We've seen in recent blogs that "the end of all things is near" and consequently prayer is to have an important place in our lives; we should be disciplined so as to guarantee it.
Paul, in I Timothy 2, gives prayer priority one! All kinds of prayers need to be offered in behalf of all men...so that we can lead tranquil and quiet lives characterized by godliness and dignity. He says that this really pleases God, for He desires all men to be saved and know the truth; that truth being, there is only one God and one mediator between God and man, Jesus!
Prayer is priority one, it pleases God and makes for living like He intends. With this being true, he says, therefore, I want men in every place to pray. And it should be done lifting holy hands (with pure lives and hearts) and without wrath and dissention. In other words, no things displeasing to God nor anger and misgivings in your heart toward anyone; no disagreeing among you to hinder the prayers being offered.
I don't know about you, that sounds pretty challenging to me. Lets search our hearts and make sure that there is nothing that would minimize the great priority and privilege of prayer personally or corporately.
I just thought you'd want to know.
Blessings,
Mitch
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
A Historic Moment...
Sunday was a defining and historic moment in the life of Fellowship. The Constitution and By-Laws was ratified by unanimous vote and the Pastor Search Team was affirmed. Much prayer and effort by many made this possible.
Be in prayer for the Search Team. They are: Paul Clendenin, Terry Steger, Fran Smith, Doug Lawson, Edie Bache, Darla Greer and Steve Burroughs. The team will be soon be involved in a time of training with Dr. Bob Mounts of the Florida Baptist Convention. We'll keep you informed as things develop.
Sunday was a special day. I look forward to the remaining messages in the new series "Journey Towards Easter" by Pastor Rick. This Sunday, "The Last Kiss of a Lost Friend" from Mark 14.
Don't Miss It!
Mitch
Be in prayer for the Search Team. They are: Paul Clendenin, Terry Steger, Fran Smith, Doug Lawson, Edie Bache, Darla Greer and Steve Burroughs. The team will be soon be involved in a time of training with Dr. Bob Mounts of the Florida Baptist Convention. We'll keep you informed as things develop.
Sunday was a special day. I look forward to the remaining messages in the new series "Journey Towards Easter" by Pastor Rick. This Sunday, "The Last Kiss of a Lost Friend" from Mark 14.
Don't Miss It!
Mitch
Monday, March 20, 2006
Praise The Lord...
God is so good to continue to especially visit us these days during worship. What a powerful and moving time at the altar and a great ending to the Blueprint Series of messages to the Church!
Beginning this Sunday, Pastor Rick begins a new series entitled "Journey Toward Easter". This weeks message will be taken from Luke 21. Let me encourage you to be reading and meditating on this in preparation for Sunday!
...And don't forget...Agape Feast / Town Meeting / Dessert Auction this Sunday evening at 6:00 in the M.M.B. Bring sandwiches, and salad (tossed, pasta or congealed) for your family and to share. The town meeting agenda will be to ratify the final draft of the Constitution and By-Laws and vote to affirm the Pastor Search Team recommended by the deacons. The final draft is available in the Welcome Centers for your convenience. This will be followed by the annual fun-filled Dessert Auction (proceeds for the Student Ministries).
Don't miss anything during these remarkable days at Fellowship.
Rejoicing,
Mitch
Beginning this Sunday, Pastor Rick begins a new series entitled "Journey Toward Easter". This weeks message will be taken from Luke 21. Let me encourage you to be reading and meditating on this in preparation for Sunday!
...And don't forget...Agape Feast / Town Meeting / Dessert Auction this Sunday evening at 6:00 in the M.M.B. Bring sandwiches, and salad (tossed, pasta or congealed) for your family and to share. The town meeting agenda will be to ratify the final draft of the Constitution and By-Laws and vote to affirm the Pastor Search Team recommended by the deacons. The final draft is available in the Welcome Centers for your convenience. This will be followed by the annual fun-filled Dessert Auction (proceeds for the Student Ministries).
Don't miss anything during these remarkable days at Fellowship.
Rejoicing,
Mitch
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Urgency...
It seems that so many things in life scream for our attention. If you're like everyone else, there are more things clammoring for our energies than we have energy for! We soon realize that if we are going to get the most important things done we must prioritize our life to make sure they get accomplished.
Many years ago I heard Ron Dunn, an itinerant preacher / teacher, state that "we should never take on more than we can handle in believing prayer." I don't remember anything else he said that day, but that has stuck with me. What tremendous advice! The implication being that prayer is necessary and essential for wise choices and success in all of life's activities.
It also suggests that the busier we get, the more contemplation and prayer we need to cover our lives and its demands. There is a "Life-flow" that prayer releases. It equips and makes us adequate for all we encounter. Otherwise, there is only one thing to resort to. Soulish efforts and the flesh always falls short of God's intended possibilities.
Usually, the busier we get, the less we pray. It should be the opposite. How much more we need the powerful influence of intimacy with Him when the pressure is turned on. So let me encourage you to do as I Peter 4:7 suggests: "...Lead an ordered and sober life, [so your life can be] given to prayer."
I just wanted you to know. See you Sunday. Let's anticipate another great day in His presence and with the family of God.
I love you guys,
Mitch
Many years ago I heard Ron Dunn, an itinerant preacher / teacher, state that "we should never take on more than we can handle in believing prayer." I don't remember anything else he said that day, but that has stuck with me. What tremendous advice! The implication being that prayer is necessary and essential for wise choices and success in all of life's activities.
It also suggests that the busier we get, the more contemplation and prayer we need to cover our lives and its demands. There is a "Life-flow" that prayer releases. It equips and makes us adequate for all we encounter. Otherwise, there is only one thing to resort to. Soulish efforts and the flesh always falls short of God's intended possibilities.
Usually, the busier we get, the less we pray. It should be the opposite. How much more we need the powerful influence of intimacy with Him when the pressure is turned on. So let me encourage you to do as I Peter 4:7 suggests: "...Lead an ordered and sober life, [so your life can be] given to prayer."
I just wanted you to know. See you Sunday. Let's anticipate another great day in His presence and with the family of God.
I love you guys,
Mitch
Monday, March 13, 2006
It's Uncanny...
The last two weeks as I've studied through the Psalms, I was drawn to stop and focus on Psalm 133. It has taken me many places in the scripture as I've explored what this short but significant Psalm is declaring. It begins, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." From there, David begins to elaborate on this wonderful corporate virtue by stating things that it is like. Space will not allow sufficient comment on these similes but it is clear that unity is very important to God and has powerful ramifications.
In John 17:20-23, Jesus makes a strong appeal to His Father, in behalf of His disciples and those who would believe in Jesus through them, for this imperative ingredient. It's a virtue that is near to the heart of God because of unity's convincing and compelling effects...important to the ongoing success of the Kingdom and the display of His Glory.
It is interesting that in Rick's message to the Church about the 7 deadly sins profiled in Proverbs 6, that the "Yea seventh" thing that God hates, and probably more than any of the others, is human activity that spreads strife and compromises the unity of brothers. It is logical that He might hate it the most because it is probably one of the dearest things to His Father-heart, the unity of His Kids.
Lets all continue to soberly look at these important things in God's word and purpose to please Him more in all that we are.
It was a great day Sunday at Fellowship. I love you guys!
Mitch
In John 17:20-23, Jesus makes a strong appeal to His Father, in behalf of His disciples and those who would believe in Jesus through them, for this imperative ingredient. It's a virtue that is near to the heart of God because of unity's convincing and compelling effects...important to the ongoing success of the Kingdom and the display of His Glory.
It is interesting that in Rick's message to the Church about the 7 deadly sins profiled in Proverbs 6, that the "Yea seventh" thing that God hates, and probably more than any of the others, is human activity that spreads strife and compromises the unity of brothers. It is logical that He might hate it the most because it is probably one of the dearest things to His Father-heart, the unity of His Kids.
Lets all continue to soberly look at these important things in God's word and purpose to please Him more in all that we are.
It was a great day Sunday at Fellowship. I love you guys!
Mitch
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Echoing Thoughts...
Pastor Rick's recent message on prayer continues to reverberate in the sanctuary of my own being. I shudder to think what could have been in and through me had I presented myself in fuller ways to this tremendous privilege of prayer.
A couple of days ago I read I Peter 4:7. "The end of all things is upon us, so you must lead an ordered (disciplined, self controlled) and sober (sound minded, alert) life, given to (for the purpose of) prayer." There is so much to say about these precious words, but it is sufficient to simply state that time is drawing to a close, the days are evil and much work needs to be done (that can only be done in and through the power of God). Consequently, our lives need to be disciplined, focused, intentional and so ordered that we can give ourselves to probably the most important private worship activity of the follower of Jesus, prayer.
Let's take the apostle Peter's strong advice and present ourselves increasingly to this very practical, personal and powerful privilege. I rather suspect, it will change our lives, our church and our community.
Blessings on you, Dear Ones!
Mitch
A couple of days ago I read I Peter 4:7. "The end of all things is upon us, so you must lead an ordered (disciplined, self controlled) and sober (sound minded, alert) life, given to (for the purpose of) prayer." There is so much to say about these precious words, but it is sufficient to simply state that time is drawing to a close, the days are evil and much work needs to be done (that can only be done in and through the power of God). Consequently, our lives need to be disciplined, focused, intentional and so ordered that we can give ourselves to probably the most important private worship activity of the follower of Jesus, prayer.
Let's take the apostle Peter's strong advice and present ourselves increasingly to this very practical, personal and powerful privilege. I rather suspect, it will change our lives, our church and our community.
Blessings on you, Dear Ones!
Mitch
Monday, March 06, 2006
Another Great Sunday!
...Such challenging messages are coming to us from Pastor Rick. This week, the power of our words. Powerful, poigniant, painful and a necessary reminder to us all.
Thanks to everyone who is praying for many of our North American missionaries including our very "own" Rick and Vicki Lawrence. Be asking the Lord what you should give to the Annie Armstrong offering in the coming weeks...a great opportunity to be a part of what God is doing through their lives. Be watching for more information to come.
And finally, a great passage of scripture for you to meditate on: Psalm 103.... Great stuff. ...Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God...For from Him, and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever! (Romans 11:33-36)
Thanks to everyone who is praying for many of our North American missionaries including our very "own" Rick and Vicki Lawrence. Be asking the Lord what you should give to the Annie Armstrong offering in the coming weeks...a great opportunity to be a part of what God is doing through their lives. Be watching for more information to come.
And finally, a great passage of scripture for you to meditate on: Psalm 103.... Great stuff. ...Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God...For from Him, and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever! (Romans 11:33-36)
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