: Hinkles
This amazing family has been a part of our church since dinosaurs roamed the earth. I might get in trouble for that one...Although Ray says he'll never be a blogger... Sillyness aside, their faithfulness should give them saint status! Doris is behind the scenes working in almost every area of our church, especially when it comes to decorating, organizing, caring... She is the one responsible for making sure we have the important emblems to celebrate Holy Communion! Ray is serving behind the scenes too! I constantly hear of acts of kindness he's performed especially in the area of plumbing, handi-man stuff... (the stuff that if I touched it would break worse) Ray is such a cut-up...He makes us all laugh...WHAT A GIFT! I love them dearly and am so thankful they call our church home!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The three most important things we can do at Rogue River Assembly of God are to pray, to pray, and to pray!
Johnny had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer. "Fine", said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, he will help you." "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave," said Johnny. "I asked Him to help you put up with me."
(My son was so cute for church today I thought I would share a picture!)
There are a plethora of resources in the Christian world to help us all learn HOW TO PRAY...
Even the smallest of things can help your prayer life... like these words I shared from a simple bookmark ordered from http://www.praymag.com/...
BLESSINGS FOR YOUR NEW YEAR... Purpose: As you complete your daily tasks, may you understand how they contribute to the larger purpose of your life... Fulfilling work: May you take pleasure in all your work... Physical Health: May you and those you love remain strong in body and free from disease... Peace of Mind: May your mind and heart always be at rest... Good relationships: May you be surrounded by loving , faithful, and supportive friends... Sufficient resources: May you have exactly what you need for each day. May you become rich in every way so that you can share generously with others... Contentment: May you take pleasure in all the good things you have and discover the secret of being content in any and every situation... Laughter: May you laugh long and often... Breathing room: In the rush of life, may you always find time and space for the people and activities that refresh your soul... Great ideas: May you receive fresh insight to meet the challenges of each day and discover creative solutions to your problems... New opportunities: May you constandly be presented with new and profitable ventures... Good decions: May you have wisdom to determine the best course of action in ever situation... Safety: May you and those you love be kept from violence, calamity, and loss...
This week I went to my favorite place on earth, the Oregon Coast, for a prayer retreat... Cynthia Bezek wrote: YOU KNOW IT'S TIME FOR A PRAYER RETREAT WHEN... you're dry and out of touch with the Lord... you feel overwhelmed, overworked, stressed, or scattered... you feel mechanical in your devotion and service... you have an important decision to make... you have a sinful habit to overcome... you have someone you need to forgive... you need God's perspective on a situation... you have a strategic ministry event or season ahead... you need insight about an unanswered prayer... you're behind in intercession and others are depending on you... you haven't had one in three months or more... your spouse, teenager, roomate, collegue, or dog tells you that you need one...
I think the greatest advice I can give you on HOW TO PRAY is JUST DO IT... Prayer is simply FOCUSING ON GOD... Talk to Him, set aside a time, a place, stay constantly connected...
2 Chronicles 20 (if this passage of scripture doesn't crank your tractor, your feelers broke) 1. Prayer refocuses us on God... 2. Prayer sensitizes us to God's voice... 3. Prayer gets results...
In his book Intimacy with the Almighty, Charles Swindoll writes, "If we refuse to provide pockets of silence in our lives, we will always flounder in a fog, wondering who God is and what He's doing...But if we deliberately fashion protracted periods of silence, we will grow deeper in an increasing awareness of the real presence of God."
Don't miss this amazing opportunity!
STEWARDSHIP WEEK February 8 – 10, 2009
Sunday morning Service: Bob Rufe - AG Financial Solutions
Sunday afternoon Personal appointments with Bob Rufe
Monday – all day Personal appointments with Bob Rufe
Tuesday – all day Personal appointments with Bob Rufe
Sign up for a personal and confidential consultation available
Sunday afternoon, Monday – Tuesday
There is no cost, and no obligation for a personal appointment.
The purpose is to provide professional guidance regarding estate planning or investment issues
Sunday morning Service: Bob Rufe - AG Financial Solutions
Sunday afternoon Personal appointments with Bob Rufe
Monday – all day Personal appointments with Bob Rufe
Tuesday – all day Personal appointments with Bob Rufe
Sign up for a personal and confidential consultation available
Sunday afternoon, Monday – Tuesday
There is no cost, and no obligation for a personal appointment.
The purpose is to provide professional guidance regarding estate planning or investment issues
of concern to you. 
AGFS provides life-stage planning to help our people become good stewards of whatever the Lord has provided,
and to help build the Kingdom of God .
Bob Rufe is a consultant with AG Financial Solutions.
AGFS provides life-stage planning to help our people become good stewards of whatever the Lord has provided,
and to help build the Kingdom of God .
Bob Rufe is a consultant with AG Financial Solutions.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Best Sunday EVER! (Prayer Fresheners)
I wish there was someway to convey how amazing this last weekend was for our church on my blog! Celebrating Alice Heron (WHAT AN AMAZING FAMILY) and with no exaggeration I think yesterday's celebration service was the best EVER...The ANOINTING was on the worship, the word, the prayer...
SERMON NOTES:
The temporary Sunday School teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet. She had been told the combination, but couldn't quite remember it. Finally she went to the pastor's study and asked for help. The pastor came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers he paused and stared blankly for a moment. Finally he looked serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently. Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned the final number, and opened the lock. The teacher was amazed. "I'm in awe at your faith, pastor," she said. "It's really nothing," he answered. "The number is on a piece of tape on the ceiling."
Keeping Company with God doesn't have to be laborious, as a matter of fact it shouldn't be...
Sandy Mayle helped me discover A Month Of Ideas, Prayer Fresheners...
1. Bring in the new
new time of day to pray, new place of prayer, new postures, new Bible translations, online devotionals...
2. Pray your schedule
submit past and future commitments and activities to God...
Proverbs 16:3,9
3. Write a psalm to God
mabye use a template: lament in the dark (psalm 10), pursuit in the desert (psalm 63), declaration of faith (psalm 131), litany of praise (psalm 136)...
4. Pray the hours
3x like Daniel, 5x liturgical (9a, noon, 3p, after eve meal, bedtime), 7x as the psalmist did, or even use the book of common prayer...
5. Sharpen your spiritual senses
Ask God to develop your sense of spiritual taste, sight, hearing, smell, and touch...
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
6. Pray the hymn or praise song that most recently stirred your heart toward God
7. Worship through creation
drive to a beach, walk to a park, painting, Dvd, book of photography...
8. Pray the rule of T.H.U.M.B.
acronymn to guide intercession for unreached people: T tribal peoples, H hindus, U unreached unreligious unconvinced, M muslims, B buddhists...
9. Prayerwalk your house
Set each room apart for the Lord, break out the anointing oil and get a little pentecostal...
10. Prayerwalk yourself
dedicate the various parts of your body to the Lord
Romans 6:13,19
11. Dig in
Spend extended time interceding in depth for a person or situation...
12. Pray through the newspaper
13. Have a "top-five day"
Set your regular prayer list aside and ask God to reveal five needs in His heart...
14. Observe a worship watch
Instead of seeking God for anything, focus solely on adoring Him...
15. Prayerwalk a hospital, nursing home, prison, city mission, or other place of human need
16. Take inventory
based on the two greatest commands (emotional, spiritual, physical, mental, social)
Luke 10:27
17. Go global
pray for international ministries, missions, governments (grab a newsletter from the bulletin board outside Holly's office: pray for and write a missionary)
18. SHHHH!
Spend several hours or more in silence, listen for God's voice...
19. Prayerfully read the same passage of Scripture from 3 translations
20. Pray your commitments
Review before God your baptism, church membership, marriage vows, promises, dedications...
Psalm 56:12
21. Celebrate your heritage
spiritual legacy, Hebrews 11, godly heritage, saints in heaven
22. Ora et labora (latin for "pray and work")
1 Thessalonians 5:17
23. Praise-walk your neighborhood, downtown, or church
24. Meet with some prayer partners
25. Build the body
go to the sanctuary, pray for the local body of Christ and worldwide, including the persecuted...
(Every Sunday 9am Prayer and Communion)
26. Collaborate
Call a believer who shares a concern, set a time to intercede together...
27. Pray your payback
for enemies, those who oppose Christ, sincerely bless them in Jesus' name...
28. Recollect
"Collect" all your responsibilites, concerns, decisions, opportunities, and so on, bring them to Jesus...
29. Pray your contacts
address book, cell phone directory, church directory...
30. Let Jesus pray for you
JOHN 17, note verse 20
31. Anticipate!
Renew your longing for Christ's return, Even so, come Lord Jesus...
The Holy Spirit got our blood pumping a little with the reading of HE IS: http://godswork.org/enpoem6.htm
mabye I should keep preaching a 31 point sermon because it was so well received...
being a little selfish, please remember to pray for your pastors...
SERMON NOTES:
The temporary Sunday School teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet. She had been told the combination, but couldn't quite remember it. Finally she went to the pastor's study and asked for help. The pastor came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers he paused and stared blankly for a moment. Finally he looked serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently. Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned the final number, and opened the lock. The teacher was amazed. "I'm in awe at your faith, pastor," she said. "It's really nothing," he answered. "The number is on a piece of tape on the ceiling."
Keeping Company with God doesn't have to be laborious, as a matter of fact it shouldn't be...
Sandy Mayle helped me discover A Month Of Ideas, Prayer Fresheners...
1. Bring in the new
new time of day to pray, new place of prayer, new postures, new Bible translations, online devotionals...
2. Pray your schedule
submit past and future commitments and activities to God...
Proverbs 16:3,9
3. Write a psalm to God
mabye use a template: lament in the dark (psalm 10), pursuit in the desert (psalm 63), declaration of faith (psalm 131), litany of praise (psalm 136)...
4. Pray the hours
3x like Daniel, 5x liturgical (9a, noon, 3p, after eve meal, bedtime), 7x as the psalmist did, or even use the book of common prayer...
5. Sharpen your spiritual senses
Ask God to develop your sense of spiritual taste, sight, hearing, smell, and touch...
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
6. Pray the hymn or praise song that most recently stirred your heart toward God
7. Worship through creation
drive to a beach, walk to a park, painting, Dvd, book of photography...
8. Pray the rule of T.H.U.M.B.
acronymn to guide intercession for unreached people: T tribal peoples, H hindus, U unreached unreligious unconvinced, M muslims, B buddhists...
9. Prayerwalk your house
Set each room apart for the Lord, break out the anointing oil and get a little pentecostal...
10. Prayerwalk yourself
dedicate the various parts of your body to the Lord
Romans 6:13,19
11. Dig in
Spend extended time interceding in depth for a person or situation...
12. Pray through the newspaper
13. Have a "top-five day"
Set your regular prayer list aside and ask God to reveal five needs in His heart...
14. Observe a worship watch
Instead of seeking God for anything, focus solely on adoring Him...
15. Prayerwalk a hospital, nursing home, prison, city mission, or other place of human need
16. Take inventory
based on the two greatest commands (emotional, spiritual, physical, mental, social)
Luke 10:27
17. Go global
pray for international ministries, missions, governments (grab a newsletter from the bulletin board outside Holly's office: pray for and write a missionary)
18. SHHHH!
Spend several hours or more in silence, listen for God's voice...
19. Prayerfully read the same passage of Scripture from 3 translations
20. Pray your commitments
Review before God your baptism, church membership, marriage vows, promises, dedications...
Psalm 56:12
21. Celebrate your heritage
spiritual legacy, Hebrews 11, godly heritage, saints in heaven
22. Ora et labora (latin for "pray and work")
1 Thessalonians 5:17
23. Praise-walk your neighborhood, downtown, or church
24. Meet with some prayer partners
25. Build the body
go to the sanctuary, pray for the local body of Christ and worldwide, including the persecuted...
(Every Sunday 9am Prayer and Communion)
26. Collaborate
Call a believer who shares a concern, set a time to intercede together...
27. Pray your payback
for enemies, those who oppose Christ, sincerely bless them in Jesus' name...
28. Recollect
"Collect" all your responsibilites, concerns, decisions, opportunities, and so on, bring them to Jesus...
29. Pray your contacts
address book, cell phone directory, church directory...
30. Let Jesus pray for you
JOHN 17, note verse 20
31. Anticipate!
Renew your longing for Christ's return, Even so, come Lord Jesus...
The Holy Spirit got our blood pumping a little with the reading of HE IS: http://godswork.org/enpoem6.htm
mabye I should keep preaching a 31 point sermon because it was so well received...
being a little selfish, please remember to pray for your pastors...
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Why Pray?
Sermon Notes from last Sunday...
(sorry they're so late in gettin on my blog, I've been fighting the flu)
Three preachers sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. “Kneeling is definitely best,” claimed one.
“No,” another contended. “I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven.”
“You’re both wrong,” the third insisted. “The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor.”
The repairman could contain himself no longer. “Hey, fellas,” he interrupted, “the best prayin’ I ever did was hangin’ upside down from a telephone pole.”
Jesus never asked us to do something He himself did not do. Each of the Gospel writers shows us moments when Jesus was at prayer. Matthew notes nine such occasions, Mark, eight, Luke, thirteen, and John, five. Out of these thirty-five references, there are twenty-three separate occasions in Jesus’ three-year ministry when the curtain is pulled back on details of Jesus’ prayer life.
Hebrews 7:23-25 tells us that nothing has changed He’s still practicing prayer in the heavens…
Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them…seated at the right hand of God, forever interceding, our Mediator, Savior, Friend, Hope, Peace, Joy, Everything…
Some people have given up on prayer because of unanswered prayers or the wrestling that comes when trying to understand why God has allowed certain tragedies…
But consider some benefits from a lifestyle of prayer:
1. Relationship
Prayer is the main way we get to know God in a personal, relational way…Especially if that prayer is joined with the study of the Bible… Romans 8:16 talks about a Spirit-led prayer that God “testifies with our spirits that we are His children.” When we take time to listen, we can begin to know Him in intimate ways. This is that Vacation with Jesus we were talking about last week…
Buddy Westbrook said it well…Tapping into the divine intercession is not as hard as many people think. God loves to share His heart with us when we take the time to ask Him.
Jeremiah 33:3…Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know…
Start by asking the Holy Spirit questions. Take plenty of time to listen, maybe even take notes on paper of what you believe you hear Him saying. Ask questions like, “Lord, what is your perspective on this?” “What do You want me to see? To hear? To understand?” “Do You want to redirect me?” “How do you want me to intercede for this person or situation?” and so on…
Romans 8:26,27…Likewise the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God…
2. Partnership
God partners with us, through prayer, to accomplish His purposes in the world. The Holy Spirit tells us what to pray and then we watch God work in ways that build our faith in Him. We see this illustrated in Genesis 18…when God partnered with Abraham regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, inviting him to intercede for the sinful city. Such divinely led intercession was rare in Old Testament days, but through God’s indwelling Spirit, it can be an everyday experience for us.
If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, let me encourage you to seek all that God has for you! His Spirit can open up new worlds of prayer. The gifts and fruit of the Spirit, even speaking in other tongues are all promises recorded in scripture available to every believer!
3. Perspective
By engaging with God through His Holy Spirit, we can know God’s thoughts about specific things He is doing in our lives and in the world around us. As the apostle Paul preached…no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him – but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit…1 Corinthians 2:9,10
Isaiah 55:9…For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts…
Anne Graham Lotz said it best…The Bible is God’s Story, and best way to discover the author of the bible, and our lives, is to read His story. God’s Story reveals God’s eternal person, His infinite power, His unlimited love, and His matchless glory giving meaning to your life and joy to your heart and purpose to your step. The Bible reveals the God of glory Whose very Presence can give fulfillment to the empty…healing to the broken…forgiveness to the sinful…freedom to the bitter…purpose to the meaningless…help to the helpless…courage to the fearful…strength to the weak…reality to the religious…hope tot eh hopeless…and love to the loveless. There is nothing in your life – no circumstance or crisis, no organization or administration, no individual or alliance, no problem or pressure, no habit or heartache, no sickness or grief, no king or criminal, nothing visible or invisible – nothing is greater than God! He is Creator Who is in authority over everything, fully able to control that which not only seems but is beyond our abilities to handle…
4. Guidance
When we tap into the Holy Spirit’s intercession, He freely gives us detailed, specific guidance, as He did the believers in Antioch in Acts 13:2…While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’…
And beyond all benefits of prayer, I hear Job…Though He slay me, yet I will praise Him…For I know my Redeemer lives and my eyes will yet behold Him…Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I shall return to the ground, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away…blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Whenever I come to Jesus, When troubled or distressed
I always find a refuge, When I with Him can rest
I tell Him all my trials, I tell Him all my grief;
And while my lips are speaking, He gives my heart relief
When full of dread foreboding, And flowing over with tears
He always calms my sorrows, And hushes all my fears
He comprehends my weakness, The peril I am in
And He supplies the armor, I need to vanquish sin
When those r cold and faithless, Who once were fond n true
With careless hearts forsaking, The old friends for the new
I turn to Him whose friendship,Knows neithr change nor end
And so I find in Jesus, An ever faithful Friend
Whenever I come to Jesus, No matter when or where
To seek His gracious presence, I’m sure to find Him there
In times of joy or sorrow, Whatever my need may be
I can always come to Jesus, And Jesus comforts me
(sorry they're so late in gettin on my blog, I've been fighting the flu)
Three preachers sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. “Kneeling is definitely best,” claimed one.
“No,” another contended. “I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven.”
“You’re both wrong,” the third insisted. “The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor.”
The repairman could contain himself no longer. “Hey, fellas,” he interrupted, “the best prayin’ I ever did was hangin’ upside down from a telephone pole.”
Jesus never asked us to do something He himself did not do. Each of the Gospel writers shows us moments when Jesus was at prayer. Matthew notes nine such occasions, Mark, eight, Luke, thirteen, and John, five. Out of these thirty-five references, there are twenty-three separate occasions in Jesus’ three-year ministry when the curtain is pulled back on details of Jesus’ prayer life.
Hebrews 7:23-25 tells us that nothing has changed He’s still practicing prayer in the heavens…
Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them…seated at the right hand of God, forever interceding, our Mediator, Savior, Friend, Hope, Peace, Joy, Everything…
Some people have given up on prayer because of unanswered prayers or the wrestling that comes when trying to understand why God has allowed certain tragedies…
But consider some benefits from a lifestyle of prayer:
1. Relationship
Prayer is the main way we get to know God in a personal, relational way…Especially if that prayer is joined with the study of the Bible… Romans 8:16 talks about a Spirit-led prayer that God “testifies with our spirits that we are His children.” When we take time to listen, we can begin to know Him in intimate ways. This is that Vacation with Jesus we were talking about last week…
Buddy Westbrook said it well…Tapping into the divine intercession is not as hard as many people think. God loves to share His heart with us when we take the time to ask Him.
Jeremiah 33:3…Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know…
Start by asking the Holy Spirit questions. Take plenty of time to listen, maybe even take notes on paper of what you believe you hear Him saying. Ask questions like, “Lord, what is your perspective on this?” “What do You want me to see? To hear? To understand?” “Do You want to redirect me?” “How do you want me to intercede for this person or situation?” and so on…
Romans 8:26,27…Likewise the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God…
2. Partnership
God partners with us, through prayer, to accomplish His purposes in the world. The Holy Spirit tells us what to pray and then we watch God work in ways that build our faith in Him. We see this illustrated in Genesis 18…when God partnered with Abraham regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, inviting him to intercede for the sinful city. Such divinely led intercession was rare in Old Testament days, but through God’s indwelling Spirit, it can be an everyday experience for us.
If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, let me encourage you to seek all that God has for you! His Spirit can open up new worlds of prayer. The gifts and fruit of the Spirit, even speaking in other tongues are all promises recorded in scripture available to every believer!
3. Perspective
By engaging with God through His Holy Spirit, we can know God’s thoughts about specific things He is doing in our lives and in the world around us. As the apostle Paul preached…no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him – but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit…1 Corinthians 2:9,10
Isaiah 55:9…For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts…
Anne Graham Lotz said it best…The Bible is God’s Story, and best way to discover the author of the bible, and our lives, is to read His story. God’s Story reveals God’s eternal person, His infinite power, His unlimited love, and His matchless glory giving meaning to your life and joy to your heart and purpose to your step. The Bible reveals the God of glory Whose very Presence can give fulfillment to the empty…healing to the broken…forgiveness to the sinful…freedom to the bitter…purpose to the meaningless…help to the helpless…courage to the fearful…strength to the weak…reality to the religious…hope tot eh hopeless…and love to the loveless. There is nothing in your life – no circumstance or crisis, no organization or administration, no individual or alliance, no problem or pressure, no habit or heartache, no sickness or grief, no king or criminal, nothing visible or invisible – nothing is greater than God! He is Creator Who is in authority over everything, fully able to control that which not only seems but is beyond our abilities to handle…
4. Guidance
When we tap into the Holy Spirit’s intercession, He freely gives us detailed, specific guidance, as He did the believers in Antioch in Acts 13:2…While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’…
And beyond all benefits of prayer, I hear Job…Though He slay me, yet I will praise Him…For I know my Redeemer lives and my eyes will yet behold Him…Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I shall return to the ground, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away…blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Whenever I come to Jesus, When troubled or distressed
I always find a refuge, When I with Him can rest
I tell Him all my trials, I tell Him all my grief;
And while my lips are speaking, He gives my heart relief
When full of dread foreboding, And flowing over with tears
He always calms my sorrows, And hushes all my fears
He comprehends my weakness, The peril I am in
And He supplies the armor, I need to vanquish sin
When those r cold and faithless, Who once were fond n true
With careless hearts forsaking, The old friends for the new
I turn to Him whose friendship,Knows neithr change nor end
And so I find in Jesus, An ever faithful Friend
Whenever I come to Jesus, No matter when or where
To seek His gracious presence, I’m sure to find Him there
In times of joy or sorrow, Whatever my need may be
I can always come to Jesus, And Jesus comforts me
Monday, January 12, 2009
YEAH RUSTY!
So, Rusty called me this week ecstatic...
His sister is a manager at Wal-Mart...
Because Oregon just made water bottles deposit only, Walmart had to get rid of ALOT of cases of water bottles...
So, Rusty loaded up the choir room with cases of water bottles!
Now we have more than enough to do our acts of kindess event for Rooster Crow, mabye several years worth! YEAH GOD!
Monday, January 5, 2009
God Wants To Hear From You
We already heard about some NEW YEAR MIRACLES at church yesterday: the testimonies shared were inspiring and I had the privilege of baptizing Amethyst...
Sermon Notes from yesterday's Celebration Service:
Every child of God is called to a lifestyle of prayer. So how do we bridge the gap between knowing the good that we ought to do and actually putting it into practice? Here are a few principles to keep in mind:
1. Prayer is a responsibility AND a privilege. (Matthew 6:5-13)
Jesus didn't say "if you pray," but "when you pray." While spending time in prayer requires a sustained commitment and produces some real challenges, it's also important to avoid viewing prayer as merely a responsibility to be met. Jesus invited us to hold conversation with God. there can be no higher privilege than entering His Presence.
2. God hears us. (Psalm 34:15-18)
Our prayers don't just bounce off the ceiling. God listens because He cares. And this compassion leads to powerful acts on our behalf when we seek Him in prayer.
3. Consistent prayer requires commitment. (Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8)
The commitment to prayer is a spiritual battle that requires devotion.
4. We need prayer now,, more than ever. (1 Peter 4:7)
Jesus is coming soon! Recognize the urgency of personal prayer. Refocus your attention on God's kingdom...
We had a special guest with us yesterday...the well-known Christian Author, Phillip Yancey! Ok, so he wasn't there in the flesh, but the dvd clip was inspiring. My favorite thought that was shared is that prayer is really A VACATION WITH JESUS!
I am thankful for the prayer resources provided by the Assemblies of God National Prayer Center...I will be sharing them throughout this sermon series...(Week Of Prayer, Called to Pray)
I hope you will use the bookmarks and such as you START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT...
Sermon Notes from yesterday's Celebration Service:
Every child of God is called to a lifestyle of prayer. So how do we bridge the gap between knowing the good that we ought to do and actually putting it into practice? Here are a few principles to keep in mind:
1. Prayer is a responsibility AND a privilege. (Matthew 6:5-13)
Jesus didn't say "if you pray," but "when you pray." While spending time in prayer requires a sustained commitment and produces some real challenges, it's also important to avoid viewing prayer as merely a responsibility to be met. Jesus invited us to hold conversation with God. there can be no higher privilege than entering His Presence.
2. God hears us. (Psalm 34:15-18)
Our prayers don't just bounce off the ceiling. God listens because He cares. And this compassion leads to powerful acts on our behalf when we seek Him in prayer.
3. Consistent prayer requires commitment. (Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8)
The commitment to prayer is a spiritual battle that requires devotion.
4. We need prayer now,, more than ever. (1 Peter 4:7)
Jesus is coming soon! Recognize the urgency of personal prayer. Refocus your attention on God's kingdom...
We had a special guest with us yesterday...the well-known Christian Author, Phillip Yancey! Ok, so he wasn't there in the flesh, but the dvd clip was inspiring. My favorite thought that was shared is that prayer is really A VACATION WITH JESUS!
I am thankful for the prayer resources provided by the Assemblies of God National Prayer Center...I will be sharing them throughout this sermon series...(Week Of Prayer, Called to Pray)
I hope you will use the bookmarks and such as you START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT...
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