Elevation North has News for You!

FIFTY PLUS YEARS AGO a woman faced not only a life-threatening medical diagnosis – but after six surgeries, she was told by the doctors that there was no more they could do for her. Scores of pastors and other believers prayed for her – even in occasional all-night vigils. Throughout what seemed to be a long process, God healed her, and thirty years later she made this statement: “Every added day of living is an adventure in serving the Lord.” Today – THIS DAY – we would like to paraphrase that quote and say that: “Every day of living is an adventure in serving the Lord.” WOW! Even if we’ve not had to struggle with a terminal illness and then been healed of it … it seems that each day presents enough of its own problems and challenges to become an adventure in serving the Lord! Some days it takes EVERYTHING within us to claim those promises in the Word. Sometimes it takes every last ounce of focus and listening power to hear God’s still small voice speaking to us. Some moments are defining moments when the battle is so fierce or the decision is so difficult, that we wonder if we’re going to make it. Sometimes we doubt even ourselves and feel like a failure. How many of you can relate? Have YOU ever felt this way? Perhaps this man’s story will ignite something fresh and new within you and help you move forward in that adventure! This man’s name is Jerry Savelle – and he said that when he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, he told God, “Lord, do You know what You’re getting when You get me? I’m a failure!” And in his heart, he heard God’s response: “Don’t worry, son. I’m a Master at making champions out of failures!” We LOVE that … whatever we’ve been in the past, wherever we’ve been in the past, however we’ve felt about ourselves - or whichever way we’ve seen ourselves in the past … doesn’t really matter to God. He specializes in the present, erases the past, and advances us into the future He has planned for us! And in that whole process … He is carving away at the failure image we have of ourselves … and amazingly – A CHAMPION emerges! And just what is a champion? Well, we believe a champion is someone who realizes it’s not how many times they’ve been down – or knocked down … it’s how many times they’ve gotten UP! Like we heard another pastor say recently: “With God, we’re not down. We’re either up – or getting up!” So this coming week, remind yourself in those moments when you feel discouraged and down, when you have God with you, you’re just getting up one more time, and soon you’re ALL the way back up! And SEE YOURSELF as the champion God created you to be! Remember that you were created in the image of God to reflect His nature – and there is NO failure in Him! (Genesis, chapter 1) THIS PAST SUNDAY’S MESSAGE zeroed in on Jesus’ conversation with Peter in the second part of John chapter 21, where He asks Peter if he loves Him. He doesn’t just ask the question once, or about only one level of love. He digs to the core of Peter’s heart. Yet, the amazing thing about Jesus is that not once did He mention Peter’s denial of Him in the Garden before His crucifixion. But Peter knew that Jesus knew. And Jesus just went on to reinstate Peter when He instructed him to “Feed My Sheep” – period – no options. And then Jesus tells Peter to “follow Him.” What a picture of total forgiveness and opportunity to be used of God once again! Oh, for the heart of Jesus! And oh, that we would have His heart and “feed His sheep.” How awesome that God doesn’t just want us to become His children – and that’s the end of it! He instructs us to feed each other, as well! So, lets’ look for God-appointed opportunities to do that!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WHAT A GREAT TIME the youth had while taking posters around town to advertise for the upcoming Lundstrom rally this week … who knows what dividends their time invested will pay off in Eternity?!
- HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS to view “Fireproof” come out of the Couples Movie Night … every married couple should watch this together! It will prove to be relationship-changing if taken to heart and put intoaction! Special thanks to the Bucholz’ for hosting the evening!

- CONTINUE TO PRAY for the Seykora’s – now back from ministering in Papua, New Guinea – and planning to come back to the States for a short visit soon – and then returning for ongoing ministry in Perth, Australia as God has led them to commit their time there. May they be anointed and refreshed for each day!

- URGENT UNSPOKEN PRAYER REQUEST ~ be in fervent prayer for a desperately needed MIRACLE!!!

- THIS WEEK ~
- YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND our very first MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA this Saturday, May 2nd, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Senior Place, 500 Dunnell Drive. Come for a special time planned by Hazel ~ with refreshments of food, music … and the message by Debbie Jones. You will be encouraged and blessed as you share this occasion with other moms and daughters! Call right away if you have any extra guests coming! DON’T MISS IT!!

- LOOKING AHEAD ~
- MAY 5, Tuesday – SR HI YOUTH at the home of Pastor D and Debbie from 6:30-8:00 p.m./Invite a friend!
- MAY 7, Thursday – NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE – your opportunity to pray for our nation!
- MAY 10, Sunday – MOTHER’S DAY/RALLY with Larry and Gloria Lundstrom of Sisseton, SD, who have criss-crossed the U.S. and Canada for over 40 years. Together, they share a heart for families in crisis/ They have personally encountered and have seen the condition of the traditional family as terminal and fading fast with divorce, domestic violence and addictions. All of these are tearing homes apart. Larry and Gloria come to offer spiritual “first-aid” to families in crisis. Their unique down-to-earth presentation of the Gospel through music and heart rendering ministry touches lives. PLAN NOW to attend this life-impacting rally. BRING A FRIEND WITH YOU ~ that their life might be touched as well! A freewill offering for their ministry will be taken.

- THIS SUNDAY, John chapter 10 will be the text for Pastor D’s message on the Good Shepherd and His flock and what meaning is in this scripture for us today – about God’s care for us as His people – and about what Satan tries to steal and withhold from us. You will want to join us at 10:00 a.m. for a great time of focused praise and worship and fellowship in the presence of the Lord! We look forward to seeing YOU on Sunday!

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .