Praying for a nation at war…Journal 10.23.13

We should pray today for a nation that is at war with God and God’s people. Not Iran. Not Syria. Not Egypt. Yes, those nations and others oppose, persecute, disenfrancise, and even kill believers. But my prayers, this prayer, is for the United States.

The U.S. was not founded on the grounds of tolerating religion in general – though it did tolerate any faith. It was founded on the grounds of protecting and promoting the exercise of Biblical faith…the Christian faith. This is clear when you consider the first right guaranteed in the Constitution is the right to exercise religion without government interference. It is also clear when one reads original, primary historical sources (that means the writings of those that were there). They expressed clear, unapologetic faith in God, in Providence, or in the Divinity, as some called Him.

The key is the believers. God’s blessing on a nation and the promise of restoring that nation to greatness is tied to professing believers. “If my people, who are called by my Name, shall humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways, and seek my face, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

Oh Father, please heal us; please humble us so that we are in a position to submit to You. Forgive Your church for our sins, weaknesses, and worldliness. Help start to turn back to You….soon, please. Soon.

About Angels … 10.15.13

From an Evangelist I follow on FB:

ANGELS: No one who bows before the authority of Holy Scripture can doubt the existence of angels.

Angels were not born, they have not always existed, but were created by God as a complete company never to be reduced by death. Angels are supernatural spirits, actual beings, usually invisible to the human eye and untouchable to the human hand.

They are generally free from material bodies, but often appear with physical bodies. Angels, I believe, are not sexless like so many people suppose, but are always revealed in Scripture as being in the FORM of MEN. Masculine pronouns are always used to describe them - "his, he, him." Since all angels are masculine, it is impossible for them to marry or reproduce themselves.

FALLEN angels are workers of Satan, while FAITHFUL angels help in the ministry of God. As we Christians come to the sunset of life, angels will escort us into the very presence of God.

(Dr. Reg Dunlap, Bible Conference Ministry).

Hold on…10.14.13

Hold on, my child. Joy comes in the morning. The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Hold on.

The Bible calls this time on earth temporary, and it calls our afflictions light – in view of the surpassing greatness of Heaven. Now, more than ever, hold on.

The world needs now more than ever.

Sat 4:07 PM

The world seems to be on a downward spiral. The United States is becoming a no-impact player in the world. We've lost our moral compass. The faith of our founding fathers is shunned and outlawed in the land they founded. We allow the killing of babies before they are born; homosexuality has received legal , protected, and equal status with heterosexual marriage; divorce, pornography and child abuse, and human trafficking are rampant. Oh yes, the world is declining and America is leading the way.

Christians are imprisoned, tortured, enslaved and murdered around the world. That's because true believers are Outsiders -- they don't belong here. The moment they received the Gospel they found themselves behind enemy lines.

But there's good news. The Gospel thrives in conditions like these. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. We must remain true to Christ. And while I pledge allegiance to the United States, politics and national interests must take a back seat to the Kingdom of Christ.

Please, fellow believers, reject "churchianity", gossip, theological snobbery, and get your act together in the Body of Christ. Be a caring, productive member of the Bride of Christ. Love the church and the people in it as He does. Our faith has to get real. Lost men, women, boys and girls depend on it. The Kingdom of God deserves it. "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." Yes, we owe Christ and His Kingdom, not any kingdom of this world.

It's a paradigm shift -- we need, us believers, need an entirely new and different way of thinking, acting, and conducting our lives in the world -- but especially toward each other.

With Jesus, the best is still ahead of us no matter what is happening in the world. The world needs us now, more than ever.    -dwd

Journaling…Oct 11, 2013…You are my Foundation

5:27 AM

Psalm 11

Lord, the unrighteous, do not go unnoticed. There are detractors that try to oppose those of us who claim Your Name and try to live for You. They are hurtful and sneaky v2. And when the foundations are destroyed there isn't much the righteous have to stand on v3. But You, Lord, are on the throne of Heaven v4 -- up and apart from the slime of the world.

Yes, You came here, endured here, only to die here…for me. For all those that believe in You. You, Lord, are righteous and You love righteous deeds v7. And You promise that the upright will see Your face. Thank You, for such promises, Lord.

You are the One that made us righteous. I have nothing to offer You, nothing I can bring -- I bring nothing to the table of value. You, most excellent God, have saved me through the brutal death of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You, Lord, are my foundation now.

Prayer Journal for Oct 09, 2013

5:36 AM

Psalm 09

Lord, this Psalm spoke to me today in several ways, but the very last phrase of the Psalm is the one that stands out this morning. "…let the nations know they are only men."

After reminding us that You are God and that You are seated on the throne of Heaven ruling and judging the affairs of the world, the prayer is that we would remember who we are -- only men.

Father, this world has always been a harsh and evil place. But right now it seems to be setting up for something big, something climatic. Israel and the middle east are, of course, center stage. Great nations in Europe are but shadows of what they used to be. The United States is about to experience an upheaval of some kind.

Lord, we are but men and we destroy, wound and cripple things and people with our godless rule. I only pray the blessed Gospel will spread and flourish in the midst of the adversity. Help those of us that claim Your Name to live the roll and act like children of the living God and risen Savior.

We Are Mobile!!

We are mobile!

Grace Fellowship has a mobile app for Android and iphone. Go to your app store or Google Play and install ChurchLink.

Click on the icon. The first time you do a page will come up in which you can type Grace Fellowship then press the button NEAR YOU.

It will list some churches including Grace Fellowship with a green icon and church pic.

Click on Grace and it will ask you if you want to make it your favorite. Say yes. That’s it.

From now on when you click the ChurchLink icon on your home page it will go directly to Grace Fellowship.

Announcements, a new Prayer Wall, dates and times, sermons, pictures and all kinds of stuff are now found on your smart phone – whereever you go.

Sunday School is not just for kids

About 233 years ago some Church leaders in England began classes on Sunday for the children that worked during the other 6 days. Hungry and overworked in the mines and factories they were drawn in droves, literally, to Sunday School.
Sunday School began an outreach to the unchurched, unloved, and unreached. In England over 250,000 children attended weekly, 4,000 in Manchester alone.
The phenomenon spread to the United States. In the industrial north children were drawn by the thousands. In Chicago the response was overwhelming. But hoards of unwashed, orphaned, and lost children learned about God and His love.
Around 1870, however, the government decided to improve upon this wildly successful movement. The Education Act was passed that promoted sports on Sunday and drew upon the children and adult church people for participants.
So today we have a small group of kids that come to Sunday School and an adult population that would miss even worshiping the Almighty God with His people for an NFL game or baseball game. Yes, far more Christians engage in sports events on any given Sunday than Christians that engage in worship and Sunday School. After all, Sunday School is for kids, right?
Well, for adults that would come we are starting two new classes. Steven Hawkins will teach the Book of Daniel, replete with implications for world. Michael Hague will teaching about Work and Money. Many believers could use the biblical perspective on these.
The other classes for Ladies and Young Adults will continue as they are. But you better sign up quickly for the class you want. Class size is limited on Daniel and Work and Money.
Come to Sunday School and bring a kid. We have classes for them, too!