Prayer @ Christian Life

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
1 Tim 2:1 (NLT)

I am writing this Bible Blog on our most recent Day of Prayer at Christian Life. I always appreciate the opportunity to gather together with our church family to pray. I believe that God’s design for His church is to be a place of prayer. God’s work in this world and in our lives is accomplished only truly when we pray.

Prayer isn’t a gift or ministry for just a few. Paul in Philippians exhorts all of us to pray about everything. In 1 Thessalonians he tells us to pray without ceasing. The role of prayer in the Christian life can never be overstated. Our Christian faith is based upon a relationship with God. Prayer is how we commune with God. It is one of the vital parts of our connection with God.

There are a couple of exciting developments in regards to prayer at Christian Life Church that I would like to share with you.

• We are transitioning our Heritage Room on the west side of the sanctuary into a prayer room that will be available not only on the weekends but also throughout the week for prayer. This room will be used for a wide variety of prayer events at the church.
  
• We are also looking to develop prayer teams at the church. These prayer teams would be taking part in different aspects of prayer such as praying for revival, praying for needs, praying for people before, during, after services, etc.

If you are interested in becoming a part of our prayer ministry at Christian Life please email me (mail@darylmerrill.com) and let me know. Let’s make sure Christian Life Church is called a house of prayer!

Summer

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

It has been an exciting week around the Christian Life offices as we have been feverishly planning for the summer and fall. Pretty soon you will be receiving a mailing outlining all of the wonderful things ahead for our church.

Our mission as a church is to Connect People To God. Throughout the summer and fall there are things planned to connect people to God. There will be activities designed to connect our children and youth to God. There are times planned for our adults to connect with God. There will be special events designed for people who are far from God to connect with Him, maybe for the first time or to reconnect with Him. There are things planned this summer and fall to connect each of us into a deeper and stronger relationship with God.

One of the most exciting things happening this fall is the full-fledged launch of our Randall Road Campus. Weekly weekend services will begin on Sunday September 14, 2008 at 11:30AM!

No doubt you are planning some special activities for this summer. When making your plans, don’t forget about God. Make time this summer to connect with God. Make sure your family and friends are connecting with God as well.

As with all planning in life, remember to seek His plans first for you and your family. I can honestly say that we do not begin planning things for Christian Life Church until we have first sought the Lord and His guidance. It is important to be in prayer and in His Word so that God can guide your steps each day in every way.

Remember, His way is always the best way!

Mission Possible

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20


This week I will be traveling to Florida for the board meeting of Mission Possible, one of the many mission organizations we support as a church. Mission Possible’s motto is, “Strategic projects, in historic times, for God’s glory.” MP (www.mp.org) is active in sharing the Gospel, training leaders, planting churches, and helping the poor on the other side of the world. I am blown away each year when we review what God has done through MP and we at Christian Life are helping them change the world through our support.

But like I said, they are only one of the many missionaries and organizations we support as a church family. I would like to invite you to visit the map in our church lobby and take a look at the various ministries and people we support. Take time to read a letter or two. Say a prayer for the various ministries. Allow God to speak to you about your involvement in world missions. Become a bigger part of building God’s kingdom around the world.

And by the way, Happy Mother’s Day! I would like to honor the mom’s in my life: my fantastic wife, Leslie, my godly mom and grandma, Gerry and Ella, my great sister, Jodi, and my wonderful mother-in-law, Kathy. I am proud of you all! You are the best!

Some Rules From God

I like simple ideas that make a big difference. I enjoyed reading these words this week and wanted to share them with you.

Some Rules From God

WAKE UP! Decide to have a good day. “Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

DRESS UP! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

STAND UP! Stand up for what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. “Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good…” Galatians 6:9, 10

LIFT UP! Lift up your prayers. “Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.” Philippians 4:6

Written by Joan Palace