ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

WANNA KNOW?  Wanna know five things you can’t recover in life?  1.  A stone after it’s thrown.  2.  A word after it’s said.  3.  Time after it’s gone.  4.  Trust after it’s lost.  5.  An occasion after it’s missed.  (Saw this printed on something, and it kind of jumped out at me!)  After all, we are still in the first month of the year.  And while many people don’t even bother with making New Year’s resolutions, still there’s a part of us that decides having a fresh start is a great time to turn over a new leaf and make some changes for the better!  But, let’s be honest.  Just how long do these changes last?  One day?  One week?  Maybe a few weeks? Then what?  Back to the old routine.  And if we disliked it enough to want to change it, then why are we back where we started?  Just maybe we don’t have the right direction in life … or more importantly and most likely, we do not have the Right Person directing us and giving us the power to follow those directions!  So, how ARE you doing so far this year?  Are you completely happy with your performance?  If not, then join us in this January commitment to not just pray, but to pray AND fast!  We can do lots of things in life if we strive hard enough and do not deter from our goal.  But … being human, often we run out of energy or time, even motivation.  And we for sure, get distracted from our focus so easily.  Life happens – and so much for our resolution to make changes!  Down the drain … we messed up again!  So we just let it go – for another year, struggling with the same things for the next 12 months.  You know, it doesn’t have to be this way!  It IS possible to live a life that doesn’t always leave us with regrets that so much cannot be recovered, that it’s gone … lost … missed.  Is it possible on our own?  No, no.  We need God’s help and His perspective.  And His Word tells us that sometimes it takes more than prayer alone; it takes prayer and fasting!  Isaiah 58:6 tells us about some breakthroughs that come through fasting:  “Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”  You see, when things in our lives are not easy, it takes the sacrifice of a fast to break the strongholds.  Fasting is not easy – but it is powerful and precious – and God steps up His response to our seriousness about what we are praying about!  When we fast, GOD ALWAYS SHOWS UP!  Fasting gets God’s attention quickly – and the enemy HAS to flee!  I’ve heard it put this way:  Satan has a furious vendetta against us – that’s why God has a furious LOVE for us!  My husband will be preaching a message about prayer and fasting this Sunday morning that will answer some of your questions about “why should I fast?”  One answer is “when we obey God’s commands through prayer and fasting, we release blessings into all areas of our lives.”  Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”  And of all the blessings that come, the highest to be treasured is the deeper intimacy with God that we will experience!  We realize that not everyone can fast from food, due to medical issues; but how about the need for all of us to fast from wrong thinking?  Under that heading falls a multitude of things – like fear and doubt.  Does that strike a chord?  See, God will show you what kind of a fast He is leading you to do that will bring spiritual victories, freedoms, and breakthroughs … in the Name of Jesus – and for the glory of God!  We encourage YOU to join our corporate church fast this week! 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

 

WE ARE EXCITED about the things God has in store for us as a result of our Annual Visionary Meeting this past Sunday!  You will see the fruits of the planning and discussion in the next few weeks as we put things into action!  Be praying for your church!

 

SUN, JAN 27^TH:                                     

10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP                                       

10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHURCH                           

MON, JAN 28^TH:                                    

6:30-8:00 P.M. – RE:FUEL YOUTH                                

WED, JAN 30^TH:                                    

7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY                

905 El Dorado St. SE, Owatonna                         

THU, JAN 31^ST:                                     

7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY                       

165 24^th Place NW, Owatonna                             

SAT, FEB 2^ND:                                       

9:00 A.M. – MEN’S FELLOWSHIP and                 

LADIES PRAISE & PRAYER                                

10:00 A.M. – ADVISORY BOARD MTG   

COMING UP:

SUN, FEB 3:

5:00 P.M. - Super/Souper Bowl Party

at 165 24th Place NW, Owatonna

SAT, FEB 16:

5:00 P.M. - "A Sweet Night Out"

at the Timberlodge

 

ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

Our first Advisory Board was appointed and announced this past Sunday:  David, James, Marty, Robert, and Wayne.  This group of men are coming alongside Pastor D for spiritual support and leadership, and will be meeting once a month.  Any major changes and business decisions will always come before the entire congregation for approval.  Please hold these men of God up in prayer, for wisdom and discernment as they stand by our pastor in leading the church through Christ-like example.

 

 

REMEMBER . . . “My God is changeless in His love for me, and He will come and help me.  ~  Psalm 59;10

 

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie