Christians are like manure - if they all stay piled up in one place it just stinks. But if they spread out into the world, they fertilize it so that God’s dreams have an opportunity to blossom. Karl Roth
The dictionary defines commitment as “commitment >noun 1 dedication to a cause or policy. 2 a pledge or undertaking. 3 an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action” When it comes to our VF21 commitment I can agree with most of the definition. My commitment represents my dedication to the cause of expanding the Kingdom of God. My commitment is my pledge to Father that I will see this undertaking through. It is the third definition that does not describe my commitment. See, my commitment does not restrict my freedom of action. Quite the opposite - my commitment frees me so that God can take action through me. By any definition - my commitment to VF21 puts me in a win-win position. If you have any questions about VF21, call the church office (Bap-tist). Please pray that Father will challenge all of us to do more than we think we can do - so that when it is accomplished we will know that it is through God’s power - and not our own.
Please pray for Erica Henson’s brother and his legal problems.
Denise Cox, wife of Pastor Rick Cox over at St. Luke’s Calvary Community is recovering from breast cancer surgery and faces more of the same.
Carol Robertshaw’s son-in-law, Ted, is still experiencing severe problems with his lungs.
Sandy Hall’s son’s brother-in-law hit a tree (I’m guessing in his car) and suffered head injuries.
Colene McDonough’s niece’s newborn son, Logan, was sent to Childrens Hospital in San Francisco following complications after his birth. He has had one surgery so far.
Judi Wright came through her shoulder surgery but had a dreadful allergic reaction to the pain medication she was prescribed. She is doing much better now that her meds have been corrected.
Les Johnson asks for continued prayer for his sons Matthew and Daniel injuries following the car accident that took their mother’s life.
We continue to pray for the following: Sherline & the pathology report, Danette’s ex father in law with the growth in his throat and Danette’s mom employment situation, Bryan & Joni Johnson, The team in China, Tyler Fahrmeyer at Valley Children’s, Joe with an unspecified need, Nancy Pippin & a brain tumor, Merle Rush and recovery from his stroke, Andrea Spees & recovery from post-operative infection, Bev Borjas’ son, Khamla & her arm, Ashley & the infection in her heart lining, Jane Irwin & ovarian cancer, George & Margie Martin and his cancer, Michael Ferris, Emmy Lou Graves, Laura in Ohio, John Rogers & cancer, new employment opportunities for Dan Hansen, Stan Reed & cancer, Kassel Coon in Afghanistan, Ray Rahn & his wife. Please send me any updates you might have!
Pray for our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer. Please pray for Karl & Shellie Roth with Flipside. Please pray for Horacio & Cheryl Aleman at the LIFEhouse in Reedley. I attended Flipside’s services this past Sonday I was excited to hear that 90 children (as best I recall) went through their VBS and that the collection that was taken at the VBS (about $200) is being given to LIFEhouse church for their children’s ministry. After Flipside’s services I hurried over to FFBC to pick up my chili verde lunch’s from LIFEhouse’s fundraiser - and all I can say about that food experience is - I wish that I had bought a couple more of them for my lunches at work.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others. Pray for the Church that in these troubled times that she stands strong.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Father in Heaven,
There is this silly little commercial that says that they would like to give the world a coke and chill with it awhile. If I could give the world something, it would not be something as boring as a coke. I would give them something so exciting that it would change their lives and the whole world forever, I would give them one day - just one day - of my life in You. If they knew You like I know You they could never go back to their old life. Thank You for this life we have in You. Help us to share this life with the world so that they to can turn to You as God and Savior.
Provider, challenge us with our VF21 commitments like we have never been challenged before. Give us David’s heart and his faith in You as he ran at that giant. Then, like David, show us Your power directed through us. We look forward to joining Your dreams for FFBC.
LORD God, You are a God of Justice - we ask that justice be served for Erica’s brother.
We pray for Your servant, Denise as she recovers from this surgery and prepares for more of them. Hold her, LORD God. We lift up Ted and ask that You touch his lungs with Your healing. We pray for baby Logan, that he can be healed and come home. We ask that You be with Sandy’s son’s brother in law as he recovers from his accident, Grant them peace and healing, Father God.
We thank You, Father, that Judi’s allergies to her medication was caught quickly after her operation and that she is doing so much better. Be with Your beloved child.
Every time I see the Johnson boys, Father, I thank You for Your mercy to them. Continue to heal their bodies and their spirits.
LORD Jesus, in this quiet moment with You we feel Your presence surrounding us. We are lost within the wonder and beauty of You and Your love for us. We surrender to You willingly. We give You our hearts, our souls, our lives as a living sacrifice to You.
Holy Spirit, Promised Comforter and Guide we release to Your power and keeping all of the lives and situations that continue to be on our prayer chain. We look forward to seeing Your purpose accomplished in them.
Triune God, Your missionaries serve You under circumstances that can be daunting. We pray that You refresh their vision, and strengthen their resolve. Keep them safe, LORD God.
We ask, Father, that You bless Flipside and LIFEhouse churches with growth. Grow their numbers, grow their spirits, grow their knowledge of You. Thank You for the pastors of these fledgling churches and for their heart to serve You.
God of eternity past and eternity to come, strengthen Your Church so that she holds strong against all that is happening in the world today. Bless our pastors when they grow weary, when they are discouraged remind them of us and of how much we love them. Help us to support them. Hold our leadership close to Your heart and guide their steps. We pray Your abundance on our ministries and ask that You help us to be effective with them.
Give us new opportunities to share Your good news with others.
God bless America, grant her leaders wisdom. Protect all of those who serve her. Bring our country back to You.
Holy, holy, holy are You, LORD God Almighty. You alone are worthy of our praise. We proclaim You as our LORD and king. We love You, LORD.
Posted by Valerie at July 27, 2005 04:23 PM