Prayer = Mission Effectiveness

I find it interesting that Paul had an idea that his movements were hindered or helped by the prayers of his brothers in Christ. It is true: all spiritual effects demand spiritual causes. For theTURN to be Spirit-empowered, we must allow the Holy Spirit to work through yielded prayer.

Listen to Charles Spurgeon:

A certain preacher whose sermons converted many souls received a revelation from God that it was not his sermons or works by all means but the prayers of an illiterate lay brother who sat on the pulpit steps pleading for the success of the sermon. It may be in the all-revealing day so with us. We may believe after laboring long and wearily that all honor belongs to another builder whose prayers were gold, silver, and precious stones, while our sermonizings being apart from prayer are but hay and stubble.

Paul modeled this; a radical DEPENDENCE on God’s gracious work. Check out these Scriptures:

Colossians 4:2-4; Ephesians 6:19-20; 2 Thes. 3:1

A missionary Jerry Smith always said, “Be pre-prayered.

We must see the imperative to pray:

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Col. 4:2

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Rom. 12:12

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. – Eph. 6:18

Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thess. 5:16-18

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. – 1 Tim. 2:1

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Phil. 4:6

For us to go to the next level, prayerlessness must cease among leaders of theTURN.

“Let us not think that waiting on the Lord will mean getting less done. Who can do the most, you or the God of heaven and earth? Is not the central problem of our generation that the world looks upon the church and sees it trying to do the Lord’s work in the flesh?” – Francis Shaeffer

ALL NIGHT PRAYER this Friday night! Come join us!

pcraig

The Fear of the Lord

The way we worship God is a direct expression of how much we fear and reverence God in our lives. Enjoy the recap slides....

Luau next Thursday night!

pcraig

Guest Blogger: Beautiful Brokenness

So many times we come to the place where prayer and seeking the Lord comes from desperation; from confusion or doubt, tough circumstances and a lack of hope. God wants all of us; all of the time…but what does that look like? When we can be broken before the Lord, He honors our vulnerability and desperation. God will raise us up despite our circumstances and in light of our fleshly broken hearts, doubt and fear.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This verse is encouraging because it means that in EVERY instance, God is watching out for us. Not everything will be easy. The symbolic cross that we carry daily has not been promised to be light, we will endure hardships, but we can be dependant on our Savior to work all things for the betterment of those who love Him!

Isn’t it awesome that God will work despite our feelings of inadequacy, despite our failed relationships, insecurities and failures? Whether we realize it or not, God knows our value, our worth and our future. He holds and knows ALL THINGS.

Being broken before the Lord is a beautiful thing; it puts us in a place where we NEED him to work His perfect and good will. When we, in and of ourselves realize that our plans and ambitions are not enough, we grant God access to do His will in His timing.

They say that we must dream big enough for God’s hand to be necessary; if we dream within our own capabilities, what then are we saying about the power and authority of God in our own lives?

We must remember in our state of brokenness, to use the resources that have been divinely given; the friends, leaders, promises and time that have been placed into our lives.

Friends and Leaders can be a tangible means of seeing and experiencing God’s love. Sometimes when we do not have the strength or perseverance to seek the Lord, He will place people along side of us to push us, encourage us and speak life into the dead places; don’t take those people for granted. I have SO MANY times been impacted and changed by the Love of Christ through words and promises that He has spoken through the people around me.

Seek holiness and righteousness not only for the Glory and The Kingdom of God, but also for those around you- your obedience to God and the act of pressing into His word can change the life of those around you.

God’s promises stand firm no matter WHAT. In Psalm 37, David writes that when we “Do good and dwell in His land, we will enjoy safe pasture.” It also states in Psalm 37 that “He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn…”Wow! What a promise! Stay committed to the Lord and pursue righteousness in every arena and through our circumstances, because faithfulness to The Lord should not be based on circumstances. Remember His promises.

Our time, good, bad and ugly can be used as a time of preparation. Sometimes we feel out of place, persecuted or discouraged. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he was drowning in persecution, yet he boasted in his suffering, saying, “…I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I love the fact that when we die to ourselves, new life and a new Spirit can come and pick up the pieces, make a new life, save us and take us into a higher calling!

How can you allow God to work within your brokenness? What do you need to lay down in order for God to turn the “ashes” of bitterness, hatred, regret and doubt into beauty? How can you boast in your suffering in order for God to be glorified?

Allow yourself to return to Him, even when you don’t feel worthy, seek restoration and tune your ears to hear His voice. Remember that his power is make perfect in our weakness; we CAN NOT be perfect; why not allow God to shine through our imperfections?

Caitlin Schrider

An Acts 2 VISION

Best night hands down at theTURN - so blown away by the intensity of tonight. Here are the message slides:

I love my church!

pcraig