“Pray always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration):
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
The attitude of thankfulness is prevalent in the Scripture. We are told to express our gratitude and appreciation to God. The word thankfulness is used in the Greek New Testament in two ways: 1) grace and 2) to confess/ acknowledge. “Thankfulness is a mental and/or verbal expression of one's acknowledgement and appreciation of God's person, His grace, blessings, and sovereign work in one's life and the world.” (J. Hampton Keathley, III, The Reasons for Thanksgiving, bible.org).
Why should we be thankful:
1. Because God has given us His Son (Jn 3:16).
2. Because God has given us His Word (2 Pet 1:20-21).
3. Because God has given us His Spirit (Rom 8:
4. Because God is good (Ps 106:1; 107:1; 8, 15, 21, 31).
S (supplication or intercession):
Application:
• Take time to thank God for His character and many blessings today!
• Begin a journal and start recording His hand of goodness and faithfulness in your life.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Why the Church Matters
Reasons why the church matters:
1. The church is the only institution that our Lord promised to build and to bless (Matt 16:18).
2. The church is the gathering place of true worshippers (Phil 3:3).
3. The church is the most precious assembly on earth since Christ purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 6:19; Eph 5:25; Col 1:20; 1 Pet 1:18; Rev 1:5).
4. The church is the earthly expression of the heavenly reality (Matt 6:10; 18:18).
5. The church will ultimately triumph both universally and locally (matt 16:18; Phil 1:6).
6. The church is the realm of spiritual fellowship (Heb 10:22-25; 1 John 1:3, 6-7).
7. The church is the proclaimer and protector of divine truth (1 Tim 3:15; Titus 2:1, 15).
8. The church is the chief place for spiritual edification and growth (Acts 20:32; Eph 4:11-16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:1-2; 2 Pet 3:18).
9. The church is the launching pad for world evangelization (Mark 16:15; Titus 2:11).
10. The church is the environment where strong spiritual leadership develops and matures (2 Tim 2:2).
Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, Comeback Churches, 32-33. Quoted from John MacArthur, Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry, Shaping Contemporary Ministry with Biblical Mandates; and Richard Mayhue and Robert Thomas, The Master’s Perspective on Pastoral Ministry
1. The church is the only institution that our Lord promised to build and to bless (Matt 16:18).
2. The church is the gathering place of true worshippers (Phil 3:3).
3. The church is the most precious assembly on earth since Christ purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 6:19; Eph 5:25; Col 1:20; 1 Pet 1:18; Rev 1:5).
4. The church is the earthly expression of the heavenly reality (Matt 6:10; 18:18).
5. The church will ultimately triumph both universally and locally (matt 16:18; Phil 1:6).
6. The church is the realm of spiritual fellowship (Heb 10:22-25; 1 John 1:3, 6-7).
7. The church is the proclaimer and protector of divine truth (1 Tim 3:15; Titus 2:1, 15).
8. The church is the chief place for spiritual edification and growth (Acts 20:32; Eph 4:11-16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:1-2; 2 Pet 3:18).
9. The church is the launching pad for world evangelization (Mark 16:15; Titus 2:11).
10. The church is the environment where strong spiritual leadership develops and matures (2 Tim 2:2).
Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, Comeback Churches, 32-33. Quoted from John MacArthur, Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry, Shaping Contemporary Ministry with Biblical Mandates; and Richard Mayhue and Robert Thomas, The Master’s Perspective on Pastoral Ministry
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