ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

SO GLAD THAT OUR GOD IS A HANDS-ON GOD!  He’s always been that way, you know.  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light,”  “God saw that the light was good …”.  God said … God said … God said … and each day for six days what He spoke into being came to be, including the man He created in His own image … “male and female He created them.”   God blessed Adam and Eve and instructed them to increase and rule over the creatures of the earth.  Hundreds of years later, the Lord’s call came to Abram and He told him, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you.”  Much later Joseph in Egypt revealing to his brothers who he was, urged them not to be distressed or angry with themselves that years ago they had sold him into slavery.  “ … because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”  Fast forward and there stands Moses glued to the sight of a burning bush.  Out of that bush, Moses personally receives his call to rescue the nation of Israel from their suffering.  “Moses! Moses! … So now go.  I am sending you to Pharoah to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”  I love how God gave Moses step-by-step instructions during the season of the ten plagues that He sent upon the Egyptians; things like:  “Go to Pharoah and say … Stretch out your staff … Get up early in the morning … Take … and toss … Confront Pharoah … Tell the people … put the blood on the doorframes of the houses … and when I see the blood, I will pass over you“.  When we think we cannot do something God is calling us to, He always gives us exactly what we need to accomplish His purpose – even if it takes detailed instructions!  Even back then, our God was a hands-on God and He led His people through the thick and thin of life – to victory!  There was just one catch, though.  Yup, they had to follow those instructions and actually do them!  Do you think there is some correlation here between the example of what God did – and what He expects us to do?  He is our God – and we are His people.  He is the Teacher – and we are His students.  He is our Father – and we are His children.  Do you see the relationship emerging?  I have a sense that if God is hands-on in how He deals with people and with circumstances; He also wants us to be that way with the people we encounter in our journey on this earth so that His kingdom purposes might be accomplished.  When struggles were thrust upon the children of Israel, God took action.  When life’s struggles come against us, God is prodding us to take action.  We are NOT to just sit back and take what comes our way!  We have a much greater calling than that, you see.  What does He have for us to do?  His final words before ascending into Heaven were that we should “go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey all of His commands.”  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “we must pay careful attention … to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”  We are to fix our thoughts and our eyes on Jesus and not harden our hearts.  Scripture tells us to encourage each other every day and to hold firmly to the faith we profess to have.  What are we professing?  It should be the true gospel message that Jesus suffered and sacrificed for our sins once and for all when He offered Himself on the cross.  (Hebrews 7:27b)  We need to draw near to God and hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  We are to “be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” – for that is what faith really is.  We are to throw off everything that hinders us, as well as the sins that so easily entrap and entangle us.  We are to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Consider what Jesus did so you will not grow weary and lose heart!  Further, we are to make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy.  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”  (Hebrews 12:28-29)  These instructions from scripture barely scratch the surface when it comes to focusing on what God did down through the ages – and what He is still doing as He seeks to engage us in hands-on service for His kingdom on earth!  Are you ready and willing to put on your gloves and go to work for God?!  We’ve got some unfinished business that God has called us to take care of!  



WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK . . .

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Virginia and to Jenna who worshipped with us for the first time this past Sunday!  God bless you!

THIS SUNDAY, SEP 22:
10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP
10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH
(See Debbie for available Women of Faith tickets today!)

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY BIBLE "DOING" / SEP 25-26 / 7:00 P.M.
WED - Digging into Hebrews chapter 1 at the church
THU - Continuing in I Peter chapter 3 at 905 El Dorado Street SE

ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

Calling all ladies to consider attending this year’s Women of Faith Conference in St. Paul just four weeks from now!  Set aside a Friday afternoon/Saturday to “Believe God Can Do Anything!”  You will experience music that moves, stories that strengthen, and teaching that transforms!  It’s almost time to head to the Xcel Energy Center and bond with your sisters in Christ!  This is also a perfect opportunity to invite someone who does not know Christ personally – they will definitely meet Him there!  See Debbie for a short meeting following worship today to go over final details and to have your questions answered!

REMEMBER . . . “If you experience God’s love at your lowest, you’ll know it has nothing to do with your condition – and everything to do with God’s amazing grace!” ~ Unknown  


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .


Pastor Doug and Debbie