15 Day Prayer Challenge - Follow-up

What an awesome experience we've had the past 15 days. God has ministered to us in powerful ways.

Souls have been saved, lives have been changed, needs have been met, prayers have been answered, jobs have been provided, and church attendance has dramatically increased. The testimonies and encouraging reports could go on and on. PRAISE GOD!

I just want to encourage you to continue with this renewed emphasis on prayer. It will make a huge difference in your life and in our church.

As we talked about last night at "The Gathering," pray the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Pray that God would bless you. Pray that God will enlarge your territory and your influence. Pray that God's hand would be upon you. And pray that God would keep you from evil. Praying that prayer will affect your destiny!
I trust you've had a chance to write a note of encouragement to someone. If not, I hope you'll do it before the end of the week. You'll be blessed and so will the person who receives your note.

Beginning in a few weeks, we plan to continue to send a weekly prayer focus through email. I know we will see even more answers to prayer as we all continue to pray together for specific needs.

We are excited about what God has for us in the future at Abundant Life, and we have some things coming in the months ahead that will be awesome. Stay tuned. God has more for us.

We also want to continue to glorify God and encourage you with testimonies. Please let us know what God is doing in your life. We want to rejoice with you and give Him the glory He deserves. Please send your stories to john@alcgrapevine.com.

I pray God's blessings on you, and am honored to serve as your pastor.

-Pastor Eddy Brewer

15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 10

Dear Abundant Life Family:

In the Qur'an, Muslims have 99 names for their god, each name describing an attribute of his character. Of these characteristics, the attribute of "love" is not found. One can be very religious and not have love. Contrast that to the Holy Scriptures which states "God is Love" (1 John 4:16) and "Love comes from God" ( 1 John 4:7). Love is the foundation of all those who are followers of Christ and should be the distinguishing mark of the believer in Christ. Jesus said, By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."( John 13:35)

Unfortunately, in some circles, love is reduced to only a catch phrase used by religious people who attend Christian churches. Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York wrote "Possibly the greatest spiritual deception we can fall into is to think we really love the Lord while having little concern for His people."

Is love more than an ethereal concept or a heightened feeling? Yes. Love is a verb. And scripture shows us practical ways that we are to express that love to one another.
Here are a few:

Prefer one another (Romans 12:10)
Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
Pray for one another (James 5:16)
Don't slander one another (James 4:11)
Don't grumble against one another (James 5:9)
Comfort one another (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Rejoice with one another (Romans 12:15)
Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)

There are over 30 action verbs used in scripture that show us how Christian love is to be exhibited towards fellow believers. Only the Holy Spirit can save us from terrible plight of the self-centered, comfort zone lifestyle while we sing songs of the Christ who gave His life on Calvary. Religion like that is a charade. The acid test for spiritual growth is love, and love always means living for others.

Today in your prayer time we are asking you to specifically pray for the outreach efforts of the coming year.

Wednesday afternoon prayer time is from 12 to 1 p.m.
Wednesday evening Joe Bailey will be our speaker. The Youth will be joining the adults in the auditorium for worship. Scotty Brewer will lead worship.
Following worship the Youth will be dismissed for class with Josh Mings

15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 9

Dear Abundant Life Family:

In the book, The Last Christian Generation, by Dr. Josh McDowell the author makes this bold statement regarding the spiritual state of American teenagers: "I sincerely believe unless something is done now to change the spiritual state of our young people - you will become the last Christian generation." McDowell supports this previous statement by sharing these statistics:

63% don't believe Jesus is the Son of the one true God.
58% believe that all faiths teach equally valid truths.
51% don't believe Jesus rose from the dead.
65% don't believe that Satan is a real entity.
68% don't believe that the Holy Spirit is a real entity.

This is a major issue. In the statistics above, over 50 percent in each category, believes that one of the fundamental and life changing aspects of the gospel are not true, necessary, or important. Thus leading students to the conclusion that a personal relationship with Christ is not true, necessary, or important.

This, however, is not the first time in history that the gospel has been under attack, or in trouble of being lost. In fact, a very strong argument could be made that this is the perfect settings for the gospel to thrive, and win! I hold to the promise that Jesus Christ is building a church, and that the gates of hell cannot stop it.

Here are four prayer focuses for our students. First, please pray for our Sunday school teachers. These are the people who work hard to prove the claims and truth Scripture. Pray that the Lord will lead them, speak through them, and give them wisdom to communicate the truth of the Gospel to our students. Our youth Sunday school teachers are: Guy Church, Josh Mings, Jordan Russell, Gary Kasprzak, and Betty Gutierrez. Second, pray that grace will be given to our students. Pray that the Lord will guard their hearts and keep them from things that will distract and pull them away from Christ. Third, pray that a passion for the Scripture will grow in their hearts. I love what the Psalms say, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." And last, pray with fervor that you will not be the last Christian generation and that our students will continue on in their faith!

Wednesday afternoon prayer time 12-1 pm
Wednesday evening Speaker Joe Bailey will be in the auditorium for worship.
The Youth will join the Adults in Worship.
Following worship the Youth will be dismissed for class with Josh Mings

15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 6

Dear Abundant Life Family:

Satan has a lot of tools in his toolbox. One of those tools that he uses against God's people on a regular basis is the tool of discouragement. The dictionary defines discourage as "to deprive of courage or confidence." Challenging circumstances produce discouragement. It could be something like a health issue, financial pressure, a relationship problem or a job loss.

But let's remember what the psalmist said: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) Rejoicing and discouragement aren't roommates. In fact, they don't usually stay in the same room together. When one comes in, the other leaves. Which one have you invited into your room?
Our confidence has to be in the Lord. It can't be in circumstances. Circumstances can collapse like a tent in a hurricane. But God is the solid rock on which we stand. He is our foundation. He is our fortress. He is our refuge. In fact, Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Claim his protection today. Encourage yourself in the Lord as David did. And if you don't need encouragement today, someone near you probably does. Speak a word of encouragement into his or her life.

As we focus our prayers today, let's pray for those who need a job and those who are struggling with financial issues. We have a number of people in our church who need a good job. Let's join together in prayer for these needs today.

In order to encourage you and build your faith, here's a testimony sent in by Brian Rosamond this week:

"I have been praying with one of my coworkers this year that God would provide us some much needed work this year, and He has answered our prayers with an over abundance of blessings. We have two Regional Offices that typically perform $60,000,000 of construction annually, and we have dropped well below that mark so far this year. However, today we have been notified that my Regional Office alone has been awarded $60,000,000 worth of work for the beginning of next year, and another $25,000,000 for the middle of the year. God is such an awesome provider, and my coworker and I want to make sure that God receives the glory as we discuss this work with our other coworkers. We hope that this will create an opportunity for God to draw our coworkers to Him through us."

Praise the Lord for his goodness and his provision!

For Saturday - Day 7 - please pray for our Adult Ministries such as Bible Studies and Care Groups.

For Sunday - Day 8 - please pray for our Worship Ministries such as our choir, musicians and worship team.

15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 5

Dear Abundant Life Family:


And he (Jesus) took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16 (NIV)

Do you remember hearing this in school - "I'm rubber; you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you"? How about - "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me"? Children learn quickly the power of words - too many times they see its destructive capacity instead of its constructive potency. However, what children hear from their peers will never compare to the words of their parents. As parents we should guard carefully the words said directly to our children. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) states "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Words are a powerful force with the potential of creating incredible results. Every child's future is influenced by the words spoken to him/her today! Positive, encouraging words cause children to believe in themselves and in the purpose God created them. It gives hope, direction and motivation to live up to what has been spoken into their lives and to overcome obstac
les. A
parent who speaks blessings over their child - God filled words of acceptance, affection, appreciation and approval - forms a precious bond with them.

In the Old Testament we see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lay hands on their children and speak a blessing over them. In the New Testament we find Jesus taking children into his arms, laying hands on them and blessing them (Mark 10:16, Matthew 19:14-15).

Bless your children today! Tell them how much they are loved! Spell out the God given gifts, talents and qualities they possess and the impact they are making now as spiritual champions! Paint a mental picture to show their future in expanding the Kingdom here on earth! Pray together as a family and have siblings speak blessings over each other. Encourage one another! Be bold in your blessings! "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace". Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

Today in your prayer time we are asking you to specifically pray for Children's Pastor John Cruz, Pre-School & Nursery Director Tanya Ryan and their families. Please lift up in prayer also all the children, families and Children's Ministry leaders.

15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 4

Dear Abundant Life Family:

Colossians 2:13-14:
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

What a mistake it is to think that our good deeds may one day outweigh our bad deeds. This is a mistake for two simple reasons. First, it is just not true. Even our good deeds are defective, scripture teaches, because we don't honor God in the way we do them. Do we fulfill the command to serve people "by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:11)? It is huge mistake to think that our good deeds will outweigh our bad deeds before God. Without Christ-exalting faith, our deeds signify nothing but rebellion.

Second, and the most important reason, it is folly to hope in good deeds because this is not the way God saves. If we are saved from the consequences of our bad deeds, it will not be because they weighed less than our good deeds. It will be because the "record of [our] debt" has been nailed to the cross of Christ. God has a totally different way of saving sinners than by weighing their deeds. There is no hope in our deeds. There is only hope in the suffering and death of Christ.

There is no salvation by balancing the records. There is only salvation by canceling records. The record of our bad deeds (including our defective good deeds), along with the just penalties that each deserves, must be blotted out, not balanced. This is what Christ suffered and died to accomplish. The cancellation happened when the record of our deeds was "nailed to the cross" (Colossians 2:13). How was this record nailed to the cross? Parchment was not nailed to the cross. Christ was. So Christ became my damning record of bad (and good) deeds. He endured my damnation. He put my salvation on a totally different footing. He is my only hope. And faith in him is my only way to God.

Today, take the time to reflect on this truth. Give the Lord thanks for this great work! Pray that others in this community, and the people who visit our church will come to this understanding that we "were dead in our trespasses and the uncircumcision of our flesh, but God made us alive together with him, having forgiven all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

In today's prayer time, we are asking that you specifically pray for our Church Board and their families: David Brauchler, Guy Church, Doyce Clark, Jimmy Eskew, Gary Kasprzak and Brian Rosamond.



TESTIMONY

Dear ALL,

Get off your knees, stretch you hands to the Heavenlies and say "Thank you…Thank you…Thank you!!!!" We are sooo blessed and we KNOW it is a direct result of the consecrated, fervent prayers (or even the thought or intention to pray) of so many. Brad had 2 interviews last week both with great feedback…by Monday he was offered a position within the SAME industry for a company that is a competitor, it is in Grand Prairie (much closer to home). How BIG is Our God!!!...the One who is the SAME…"yesterday, today and forever"…Hebrews 13:8)

We thank you ALL for standing with us in this time of testing…To God be the Glory…forever!
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Double Blessings to each of you,
Teresa Davidson (and Brad)

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.

15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 2

Dear Abundant Life Family:

Proverbs 3:6 says, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Did you know that God has a plan for your life? His desire is for you to not only discover this plan; but, to live daily in it as well. So, how do we get there? It starts with acknowledging Him as a vital part of our daily lives and this is done by reading the Bible and having a continuous prayer life. Remember, His promise is - when we are acknowledging Him is all our ways, He will step in and direct our paths.

Do you find yourself feeling like you are wandering or maybe trying to discover where you are supposed to go? If so, focus on the scriptures, spend time in prayer and then you will begin to see God's direction for your life.

Today in your prayer time we are asking you to specifically pray for Pastor Eddy and his family.

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.