WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING TODAY? As I was driving to work the other morning, continuing to pray for family and friends, thoughts of so many responsibilities and deadlines and work schedules kept trying to invade my talking with the Lord. Suddenly, my mind took a turn as I heard God speaking to my heart. He brought to me an awareness of just how hard we work – just to survive in these times. How dedicated we are to getting everything done on time and in the best way possible at each job that we go to. And of course, we love the ministry God has given us at Elevation North, and many times we are finishing up preparations late on Saturday night – even going into the middle of the night. And we always say, “Lord, we are doing this because we love You … because we love Your people … and because we love doing Your work! We count it a precious privilege – it’s not work, it’s not a job, it’s a high calling! So, help us, Lord ~ anoint us by Your Spirit!” But, God seemed to be nudging me strongly to really see that we work SO hard for earthly things that will not last. Sure, many of these things are necessary: a home, a vehicle to drive, food to eat, clothes to wear, and a long ongoing list of so many expenses. But you have to admit, all of us work hard to pay for them. And none of that will last – only what has eternal value will last! And as I thought about all of this, God began putting in my heart a question: “What would happen if you worked that hard for Me? If you put that much time and effort into our relationship? Or the ministry I have called you to? Or helping those in need? Or purposely seeking ways to make an eternal difference in the lives of people around you?” All I could say was, “Wow, Lord!” Because I got it! It made so much sense! We put so much effort and time and money into living here – in our temporary lifetime in our temporary home going to our temporary jobs – none of which will last forever. And God gets so little of us in comparison. Sure, we love Him, with all our hearts, we say. But does our devotion and dedication and service to Him match up with our words? Suddenly, our deep desire to return to full-time ministry washed over me in huge waves, and I just said, “God, we’re doing all we can – and I just don’t know how to make it happen, but I know YOU do! And we WILL pursue You and Your work with the same passion and devotion and hard work that we give to our jobs, because we know that what we do for You WILL last forever! So, show us, Lord!” And of course, right now we’re still going to our jobs and giving it our all, and blended in with that, while God has us in this season of our lives until the full-time ministry season returns … we WILL be about our Father’s business, because ALL of us can be ministers for Him in the marketplace – touching lives with the love and compassion and gospel of Christ, bringing about eternal changes that WILL last forever! We challenge you to pursue Christ and His Kingdom work, along with us, with the same energy and focus and commitment that cause you to excel at your earthly work, so that He might be glorified and His work in us and through us might be accomplished in these crucial days. Christ is coming soon; let’s make each day count for Him!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- PARTAKING OF COMMUNION this past Sunday was a powerful reminder of all Christ did for us on the cross; and searching our hearts, asking forgiveness, knowing we are cleansed – is an important part of remembering!
- BIRTHDAYS, BIRTHDAYS GALORE in September … special wishes to Cierra, whose birthday is this Sunday, the 13th … and belatedly to Destiny, whose birthday was last Sunday, the 6th, also to Hope (Sept. 1st), Michael, Jr. (Sept. 3rd), and Michael, Sr. (Sept. 5th)! May God bless each of you with His very best! If we missed your date this week, please let us know!
- FOR EACH OF YOU who support Elevation North with your weekly tithes and offerings, we pray God’s richest blessings on you, as you give faithfully to God’s work! Continue planting those seeds and see what He will do! We add and subtract … HE MULTIPLIES!!!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, is GRANDPARENT’S DAY! We invite YOU to join us as we honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with our worship and adoration, as well as honoring our grandparents who are such an awesome influence in the lives of their grandchildren! You won’t want to miss this service where we open our hearts to love and praise and learn and pray and fellowship! Bring your Bibles and continue reading in Malachi in preparation for Pastor Doug’s timely message from chapter 3!
- STARTING THIS SUNDAY will be our Sunday School classes for all ages from toddlers through adults, following our worship time, at 11:15 a.m. - with new materials and resources that promise to be exciting and challenging, drawing us deeper in our walk with God! Be in prayer for our teachers and helpers as they teach God’s Word! Invite some friends!!
- TIME CHANGE for JR/SR HI YOUTH for the school year: 6:30-8:00 p.m. weekly at Pastor Doug’s and Debbie’s home! Join us this week on the 15th as we begin our Bible study and come together for a great time as a group, sharing, eating, and continuing on fun adventures! Think of who you can invite … let’s grow our group and introduce our friends to our Jesus! We don’t want them to miss out on the BEST!
- WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE in St. Paul on Friday/Saturday, October 16-17th at the Xcel Energy Center. This year it’s “A GRAND NEW DAY!” event with two full days plus two lunches for $89/individual seat or $79 for a group of ten or more. You will be blessed beyond words and filled to overflowing as you take in these incredible speakers and musicians, all of your favorites – plus special guest, Steven Curtis Chapman! See Debbie or Tina to reserve your spot and turn in your money. Deadline to register and get seats is coming up soon! Plan to attend ~ you’ll never regret it and will never want to miss it again! Friday schedules are from 10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7 – 10 p.m. / Saturday schedules are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ~ then back home!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES . . .
- What a privilege to pray for others! We encourage you to be in prayer daily for: Josh and Sarah and Noah who are in Cape Town, South Africa attending and ministering at the University of Nations Conference right now – and additionally for Sarah, who is pregnant!; Julia’s brother in the liver transplant process; our new church families; special unspoken requests; Clint and Kristina’s house to sell and at full value!; all of our students locally and in college; our pastors and government leaders and our president – that God might work victories and miracles in our midst as well as in our nation and around the world! Let’s be on our knees!!!
- THIS WEEK – Remember … “Your Heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day … For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:30-32) And, Billy Graham once said, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s going to turn out all right!”
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
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