Last night, we had a great meeting but the turnout was less than expected. Nevertheless, we're very excited about the upcoming 40 Days campaign this Fall starting on September 26th through November 20th (tentative)! It is just enormously EXCITING!!!
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone." Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)
Here's a refresher course that will get you excited about the upcoming campaign! What are God's Five Purposes in our life? Or the most important question, "What On Earth Am I Here For?"
WORSHIP: We were planned for God's pleasure!
FELLOWSHIP: We were formed for God's family!
DISCIPLESHIP: We were created to become like Christ!
MINISTRY: We were shaped for serving God!
EVANGELISM: We were made for a mission!
This is a way to help us keep God at the CENTER of our lives, CONNECT with fellow believers, CULTIVATE spiritual maturity and godly character, CONTRIBUTE something back by using their talents in ministry and COMMUNICATE God's love to others and develop a heart for the world.
A *NEW* 40 Days BLOG will be developed so be on the lookout!
Pray for us, please, as we begin working on this campaign. In addition to this great campaign, we're hosting the 40 Days Deaf Conference with Jose Abenchuchan in October. Date: TBA!
Blessed Be His Name!!!
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
God Is Above All Powers And All Kings
"For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods." Psalm 95:3
From the beginning of time there has not been a leader or a king who has even come close to affecting the world in the way that Jesus Christ has. Two thousand years after His death, burial and resurrection, the lives of millions of people continue to be transformed as they receive His love and forgiveness.
HE IS ABOVE ALL NATURE AND ALL CREATED THINGS!
HE IS ABOVE ALL WISDOM AND ALL THE WAYS OF MAN!
HE IS ABOVE ALL KINGDOMS, ABOVE ALL THRONES!
HE IS ABOVE ALL WONDERS THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN!
HE IS ABOVE ALL WEALTH AND TREASURES OF THE EARTH!
THERE'S NO WAY TO MEASURE WHAT YOU'RE WORTH!
CRUCIFIED!
LAID BEHIND THE STONE!
LIVED TO DIE!
REJECTED AND ALONE!
LIKE A ROSE TRAMPLED ON THE GROUND!
Those seven words only begin to portray how something so pure and beautiful could be so crudely discarded by the very ones to who the gift was given..
YOU TOOK THE FALL....
AND THE THOUGHT OF ME....
ABOVE ALL!!
Oh Father, how great is Your love for us. You would give the dearest thing to Your heart as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind that we might know You and have relationship with the "ABOVE ALL!" Help us, Lord, to somehow understand the weight of what You did for us. May we surrender our hearts and forever place You... "ABOVE ALL!!!" Amen!
From the beginning of time there has not been a leader or a king who has even come close to affecting the world in the way that Jesus Christ has. Two thousand years after His death, burial and resurrection, the lives of millions of people continue to be transformed as they receive His love and forgiveness.
HE IS ABOVE ALL NATURE AND ALL CREATED THINGS!
HE IS ABOVE ALL WISDOM AND ALL THE WAYS OF MAN!
HE IS ABOVE ALL KINGDOMS, ABOVE ALL THRONES!
HE IS ABOVE ALL WONDERS THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN!
HE IS ABOVE ALL WEALTH AND TREASURES OF THE EARTH!
THERE'S NO WAY TO MEASURE WHAT YOU'RE WORTH!
CRUCIFIED!
LAID BEHIND THE STONE!
LIVED TO DIE!
REJECTED AND ALONE!
LIKE A ROSE TRAMPLED ON THE GROUND!
Those seven words only begin to portray how something so pure and beautiful could be so crudely discarded by the very ones to who the gift was given..
YOU TOOK THE FALL....
AND THE THOUGHT OF ME....
ABOVE ALL!!
Oh Father, how great is Your love for us. You would give the dearest thing to Your heart as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind that we might know You and have relationship with the "ABOVE ALL!" Help us, Lord, to somehow understand the weight of what You did for us. May we surrender our hearts and forever place You... "ABOVE ALL!!!" Amen!
Monday, March 28, 2005
Easter Sunday Syndrome
Wow! What a weekend we had, again! God, bless those who came before You, yesterday, to worship You and Your Son, Jesus Christ! I must say that Jesus really ROCKED the world! There's nothing else on earth that is like Him! Nothing here compares You because You are magnificent!! God, thank You for sending Your Son, not only to die for our sins, but to lead us to You with a compassionate heart! Again, Jesus, You made our hearts burn with a loving desire to love You!
We're now overcoming what I am calling it, "Easter Sunday Syndrome" (ESS). I am saying this in a very positive way, though it is mind-boggling! A week of hectic planning and prayer. Saturday's Easter Eggstravaganza with our three precious girls. The deaf ladies involved in a monthly fellowship called LANO (Ladies' Night Out) and me being Mr. Mom. NCAA basketball tournament (Go Louisville! Because the last time they won a championship was 1986!), studying and meditating on His Word for the Sunday services, then Sunday, serving 40 in attendance during class and 62 in worship, POTLUCK (where we build and strengthen His church in fellowship), took the girls to DQ for ice cream then I headed 35 miles north to Frederick for an evening deaf worship with the Marylanders! I must say that there's nothing else I would want to do than these!! These things surely fills our souls and we feel the blessedness from God!
In addition to the ESS, I have been keeping an eye on the progresses regarding the Schiavo family. I read about a Catholic priest, after giving Terri the last rites, that he could only give a drop of wine (representing Christ's blood) and not the bread because Terri's mouth is severely dehydrated. I have been watching Terri's parents go to almost every door seeking justification, even all the way to the Supreme court. Now, they have run out of doors to run to and face the worse possible scenario. This just brings me pain in my heart because I, for one, do not make the call. If there was a "living will" made out by Terri, then watching her die might be much easier. But do we truly have the right to take away "life" that God breathed into us, even if it is our own life? Starvation is a painful, miserable and torturous way to die!
I read that President Bush said something like this is a very complex issue and when in doubt, it is better to rule on the side of life. I understand what he is saying and I partially agree. But still, I wonder if what Terri has been doing for the last 15 years is really living. Then again, who am I to make that call? I have had the privilege of knowing several mentally and physically handicapped people who had more "life" in them than some of the "normal" grey faced expressionless people I see on Sunday mornings! Do we have the right to say that the existence of life is or is not justified by it's quality? I am very glad this is not my call! It is my prayer that when, after Terri passes on, that we all will, in the nation watching the Schiavo issue, come to a place of peace soon!
It made me think of "death". I see "death" like a peaceful welcoming friend. It puts an end to the suffering we're enduring: alzheimers, parkinsons and all kinds of cancer. But the most important thing before passing through death's door is: have you put on Jesus in baptism, trusting Him and walking with Him in obedience?
We're now overcoming what I am calling it, "Easter Sunday Syndrome" (ESS). I am saying this in a very positive way, though it is mind-boggling! A week of hectic planning and prayer. Saturday's Easter Eggstravaganza with our three precious girls. The deaf ladies involved in a monthly fellowship called LANO (Ladies' Night Out) and me being Mr. Mom. NCAA basketball tournament (Go Louisville! Because the last time they won a championship was 1986!), studying and meditating on His Word for the Sunday services, then Sunday, serving 40 in attendance during class and 62 in worship, POTLUCK (where we build and strengthen His church in fellowship), took the girls to DQ for ice cream then I headed 35 miles north to Frederick for an evening deaf worship with the Marylanders! I must say that there's nothing else I would want to do than these!! These things surely fills our souls and we feel the blessedness from God!
In addition to the ESS, I have been keeping an eye on the progresses regarding the Schiavo family. I read about a Catholic priest, after giving Terri the last rites, that he could only give a drop of wine (representing Christ's blood) and not the bread because Terri's mouth is severely dehydrated. I have been watching Terri's parents go to almost every door seeking justification, even all the way to the Supreme court. Now, they have run out of doors to run to and face the worse possible scenario. This just brings me pain in my heart because I, for one, do not make the call. If there was a "living will" made out by Terri, then watching her die might be much easier. But do we truly have the right to take away "life" that God breathed into us, even if it is our own life? Starvation is a painful, miserable and torturous way to die!
I read that President Bush said something like this is a very complex issue and when in doubt, it is better to rule on the side of life. I understand what he is saying and I partially agree. But still, I wonder if what Terri has been doing for the last 15 years is really living. Then again, who am I to make that call? I have had the privilege of knowing several mentally and physically handicapped people who had more "life" in them than some of the "normal" grey faced expressionless people I see on Sunday mornings! Do we have the right to say that the existence of life is or is not justified by it's quality? I am very glad this is not my call! It is my prayer that when, after Terri passes on, that we all will, in the nation watching the Schiavo issue, come to a place of peace soon!
It made me think of "death". I see "death" like a peaceful welcoming friend. It puts an end to the suffering we're enduring: alzheimers, parkinsons and all kinds of cancer. But the most important thing before passing through death's door is: have you put on Jesus in baptism, trusting Him and walking with Him in obedience?
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
60 Days With God
Good evening, Nikaos (conquerors!)!
I have added a new link on the right hand side of your computer screen. It's a great site to visit daily, for 60 Days, to commune with God in prayer! Come and visit my blog and click on the "60 Days With God" link!
Today, I read my favorite book, Romans, and came to this verse:
"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted." Romans 6:17 (NIV) In the English Version for the Deaf (EVD) it quotes: "In the past you were slaves to sin - sin controlled you. But thank God, you fully obeyed the things that were taught to you."
As I read this powerful verse, I think of a lion or lions in a circus ring being extremely submissive to the master with a chair and whip. You can see these hungry lions drooling over man-meat! I can imagine they would do anything to get such meat in their mouths. But not when there's a simple chair and a whip! They are in full submission to them!
I can picture myself like a lion. We crave for the things of the world. Everything the world has to offer can really satisfy our hungry and thirsty soul. But that satisfaction won't last long. Oh no. You'll be back in the wild looking for something to satisfy your constant cravings!! But when we surrendered our lives to the Lord, we became submissive to the teachings of Jesus (Word) and the awareness of God's Thunder! The Bible to us is like a chair to the lions. And God's Thunder to us is like a whip to the lions!
So we ought to thank God for the "form of teaching" we're able to submit to leading us to a more joyful life! With this, I rejoice in the Lord! I thank God, everyday, and proudly proclaim that Jesus is my Lord. Thank you, God, for your Word (chair) and the sight of the whip (Your Thunder!)!
I have added a new link on the right hand side of your computer screen. It's a great site to visit daily, for 60 Days, to commune with God in prayer! Come and visit my blog and click on the "60 Days With God" link!
Today, I read my favorite book, Romans, and came to this verse:
"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted." Romans 6:17 (NIV) In the English Version for the Deaf (EVD) it quotes: "In the past you were slaves to sin - sin controlled you. But thank God, you fully obeyed the things that were taught to you."
As I read this powerful verse, I think of a lion or lions in a circus ring being extremely submissive to the master with a chair and whip. You can see these hungry lions drooling over man-meat! I can imagine they would do anything to get such meat in their mouths. But not when there's a simple chair and a whip! They are in full submission to them!
I can picture myself like a lion. We crave for the things of the world. Everything the world has to offer can really satisfy our hungry and thirsty soul. But that satisfaction won't last long. Oh no. You'll be back in the wild looking for something to satisfy your constant cravings!! But when we surrendered our lives to the Lord, we became submissive to the teachings of Jesus (Word) and the awareness of God's Thunder! The Bible to us is like a chair to the lions. And God's Thunder to us is like a whip to the lions!
So we ought to thank God for the "form of teaching" we're able to submit to leading us to a more joyful life! With this, I rejoice in the Lord! I thank God, everyday, and proudly proclaim that Jesus is my Lord. Thank you, God, for your Word (chair) and the sight of the whip (Your Thunder!)!
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Blessed Jesus
What a weekend we had!! My in-laws are in town from Lees Summit, Missouri visiting their beloved grandchildren! It is so nice to have them here to help Michelle and I have some time together. Michelle, after so many months, finally glued herself to me and was able to go to serve God with me. We had a great deaf worship services (two in Fairfax) and one in Frederick. In addition to this, we had our first "Purpose Driven Fairfax" or the acronym, "PDFX", Class 101 to both members and visitors learning the purpose in life at Fairfax as well as understanding where Fairfax stands. Finally, we arrived home late Sunday night after a long, long day with God!
As we were driving on the way home from Frederick (Maryland) on route 15, and as always, I was listening to the awesomely beautiful Zoe song, "Blessed Jesus" it brought tears of joy to my heart! Here are some of the words from this song:
Blessed Jesus, come to me,
Soothe my soul with rays of peace,
As I look to You alone,
Fill me with Your love.
Mountains high or valleys low,
You will never let me go,
By Your fountain let me drink,
Fill my thirsty soul.
Glorious, marvelous,
Grace that rescued me,
Holy, worthy,
Is the Lamb who died for me.
As I listen to this song, it surely filled my soul with God's goodness and love! It surely made me think of everyone of you in this world. It made me reach out to souls. I know I am nothing in this world without Jesus and neither are you. I want to tell each of you that we need Jesus in our lives. Without Jesus, we're are an empty soul heading for damnation. It is my prayer that everyone who believes... Let me emphasize this one here.. "..who believes.." not only simply believe in Him but doing the things God commands us to do. Evil is out there to cloud the hearts so they will not see all God "can" do for us! We continue to do things regardless, even proclaim we're a Christian. We continue to gossip, be a person filled with hate, envious, lusting for worldly satisfaction, and all kinds of impurity!! I am at loss for words when Christians continue to do these things without any remorse. Often, I kneel before God and ask Him to help those who are bitter and distraught.
Instead of soaking ourselves into the ways of evil, we are to soak ourselves into the blessedness of Jesus. With that blessedness, as we hold on to Him, He holds on to us! We're filled with his love. Our thirsty soul is filled with God's grace. As I sing and continue to sing this song in my heart, I reach out to all of you in prayer, praying that God will help each of you lead a blessed life full of joy and peace.
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." Matthew 5:3 (MSG)
As we were driving on the way home from Frederick (Maryland) on route 15, and as always, I was listening to the awesomely beautiful Zoe song, "Blessed Jesus" it brought tears of joy to my heart! Here are some of the words from this song:
Blessed Jesus, come to me,
Soothe my soul with rays of peace,
As I look to You alone,
Fill me with Your love.
Mountains high or valleys low,
You will never let me go,
By Your fountain let me drink,
Fill my thirsty soul.
Glorious, marvelous,
Grace that rescued me,
Holy, worthy,
Is the Lamb who died for me.
As I listen to this song, it surely filled my soul with God's goodness and love! It surely made me think of everyone of you in this world. It made me reach out to souls. I know I am nothing in this world without Jesus and neither are you. I want to tell each of you that we need Jesus in our lives. Without Jesus, we're are an empty soul heading for damnation. It is my prayer that everyone who believes... Let me emphasize this one here.. "..who believes.." not only simply believe in Him but doing the things God commands us to do. Evil is out there to cloud the hearts so they will not see all God "can" do for us! We continue to do things regardless, even proclaim we're a Christian. We continue to gossip, be a person filled with hate, envious, lusting for worldly satisfaction, and all kinds of impurity!! I am at loss for words when Christians continue to do these things without any remorse. Often, I kneel before God and ask Him to help those who are bitter and distraught.
Instead of soaking ourselves into the ways of evil, we are to soak ourselves into the blessedness of Jesus. With that blessedness, as we hold on to Him, He holds on to us! We're filled with his love. Our thirsty soul is filled with God's grace. As I sing and continue to sing this song in my heart, I reach out to all of you in prayer, praying that God will help each of you lead a blessed life full of joy and peace.
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." Matthew 5:3 (MSG)
Friday, March 18, 2005
The Quest To Bring Whole Will of God!
Yesterday, Dirk Albrecht and I had a great meeting discussing the future deaf work in Frederick (MD). You may check the site at: www.fcoc.org/msdc/index.htm We discussed all kinds of things over breakfast. We prayed together. We studied the Scriptures. Dirk taught me a number of things regarding the deaf souls in the Maryland area, especially Frederick.
We know God desires every soul to surrender their lives to Him and walk like Jesus. It hurts us to see people go to church but leave untouched by the power of God's Word through the minister's message. It's very important that we leave with a Seed (Word) in our hearts and allow it to work around our life. This way, we will better understand what His will is! Paul warned the Christians in Ephesus, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) When people live their lives as Christians but their walk is not according to His will, the light is no longer visible, the salt has lost its taste. No one sees anything different in the person. No one sees the will of God in the person.
"For I have not hesitate to proclaim to you the whole will of God." Acts 20:27 (NIV)
It is our desire to bring the whole will of God to the whole person in the whole world to wholly please God! Sadly, 2 percent of the Christians in every church do this!!! That's an alarming number. It is very important that we walk on the foundation of Jesus Christ. When we do this, we're fixing our eyes and hearts on His commands and they will tell us what the Lord desires us to do. As long as we're, daily, doing the Lord's will, we're walking on a level ground. Otherwise, we're sinking in a sinking sand that cannot hold us up toward heaven! We're drifting away from God because we're simply too busy to share His will with others.
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10 (NIV)
When we allow God to teach us His will, then we will have a strong desire to pass this wonderful gift to others in the world. So please continue to pray for the deaf work in Frederick!
Blessed Be His Name!
We know God desires every soul to surrender their lives to Him and walk like Jesus. It hurts us to see people go to church but leave untouched by the power of God's Word through the minister's message. It's very important that we leave with a Seed (Word) in our hearts and allow it to work around our life. This way, we will better understand what His will is! Paul warned the Christians in Ephesus, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) When people live their lives as Christians but their walk is not according to His will, the light is no longer visible, the salt has lost its taste. No one sees anything different in the person. No one sees the will of God in the person.
"For I have not hesitate to proclaim to you the whole will of God." Acts 20:27 (NIV)
It is our desire to bring the whole will of God to the whole person in the whole world to wholly please God! Sadly, 2 percent of the Christians in every church do this!!! That's an alarming number. It is very important that we walk on the foundation of Jesus Christ. When we do this, we're fixing our eyes and hearts on His commands and they will tell us what the Lord desires us to do. As long as we're, daily, doing the Lord's will, we're walking on a level ground. Otherwise, we're sinking in a sinking sand that cannot hold us up toward heaven! We're drifting away from God because we're simply too busy to share His will with others.
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10 (NIV)
When we allow God to teach us His will, then we will have a strong desire to pass this wonderful gift to others in the world. So please continue to pray for the deaf work in Frederick!
Blessed Be His Name!
Desperate For You
Desperation can drive us almost as much as it can drive us crazy. Desperate people are passionate people. Christians, obedient Christians, are living lives of quiet desperation that lies deep inside the heart of their souls. It is so deep that it is hard to explain our love for God. We breathe the air He created. We also breathe the Spirit of God!
If you've had a ceaseless ache in the center of your heart, you know the depths of the word, "DESPERATE". Desperate people ache for fulfillment. And they'll go to any lengths to get it. Desperation isn't limited to one thing, though we can be extremely desperate for all kinds of thing. I believe the most important thing that most of us are desperately seeking is "answers". Why are we alive? Why are we hurting? Why are we passionate? Why do we hate? That's the only thing that could ever commit us to passionate searches.
Though, we have the desperation while living in this world, God has the desperation that we long to seek Him. He wants us as much as we want Him. What better inspiration for the journey we're on?
Desperation is the crux of worship. Crux means, "The central or critical point." It is our "DAILY" longing to know God more, to know ourselves more, to understand pain and joy, to live lives of fullness and wonder. It is the very core of our being that desperately reach out to God - the only one who can reach us where we are and bring us everything we want and desperate of, NEED.
May our journey be a never-ending run toward the One waiting desperately to hold you in His arms, teach you His ways, and love you into being the soul you were always meant to be...
D4U, Lord!!!
Sing with me:
This is the air I breathe,
This is the air I breathe,
Your holy presence living in me.
This is the air I breathe....
This is my daily bread,
This is my daily bread,
Your very Word spoken to me,
This is my daily bread....
I'm desperate for You,
I'm desperate for You,
I'm lost without You, Lord,
I'm desperate for You...
Do I hear an, "Amen!?" Amen!
If you've had a ceaseless ache in the center of your heart, you know the depths of the word, "DESPERATE". Desperate people ache for fulfillment. And they'll go to any lengths to get it. Desperation isn't limited to one thing, though we can be extremely desperate for all kinds of thing. I believe the most important thing that most of us are desperately seeking is "answers". Why are we alive? Why are we hurting? Why are we passionate? Why do we hate? That's the only thing that could ever commit us to passionate searches.
Though, we have the desperation while living in this world, God has the desperation that we long to seek Him. He wants us as much as we want Him. What better inspiration for the journey we're on?
Desperation is the crux of worship. Crux means, "The central or critical point." It is our "DAILY" longing to know God more, to know ourselves more, to understand pain and joy, to live lives of fullness and wonder. It is the very core of our being that desperately reach out to God - the only one who can reach us where we are and bring us everything we want and desperate of, NEED.
May our journey be a never-ending run toward the One waiting desperately to hold you in His arms, teach you His ways, and love you into being the soul you were always meant to be...
D4U, Lord!!!
Sing with me:
This is the air I breathe,
This is the air I breathe,
Your holy presence living in me.
This is the air I breathe....
This is my daily bread,
This is my daily bread,
Your very Word spoken to me,
This is my daily bread....
I'm desperate for You,
I'm desperate for You,
I'm lost without You, Lord,
I'm desperate for You...
Do I hear an, "Amen!?" Amen!
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Fall Down In Prayer
We humbly ask all to please remember Diana Raykovich and her family in your prayers. Diana was diagnosed with cancer over a year ago and has made numerous trips to the hospital for chemo, fatigue, and many other problems. The chemo has been making her so sick that she hasn't the energy to fight with it. It seems the chemo wants to charge ahead against cancer when her body just simply gave up. She has been off chemo for some time now and her cancer has rapidly progressed! She, according to a couple of people, have a week to ten days left to live. Several members have visited her at the hospital. We visited her yesterday and I asked Diana if she is ready to go. She said, "Yes.. I am just tired.."
I didn't know what to say after that. She does seems ready to depart from this earth. Please continue to pray that God will be with her and continue to be with her through until the end. Also, pray for her family has they cope with this. Let's fall down before God in prayer not only for this but for just about everything in life: commitment, eternal life, love, service, unity, forgiveness, peace, protection, blessings and countless of things that we need to pray for. In addition to this, we fall down before God in awe after learning that six souls have buried their lives in the Lord in baptism: Leslie and Monica Suhr in Frederick, Al Reins in Fairfax and two hearing visitors at Fairfax! One deaf lady may soon be baptized this weekend or next week so the Lord continues to pour out his love on us!!
Brothers and sisters, let's fall down in prayer!
I didn't know what to say after that. She does seems ready to depart from this earth. Please continue to pray that God will be with her and continue to be with her through until the end. Also, pray for her family has they cope with this. Let's fall down before God in prayer not only for this but for just about everything in life: commitment, eternal life, love, service, unity, forgiveness, peace, protection, blessings and countless of things that we need to pray for. In addition to this, we fall down before God in awe after learning that six souls have buried their lives in the Lord in baptism: Leslie and Monica Suhr in Frederick, Al Reins in Fairfax and two hearing visitors at Fairfax! One deaf lady may soon be baptized this weekend or next week so the Lord continues to pour out his love on us!!
Brothers and sisters, let's fall down in prayer!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
About Prayer - Dennis' BLOG
Jesus Teaches His Disciples About Prayer
Notice the order in this prayer. First, Jesus praised God, then he made his requests. Praising God first put us in the right frame of mind to tell him about our needs. Too often our prayers are more like shopping lists than conversations.
I must say that this is a wow, especially when you read Mark 11:25, Luke 6:37 and Ephesians 4:32! Please check this out at: http://denniscesone.blogspot.com.
Thanks, Dennis! Praise God for your love and encouragement helping us to live a prayer life!
Notice the order in this prayer. First, Jesus praised God, then he made his requests. Praising God first put us in the right frame of mind to tell him about our needs. Too often our prayers are more like shopping lists than conversations.
I must say that this is a wow, especially when you read Mark 11:25, Luke 6:37 and Ephesians 4:32! Please check this out at: http://denniscesone.blogspot.com.
Thanks, Dennis! Praise God for your love and encouragement helping us to live a prayer life!
Immeasurable Proportions
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)
How often do we kneel before God in prayer for His church? To kneel before God shows your humility before God. You aren't you. If you don't get my meaning, it means your life is not yours, but Christ's. (Gal. 2:20) There is a responsibility of every Christian alive in this world today! A responsibility to care for another brother or sister in His church. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thess. 5:11 (NIV) God desires Christians to encourage and build rather than to condemn and tear. Though, God does instruct a Christian to condemn the sin the person has done. So what was Paul's prayer to the Ephesians that we ought to pray for every single soul in the church that devotes his/her life to God? We ought to pray:
1. That the Spirit will strengthen you through your faith in God.
"May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." 1 Thess. 3:13 (NIV)
2. That we will be rooted and established in love. Let me say this again, "LOVE!"
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV) Just as Jesus gave His love (agape) by sacrificing His life for the world, we show our love (agape) but thinking of others more than ourselves. We commend, encourage, praise, instruct, persuade and embrace every person in His church. The question is, "How rooted and established in love are you?" You may think that you know God ("..can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I AM NOTHING!" 1 Cor. 13:2) but you may not have the love God wants you to have. That's why we move to the final point (#3).
3. That we understand that love is much greater than knowledge.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9 (NIV)
When we love, we fall in love with the person like we fell in love with Jesus because of His sacrificial love for us! When a person ceases to show love, there's no fullness of God in the person. When there's no spiritual growth in a certain soul, he/she contaminates the body of Christ, the church from growth.
Brothers and sisters, take your heart out of your life and examine it. How full is it with God's love that it pours out onto others in the church and the world? Whatever is stored in your heart, comes out of your mouth and hands? Jesus quoted it perfectly:
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45 (NIV)
It was Paul's prayer that the churches of Christ during His time would be strengthened, rooted, established, deepened, lengthened, heightened, widened in God's love to an awesomely, immeasureable proportions!! Now, it is my prayer that all the churches of Christ/Christians today grow toward that immeasureable proportions! Impossible? It is if you don't allow God to work in your hearts but I don't think it's impossible because...
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Is God working in your life? Are, what you do in the church, glorifying God? Will the future generations remember the example of Jesus you gave? Does the world see you "..rooted and established in love.."? Please, humbly, kneel before God and ask Him to continue to work in your life today and lead you onward toward immeasureable proportions!
How often do we kneel before God in prayer for His church? To kneel before God shows your humility before God. You aren't you. If you don't get my meaning, it means your life is not yours, but Christ's. (Gal. 2:20) There is a responsibility of every Christian alive in this world today! A responsibility to care for another brother or sister in His church. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thess. 5:11 (NIV) God desires Christians to encourage and build rather than to condemn and tear. Though, God does instruct a Christian to condemn the sin the person has done. So what was Paul's prayer to the Ephesians that we ought to pray for every single soul in the church that devotes his/her life to God? We ought to pray:
1. That the Spirit will strengthen you through your faith in God.
"May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." 1 Thess. 3:13 (NIV)
2. That we will be rooted and established in love. Let me say this again, "LOVE!"
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV) Just as Jesus gave His love (agape) by sacrificing His life for the world, we show our love (agape) but thinking of others more than ourselves. We commend, encourage, praise, instruct, persuade and embrace every person in His church. The question is, "How rooted and established in love are you?" You may think that you know God ("..can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I AM NOTHING!" 1 Cor. 13:2) but you may not have the love God wants you to have. That's why we move to the final point (#3).
3. That we understand that love is much greater than knowledge.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9 (NIV)
When we love, we fall in love with the person like we fell in love with Jesus because of His sacrificial love for us! When a person ceases to show love, there's no fullness of God in the person. When there's no spiritual growth in a certain soul, he/she contaminates the body of Christ, the church from growth.
Brothers and sisters, take your heart out of your life and examine it. How full is it with God's love that it pours out onto others in the church and the world? Whatever is stored in your heart, comes out of your mouth and hands? Jesus quoted it perfectly:
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45 (NIV)
It was Paul's prayer that the churches of Christ during His time would be strengthened, rooted, established, deepened, lengthened, heightened, widened in God's love to an awesomely, immeasureable proportions!! Now, it is my prayer that all the churches of Christ/Christians today grow toward that immeasureable proportions! Impossible? It is if you don't allow God to work in your hearts but I don't think it's impossible because...
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Is God working in your life? Are, what you do in the church, glorifying God? Will the future generations remember the example of Jesus you gave? Does the world see you "..rooted and established in love.."? Please, humbly, kneel before God and ask Him to continue to work in your life today and lead you onward toward immeasureable proportions!
Monday, March 07, 2005
SURRENDERED SOULS
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Last night was awesome! Dirk and Camille Albrecht invited a long time friend from Pennsylvania, Leslie and Monica Suhr, to Frederick church for the evening deaf worship. We didn't have a handful of people last night. We know God has plans for this church, but the question is always this, "When, Lord?". :) He is surely a patient God and we need to possess the same attitude of "patience". It is the Lord who had it all planned so we await for His plans to unfold in Frederick.
Speaking of how awesome it was last night was because the Lord did something amazing!! Camille persuaded Leslie to talk to me about baptism and the conversation started. I am not going to go into great details about this. His wife, Monica, was never baptized. In the past, she received Jesus (in her heart) and that was it. I figured that they need time with me for Bible study to make sure they understand the importance of living their life for Jesus after they give their lives to Him in baptism (personal death/sacrifice).
The Lord wasn't finished with this.
He (seemed to me) prompted Dirk to ask me a question, "Mark, why do we have to wait another week or two to study with them? I have known them for a long time and they are lovers of the Lord!" Leslie and Monica was already clad in coats and ready to leave. And I looked at Dirk thinking perhaps this is the time of the Lord's favor. We had Leslie and Monica return to discuss further about their desire to give their lives to Him in full surrender and follow Jesus daily! After careful study and questioning, the Lord pierced their hearts and they gave their lives to the Lord in baptism and now clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27)! We praised God for His hand in this. We praised God for His providence! We praised God for two new additions into His Kingdom! He is forever awesome!
Welcome to the family, Leslie and Monica! We love you and pray for you all! Keep following Jesus using His Word! And thank You, Lord, for Your power and love! We love You! You're awesome!
"Rejoice! Rejoice! And I say it again, rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Last night was awesome! Dirk and Camille Albrecht invited a long time friend from Pennsylvania, Leslie and Monica Suhr, to Frederick church for the evening deaf worship. We didn't have a handful of people last night. We know God has plans for this church, but the question is always this, "When, Lord?". :) He is surely a patient God and we need to possess the same attitude of "patience". It is the Lord who had it all planned so we await for His plans to unfold in Frederick.
Speaking of how awesome it was last night was because the Lord did something amazing!! Camille persuaded Leslie to talk to me about baptism and the conversation started. I am not going to go into great details about this. His wife, Monica, was never baptized. In the past, she received Jesus (in her heart) and that was it. I figured that they need time with me for Bible study to make sure they understand the importance of living their life for Jesus after they give their lives to Him in baptism (personal death/sacrifice).
The Lord wasn't finished with this.
He (seemed to me) prompted Dirk to ask me a question, "Mark, why do we have to wait another week or two to study with them? I have known them for a long time and they are lovers of the Lord!" Leslie and Monica was already clad in coats and ready to leave. And I looked at Dirk thinking perhaps this is the time of the Lord's favor. We had Leslie and Monica return to discuss further about their desire to give their lives to Him in full surrender and follow Jesus daily! After careful study and questioning, the Lord pierced their hearts and they gave their lives to the Lord in baptism and now clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27)! We praised God for His hand in this. We praised God for His providence! We praised God for two new additions into His Kingdom! He is forever awesome!
Welcome to the family, Leslie and Monica! We love you and pray for you all! Keep following Jesus using His Word! And thank You, Lord, for Your power and love! We love You! You're awesome!
"Rejoice! Rejoice! And I say it again, rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Sunday, March 06, 2005
As True Worshiper
"Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming--it has, in fact, come--when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship." John 4:21-23 (MSG)
Worship is life. To daily worship God (24/7), we're channelling our relationship with the Father through His Son. We have a bond. Like marriage, a bond that shall not be broken, forged, or tainted. God has been set as our number one priority in life! There's no other name that we worship but the Name of the Lord. This is the kind of people God is looking for, for those who are "simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship."
I worship (at least I wish to!) with every breath, every thought, every endeavor, and every longing of my heart. True worship surely should be total, full, 100%! As "true worshiper" (John 4:21-23), if my worship flows out of my relationship with a Father who loves me unconditionally, then it surely would be foolish to do anything without reference to the One who gave me everything at the cost of His own Glorious Son, and ultimately all for His glory and NOT MINE! Though incredibly His glory brings me more pleasure than anything else in the world!
A person that does the will of God (according to His Word) is a person God sees "As True Worshiper."
"If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." John 7:17 (NIV)
Worship is life. To daily worship God (24/7), we're channelling our relationship with the Father through His Son. We have a bond. Like marriage, a bond that shall not be broken, forged, or tainted. God has been set as our number one priority in life! There's no other name that we worship but the Name of the Lord. This is the kind of people God is looking for, for those who are "simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship."
I worship (at least I wish to!) with every breath, every thought, every endeavor, and every longing of my heart. True worship surely should be total, full, 100%! As "true worshiper" (John 4:21-23), if my worship flows out of my relationship with a Father who loves me unconditionally, then it surely would be foolish to do anything without reference to the One who gave me everything at the cost of His own Glorious Son, and ultimately all for His glory and NOT MINE! Though incredibly His glory brings me more pleasure than anything else in the world!
A person that does the will of God (according to His Word) is a person God sees "As True Worshiper."
"If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." John 7:17 (NIV)
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