SEEP INTO EVERY SECTOR OF OUR LIVES, LORD!!! I heard that phrase last evening, and something in my heart leaped in such a way that I knew it would be the springboard for my message this week! A CBN reporter named Wendy Griffith has written a book titled, “Praying the News”. We all know how upsetting, frustrating, and even traumatizing the daily newscasts can be at times. And what do we do about it? We vent, we complain, we worry, we wring our hands, and we blame others. How often do we ever pray about the news that disturbs us so? Do we ever stop and pray about a topic that made the headlines, other than tragic weather events? You’re probably thinking … “that’s just one more thing to add to my already overly busy life; how do I stretch myself any further?” I can empathize. I really can, believe me! But what I propose today is that we don’t add this one more thing to our lives – how about we just replace what we are already doing with something better? We are already getting stressed over the news and we expend all kinds of energy to make our opinions known. So what if we just give that up and every time we hear the news and feel like blowing a cork, how about we just turn that negative energy into a focused, powerful prayer on behalf of the news situation? I have not yet read the book I mentioned, but I have a strong sense that we could effect huge changes in our nation if we responded to the news with prayer each time, rather than how most of us have responded all of our lives. Just imagine America being a nation who prayed her news, rather than being reactionary in ways that drain our hopes and our dreams. The fact is: we can STILL become a nation that prays the news. What would happen if I would start … and YOU would start … and OTHERS would start? We could be the tiny spark that ignites a nation of people who PRAYS THE NEWS – rather than fears it or hates it! Wouldn’t God just love an ever-increasing nucleus of people whose prayers turned the tide of the news stories? The author, Wendy, mentioned three things that are crucial to seeing our nation changed: humility, unity, and faith. I agree, and I am sure you do, too! Back to the first word I spoke in this message: seep! The dictionary states that seep means “ooze” or “pass gradually”. When I equate that meaning into inviting God into every sector of our lives, I think of asking Him to pour Himself into every part of how we live. When something oozes, it runs into every available spot and fills it in. That’s how much a part of our lives I think God wants to be! I don’t think He wants to just be a part of our homes or our families or our jobs … I think He wants to be a part of everything that happens 24-7. That takes some seeping, some oozing – that is, if we’ll let Him be that much a part of our lives. If we will let Him come in at that level, we’ll begin to see some amazing changes in us, personally, and we’ll start to see a noticeable ripple effect. We will look different. We’ll sound different. So will our families. Our churches. Our workplaces. Our towns. And ultimately, our nation. Yes, even our news! Why? Because we’ve been praying not only our news, but every happening in our life. For every struggle, we name it and pray it. For every blessing, we name it and thank God for it. That’s a prayer, you know! When we start taking the blinders off and seeing our world as it really is, I think that in itself should be enough to shock us into wanting to do something about it. After all, we have to live in it. And if we don’t like very much about it, then we should see ourselves as a catalyst that will help swing it back to God and to the values that really matter! News is important, you know. It can sway public and personal opinion. It can set the mood of the entire country – or even the world. It speaks loudly and carries much weight. It should always be only truth. So often it contains little truth or slanted truth, at best. Yet people believe it. It is the basis for much decision making. Wouldn’t you love to turn on the news and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it could be counted on as pure truth? Wouldn’t you love to check out the news and hear something positive and uplifting as the headline story? Long ago, God gave us such news when He sent out the heavenly news anchors from HOPE.3.16 – and they broadcast live on the hillsides of Judea to the waiting world. Get this … the first words out of the angels’ mouths were: “Do not be afraid …”. Have you ever heard that when you turned on any of the news channels? And then they went on to say, “ … for behold I bring you good news …”. How we’d love to hear THAT each night! But that wasn’t all – they went on, “ … of a great joy which will come to all the people.” Not everyone understood. But for generations they had prayed for the Messiah to come. “For unto you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!” (Luke 2:10-12) What great news they heard that night! Yet, sadly, not all of them received it. This new Christmas season, may we all hear and receive the Good News of Jesus’ birth! And then … may we become news pray-ers and news bearers as we allow God to seep into every nook and cranny of our entire being!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- BOUNTIFULLY BLESSED! That’s what we were this past Sunday! We were blessed with a great message on gratitude; with great worship and fellowship amongst God’s people; and great food as we celebrated around the tables with each other! And above all, we were blessed with the Spirit of God as His presence filled His House and our hearts!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to David’s family members who came to worship with us for the first time! We loved having each of you come to share with us; how you blessed us! May God bless you abundantly!
- BIRTHDAY WISHES are being sent out to Sierra on November 27th, and to Deondre on November 28th! May your celebrations and the year to come be blessed in every way!
- OUR THANKS & APPRECIATION to all of our families who provided such an abundance of delicious foods for our Thanksgiving luncheon this past Sunday! We heard so many comments of how enjoyable it was!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP beginning our new series of messages called “The Mysteries of Christmas” with Pastor Doug sharing from scriptures in the Old and the New Testaments. This week we will take a look at scriptures in the book of Isaiah. Don’t miss the wonder of this incredible season – and bring someone with you to celebrate the Reason for the Season!
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION – Sunday School Classes for all ages; including puppet ministry for the little ones and younger children!
- NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / AFTERNOON YOUTH EVENT!
- CHRISTMAS CAROLING out in our Community - w/Chili and Soup Luncheon to follow! Watch for date & full details!!! Be sure to sign up if you are going caroling with us; and add your name to the Chili/Soup list!!!
- DECEMBER 24TH: 6:00 P.M. - CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE; bring your entire family to celebrate Jesus’ birth in this very special gathering!
- DECEMBER 25TH: 10:00 A.M. – CHRISTMAS SUNDAY CELEBRATION in honor of Jesus’ birthday!
- WATCH FOR A FULL LIST OF CHRISTMAS MINISTRIES in next week’s church blog, including our special 2011 Christmas Project to bless a family in need of our generosity!
- PRAYER BRINGS HOPE! And there’s nothing more that our sponsored children, Tarike and Daouda, need than the hope that answered prayer brings! Remember them each day, as well as our own church families and others from near and far that we are praying for! There is such an attack on believers as well as on those in ministries, whether here in America or abroad – we really need to pray for each other! Let’s also lift up those who give so much to protect us and preserve our freedom! Let’s be on bended knee!!!
- REMEMBER . . . “May God’s very character seep into every part of your character … until you act like Him, look like Him, and carry the very aroma of Christ!”
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
