Uncategorized Murray McLellan on 05 Nov 2007 04:11 pm
Mmmmm… Nov. 05, 2007
Monday, Nov. 05, 2007
Good mid-day, saints!
It is good to finally be in the book of Jonah. There is so much that we can learn from this book if we really take the time to reflect upon it. Bring any questions and insights to our Community Group meeting at Garry and Susan’s on Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.
Fellowship ideas
Several have mentioned how much they miss our meals (love feasts) after our Sunday church gatherings. I am thinking of booking the Hall on the first Sunday of each month to share a meal together. Any objections?
In-Depth Studies
We have not scheduled any seminars as yet. I would like to do a series of studies on the Bible, followed by a look at the attributes of God. These would become a part of the basic Bible studies for our online discipleship. I was wondering about perhaps doing the studies on a once a month basis on a Friday or Sunday evening – and maybe run it along with an activity to either precede or follow (i.e. bowling; curling; skating, ??? etc.) This would be instead of doing an all day seminar on a Saturday as we have done in the past).
I also have in mind a series based on questions that “doubters” ask and statements that people make, such as:
“How can there be only one right way?” (i.e. Aren’t other religions equally valid with Christianity?)
“What about evil and suffering?”
“Doesn’t following Christ take away our freedom?”
“A loving God wouldn’t send people to hell, would He?”
“Christianity is filled with hypocrites.”
“The Bible is archaic and socially repressive.”
I could combine the two ideas – where we look at some of these questions in our study of the “Bible” and “God”. This could be a wonderful outreach opportunity. What do you think?
Prayer –
(The following prayer and requests are provided by Julie Cortens. May it be an inspiration to us as we seek to remember one another in prayer this week, and that God would be glorified in our lives and in His world. Thanks again, Julie. May this lead us to be more faithful as a church that prays in right dependence upon our Lord. Please remember to pass on any prayer requests to Julie, so that they can be included next week.) Julie also would like feedback as to the format of the prayer requests that have come in. Would people refer a list, or are you enjoying the prayer format? Please let Julie know. This also lets us know how many people are actually reading and making use of the prayer list.
E. M. Bounds quote of the week:
Sainthood’s piety is made, refined, perfected, by prayer. The gospel moves with slow and timid pace when the saints are not at their prayers early and late and long.
“When God has something very great to accomplish for His church, it is His will that there should precede it, the extraordinary prayers of His people; as is manifest by Ezek. 36, 37, together with the context. And it is revealed that when God is about to accomplish great things for His Church, He will begin by remarkably pouring out the spirit of grace and supplication (Zach. 12:10). …I should think the people of God in this land would be in the way of their duty to do three times as much fasting and prayer as they do” Jonathan Edwards, from his Thoughts on Revival, Part 5.
Oh Saints, look to the needs of your fellow saints, not when convenient for you this week, but today, faithfully, daily, with fasting and prayer until we meet again next Sunday. It is in daily, faithful prayer that we will begin to see Him accomplish great things for His church.
Gracious Father,
You have lifted us from the pit of sin. With You is mercy, redemption, forgiveness and hope. Father, we praise You that You continue to bless us and shower us with gifts even though we forget the great gift Giver. You look after us daily, keep us warm and comfortable, feed us, surround us with people who love us and You cause us to prosper in this fallen world. Help us, Lord, to desire You and Your glory in all these gifts. Support us by the strength of heaven that we may never look to the world for any comfort, hope or pleasure, but derive all our pleasure from You, our Creator and Sustainer. May we labour for You alone. May it be Your cause and Your kingdom that we long for.
We praise you Lord that Becky’s pain is resolved. You only know the cause. May this trial draw her near to You.
We praise You that through the saints you have brought comfort to Kurt and Kendall in their grief and great loss. We continue to lift them in prayer, bringing them to mind continually that they might look to You the giver of all comfort. May they continue to be filled with praise though they walk through this dark valley. Keep them walking steadfastly towards the country of everlasting delights.
We praise you for building relationships for Amy with her staff. May she continue to be a testimony to Your grace and mercy.
We thank you for opportunity for Cody to share his faith with a co-worker. Lord, prepare Rob’s heart even now to hear what he needs to hear. We pray this also for so many loved ones that need to know You in all your fullness – Harold, Braiden, Christopher, Shawn, Blair, Derek and Jessie. Lord, break their hearts open to let the Word grow in them and bring great fruit for Your glory. Love them that they might know true happiness. Grant them new birth. Our hearts long to see them know and proclaim You as their Lord and Savior.
Lord, awaken us to minister to these lost ones. Oh, Lord, You are God and there is no other. We long that these lost ones would know this and rejoice with us. Oh that the dark corners of Saskatoon would know the Light of Jesus Christ and that You would cause great revival in this city. Use us as Your holy servants to accomplish this. Use us as You will, but Lord promote Your cause here in our city and allow us to be labourers to that end. It is Your cause and Your kingdom that we long for.
We pray for Mark who is seeking a new room mate – provide him with a room mate that will be an encouragement to Mark in his faith. We remember Allison and Sammy – Lord help them to keep You their priority amidst the distractions of school, basketball and each other. Help them all to desire to glorify You in everything they do.
Lord, we remember Derek and Jessie and ask that you will cause them to know the depth of their sin and their dire need of a Savior. Keep us steadfast in our prayers for them.
We pray for journey’s mercies for David and Julie in their travels this week. Bless their time of fellowship with the Saints at International Baptist Church.
Lord, we continue to praise you for Your provision to us in Murray and his steadfast study of Your Word that we might grow individually and corporately in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bless Murray and Cheryl, Lord, and provide for their every spiritual and earthly need. Help us to be supportive in every way we can of Murray and his family as one worthy of double honour.
We make these requests in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Pray saints that the Lord will pour out a spirit of grace and supplication upon us that He might accomplish great things for His church here in Saskatoon.
May we love God, one another, and the city of Saskatoon.
Jesus, build your church in Saskatoon for the glory of our heavenly Father.
Much love in, and dependence upon, the Savior,
Murray
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ…”
Acts 28:31
“The story continues…”
