Gracious God,
We seek after You. Our hearts journey into Your heart, as drops of water move into the sea. We pray You will receive us unto Yourself, Loving God. Certainly You are with us, but our relationship requires movement on our parts. May we seek to face You and proceed into Your eternal, yet ever-present embrace. Help us understand vital faith requires our action. May our efforts move us closer to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.
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Wanna Lou Tabeling, Maribel Moore’s sister, has been transferred to Mercy hospital in OKC after her surgery. Please pray for her.
Dee Jerome, Laurie Bushman’s father, was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Please pray for Dee and his family as he faces this disease.
Birdene Schoonover is not doing well. She will likely be moved to the Bass Pavilion on Monday for long term care. Please hold Birdene close to your hearts and offer prayers for her.
Gene Carlson is still hospitalized at Bass Hospital. Bob Emery should be home. Please pray for Gene and Bob.
Tomorrow there is an Outside Clean-up Day at the church from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. Come and help with the work.
Watch for the Extravagant Generosity – Pony Express Program which will begin shortly. Its objective is, over time, to change the culture in our church from fund raising to generosity as a core value of discipleship. We are seeking to develop a culture of generosity. Giving helps us become what God wants us to be. Giving is not merely about the church’s need for money, but about the Christian’s need to grow in generosity. Generosity is a fruit of the Spirit, a sign of spiritual growth. God uses our giving to change the world for God’s purposes, and God uses our giving to reconfigure our interior lives and to change us! Please be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we embark on this venture.
REMEMBER: the small prayer chapel by the church office is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday for prayer and meditation. I know we can and do pray at home, but I have initiated this prayer vigil because there are times when we need to exert special effort in our spiritual life. When you are out, take a few extra minutes and come to the church to pray. You will be blessed. Our church will be blessed.
The scripture for today is 1 Timothy 4:1-16:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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