Posted on

Prayer Request

Mark 11:24 (AMP) For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.

I never want to pray selfish prayers. My prayers are for growth to happen within others. I pray for my family to seek their daily bread from Him. I pray for my church to seek His face daily. I pray for unity in the body of Christ. I pray that I am a good steward with everything that He places in my hands. I pray for courage and opportunities throughout the day to show others love in unique ways that points to Him. I pray over my mind and ask for Him to search within me for any way that is not pleasing. I pray for the needs of others as they share them with me.

These are prayers that I know lines up with His Word. That is what He means by praying in accordance with His will. I have also been praying for us a place for our church to call home (one of our very own). In the natural it looks like we keep making steps backwards. I have to stand firm on His Word. We are keeping our eyes open. We have set the vision before us. We have written it down (Habakkuk 2:2). Our focus is not on the lack, but on the desire for growth within those who have connected. Praying for those that have walked away and that they are planted somewhere that seeks to direct them to the Father’s heart. We have sown seed in others with building programs and seen them receive their land/buildings (2 Corinthians 9:10). We have even helped other ministries in their starting phase.

Matthew 6:33-14 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

We have been praying for a place of our own for six years now. We have leased longer than we thought we would and can tell that the one thirty service time is wearing on some. I pray for strength in their resolve and keeping the focus on the bigger than us vision.

Galatians 6:9-10 (AMP) Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Although our need is a building, people need to be our focus. The two greatest commandments are to Love God and to Love people (Matthew 22:37-39). We are looking and we are keeping our ears open. So here is what I am asking. Would you be in prayer with us for a building of our own? Would you pray for us to keep our focus on the vision that God has given us for this community? I know this blog is not about some deep spiritual revelation. This is part of desiring for more. To step out of our comfort, to not be complacent (not saying I am not content), but to desire to step into the fullness of why He has me in this place that He has me at this moment.

I do not believe that prayer is a getting God to do what we want. I believe prayer is aligning our hearts with what He already desires for us. I know that our vision, “we exist to touch the world through our community,” is a God statement (Acts 1:8). We are seeking out opportunities to see our community grow as a church (spiritually) and outside of our church walls. Our desire is for people to come as they are, allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work in them. We do not want a polished place to show as a monument. We are the temple, not a building. We want a place that says come and be loved and grow. We want a place that discipleship can take place without a time restraint and without a fear of getting messy. We want a home to call out to the highways and byways (Luke 14:23).

There are many types of prayer. So, if you want to join with us in agreement, please do so. If you add us to your intercession list, we would love that to. Prayers of petition are also welcome. Above all, we are already thanking God for what He is doing now. We thank Him that we are healthy and a place of healing. We are thankful that those that are allowing us to, will grow deeper in their love of God, and receive His love in a deeper way. We are thankful that we are a church that desires the heart of God, that we reverence Him and stand in awe of His Glory. We are especially thankful that He is building us up together and we are allowing the work to be done within us to bring unity to His body (Ephesians 2:21). We are thankful that the Holy Spirit still speaks and has freedom at Connect Church. We are thankful for you.

Father, Jehovah Jireh, You are so Wonderful and Marvelous. We stand in awe of You. Thank You for Your Son, that we may be in right standing with You once again. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to teach us Your Love. Thank You for clothing us in Your Love once again. We thank You for being a God who desire to see us face to face. We grow stronger under Your mighty arms as we reach deeper for You. Thank You for the needs of those who are reading this blog today. We stand in agreement with them as they stand in agreement with Your Word. Your Word hold all the precepts and promises for this abundant life that You desire for us. We repent for us trying to make our own way, we want Your way. Thank You for the vison that You have planted deep inside of us. We desire to bring glory to Your Name. We thank you in advance for our building. We choose life today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

If you want to help with our building fund, give here. Most of all we appreciate your prayers.

Posted on

Hope: Women of Joy

Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

This past weekend I had the joy of driving nearly six hours, to and from, the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I was in the car by myself to meet up with a friend. We keep up with each other via Facebook, text and an occasional phone call. We met when I opened up a childcare center, eighteen years ago. Her oldest daughter and my oldest son are the same age, and she coached tiny tikes’ soccer for them that year. It has been over ten years since they moved out of the area, but we kept in touch. So, when she called me last year to ask if I wanted to attend this event with her, a year in advance, I said yes. She made all of the lodging arrangements and all I had to do was show up, she even purchased my ticket for the event. Coming from the planner in the family, it was a big deal of trust to allow someone else to do it for you.

I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes.

Bob Goff

I knew three of the four speakers on the line up for the weekend, Lysa Terkeurst, Lisa Harper and Jackie Hill Perry. The last time I attended the event I heard from Lisa Bevere. With Lisa Harper I have been able to attend other of her meetings. This was the first time to hear Lysa Terkeurst in person. I am a big reader when it comes to the Christian Living genre and those three Lisa’s are my favorites. Annie F. Downs was the unknown to me, however, I did enjoy hers a lot. The theme for the weekend was “Hope.” All four of the speakers had a unique message on the theme.

Lysa Terkeurst was the first night. If you know who she is, then you would know that she had gone through some heart break with the ending of her marriage the past few years. Her book “Uninvited” is what really helped me through the time of feeling like I was thrown away when I lost my job at a Christian non-profit over six years ago. Her base scripture was Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” When she found out her husband was being unfaithful, she hoped that God would keep her family together, she did not want to lose what she had. She had to be joyful in hope. She explained that God has told us to steward what He has given us, not to control it. Control led to anxiety, inviting in fear, depression and resentment. To steward meant she was going to trust God with the outcome, which led to greater faith, surrender and peace. She reminded us that we are to take heart, to take courage and to count it all joy. Then be patient in affliction. Look for ways and opportunities to bless others, keeping the focus off of yourself. Finally, and most importantly, pray continually. It is safe to present our requests to God. Pray for Him to show you someone to forgive. Pray for Him to show you someone to bless. Pray for Him to show you His goodness today. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8).” Lysa announced that she has remarried to an amazing man that has taken her family as her own. He cheers her on and she knows she is loved.

Lisa Harper was our opening speaker for Saturday morning. She makes the who room light up and will have you laughing so hard with her hilarious adventures. 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (AMP).” We have a living hope. We can rejoice because of this living hope. She read the story of Peter returning to fishing after Jesus was crucified, found in John 21. Jesus went to Peter before Peter said he was sorry. One of the biggest problems we have in the church is that we are quick to judge and slow to forgive. The key to living hope is to never forget that we need mercy.

The third speaker, Annie F. Downs, was new to me. I did purchase her book, “Looking for Lovely,” and am looking forward to reading it soon. She is a big fan of looking for fun and inviting others in. She often looks for opportunities to bring in non-believers. “The joy of unbelievers in your life is the joy of seeing God pursue them.” I am one of those who will look for opportunities to hang out with non-churchy people. How can I be the light if I only hide within other lights? When you live in the fullness of who Jesus is, you will change the rooms you enter. Her key verse was Romans 5:3-5 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (NLT).” We chase hope, by chasing joy, so chase fun. Fun always requires vulnerability. When you are vulnerable then you know that you are known and loved. Fun invites connection. Fun will help you remember what you may have forgotten. We need joy in us, for others. In Christ we are not without hope. “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it (1 Peter 3:15).” Be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have. We cannot only be friends with each other.

The closer for the event was Jackie Hill Perry, on Sunday morning. Jackie spoke of hope from the story of Hannah, as found in 1 Samuel. She talked about the importance of prayers of petition. Her first point was that they must be a problem. Before we send up a prayer to heaven it is because we have identified a problem on earth. Hannah’s problem was her infertility. She felt both internal shame, and external shame. When everything is bad, God is still good. Do not be tempted to redefine things by your circumstances, stick to the scriptures. Her second point was to identify the pattern. Hannah’s issue was not short lived; she struggled for years. Every year when she was supposed to worship, she was reminded and was provoked. Although she was experiencing the love poured out by her husband and his favor, she allowed the irritation of his other wife to depress her. She was not able to eat, means she was not able to commit to worship, she held back her worship. All she had space for was the grief. God is committed to eliminate all avenues of boasting in our lives. Jesus did not go immediately to Lazarus, so that God would the glory. What if God is committed to your sanctification more than your comfort. Her third point was the Petition. Hannah gets up and does not go to her vices to numb her anxiety, she goes to the temple to pray. Instead of bringing her emotions, she brought her whole self. She starts off her prayer not by addressing the problem, not by addressing the pattern, but the Person of God. She calls Him the Lord of Hosts. A name to boost her confidence. The Lord of Hosts can give joy where there should be grief. Everything we have is a gift, and she was going to commit to give her child back to Him. Sometimes we are asking God to give us things that we have not intention on giving back to Him. God will not give you an idol. Nothing we have is ours to keep. When she prayed, she prayed out all of her cares. When she released it, her countenance changed. Prayer of petition is more than getting what you want, it is putting yourself in position for peace to come. Are you desperate enough for Him? Hannah was made to be His created before she was made to be a mother. She worshipped freely in the release, before she had her son. The Lord is faithful.

I hope you enjoyed my notes from this weekend. They do not do it justice from being in the atmosphere of 10,000 women worshiping together. If I can encourage you to do anything is to say ‘yes’ to things that bring you out of your comfort, that will challenge you. In doing so, look for opportunities to bless others. Look for someone to love, to forgive and to show His grace.