Friday, August 22, 2008

 

 
 

Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Matthew 16:24
 New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

 


Faith Focus

Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence. 

 

 

The Offence Of The Natural

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."

Galatians 5:2

 

 

The natural life is not sinful; we must be apostatized from sin, have nothing to do with sin in any shape or form. Sin belongs to hell and the devil; I, as a child of God, belong to heaven and God. It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence and self-assertiveness, and this is where the battle has to be fought. It is the things that are right and noble and good from the natural stand point that keep us back from God's best. To discern that natural virtues antagonize surrender to God, is to bring our soul into the centre of its greatest battle. Very few of us debate with the sordid and evil and wrong, but we do debate with the good. It is the good that hates the best, and the higher up you get in the scale of the natural virtues, the more intense is the opposition to Jesus Christ. "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh" - it is going to cost the natural in you everything, not something. Jesus said - "If any man will be My disciple, let him deny himself," i.e., his right to himself, and a man has to realize Who Jesus Christ is before he will do it. Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence.

The natural life is not spiritual, and it can only be made spiritual by sacrifice. If we do not resolutely sacrifice the natural, the supernatural can never become natural in us. There is no royal road there; each of us has it entirely in his own bands. It is not a question of praying, but of performing.

Excerpt from
Oswald Chambers

My Utmost for
His Highest

 

 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father
 and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Lectionary Readings for Sunday, August 24, 2008 

Proper 16A/Ordinary 21A/Pentecost +15

Exodus 1:8 - 2:10

Psalm 124

Romans 12:1-8

Matthew 16:13-20


[Click on the Scripture links above to read]

 

Praise items:
We want to encourage you today to never neglect to thank God for all He does for you each and every day. Blessings that you take for granted.
It is through your praise, through you telling others all that God has done for you, that they might increase their faith to allow God to work
in their life. Your praise items give others going through the same situation the hope and strength to go on, trusting God for their miracle.

Hope is the greatest gift you can give to another person.

 Faith expresses itself in obedience

 

 

 

Prayer petition:
08/15/2008: Please pray for Phil Garrett of Franklin, N.C.
Phil suffered a stroke, was hospitalized and now in a local nursing home. Please pray for his wife Phyllis and the entire family.
Lord hear our prayer

Prayer petition:
08/06/2008: Christine Robinson, mother of Jane Bigelow has been taken from Key West hospital to Baptist in Miami for a consult re: a valve in her heart might be the problem for for all the fluid build up in her chest. Keep Jane, John and Christine in prayer to determine if Christine might be a candidate for the procedure to repair the valve. Christine's spirits are good, she is confident in God's perfect will, and at peace with whatever is decided. Pastor Greer
Lord hear our prayer

Prayer petition:
07/31/2008:
Update: Gail Trudeau, sister of Pastor Greer continues an aggressive chemo drug that is new in the market, and so far is responding well to the treatments, and plans to visit pastor in September. God is good.
 Lord hear our prayer.

Prayer petition:
07/22/2008:Update on Jan Brookens: Jan and her husband, Galen came east from Michigan to attend the memorial service for George Phillips and stayed with us for two days.  Jan is doing very well.  One would hardly notice that she had a bad stroke. She had good care and therapy, but they give much credit for the prayers said in their behalf.  Jan and Galen are very faithful to our God.  We thank all of you who have prayed for them and thank God. too.
George and Claire
Lord hear our prayer

Prayer petition:
06/19/2008:Update on Mike Noe 
Mike underwent the replacement of good stem cells and had started the healing process. Cancer was in remission, however,
follow up test and MRI has now revealed an inoperable brain lymphoma. Currently undergoing treatment with some progress as we understand. Your daily continuing prayers for Mike are requested. 
 Lord hear our prayer

Prayer petition:
04/19/2008: Please pray for Charles Baehr who suffered a stroke the 15th of April. On April 18th Charles was walking the halls (450feet) of the Lower Keys Medical Center. Please keep him and Edythe in prayer as Charles is most concerned about losing his ability to drive. Pray a continued recovery and peace for both these dear souls.
Lord hear our prayer.

Prayer petition:
06/20/2008: Please continue to pray for Christine Robinson, who had Congestive heart failure. Please pray she remembers to take all her medications, and a speedy recovery from this momentary setback.
Lord hear our prayer.

Prayer petition:
02/07/2008: Please pray for Julie Lovett. She has very bad back pain, due to the repetitive nature of her job (18-19 yrs or so now), as a Dental Hygienist. Please pray that she can get some kind of relief or even healing. Thanks & God Bless, David Lovett
Lord hear our prayer

Prayer petition:
06/22/2008: Jean and Tom Dennison have returned North. Both are working but He does have to be on oxygen part of the time. Please keep both of them in your prayers.
Lord hear our prayer

Prayer petition:
06/20/2008: Please pray for Wayne Kinsey. Wayne has returned to his northern home. Suffering from congestive heart failure. Wayne seems to be doing well, but please continue to keep Wayne in your prayers.
Lord hear our prayer

Prayer petition:
06/20/2008:Update from Idoly.
Idoly is doing much better with her health and does not need to return to the doctor. If you can give her a call once in awhile I am sure she would love to hear from you. Contact me if you need the number. Please continue to pray for her health and contentment.
Lord hear our prayer
Prayer petition:
Please pray for my daughter in law Terri Jensen, undergoing delicate brain surgery Wednesday at 3:00PM to replace a shunt placed in the brain during previous brain surgery for a tumor. Terri has an unbelievable trust and faith in our Risen Lord.
Pastor Greer
 Lord hear our prayer

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 - NIV

 

Welcome to all members of the prayer team and we thank those that have faithfully joined us in praying for others.

If you know of anyone who would like to join this prayer team or leave the team please email us: mailto:esapp3@dnet.net

Send your prayer request and praise items to: mailto:esapp3@dnet.net