Small Group, October 19th, 2008

"The Great Tribulation"

Acts 14:19-23

Question 6: Which of the two commitments have you decided to make this week?
A. Now grumbling/complaining or,
B. Signing up for some kind of sacrifice, such as volunteering for a church need or give up something that you love or love to do.

The words from "Here I Am To Worship" are appropriate for me:

King of all days, Oh so highly exalted,

Glorious in heaven above;

Humbly you came to the earth you created;

All for love’s sake became poor.

So here I am to worship …

And I’ll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross.

Jesus knew tribulation, the early saints knew tribulation(Stephen, James, Paul, Peter, on and on, those in China, Darfur, Somalia, India, China, Saudi Arabia, and so many other places in today's world). And here I am complaining.....oh the shame....

Also as a reminder, since this is the week of the Lord's Supper, there is a one day fast that is voluntary. The suggestion is to start on Thursday after sundown and continue until after sundown on Friday.

Some thoughts about fasting:

a. It is used for spiritual growth
b. Used to seek the Lord's counsel on matters of importance
c. To glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper into our prayer life
d. To help us take our eyes off of the things of this world

It is not:
a. used for dieting
b. Required by Christ or Scriptures
c. necessarily from food, can be anything that is causing you to not focus on God
d. for diabetics or others with food related problems...consulting your doctor is always recommended.

From "All About God"

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Christian Fasting - A Lifestyle of Servant Living
Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others.

"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9).

Prayer Requests:

Travis - A sister who does not know the Lord and had developed a blood clot on the brain and also has addiction problems, please pray that she will surrender to the Lord and for the Lord to heal her.
Also a continuation of prayer for the Lord to help Travis develop the good habits of using his time wisely and getting the rest that he needs.

David - Praise - there is no diabetes - please pray for the Lord's help in David's struggle with a problem that continues to plague him also that the Lord would heal an "impaired glucose tolerance" problem.
Please also pray for David's father who has pre-cancerous skin cells on his face and that he quit procrastinating and have them treated.

Dennis - For the Father to give him wisdom on how best to serve the Kingdom, family and church.

Barb - Praise - the pain in her left chest and back is NOT due to a recurrence of cancer but to a fractured rib. Probably due to a bike accident a month or so back. Please pray for quick healing and for the pain to stop.
Barb said that she will sign up for the "not grumbling or complaining"

Daniel and Benny - For the Lord to heal their injuries from the car accident

Mary - Pray for Katrina and her sister Nichol who, along with their mother are now living in a shelter. The mother could lose her two girls.
Please pray for the Father to give Mary wisdom as she has an opportunity to be the resource for the mother. Pray that the Father will use all those around Mary to help her in this decision.

Libby - Please pray that the Lord would cure the tendinitis that plagues Libby as she has a job where she is on her feet most of the day.

Gaby - Please pray that the Lord would intervene with the insurance people to bring speedy payments for all of the bills that have been a result of the accident. Also pray that the injuries caused in the accident will heal quickly.
Also, pray for Billy to be the godly man and leader in his home for Gaby and the boys. Pray also that Gaby will be able to lay all of her worries and concerns in the hands of our Father.

Jacksons - Please pray for Giovanni, Marisella, Gracie, DeeDee, Will and Ricky as they go through the loss of their father Rod. Please also pray for all of Rod's family, for peace and healing from their loss.

Please pray for the Harvest Party, that there will be those who come who are yet undecided and the Holy Spirit will work on them to surrender to the Lord.

Please pray that the church family will not withdraw from their giving. Pray that all would see this as the time to give more and to find joy in knowing the Lord is in control and will bless them mightily.

Please pray that the Christians in this nation will come together and vote for the life of our unborn and not for murder. The spiritual battle is on and we must vote for the least of those among us. Please pray that the Lord will help us to restore the moral foundation of this country.

Small Group - 19 Oct., Fremen House

Small group is at the Fremen's house today (directions below).

Leave Chatt on St. Elmo Ave., which becomes GA 193 as soon as you cross the state line.

Go past the light at GA 2-A and turn left at GA 341. There is no light and there is a State Farm Insurance office on the right.

Once you pass the hard left bend, turn left a little ways up on Mission Ridge Road.

Turn left on Hill Top.

Turn right on East Circle.
Billy and Gaby are at 1003 East Circle.

Small Group - Sunday October 12th, 2008

Man-Centered Religion

Acts 14:8-18

Sermon

Questions

I believe question #4 is perhaps the most challenging question that I have heard anyone make. That is:

"4. Pastor Travis talked about "colluding with each other to pretend that we are holier than we actually are." Have you ever been tempted to do this? How is that sinful and what are the dangers?"

Our desire to hide our sins and to avoid at all costs transparency is to avoid the Lord's command to all, i.e.:

Luke 10:27 (English Standard Version)

27And he answered,(A) "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and(B) your neighbor as yourself."

Cross references:

1. Luke 10:27 : Matt 22:37; Mark 12:30; Deut 6:5

2. Luke 10:27 : Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   The part of the command that I never really think too deeply about is the "and your neighbor as yourself."

   " And" seems to get me.....but Travis's question really grabbed me. Now the question may be.....how do we start obeying our Lord? How do we lose our pride and selfishness and gain the humility to love our neighbors as ourselves despite all of the sin. How do we love each other so much that we desire to help our neighbors through their sin. How do we stand by them when they don't seem to want to stop their sin? How do we that without seeming to enable them?

   Ah, it is not easy at all to be a Christian.....guess that is why I feel so miserable when I think about how poorly I follow my Master's lead.

   
   

   Prayer Requests:

   
   

   Gaby - Pray that the Lord will give her wisdom and strength as she starts to work full time teaching. Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to her about taking the job and as to whether or not to have a full time job. Please also pray that the Lord would speed up the healing for all injuries resulting from the recent car wreck.

   Travis - Pray that the Holy Spirit would be especially clear in guiding Travis to develope good habits for his sleep and work cycles. Also pray that the Lord would give Travis wisdom and maturity.

   David - Please pray that the Lord would free David of a problem that continues to plague him. Pray that the Lord shower David with mercy and love.

   Billy - Praise that the job decision was made for him by the closing of the plant where the opening was available. Praise the Lord that Billy did not accept the job offer before the plant closed.

   Bekah - Pray that the Lord will raise up those around her in her new work environment that she will be able to draw on for support. That they would be lovers of Christ and have their eyes firmly on Him first and the world second.

   Dennis - For the Lord to make clear what it is that he needs to do.....with the loss of the income....concentrate on finishing the course on Grant Proposal writing, or job hunting. How can I best serve the Lord?

   Rae - Please pray for the Lord to provide for Rae's wheelchair.

   
   

   Thank you, Miss Bekah for your hospitality and please extend our thanks to your roommates for their generosity in opening your home to all of us in the small group.

   
   

   
   

   
   

12 Oct 08 Small Group Location

We're meeting at Tuggy's house tonight! Bring good food! If you need directions go back through the old posts. It's in there.