Uncategorized Murray McLellan on 15 Oct 2007 02:37 pm
Mmmmm… Oct. 15, 2007
Monday, Oct. 15, 2007
Good morning, saints,
Ahhh … how refreshing to drink from the well of salvation – Jesus the source of love, life, refreshment, and every good thing! The contrast between Exodus 19 and the “if” and “then” of the Old Covenant and the “it is finished” of the New Covenant is the difference between life and death. 1 Peter 2 shows what Israel was promised at Mt. Sinai if they kept the terms of the covenant fully, are ours (the church’s) by virtue of our substitute earning for us all the blessings.
This week, you can read the book of Jonah in anticipation this coming Sunday.
Do you see any “elder brother” (i.e. Luke 15) attitudes in Jonah? Why do you think Jonah had no real love for the city? As you reflect upon Grace Fellowship’s fresh start in the city, what has this book done to cause reflection; conviction; and encouragement in you? Why do you think the story ends as it does?
Grace Fellowship Logo
Lord willing, we should be able to unveil our new logo to you soon. This will then appear on our sign, our brochures, website etc. Watch for it!
Our next house group will be at Kiley and Jessica’s on Thursday, Oct. 25th at 7:30 p.m. We will continue to discuss the applications of what God has revealed to us in the Scriptures on Sunday mornings. You can also bring any other questions or encouragements from experiences and your Bible reading this past week. May this also provide us opportunity for corporate prayer.
A reminder that the Fellowship Baptist Church fall Bible conference is on Oct. 26-27. The topic is “the church.” I am teaching at 11:00 a.m. on the Saturday morning on “The church and the world.” The cost for the conference is only $10.00 and that includes the notes, lunch on Saturday, and coffee and snacks during the breaks. I have one or two brochures left. Ask me for one if you are interested.
Acts 29 Boot Camp
Another quote from the Acts 29 Boot Camp. I hope you are enjoying these.
“A local church is healthy to the degree that: 1) its pastors-teachers are able accurately, effectively and broadly to bring the gospel to bear specifically into the real lives of the people; and 2) its people have a deep personal understanding of and a deep personal appreciation for the gospel so as to be able to live in the good of the gospel daily.
One of the greatest challenges, yet one of the most important tasks, of pastoral ministry is to help people actually see the connections between the gospel and the thinking and behavior that make up their everyday lives. We know well the centrality of the gospel message but in order for it to have a functional centrality it must be clearly, carefully and consistently connected to real issues—issues of thought and conduct—of people’s lives. This kind of ministry is most greatly needed.”
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.)
E M Bounds quote of the week.
“He that is too busy to pray will be too busy to live a Holy Life.”
“When prayer fails, the world prevails…the church is swallowed up by a proud ecclesiasticism, and the world scoffs at its obvious impotence.”
Father, I praise and thank You that I can approach Your throne of grace, bringing my desires and wants before You. I am not worthy of Your blessing, Your mercies, Your love. I am disobedient, rebellious, discontent, filled with pride, and envy. Help me to confess my guilt and feel it deeply. May I despair of my sinful state and yet grasp hold of the hope I have in Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb who makes me clean. It is because of Him that I can come before You, trust in You, listen to You, delight in You and obey You. Help me to stay steadfast in Your Word and in my daily prayers that I might flee from idols, keep from prideful talk, and glorify You in all I do and say.
We thank You Lord that because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people belonging to You – yes we are Your “treasured possession” What an incredible thought!
Father, there are so many loved ones that we want to bring before you because they do not know You. They come to mind now Lord and we pause to remember each one by name and ask You to have mercy on them and bring them to everlasting life. We think of Bruce and Maria, Shawn, Chris, Braiden, Blair, Harold, Amy’s uncle, Michelle’s friend Patty and her sister Pam, Larry’s parents and so many other including extended family that come to mind now. Help us to daily remember and pray for our lost loved ones.
Father we pray for Derek and Jessie as they search for answers to who You are. Grant them complete repentance, Lord. Help them to see the enormity of their sin, the wrath that was poured out on Jesus and their dire need of a Saviour. We long to see the fruit of repentance in their lives. We wait patiently for You to do Your perfect will in their lives.
We pray for Mike as he ministers to Charlie his co-worker. Give Mike a heart that desires to minister to Charlie, to show him what Christ offers repentant sinners. Help Mike and Amy to be godly examples to Charlie of what Christ requires of us…and that His yoke is easy and His burden light.
We pray for Pam – friend of Kurt and Kendall’s. May You bring her and her family the peace that passes all understanding as they struggle with medical tests around her skin cancer. Surround her with caring saints to hold her and her family up during difficult times.
We pray for Kurt and Kendall and baby Manz as they await the arrival of this new and wonderful creation of Yours. Give them peace at this time.
We pray for Rob and Leah – new friends of Ken’s. Lord, nurture this new relationship that Ken might be a witness to Your incredible goodness and may he have opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Prepare their hearts to hear this message.
We pray for Elaine and thank You, Lord, that you continue to bring her into our midst on Sunday mornings. May she discover You in Your Word and may it be a delight to her.
We thank you that we can meet in Sutherland Hall. Lord we know this is a gift from your hands – a provision for us. Fill our meeting times with more and more visitors and prepare our hearts to minister, love and serve each of them.
Help us all to seek out the lost, build relationships with them, serve them with the selfless love of Christ, that we might be a witness to His Light. Help us to grow Your church here in Sutherland, one relationship at a time.
Oh God, hear us and do for us more than we ask, think, and dream.
It is in Jesus’ precious name that we pray,
Amen
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…”
