The Pastor’s Blog

Notes, news, information, lessons, and updates from the Pastor’s desk and others.

Staying Charged with His Power!

I really like my digital camera. I like the vibrant colors it captures, the zoom and wide angle settings options it gives me, the clear picture indicator, the auto flash and auto advance, and that I can shoot video with sound. What I don’t like is the fact that lately the rechargeable battery isn’t holding a charge.  Without power the camera does none of those things. Without power it cannot fulfill its potential and becomes nothing more than an expensive paperweight.

When it comes to living for Jesus and reflecting His truth, grace and love to the world, we need to stay charged with His power, let’s consider four power sources that God gives us as we live with Jesus.

Ephesians 1:19 and 20 tell us that the power God wants to work in our lives is the same power that He exerted in Jesus when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. Resurrection power has conquered sin and death, it breaks the bonds that hold us captive and it gives us the power to live for Jesus in a way that proclaims His truth, grace and love for all to see.

Ephesians 3:10-12 tell us that God gives us His wisdom, which is a power that defeats the work of the forces of evil and the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. The wisdom of God helps us to know right from wrong, gives us knowledge so we know how to live and can keep us from falling prey to the destructive schemes of the enemy. God’s wisdom is a source of power that we cannot afford to miss.

Philippians 2:5-11 speak to the power of humility, as demonstrated by Jesus, who being in very nature God, willingly left His throne in heaven, making Himself nothing, to die for the sins of all people. Humility is often an overlooked power source in the lives of believers but it has the power to disarm many of the threats that come against us and to lovingly reveal the truth of Jesus to the world around us.

Acts 1:1-8 tell us that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to be witnesses for Jesus. Being a witness can take many different forms in both word and deed, but what it all comes down to is living in a way that brings glory to God, which we are empowered to do as the Holy Spirit unleashes His power in and through our lives.

May we lived filled with God’s power and fulfill the potential that God has placed in us by staying connected to Jesus and all of the sources of power that He has made available to us. May we as individual believers and as a church, spend time each day with Jesus, allowing Him to fill us with resurrection power, with the power of His wisdom, with the power of humility, and with the power of His Holy Spirit.

In Christ,  Mark


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Home Study Sept. 12- 17

Home Study Sept. 12th to 17th

Monday-2 Samuel 23:20-23 & 1 Chronicles 11:22-25

What are the God ordained Lions that you are chasing? What impossible situation have you seen God use to bring glory
to himself in your life? Lion chasers understand that playing it “safe” is “risky”. Today pray for boldness and strength like Benaiah.

 Tuesday-Daniel 6:1-24

What saved Daniel: His faith? His innocence? His Prayers? The king’s prayers? God’s faithfulness? Lazy Lions? Why did they decide to “find something against him concerning the law of his God”(v.5)?What does this say about Daniel’s character? What can you learn from Daniel’s prayer habits? From his courage in obeying God?

Wednesday-2 Corinthians 5:7 & 2 Timothy 1:7

Today write these 2 verses on a 3×5 card or in a journal and memorize these verses. You can do it!

Thursday-Matthew 5:43-48

If someone attacks you, verbally, physically, or some other way, how do you usually respond?What does it mean,
in practical terms, to “turn the other cheek?” to “go the extra mile?”

Friday-1 Chronicles 12:1-40

Who has God brought into your life?
How have they stood by you in the battles of life? What strategies are you
using in your life to pursue God’s destiny?

Saturday- ReadHebrews 13:17-19


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September 5-10, 2011 Home Study

Monday – Read II Peter 1:12-15

Why did Peter say he was reminding his readers of the things he was

writing about?

Why was it important for them to remember these things?

Is this true for us today?

What can you do to better remember the things that Jesus has done for

and in you?

 

Tuesday – Read John 15:18-27

Why did/does the world system hate Jesus?

How might the world system respond to us as followers of Jesus?

Should this surprise us?

Who helps us to know how to respond when we face resistance to

Jesus by others in our lives?

What hope and strength does this give you?

 

Wednesday – Read Matthew 22:34-40

How can these two commandments sum up all the law and prophets?

It sounds so simple, why is it so hard to live out?

By what power are we able to live as Jesus speaks here?

How is the Spirit challenging you? How will you respond?

 

Thursday – Read Romans 12:1-2

What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice?”

How can we live our lives as an offering to God?

How can we have our minds transformed and renewed?

How does that allow us to know God’s will?

What is Jesus saying here to you? How will you respond?

 

Friday – Read Mark 9:38-41

Why were the disciples upset?

According to Jesus’ words in verse 39, what is the right motivation for

any choice or behavior?

How important are the small and simple things that we can do in

Jesus’ name? What can you do for Him today?

 

Saturday – Read II Samuel 23:20-23


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Huge Thank You to Everyone!

Thank you to everyone for all of the non-perishable foods, clothing, books, toys and financial gifts that has been given so generously for our short term missions trip to show the love of Jesus to the Hoopa Tribe in Northern California. Please remember to pray for the team as they travel and serve over Labor Day weekend.


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