How can Christians respond to a world that is changing so quickly and in so many different areas—political, economic, technological, and social? Suggestions already given have been: to take comfort in God’s unchanging nature, keep a positive attitude, and learn from the change.
Here’s one final suggestion based on a biblical principle—when faced with change, stay flexible! Don’t just tolerate the chaos, embrace it. Pastor Rick Warren gives this example. “Before glass bottles were invented, wine was kept in canteens made of animal skins. As they aged, they would become brittle and crack from new wine that was still fermenting.
Jesus once said, “You can’t put new wine in old wineskins.” (Luke 5:37-39) Here was his point: When faced with change, we must adjust or we’ll explode! Pray, “Dear God, help me be more flexible this week.”
Daily Prayer Focus
Sept. 19 - Pastors
Sept. 20 - Sunday School Teachers
Sept. 21 - Samaritan Center
Sept. 22 - Worship Ministry Team
Sept. 23 - Shoebox Ministry
Sept. 24 - Public Safety Officers
Sept. 25 - Women’s Event
Sept. 26 - FUMC Church Staff
Prayer Requests
- Women's Prayer, Praise & Worship - 9/25
- Harry Heaton
- Joe Himes
- Churches in transition
- People in transition
Praises
- People responding to God's call to serve and to lead
- A pastor realizing the needed emphasis on prayer
- A new believer
- New bible study groups
By Marian Monk
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Learn from Chaos
How can Christians survive and even thrive in a rapidly changing world? Some earlier suggestions have been: to take comfort in the unchanging nature of God, and to keep a Godly attitude in spite of change. Another suggestion from the Bible is to never stop learning. “The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.” (Proverbs 18:15, LB)
Use the changing circumstances to open your eyes to new information, new methods, and even new sources of wisdom. Never think you know it all. Stay humble, and you’ll be surprised who you can learn from—friends, neighbors, competitors, even your own children!
Ask God to open your eyes and your heart to how He may be using the changes for your good and His glory.
Daily Prayer Focus
Sept. 12 - Men’s Retreat
Sept. 13 - Special Speaker
Sept. 14 - Homeless People
Sept. 15 - Trustees Min. Team
Sept. 16 - Youth Cell Groups
Sept. 17 - Local Government
Sept. 18 - Missions to S. America
Sept. 19 - Pastors
Prayer Requests
- Harry Heaton
- Joe Himes
- Men's Weekend - 9/12 & 9/13
- Women's Prayer, Praise & Worship - 9/25
- Churches in transition
- People in transition
Praises
- People responding to God's call to serve and to lead
- A pastor realizing the needed emphasis on prayer
- A new believer
- Many bible study groups springing up
By Marian Monk
Use the changing circumstances to open your eyes to new information, new methods, and even new sources of wisdom. Never think you know it all. Stay humble, and you’ll be surprised who you can learn from—friends, neighbors, competitors, even your own children!
Ask God to open your eyes and your heart to how He may be using the changes for your good and His glory.
Daily Prayer Focus
Sept. 12 - Men’s Retreat
Sept. 13 - Special Speaker
Sept. 14 - Homeless People
Sept. 15 - Trustees Min. Team
Sept. 16 - Youth Cell Groups
Sept. 17 - Local Government
Sept. 18 - Missions to S. America
Sept. 19 - Pastors
Prayer Requests
- Harry Heaton
- Joe Himes
- Men's Weekend - 9/12 & 9/13
- Women's Prayer, Praise & Worship - 9/25
- Churches in transition
- People in transition
Praises
- People responding to God's call to serve and to lead
- A pastor realizing the needed emphasis on prayer
- A new believer
- Many bible study groups springing up
By Marian Monk
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thriving on Chaos
About the only prediction we can safely assume concerning the world today is that things will change. As Christians we can take comfort in the unchanging nature of God, who is our rock. But, how do we stand on the shifting sands of circumstances?
Business writer, Tom Peters, says in order to “Thrive on Chaos”, you must do more than cope with change, you must capitalize on it! See every change as an opportunity in disguise, and take advantage of it.
What does the Bible say? One of the most repeated admonishments in scripture is “Fear Not!” We are not to fear change, because that demonstrates a lack of faith in the sovereignty of God. We should never allow our attitudes or our actions to be based on fear, but rather let God use the change to keep us focused on Him.
The best change we can make is often a changed attitude. “Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better.” (Ephesians 4:23 LB) Pray for God to increase your faith, and diminish your fear. With His help, you will be able to “Thrive on Chaos”.
Daily Prayer Focus
Sept. 5 - Unity in Churches
Sept. 6 - Worship Leaders
Sept. 7 - Angel Food Ministries
Sept. 8 - Evangelism Ministry Team
Sept. 9 - Family Night Programs
Sept. 10 - State Government
Sept. 11 - Missions to Europe
Sept.12 - Men’s Retreat
Prayer Requests
Business writer, Tom Peters, says in order to “Thrive on Chaos”, you must do more than cope with change, you must capitalize on it! See every change as an opportunity in disguise, and take advantage of it.
What does the Bible say? One of the most repeated admonishments in scripture is “Fear Not!” We are not to fear change, because that demonstrates a lack of faith in the sovereignty of God. We should never allow our attitudes or our actions to be based on fear, but rather let God use the change to keep us focused on Him.
The best change we can make is often a changed attitude. “Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better.” (Ephesians 4:23 LB) Pray for God to increase your faith, and diminish your fear. With His help, you will be able to “Thrive on Chaos”.
Daily Prayer Focus
Sept. 5 - Unity in Churches
Sept. 6 - Worship Leaders
Sept. 7 - Angel Food Ministries
Sept. 8 - Evangelism Ministry Team
Sept. 9 - Family Night Programs
Sept. 10 - State Government
Sept. 11 - Missions to Europe
Sept.12 - Men’s Retreat
Prayer Requests
- Those fighting the flu
- Bill Jones
- Pearson Martin & Family
- Davis Wallace & Family
- Responding to God's Call
- Men's Spiritual Weekend - 9/12-13
- Community Women's Event - 9/25
By Marian Monk
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Non-Change You Can Believe In
In today's world there often seems to be no pattern to many of the changes taking place. Taking a resonable approach, studying precedents, and long-range planning are difficult, and may even seem useless when the only consistent trend is totally unpredictable change!
How should a Christian react to the chaos of constant change? We can certainly begin by thanking God that even when everything around us seems to be in a state of constant change, He is the unchanging God. This is celebrated in the cherished hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" whose words were inspired by the following scripture:
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 5:22-23)
Take some time to praise God today that even though He is always doing something new in our lives, His nature and character never change. Now there's a non-change you can believe in!
Daily Prayer Focus
August 29 - Pastor's Families
August 30 - Sunday School Teachers
August 31 - CASA/DFACS
September 1 - Prayer Ministry Team
September 2 - "Club 56" Program
September 3 - Judicial System
September 4 - Missions to Asia
September 5 - Unity in Churches
Prayer Requests
By Marian Monk
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Accepting Your Assignment
The first days of school are soon followed by the first class assignments. In order to learn, students have to do more than just attend; they are expected to read, write papers, solve problems, complete projects, answer questions, and take tests.
As Christians and members of the body of Christ, God expects more of us than merely waking up each day or showing up at church. Each one of us was created to serve God. The Bible says, “All of you are Christ’s body and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27, NLT) Each of us has a role to play and every role is important.
Today thousands of local churches are suffering because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. Paul wrote to the early church, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Will you accept your assignment? Take some time today to pray and ask God to show you how He is calling you to serve Him.
Daily Prayer Focus
Aug. 22 - FUMC Church Staff
Aug. 23 - Fellowship Dinner
Aug. 24 - Gideon Bible Society
Aug. 25 – Staff-Parish Team
Aug. 26 - Shoebox Ministry
Aug. 27 - Congress
Aug. 28 - Missions to Africa
Aug. 29 – Pastor’s Families
Prayer Requests
By Marian Monk
As Christians and members of the body of Christ, God expects more of us than merely waking up each day or showing up at church. Each one of us was created to serve God. The Bible says, “All of you are Christ’s body and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27, NLT) Each of us has a role to play and every role is important.
Today thousands of local churches are suffering because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. Paul wrote to the early church, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Will you accept your assignment? Take some time today to pray and ask God to show you how He is calling you to serve Him.
Daily Prayer Focus
Aug. 22 - FUMC Church Staff
Aug. 23 - Fellowship Dinner
Aug. 24 - Gideon Bible Society
Aug. 25 – Staff-Parish Team
Aug. 26 - Shoebox Ministry
Aug. 27 - Congress
Aug. 28 - Missions to Africa
Aug. 29 – Pastor’s Families
Prayer Requests
- More job losses
- Recent college grads. looking for jobs
- A family in crisis
- Christians to respond to God's call to serve
- Racial barriers to Christian ministry
By Marian Monk
Friday, August 14, 2009
Global Destiny, Individual Choice
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a
Perhaps you are already familiar with this verse from Psalms that encourages us to allow for times of quietness and reflection in order to seek God and be able to hear His voice. God wants us to know Him, and even tells us that stillness is part of the pathway to know that knowledge. However, He leaves the choice of following that path up to us.
In contrast, the latter part of that same verse is as follows: "I will be exalted in the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10b) The same God who gives us the freedom to choose whether we will know and worship Him individually, emphatically states that the destiny of all creation and nations will be to exalt Him.
Will you choose to spend some time in stillness today becoming better acquainted with the Lord of heaven and earth before whom every knee will one day bow?
Daily Prayer Focus
August 15 - Pastors
August 16 - Unchurched People
August 17 - Caregivers
August 18 - Lay Leadership in Churches
August 19 - Outreach to Families
August 20 - President of the U.S.
August 21 - North American Missions
August 22 - Church Staff Members
Prayer Requests
By Marian Monk
Perhaps you are already familiar with this verse from Psalms that encourages us to allow for times of quietness and reflection in order to seek God and be able to hear His voice. God wants us to know Him, and even tells us that stillness is part of the pathway to know that knowledge. However, He leaves the choice of following that path up to us.
In contrast, the latter part of that same verse is as follows: "I will be exalted in the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10b) The same God who gives us the freedom to choose whether we will know and worship Him individually, emphatically states that the destiny of all creation and nations will be to exalt Him.
Will you choose to spend some time in stillness today becoming better acquainted with the Lord of heaven and earth before whom every knee will one day bow?
Daily Prayer Focus
August 15 - Pastors
August 16 - Unchurched People
August 17 - Caregivers
August 18 - Lay Leadership in Churches
August 19 - Outreach to Families
August 20 - President of the U.S.
August 21 - North American Missions
August 22 - Church Staff Members
Prayer Requests
By Marian Monk
Friday, August 7, 2009
School Supplies
It’s that time of year when the store shelves are stocked with crayons, pencils, markers, paper, and all the other necessary school supplies. As parents, we want to make sure our children and youth have everything they need to be ready for their first days back in the classroom.
One of the best ways to make sure your children survive and thrive in school is to pray for them every day. As you send them off, lift them up to the Heavenly Father, who will go with them throughout their day. He will make sure that they have all the “school supplies” they need by caring for them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
“For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule generation after generation.” (Psalm 145:13, NLT)
Daily Prayer Focus
Aug. 8 - Unity in Churches
Aug. 9 - Worship Leaders
Aug.10 - Healthcare Workers
Aug.11 - Evangelism Min. Team
Aug. 12 - Youth Cell Groups
Aug. 13 - Military/Soldiers
Aug. 14 - South American Missions
Aug. 15 - Pastors
Prayer Requests
One of the best ways to make sure your children survive and thrive in school is to pray for them every day. As you send them off, lift them up to the Heavenly Father, who will go with them throughout their day. He will make sure that they have all the “school supplies” they need by caring for them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
“For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule generation after generation.” (Psalm 145:13, NLT)
Daily Prayer Focus
Aug. 8 - Unity in Churches
Aug. 9 - Worship Leaders
Aug.10 - Healthcare Workers
Aug.11 - Evangelism Min. Team
Aug. 12 - Youth Cell Groups
Aug. 13 - Military/Soldiers
Aug. 14 - South American Missions
Aug. 15 - Pastors
Prayer Requests
- A Friend in Christ - Lora
- Davis Wallace & Family
- New School Year - safety, wisdom, & peace for teachers & students
- Pearson Martin, Derek & Shana
- Friendship House Fundraiser - 8/27
- Men's Spiritual Enrichment Weekend - 9/12-9/13
- People searching for jobs & others affected by the economy
- Community Women's Event - 9/25
- Our government and community leaders - to seek God, wisdom, integrity
- Support group starting for infertility/pregnancy and loss
- Celebrate Recovery groups
By Marian Monk
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