It is the time of year for resolutions and then for resolution. Has it been a whole year already? Time does move on. . .and seems to pass more quickly each year. God has blessed us in so many ways this year, and now is a good time to thank Him. Sure, there have been bad things happening. Yes, there have been heartbreaks. Yet, the Lord has been faithful. He has helped us. His love does not fail.
Our lesson this week will focus on Jacob and his life-changing experience with God by the brook. He wrestled with the Lord, and he prevailed. God used a difficult situation to bring Jacob to a place of dependence and of surrender. God often does this in our own lives. So stop before cussing your situation. Seek the Lord and hold on to Him. When He requires the thing called confession, humbly agree. Then, ask Him to reveal something of Himself to you. He is always worth it.
Don't forget to pray. Pray for elected officials and our country. Inauguration is just around the corner. God will save elected officials, too. Keep praying for one another. I am excited about the good spirit at church and a God-given "mind to work". Pray for those who are looking for jobs. Praise the Lord for answers to prayer in this area, too. Our family will be traveling today as we go to preach and sing for a new church in the Jackson area. Harold and Theresa Parks are currently in this church. Ask God to use us to help these folks. Pray for a man who has cancer, requested by Joe Payne. Pray for those who have been visiting the church. Some need a good church home. Some need to be saved. Others are needing to reconnect with other believers so that they can grow and serve the Lord. Pray for Sunday School outreach. (Submit any names of families with children to the church office. A mail-out will be going out this week.) We will be passing out fliers this week as well. Some of our parents are not doing too well health-wise and need prayer. Pray for and remember our New Year's service coming up on Wednesday night. I always look forward to it.
What are your resolutions? Maybe it is best to ask: in what areas are you seeking to grow? Think and pray about it.
Have a wonderful week!
(Boomer Sooners!) - Bro. Mike
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christian Life and Witness Video
With all that goes on "extra" at this time of the year, the video sessions for the last few weeks have been a help for my schedule. They have helped me in other ways as well. Sure, the information is not brand new, but the reminder and the timing of this truth has been a godsend. "Back to the Basics" or "Back to the Bedrock" would be a good description.
Beginning in January, we start a new children's Sunday School emphasis. It excites me to see so many who are involved and excited. Be sure to contact those who God lays on your heart, and give names and addresses to the office so that they can be included in our mail-out. Bible Explorers has a good ring to it, but I am most excited about the detective theme for the first quarter. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. God is at work, and we want Him to work through us. May He grant us the sensitivity to His Spirit which we need. He will build His church according to Matthew 16, and He has chosen us as instruments.
Be in prayer for those who have been recently sick, for those who have need of employment, for those who are in spiritual traps and deception, for those who are struggling with family matters, for those whose parents are in poor health, for outreach and ministries of our church, for a spirit of encouragement to infuse each of us as we praise our Lord, and for a revival of true spirituality right here in Tupelo's Wildwood Baptist Church. Wow! That was a lot in one sentence!
Take some time to simply praise the Lord. I have noticed that when the enemy comes to attack me, and I start thinking about the struggles and the disgruntled, and the attacks upon God's work that I can get really out of sorts. I can get depressed and discouraged. Yet, if I would just stop and thank God for His most abundant blessings, the depression and the discouragement passes on. I have taken the steps into the throne-room of God, and the devils who bring the depression cannot come. Make the time to praise. It should be easier at this time of year, but do it on purpose.
Christmas caroling and fellowship are up for discussion today in our class. Youth Leadership Sunday is today. Be praying for the young people. God best to you!
Beginning in January, we start a new children's Sunday School emphasis. It excites me to see so many who are involved and excited. Be sure to contact those who God lays on your heart, and give names and addresses to the office so that they can be included in our mail-out. Bible Explorers has a good ring to it, but I am most excited about the detective theme for the first quarter. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. God is at work, and we want Him to work through us. May He grant us the sensitivity to His Spirit which we need. He will build His church according to Matthew 16, and He has chosen us as instruments.
Be in prayer for those who have been recently sick, for those who have need of employment, for those who are in spiritual traps and deception, for those who are struggling with family matters, for those whose parents are in poor health, for outreach and ministries of our church, for a spirit of encouragement to infuse each of us as we praise our Lord, and for a revival of true spirituality right here in Tupelo's Wildwood Baptist Church. Wow! That was a lot in one sentence!
Take some time to simply praise the Lord. I have noticed that when the enemy comes to attack me, and I start thinking about the struggles and the disgruntled, and the attacks upon God's work that I can get really out of sorts. I can get depressed and discouraged. Yet, if I would just stop and thank God for His most abundant blessings, the depression and the discouragement passes on. I have taken the steps into the throne-room of God, and the devils who bring the depression cannot come. Make the time to praise. It should be easier at this time of year, but do it on purpose.
Christmas caroling and fellowship are up for discussion today in our class. Youth Leadership Sunday is today. Be praying for the young people. God best to you!
Monday, December 1, 2008
How to Witness Effectively
Good class yesterday! Brother Mike didn't teach. I am so glad that I didn't hear that :-). We did have a good class time and, no, I did not teach. Instead we watched a video on effective witnessing. Since we have focused on living by faith, it seems like the thought of sharing our faith has paralleled our study. Indeed being a Christian means having faith and demonstrating it through good works. James makes this clear with the verse, "Faith without works is dead being alone."
Next week our study will focus on living a life of faith. Y'all come and bring a friend or two. Some have been working on bringing others and that is great. Trust God for leadership in this area. Pray about our outreach through the week and especially on Saturdays.
Beginning in January a new Sunday School program for kids will start at Wildwood. I am excited about it since it brings in some of the elements of Bible School. Pray with the teaches and workers about this. Wednesday nights in December will be times of preparation towards this goal. Our first quarter theme in 2009 (should the Lord tarry His coming) will be Bible Detectives. Our teens will also be involved and help for a part of the time and then have their own Bible study. Saturdays will be a time to reach out, make contacts, and invite visitors and backsliders to join us.
Praise notes! Both Terry and Mary gave words of rejoicing Sunday concerning their fathers. Both are doing better. Good reports from the doctors. Cari is feeling much better this week. Our services Sunday were blessed with a good Spirit! Praise the Lord for how He works. The songs touched my heart and the preacher had liberty in preaching. God is so good! Keep on praising as well as praying.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Several in the church are in financial need right now. Jobs would be great.
Pray for souls to be saved.
Keep every ministry of the church in prayer. Leave none out.
Pray for our leaders in government both going and coming.
Shandra Wilson is planning to be baptized next Sunday morning.
During these holidays pray especially for our missionaries abroad.
Pray for a spirit of encouragement among Christians. . .that the joy of the Lord would be our strength.
Pray also for those who have been sick, Brother Wilemon and Brother Billy come to mind, but there are others as well.
Pray for my parents traveling in Australia.
During the week, draw near to the Lord and allow Him to give you rest and renewal.
Next week our study will focus on living a life of faith. Y'all come and bring a friend or two. Some have been working on bringing others and that is great. Trust God for leadership in this area. Pray about our outreach through the week and especially on Saturdays.
Beginning in January a new Sunday School program for kids will start at Wildwood. I am excited about it since it brings in some of the elements of Bible School. Pray with the teaches and workers about this. Wednesday nights in December will be times of preparation towards this goal. Our first quarter theme in 2009 (should the Lord tarry His coming) will be Bible Detectives. Our teens will also be involved and help for a part of the time and then have their own Bible study. Saturdays will be a time to reach out, make contacts, and invite visitors and backsliders to join us.
Praise notes! Both Terry and Mary gave words of rejoicing Sunday concerning their fathers. Both are doing better. Good reports from the doctors. Cari is feeling much better this week. Our services Sunday were blessed with a good Spirit! Praise the Lord for how He works. The songs touched my heart and the preacher had liberty in preaching. God is so good! Keep on praising as well as praying.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Several in the church are in financial need right now. Jobs would be great.
Pray for souls to be saved.
Keep every ministry of the church in prayer. Leave none out.
Pray for our leaders in government both going and coming.
Shandra Wilson is planning to be baptized next Sunday morning.
During these holidays pray especially for our missionaries abroad.
Pray for a spirit of encouragement among Christians. . .that the joy of the Lord would be our strength.
Pray also for those who have been sick, Brother Wilemon and Brother Billy come to mind, but there are others as well.
Pray for my parents traveling in Australia.
During the week, draw near to the Lord and allow Him to give you rest and renewal.
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