Bulletin

Prayer and the Church

Prayer is so fundamental to the life of the church that it is not a gift. It’s like breathing. It is not an option; it’s the engine.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Paul puts a great emphasis on prayer throughout his letters. God has ordained His house as a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7). Christ, in quoting this scripture described the temple as a house of prayer for all nations. Likewise, believers are the temple of God, and we should be characterized by prayer individually and corporately (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19).

The church must prioritize prayer. This example was set by the Acts church. It is recorded that they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42), and prioritized it over serving needy widows (Acts 6:2-4).

It has been said, “Prayer is not preparation for the great work. It is the great work!” For this reason, prayer must be our priority. 

Is Your Church on Mission?

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21

After Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, He appeared to the disciples and told them that He was sending them out. He had called each one to follow him, and now it was their time go and proclaim the Gospel message. Just as God had sent His son, Jesus, they were now being sent out to proclaim the Gospel message.

It is recorded in Acts 1:7-8 that prior to Christ’s ascension, He charged his disciples to go forth, He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This is Christ’s command for all his followers, which is the Church. The Church is commanded to go and be witnesses in all the world. This cannot be done without loving the lost. It has been said, “Most churches love their traditions more than they love the lost.”

Robert Lewis asks in his book The Church of Irresistible Influence, if your church closed its doors today, would anyone but its own members notice?

For a church to be alive and active, it must be on mission. This is not just for those in leadership, but every member. We must have a missional mindset in our community. We are the ones with the message of hope and eternal light to share in our community. Multiple studies have found that people are open to Christ and His church if invited.

Do you have a genuine love towards the lost that compels you to share with others? Take the time to search yourself and find where you are being called in the church, to be on mission for Christ.

The Immutability of God

Everything that God is, He has always been. And everything that God has always been, He will forever be. Theologians call this the “immutability” of God. When we say “immutability” we mean that God does not, and cannot change. Did you know that God cannot know any more or any less than He has always known? God cannot increase or decrease. God cannot experience anything new. God, as He was before the foundation of the world will be exactly as He is when the world comes to an end.

Such a doctrine should comfort our hearts in an ever-changing world. Culture, politics, economies, religion, and society are all changing at a rapid rate. The trends and movements of men are as volatile as the men themselves. Yet, in a shifting world, God is eternally the same.

This means that His promises are fixed, His love is eternal, His glory is everlasting, His judgments are sure, and His grace is settled. If your world, your day, your life is inundated with change, find solace in the fact that God never has and He never will change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

FAITH

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.  James 2:26

How interesting that James makes this statement 3 times in 12 short verses! How interesting that for years religious mindsets misinterpreted this statement when the verses around it so clearly explain what it means!

We cannot “earn” our way into heaven or even into the favor or love of God. Doing good works doesn’t get us special access to God. Grace does that. Mercy does that.

Having faith WITH works is simply doing what God tells you to do or leads you to do through His Spirit inside of you.

If God says step out, then we step out IN faith. The stepping out is the “work” demonstrating our faith. It’s that simple.

What has God asked you to do? It can be something as simple as calling an old friend you had a misunderstanding with or it can be as large as moving to another city or country. Whatever it is, HAVE FAITH IN GOD! Just do it. Just trust that if God is the One leading you to do it, then He has a BLESSING waiting for you on the other side of your obedience. He will ALWAYS lead you into His goodness

This is FAITH + WORKS. Simply hear and do