Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, June 4, 2010
thoughts on revival
a few months ago i signed up for a class on route to finish my masters. the class was titled "american history of revivals." it was a one week intensive class in marion, indiana taught by dr. black. leading up to the class we read books, prepared an oral report.
a week or two before i left for the class, the senior pastor from fumc marion, iowa challenged the staff to start praying for revival. i thought it was interesting right before i leave for indiana that pastor mike would make this challenge. so the whole week i am in class i was trying to figure out how i could apply it to the church back home.
the week after i got back the staff, during a meeting which we meet the 1st and 3rd mondays of the month decided that the mondays we were not in staff meeting we would get together and pray for the church and the community. that week was also the national day of prayer and from that spun a prayer meeting every thursday.
today we decided to have three special prayer meetings during the summer months. we are still unsure of the outcome, but we are expecting God to move in a big way here in marion, ia and in the life of fumc marion. if you are reading this please pray a quick prayer for the life of our church and community.
a week or two before i left for the class, the senior pastor from fumc marion, iowa challenged the staff to start praying for revival. i thought it was interesting right before i leave for indiana that pastor mike would make this challenge. so the whole week i am in class i was trying to figure out how i could apply it to the church back home.
the week after i got back the staff, during a meeting which we meet the 1st and 3rd mondays of the month decided that the mondays we were not in staff meeting we would get together and pray for the church and the community. that week was also the national day of prayer and from that spun a prayer meeting every thursday.
today we decided to have three special prayer meetings during the summer months. we are still unsure of the outcome, but we are expecting God to move in a big way here in marion, ia and in the life of fumc marion. if you are reading this please pray a quick prayer for the life of our church and community.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Day 50/61
2 Thes 3:1-15
vs 1 "pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."
vs 2-5 Lord will strengthen and protect. "may the Lord direct your heart into God's love and Christ perseverance."
vs 6-10 "keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching."
Follow our model. if you do not work you do not eat.
vs 11-15 if he will not follow "regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
vs 1 "pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."
vs 2-5 Lord will strengthen and protect. "may the Lord direct your heart into God's love and Christ perseverance."
vs 6-10 "keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching."
Follow our model. if you do not work you do not eat.
vs 11-15 if he will not follow "regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Day 49/61
2 Thes 2:1-15
vs 1-4 Be careful what you believe. Deception will lead to destruction.
vs 5-12 Lies destroy lives.
vs 13-17 God wants all to be saved, He has planned on it. We can all share in the glory of Jesus Christ. Stand firm in the teachings of Christ. We should have eternal encouragement from this. This should strengthen you.
vs 1-4 Be careful what you believe. Deception will lead to destruction.
vs 5-12 Lies destroy lives.
vs 13-17 God wants all to be saved, He has planned on it. We can all share in the glory of Jesus Christ. Stand firm in the teachings of Christ. We should have eternal encouragement from this. This should strengthen you.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Day 48/61
1 Thes 5:1-28
vs 1-3 We do not know when the Lord is coming back, but we know that he is coming.
vs 4-11 Do not belong to the darkness. Their is a lot of crap that will steer you away from Christ the Light. Instead be self controlled. Put on faith hope and love to protect you from attacks. Encourage one another and build each other up.
vs 12-15 live in peace. Be patient. Don't be vengeful. Be kind.
vs 16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This is something we are always learning in life. There will always be new circumstances and experiences but there will always be the same constant in God.
vs 19-22 Let the Holy Spirit do what is needed. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
vs 23-24 Allow God to work in your life to set you apart.
vs 25-28 Pray.
vs 1-3 We do not know when the Lord is coming back, but we know that he is coming.
vs 4-11 Do not belong to the darkness. Their is a lot of crap that will steer you away from Christ the Light. Instead be self controlled. Put on faith hope and love to protect you from attacks. Encourage one another and build each other up.
vs 12-15 live in peace. Be patient. Don't be vengeful. Be kind.
vs 16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This is something we are always learning in life. There will always be new circumstances and experiences but there will always be the same constant in God.
vs 19-22 Let the Holy Spirit do what is needed. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
vs 23-24 Allow God to work in your life to set you apart.
vs 25-28 Pray.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
day 47/61
1 Thes 4:1-18
vs 1-2 live in order to please God, continue to do more for Him.
vs 3-8 Be sanctified. You might ask what this means. It means for you to be holy and set apart from this world. It then commands you to avoid sexual immorality by controlling your body. God did not call us to be impure but live a holy life.
vs 9-12 you have been taught to love each other, but do more. May your daily life win the respect of outsiders.
vs 13-18 The coming of the Lord will happen. Prepare for it, live your life like it will happen tomorrow. Be concerned and share the Lord with others.
vs 1-2 live in order to please God, continue to do more for Him.
vs 3-8 Be sanctified. You might ask what this means. It means for you to be holy and set apart from this world. It then commands you to avoid sexual immorality by controlling your body. God did not call us to be impure but live a holy life.
vs 9-12 you have been taught to love each other, but do more. May your daily life win the respect of outsiders.
vs 13-18 The coming of the Lord will happen. Prepare for it, live your life like it will happen tomorrow. Be concerned and share the Lord with others.
Monday, May 17, 2010
day 46/61
1 Thes 1:1-10
vs 1 greeting
vs 2-3 thanking the Thessalonians for praying for him. I like vs 3 a lot because "their work they do was produced by the faith that they had, the labor was prompted by love and endurance by hope." They did not do these things out of duty but out of desire and love. What produces your works? Do you serve because you feel like you should? Or do you genuinely love helping others see the love of Christ through your actions?
vs 4-10 the Holy Spirit will help bring the Gospel power. You do not need to always worry about how you say it. The nerves you feel will be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. Imitate the Lord. Because of your example your faith in God is being talked about in all kinds of different places. Your story is important. I love how they turned from idols to serve the true and living God.
vs 1 greeting
vs 2-3 thanking the Thessalonians for praying for him. I like vs 3 a lot because "their work they do was produced by the faith that they had, the labor was prompted by love and endurance by hope." They did not do these things out of duty but out of desire and love. What produces your works? Do you serve because you feel like you should? Or do you genuinely love helping others see the love of Christ through your actions?
vs 4-10 the Holy Spirit will help bring the Gospel power. You do not need to always worry about how you say it. The nerves you feel will be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. Imitate the Lord. Because of your example your faith in God is being talked about in all kinds of different places. Your story is important. I love how they turned from idols to serve the true and living God.
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