GLORIFYTHELORD

Hindrances ~ Key Verses — GLORIFYTHELORD

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“But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.”  Mark 4:19 NLT

God is always sowing good seed into our lives. But we are not always prepared to bear the fruit that God intends.  The message of God can be crowded out, keeping us unfruitful.  Jesus wants us to be fruitful so he warns us.  I want to pay attention to what God is saying to me.  We are so easily distracted from trusting Him, obeying Him, entering into a life of faith with Him.  Repentance means that I change my mind about those things in respect to His grace and truth.  Then the pathway of faith brings me to  new thinking and new action.

“But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.”  Mark 4:19

Thanksgiving ~ Key Verses — GLORIFYTHELORD

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“Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I have a friend who visited Vancouver and had this to say of her week here:  “Vancouverites need someone to thank.”  In a place so stunning and blessed, the absence of gratitude was notable.   Gratitude is generated by knowing you have someOne to thank.

Without knowing God, who shall we thank?  At our table before a meal I said, “Let’s give thanks to God.”  A visiting friend of one of our kids said, “Why should we do that?”

How would you answer his question?

“Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Youth ~ Key Verses — GLORIFYTHELORD

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“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”  1 Timothy 4:2 NLT

Well I keep getting older and these verses continue to inspire and encourage me!  In the Disciple-Making journey we are to always be sharing the Gospel life with those who are younger / newer in the faith than we are.  However, sometimes we will get to share this life with those who are older too, even in age.

As a follower of Jesus, “youth” is never an excuse for behaving badly.

Paul lived with the motto, “imitate me.”  So to, we are to have that internal mindset.  Someone else may be inspired to receive Jesus’ grace because of the way we live.

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”  1 Timothy 4:2  NLT

Faith ~ Key Verses — GLORIFYTHELORD

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“And it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  Hebrews 11:6  NLT

I had a friend who would ask, “Do you believe God?’’ Her simple question pushed deep into my relationship with God.  Faith matters to God.  It is the way we enter into our relationship with Him.  To trust Him, to believe Him, to adjust my life accordingly, are all responses to His love shown to us through Jesus Christ.

Do you believe God?

“And it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him just believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6

Intercession ~ Key Verses — GLORIFYTHELORD

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“Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.  He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.”  Colossians 4:12, NLT

We have been included in the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This communion is part conversation.  Intercession is the privilege we have to talk with God about the needs of others.  Epaphras prayed for the spiritual growth of the men and women in the church he had left.  He still felt connected to them.  He still cared for them.  Even when he was not with them, he could still be part of God’s work among them.

I am supremely blessed when people who have been a part of our fellowship for a day, a week, or a couple of years, write back and say, “I’ve been praying for you all!”

D.L. Moody said, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”

I’m hoping for a great movement of God in Vancouver.  I’m trusting God is raising up those who kneel in prayer with us.

 

“Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.  He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.”  Colossians 4:12