15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 3

Dear Abundant Life Family:

TESTIMONY

Praise the Lord! Tonya Drury was without transportation but that did not keep her from getting to church. Church members would help her make it to choir and to the services. This past week she received a new vehicle along with the title. God is so good.

THOUGHTS

Acts 4:32 "All the believers were in one heart and mind"

This principle of unity and its paramount importance was imparted to the church through the person and work of the Spirit of God. It was God-produced, love-constructed, and Spirit-born. Jesus said in John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another". In verse 35 he defines this as a mark of a true follower of Christ. "All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:35). You cannot say that you love a brother or sister in Christ and then demean him or her to others.

I have a strong suspicion that God does not appreciate those who fragment his family. It is a very serious offense, which is why Paul wrote, "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites" (Romans 16:17-18)

When was the last time, if ever, that you saw a church member disciplined for causing division among believers? If someone who professes Christ was caught dabbling in witchcraft of openly practicing adultery, we would all cry for some kind of church action. But divisive, gossiping people go right on attending our churches and sometimes even hold leadership positions. We never address their ugly sin and destructiveness because we are so used to it.

There is a line in one of our choir songs that says, "I see Your church rising up in power, laying down their lives in unity and love." It is our prayer that Abundant Life will be a powerful church of great unity and love. For some reason, it seems that God chooses to limit His work according to the atmosphere of His people. For example, Jesus could only do a limited amount of healings in Nazareth because of their lack of faith. And in other places, He performed much greater miracles. Let's pray that ALC will be a place that God is free to do all He desires to do in and through us. And let us examine ourselves and see how we can be an encourager to the saints.

PRAYER FOCUS

Today in your prayer time we are asking you to specifically pray for Our Staff Pastors and their Families.

John Bullard - Associate Pastor
Josh Mings - Youth Pastor
John Cruz - Children's Pastor
David Walker - Worship Pastor
Claudia Brewer - Pastoral Care





LOOKING AHEAD

During this prayer challenge I want to encourage you to e-mail us testimonies or words of encouragement the Lord is speaking to your heart so that we can use them to encourage others. Remember, Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. we will have a special time of live worship and prayer in the sanctuary. Also, Wednesday evening, Kyle Embry will be our special guest as the adults and youth will worship together.