Dear church family,
This week’s devotional begins with a blast from the past. This is from a devotional written many, many months ago:
I am so excited about what the Lord is going to do this year. And my excitement is not primarily about entering into and using the new facility (Although make no mistake, I am very enthused about the prospect of worshiping together in that space). My real source of excitement is in the following three things: 1) watching the activity of the Lord unfold in the lives of our people; 2) seeing others come to know Christ and walk with him; and 3) growing personally and corporately in our prayer lives. Now, do I have that in the correct order? Probably not, it is more likely that as we pursue #3, we will have the eyes to discern #1 and the hearts to reach out to others (#2).
Now I want to update that list of three things. We have recently begun distributing a monthly prayer calendar that will replace and expand our prayer focus. The prayer calendar will be distributed electronically and in hard copy as well. Please take a copy of the prayer calendar off the connect table and keep it by your bedside or on the fridge. What effectiveness there is when the whole body comes together and lifts up various concerns. Another opportunity to pray will be the soon-coming distribution of our church directory. The church directory is made up of church members and regular attenders. Copies of the directory will be available on the connect table as well. Here is my challenge: keep your directory near your Bible and when you pause for prayer, open your directory and pray for at least one family. It has been very exciting to see the Lord at work:
- By opening doors of service at North Middle School in Grain Valley.
- By sending us an increase in visitors lately.
- By seeing two of our kids promote into our growing youth group.
- By blessing us with a brand-new pastoral intern, Adam Villareal.
- By bringing overseas believers to us for teaching and encouragement.
- By allowing us to provide a meal or two to some of the construction workers.
- By giving us connections through the SBC to locate temporary housing for global partners.
- By allowing us to encounter other believers with amazing accounts of God’s faithfulness.
- What would you write here? How have you seen God’s faithfulness unfolding in and around your life?
Have a blessed week and we will see you on Sunday ready to hear the way God has been blessing and strengthening you.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
