Last Chance: May Prayer List

May’s prayer list must be

compiled tomorrow morning.

Let us know how we can pray!!

 

Good morning Pastor https://goo.gl/rvYAbo Misscfbf

Apr 5 - Deuteronomy 6:6-7

 

Keep these words

that I am commanding

you today in your heart. 

Recite them to your children

and talk about them

when you are at home and

when you are away,

when you lie down

and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

 

Quick: Name the people younger than you that you are investing in and sharing faith with?

 

For some of us, it’s our children (or grandchildren). We keep the words alive and the faith alive by continually telling our children about God and reading Bible Stories (rather straight from the Scripture or even in a picture Bible Story book).

 

And that’s exactly what God intended!

 

That’s what this passage is about.

 

But pieces of our leadership team saw some Union County statistics recently. In a five mile circle around Waxhaw, only 9% of households attend church. That implies that approximately 9% of kids are being nurtured in a Christian home. Hence the question: Who are the people younger than you that you are investing in and sharing faith with?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who is more

and more passionate

about reaching those

younger than himself

… often young parents

who will reach their

own kids

 

 

 

 

Apr 4 - Psalm 119:11

 

I have treasured

your word in my heart,

so that I may not

sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

 

Two key words grab me: “treasure” and “sin.”

 

How many of you grew up watching pirate movies. Usually there’s “treasure.” And always there’s “sin” – someone is always scheming, scamming, lying, cheating, and even killing to get the treasure for themselves.

 

Scripture, however, tells us not to be pirates! Indeed, Psalm 119 reminds us that there is a “treasure” that keeps us from “sin.” That treasure is “[God’s] word.”

 

And if there was a pirate’s map, an “X” wouldn’t mark the spot. A “heart” would mark the spot. We would seek this treasure with all our heart, be saved from the pain of sin, and finally live the life God intended.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who used to

seek treasure and

have a black beard

… now I have a

gray beard and

know the true

treasures

 

 

 

Apr 3 - Joshua 1:8

 

This book of the law

shall not depart out of

your mouth; you shall

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful

to act in accordance with

all that is written in it.

For then you shall make

your way prosperous, and

then you shall be successful.

Joshua 1:8

 

If I could choose to transport into any moment in history – especially any moment in Bible history – I would have liked to be there on the Road to Emmaus.

 

The Scene: It was Easter Sunday afternoon. The disciples factually know that Jesus was crucified. He died and was buried. Their hearts were broken. Now there’s a rumor – unconfirmed, too astonishing to be true – that maybe, maybe, he’s risen. It’s a strange mix of emotions as they walk along. Deep sadness. A sense of betrayal – they thought Jesus was going to be the conquering king, not a dead man. Gnawing confusion. A crazy hope that you dare not believe.

 

Suddenly, up comes a stranger. “What are you talking about?” “Are you the only one in Jerusalem that hasn’t heard.” They’re focusing on the crucifixion. Then the strange (who they don’t recognize yet as Jesus) essentially calls them slow of mind and heart. And then he proceeds to warm their hearts with the most remarkable story in history!

 

Jesus starts to connect the dots. Beginning with Genesis, he retells the entire Old Testament, laying out every place where God foretold the life, death, resurrection, sacrifice, and redemption that would come through the Messiah.

 

As I teacher … I wish I could have been there. In fact, as I go along in ministry, I keep finding out new connections that I hadn’t known.

 

When those disciples finally recognized that this was the resurrected Jesus (and when he suddenly disappeared), they asked in amazement, “Were not our hearts burning within us?!”

 

That’s “the book of the law” (… and the prophets … and the Gospels) that we are supposed to “meditate on … day and night.” It’s all there. It’s all been revealed. But if you want your heart to be warmed, your life to be inspired, and “your way [to be] prosperous,” the thrill is meditating on God’s word and uncovering all the blessings and wonders that God has in store.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants

to be on that road

listening to Jesus   

The Power of Prayer ... find out Wednesday!

Something has been happening in the last few weeks. A team from Spirit of Joy has been praying through Lent. And God’s power has been showing up.

 

Among them …

 

·        We’ve had more new people coming to church hungry for a church home!

·        Easter was more full than last year.

·        Pray-ers have experienced hope (and even glimpses healing).

·        And … I got this note on my desk over Easter – it’s from a member of a Pentecostal Church in Waxhaw. She writes:

 

I was driving by your church, coming home from a prayer meeting and the Holy Ghost made me turn around. (I promise, I have never done this before.) However I felt in my Spirit that there was an anointing on your church that is about to explode. That joy will be the only light that is seen. Be ready!

 

Do you think the Spirit’s moving? Let’s keep praying! Please. Would you like to join us Wednesdays at 7:30!!!

 

Thanks,

Pastor Ed

 

 

Apr 2 - 2 Timothy 3:16

 

All Scripture is inspired by God

and is profitable for teaching,

for rebuking, for correcting,

for training in righteousness

2 Timothy 3:16

 

One of the first country songs I ever really listened to was a mid-90s hit, Dust on the Bottle. Talking about fine, old wine, David Lee Murphy sings, “There might be a little dust on the bottle / But don't let it fool ya about what's inside.”

 

Now, I’m not always a big lyrics listener. I can usually hum the refrain, but don’t always pay attention to the story. Therefore, out of context, what I heard in my head was Murphy singing: There might be a little dust on the BIBLE / But don't let it fool ya about what's inside”!

 

Dust on the Bible?! I have a question …  

 

Have you ever wished you could hear from God?

 

I suspect we all wish that occasionally a voice would whisper from heaven, saying, “Take the job,” “Don’t marry the guy,” “Turn right … now.”

 

Indeed, have you ever wished you could hear from God? Well, God does speak. All the time. His Words are probably on your bookshelf. Hopefully not gathering dust.

 

The real key to valuing the Word of God is entrusting that it really is the Word of God … and not just a godly word from some godly old men from some bygone era. The real key to valuing the Word of God is believing – as today’s verse says – that “all scripture is inspired by God” and “profitable” to me, you, and our world still today.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who dusted off

an old Bible recently

and is enjoying spending

more time with

an old friend