DO YOU EVER FEEL ANEMIC? No … we don’t mean physically. We mean spiritually! Just as thermometers read our body temperatures, so there are indicators for measuring our spiritual temps. And in recent days both of us are experiencing a deeper heart’s cry than ever before that God’s church (that’s us, in this present world) will become more hot-blooded and on fire for Christ than ever before – that’s right … ever before. We look around and see a rapid, rising incline of people who are just along for the ride … not even going through the motions. There is total disinterest, lack of regard and respect for things of God, empty of an appetite for God and knowing Him more, without a sense of urgency for reaching the lost. And if our hearts cry, think what God’s heart does. He longs for a people who will be fully engaged in walking in His ways. Who will run after Him and passionately pursue Him. Who will actively seek Him through His Word and diligently study to get to know Him better. Who will strive for holiness and godliness in every part of our character. Who will take Him at His Word and believe Him literally. Who will step out in faith, no matter what the risk. Who will honor Him with our best, not just with whatever. Who will worship with expectation and excitement and exaltation. Who will strive to live Kingdom lives on this earth: God’s way, not ours. You might be saying, yeah, that all sounds good; but how can anyone really get there – and live that way? Well, the first step of course, is accepting Jesus into our hearts as our personal Lord and Savior, being forgiven of our sins through His shed blood on Calvary. Secondly, living the way God longs for us to live as His children, happens only through the power of the Holy Spirit and the shed blood of Jesus. When we’re not walking as we should as God’s children and as God’s church … then there’s a blood problem. Or lack of it. In the physical realm, anemia means “an inadequate supply of hemoglobin and red blood cells”. And when there’s not an adequate supply of life-giving blood in our bodies, we become sluggish and cold and are not able to function like we should. When that happens in our spiritual lives: ditto! When the shed blood of Jesus is not flowing in us and through us, the outward result is that we are spiritually sluggish and cooled off and we do not function in the body of Christ like we should. It all comes down to a blood problem. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in our body from the lungs to our tissues. We cannot survive without it. And bottom line, the church cannot survive without the shed blood of Jesus! Too many churches and believers have gotten away from the blood of Jesus and the cross of Calvary, but without it, the church is anemic. Ineffective. Stifled. Out of breath. Out of power. Dying. It cannot survive. Dear ones, that is not a church that God can take pleasure in or work through. Let us say this: Elevation North was birthed out of pain and healing, and with a calling and a vision to make a huge difference in our world around us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s not be like so many others around this nation and around the world who are taking the cross and the blood of Jesus out of the church – because it’s a different generation! We can relate to this generation and should, but we’ll never change it without the power of the cross and the shed blood of Jesus. We’ll only carry an anemic message, and they’ll only see us as anemic people and look upon us with disdain. Our heart’s cry is that they will see Jesus in us, that they will see us empowered and impassioned, and about our Father’s business, as His blood courses through our very veins. With every breath we take, may we remember the day we met Jesus – and may we be focused on introducing Him to others who do not yet know Him! With every breath we take, may we live so we represent our Lord well! Our looks, our attitude, our words, our actions, our desires. How we live should be anything but anemic – we should be spiritually strong and healthy and bold and powerful! May God not have to be ashamed of us, but may we truly look like His bride, without spot or wrinkle. We join Paul as he writes, saying, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, your are our glory and joy.” (I Thessalonians 2:19-20)
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WHAT A PRIVILEGE it was to worship together last Sunday and partake of Communion together, remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross and through His resurrection!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Matthew who came to worship with us for the first time; may God bless you!
- OUR THANKS & APPRECIATION to the Rogers family for the candy-filled piñata that they provided for the Sunday School children after class-time! What a great time the kids had!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8th:
- 10:00 a.m. – WORSHIP & PRAISE – plan to join us in God’s House for an incredible time in God’s presence!
- 11:15 a.m. – SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES – w/lessons to draw us closer to God – on all age levels!
- THIS TUEDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, JR/SR HI YOUTH, RE: FUEL, will be picked up right after school and will be delivering packets containing the Invitation CD and our church brochure as we do the Evangelism Blitz in our neighboring community of Medford. THANKS to all of our youth for helping fill nearly 500 packets to share Christ with those who do not know Christ, and to bring encouragement to those who do! We will be praying over these packets on Sunday at church, for God’s favor to be upon us as we deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ! Youth, be sure to dress warmly and bring money for a stop for dinner at McDonalds. Anyone interested in helping us out is invited to join us. Call Pastor D!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- What a faithful God we have! He comes with surprises and favor and blessings that no one else can provide, but best of all, He comes with His salvation and love and that relationship above all others! A few days ago we received a phone call from Perth, Australia telling us the news that Seykora’s little boy had stopped breathing in the night (with a high fever). The good news is that after CPR from daddy and lots of prayers and being checked at the hospital, Noah is going to be just fine! Continue praying for Noah’s complete recovery, and for God’s peace for Josh and Sarah! Thanks to the prayer chain individuals for praying!!! Be in daily prayer for Julia, her brother, Kathy, Sean, Ron in Turkey, Bucholz’ upcoming move & the sale of their home, family relationships, spiritual growth, for our evangelism outreach, for those serving God here & around the world, for our nation, our leaders, and our military, for God’s leading and protection over us!
- THIS WEEK . . . Remember, “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” C.S. Lewis
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
