BELIEVE – Single-Mindedness

January 27, 2019 
Link To Sermon Audio 

Scripture:

2 Chronicles 20:1-4

            After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.  Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

Matthew 14:22-33

            Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

           And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

BELIEVE - Bible Study

January 20, 2019

Since worship was cancelled this morning, pastor Chris recorded the sermon at home yesterday evening.  It is a video that you can watch and listen to.

LINK TO SERMON VIDEO

Scripture:

Psalm 19:7-14

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;  they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned;  in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.  Keep your servant also from willful sins may they not rule over me.  Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 1:1,2

Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

2 Timothy 16,17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

BELIEVE - Prayer

January 13, 2019
 
Link To Sermon Audio 
 
Scripture:   
 
Luke 11:1-13

            One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.’ ”

Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’

“Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Awe Sense Daily Practice

IN THE MORNING (15 minutes)

·       Be still.  Find a quiet place. Get seated comfortably. Relax. Take a few deep breaths. Remind yourself, “I am here to meet with the Father. No other appointment competes in importance.”  Read a Bible verse for the day.

·       Adoration. Think on the Greatness of God. How incredible is that God knows you and desires fellowship with you. God is eager to encounter you. Adore him

·       Thanksgiving. Name the things God has given you for which you are grateful: family, friends, health, work, the church, fun, food, etc. Picture these gracious gifts and thank God for each one. 

·       Dedication. Review the large vows you have taken as a Christian, church member, spouse, employee. Reaffirm these, but also focus intently upon this day. Offer your life to God for joyful service today.

·       Guidance. Envision your day with God. Foresee Him in each task, each relationship, each opportunity, each member of your family, and in the unscheduled events sand encounters. Ask for God’s guidance in each aspect of your day.

·       Intercession. Make a list of the names of persons who need a relationship with Jesus. Resolve to pray for them daily. Also include in your intercessory prayers those whom you love and those who suffer in whatever way.    If our imagination could grasp the effect of prayer on others, we would all pray more often and with more assurance. In addition, pray for the country, that the Kingdom of Christ may come in all our national affairs.

Here are four ways to pray for the persons you have named.  Use these forms of prayer alternately.

Call their names in God’s presence, asking God to fulfill their needs.

Picture each person in the transforming presence of God.

Write a prayer letter to God in which you express your concerns and hopes for each.

Offer a prayer of presence by deliberately being with the person for whom you pray.

·       Petition. Tell God what most deeply desire in your life. “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)  Don’t be fooled by the blank check appearance of this promise. As you spend time in God’s presence, your desires change; your true wants get crystallized by the Spirit. So persist in asking for what you really want until you know what it is.

·       Act of trust. Intentionally release your prayers to God and trust God to answer them. “…for whoever would approach God must believe that God exists and…rewards those who seek (God).”  (Heb. 11:6

·       Wait. In the silence wait to hear what God wishes to say to you.  “Speak, Lord your child listens.” Repeat the passage for the day and reflect on it. Write it on a slip of paper and carry it with you throughout the day.

Prayer Pattern from an Adventure In Prayer by Ben Johnson