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Two-gether
We Can |
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Our
pastor has been preaching a series titled 'Together We Can', with hopes of
encouraging our congregation to continue reaching out to all our visitors
and attendee’s... and energizing us to reach out beyond the church
walls. As I listen, I take 'mental' notes and the thought that struck me
this week is the word together. His messages are geared around the members
and those who regularly attend to work 'together' in bringing people into
the church. The primary goal is (or should be) to introduce people to
Jesus and bring them into His kingdom. Of course there are the practical
concerns of increasing the size of any churches membership as well. The
practical reasons are manifold. One of them is for increased giving, which
helps continue the programs and missions of any church. Another, increased
attendance has the benefit of more willing workers. The unfortunate fact
is in any organization, most work is done by ten to twenty percent of the
regular attendees. As I listened, I couldn't help but think about the word 'together' and how it could be looked at. I guess I'd say it should be thought of as this: 'Two-gether'. Because so many of the things we try to do, we can't do on our own. Recalling the scripture about the man who came to Jesus asking that a demon be cast out of his son, we learn that the disciples had done all they could, without positive results. After Jesus cast the demon out of the man's son, the disciples asked, "Why could we not cast him out?" Jesus' answer was "This kind can come out by nothing except by prayer and fasting." On their own, even those closest to Jesus couldn't do what He'd told them they'd be able to do. Could they have misunderstood their mission? Did they somehow feel that Jesus had transferred His powers to them? I don't know, but He answered their question by letting them know where the power is and from where it comes. Prayer and fasting was His answer. Two-gether, one person and God.... or, 'Two-gether we can'. I knew a man who was 'On Fire' for Jesus as we all should be. But along his way, he began to put too much of his faith in 'his faith'. He'd become an orderly in a Care Facility. As he moved from room to room, he began to pray for each patient. This is a wonderful and powerful thing to do. But, he began to feel as if his faith would be enough to bring healing for those he prayed for. Then, he saw some healings occur in miraculous fashion, which bolstered his faith in 'his faith'. He was certain 'he' had become a conduit for God's healing and began telling patients 'his' prayers for them, coupled with 'his' faith would heal them. All of us should have a faith like his, but... none of us should feel 'I' am God's 'right hand person'. In truth, God doesn't 'need' you or me to do anything! You and I are not important at any level in His miracles. We may be in the right place at the right time and our prayers and faith do matter, but nothing God does is dependant on you or me. Prayer and fasting isn't channeling or calling down God's powers. Prayer and Fasting is expressing our faith in His power and pleading for His grace for another or us. They are exercises in worship of His love, grace, power, mercy and glory. Prayer and fasting is a penance, punishment, payment or calling in a debt... they're worship, contrition, obedience and submission. Prayer and fasting don't change or affect God... they change and affect you and me. Two-gether We Can! Dan F's liver and heart transplant surgeries were successful. He received both January 1. Our pastor reported that his new heart began beating immediately. Blood pressure needs to be stabilized and he will most likely be living away from home for several weeks. Dan asks our prayers for the family of the organ donor. Baby Bailey came into this world New Year's Eve. She was born unable to breathe, with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. After a frantic 40 minutes, she began breathing on her own and all appears to be well. Her mother Tiffany suffered excessive bleeding, possibly caused from a rupture due to the difficulties in the birth. Please pray for Baby Bailey, mother Tiffany and big sister Destiny. Jane (my sister's friend) is to have a biopsy Wednesday to examine some questionable tissue. Jane is a 20-year survivor of breast cancer. Please pray her biopsy results will be clear and she'll continue to be cancer free. Nancy has moved to her daughter's house and is still having problems with high blood sugar. This complicates her recovery efforts after a stroke. Please pray for Nancy, her daughter Wendy and all their family as Nancy works to regain her health. Sharon hadn't heard from her sister Belle for a couple of days. After traveling to check on her, Belle was found to have died. Please pray for Belle's family, students and friends. Joe was taken to the hospital with pain between his shoulder blades. He is to have a heart cath. Pray for Joe, wife Marsha and family. Two-gether we can, Father. On my own, I can affect no healing, cast out no demons or reflect Jesus in my life. If I count on Jesus and ask His help... I can be of help. I know You don't need me for anything. I'm honored that You allow me to help as the hands and feet of Jesus, working Your works on earth. May I always remember I am little more than an obstacle, till I turn to You in prayer. Thank You for allowing me to witness and receive Your grace. In an act of submission I invite Jesus into my heart and life. I confess I am a sinner and ask forgiveness as I forgive other sinners. I lift these cares: Dan F, Organ Donor's families, Baby Bailey - mother Tiffany - sister Destiny, Jane, Nancy - Wendy & family, Belle's family & friends, Joe - Marsha & family, Ed's family, Steve, Virginia, Megan, Connie, Chris, Amber, Ginny, Susie & Miles P, Kathy, Kristen - Chryl - Jim, Smokey, Carolyn's mom & family, John, James - Rockie - Stacie & family, Groeber family, Eldon & Delores, Scott - Linda & children, Cheryl, Terry, Adam, Ruby, Wilma, Maria - Lucas - Sierra, Keith, Donna, Cheryl, Alethea, Glenna, Glenn, YWAM missionaries, Lettie - Gayla & Barry, Terry, Chuck, Ben, Mary, Shawn & Heidi, June, Johnnie, Ken, Chris, Dale, James B, Misty, Dianna, Carley, Victoria, Ralph - wife & son, Doug & Debbie D, Brandelyn & Brock, Meg, Lisa & sister, John, Katy, adoption of Grace, Don, Dean, Kera, Steve V, Tina, Seth, Larry C, Becky, Larry S, John & Carolyn, Jason, Jay & Rick, Linda, Delores, Gary, Melinda, Glen, Lisa, Nadia, David, Beulah, Aaron, John S, Ian, Lynda, Thelma, Mike, Rosetta, Carolyn, Kaitlyn, Judy, Tim, Austin, Pam, Lou, Larry, Pastor Dave, Margaret, Ruth, Rick, Carla & children, Baby Kurt - his family, John, Rick, Stan, Lynn, Roger & family, Tom, Valerie, Judy, Paul, Allen Michael, Irene's family, Lacey, Bobby, Donald, Amy - her daughters & husband, Lucinda, Summer & family, Steve, Matt - his 2 year old son & family, Richard, Ma Glenda, Charlie, Amy, Karen, Tia, Ron, Patsy, Leola, Don, Jack, Wendy, Eula & her family, Rob & family, Iris, Carrie - Brandon, Judy, Freddy, Arianne, Corey, Robin & husband, Mark, Georgiana, Martha, T. J., Jerry & Donna, Cubby, Bill, Ted, Silas, Julia, Cathy - Brandon & Ed, Fran, Kris, Joe, Kristie, Mike, Pat, David, Dylan, John, Robin & husband, Eric, Ray, Heather - Scott & family, Warren, Thelma, Bergen, Kenny, Dawn, Jeff & Vicky, Myra, Frances, Jim, Ron, Phil, Randi, Jack, Randy, Dick, Larry & Vicki, Pam, Dave, Archie, Gary, Josh, Tim, Catherine, Lisa - Sam, Woody, Curt, Dustin, Larry, Burt, Jack, Cline, Johnnie, John, Lynn, Norma, Olivia, Drew, Our loved ones in need of salvation and guidance, all who are dependent, depressed or grieving, Those fighting / working for freedom and safety from terror, neglected / abused / missing children, God's servants and churches, those looking for work, in rehab programs, our own families and everyone we hold dear in our hearts. In Jesus' name I pray.... Amen. Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. And immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. And seeing that a crowd is running together, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter no more into him! And the spirit cried out, throwing him into convulsions, and came out of him. And he was like one dead, so that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And He entering into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could we not cast him out? And He said to them, This kind can come out by nothing except by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:23-29 MKJV |
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