Loving Others Who Are Different

  Praying for the END of Racism.........there is an old saying, "Sunday mornings at 11a.m. is the most segregated hour of the week." Only statement this week...what are you doing to bridge the gap of racism in your community? 

 I found this verse very interesting as I have never seen it used with racism...but it applies. James 2:9 ESV "But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors".

Are you showing partiality in your daily life? Are you judging someone or making assumptions because of the color of that person's skin?

Prayer points this week:
1. Ask the Lord to show you anything in you that would cause you to judge others based on the color of someone's skin or their culture. Psalm 139:23-24

2. Ask the Lord to help you to be fair in your dealings with ALL people. Judge their hearts not their skin.

3. Pray for Christian churches of ALL denominations to work together in harmony for the Kingdom. Pray for a NEW HEART in EVERY Christian in the GREATER MONTGOMERY AREA..

Colossians 3:10-11 ESV
"And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian,

Suffering

This week, there has been a lot of suffering in a lot of families in the Greater Montgomery area. Some of those families don't know the Lord but many do. This blog post by one of Montgomery pastors, Alan Cross,from Gateway Baptist, sheds some good light on how to handle suffering.

This week:
1. pray for those who you know are suffering...ask the Lord to help those who are followers of Christ to honor God through the suffering.

2. For those who are suffering who are not followers of Christ, ask the Lord to fill them with such a great love and peace that they will KNOW He is God and they will desire His presence in their lives.

3. Pray for all who are suffering to know the Lord's presence,whatever they may be going through.


http://www.downshoredrift.com/downshoredrift/2012/10/what-do-we-mean-when-we-say-god-is-in-control.html

Praying About Crime in the Greater Montgomery Area

A person I know got victimized. Well, someone broke into their home and stole some "things". The person was caught and the victim decided to forgive them. Why, you ask? Because as the victim said; "This boy has far more going on in his heart than my possessions are worth. I need to forgive him and let him know so that he can know that somewhere out there, Christ will not only forgive him but make him whole. And...if he had killed me, I KNOW where I am going, he does not. I need to be able to SHOW him God's forgiveness." 

WOW....what a great disciple of Christ that person is. I wonder as we read the papers or watch the news tonight, if we saw each criminal as that person does...as a human being with DEEP ROOTED hurt. See, the "crime" is always a symptom of the heart. It is not fair or excusable what a person does, but as Christians, we need to SEE that person through GOD'S EYES instead of our own.

Jesus was pretty strong about forgiveness of others when you are wronged. Even when we see someone who has wronged someone else..........here are a few verses to ponder this week:

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. "

Luke 6:35-38;42
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ... How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Pray for Montgomery as our public safety officers fight crime, for victims and for the perpetrators as well. Crime is a SYMPTOM of a LARGER heart issue. Pray for HEARTS to be changed in the Greater Montgomery area!

Helping the Poor In Greater Montgomery

This morning I got a call from an elderly lady here in Montgomery on a fixed income. She was wondering how she was going to pay for her Diabetes meds this week. She has too much income for Medicaid/Medicare insurance and not enough to pay for the meds. What does she do? She has worked all her life. She was a good citizen. She doesn't mooch off anyone. BUT..she doesn't bring in enough to pay for medication.

Most of us say that we don't want the government interfering in our lives and imposing "insurance" on us. Right? But we are not willing to do anything in return for "no government interference".

I would challenge you today to "rethink" your opinions of "the poor" here in Montgomery. Over 17% live below the poverty level. Most are the "working poor" that don't have enough income to make it. Most are hard working people. A lot of our "poor" here in Montgomery have mental and physical disabilities that deter them from "working" enough to make ends meet. Only a "small" percentage of people actually "fit" the stereotype of what most people call "bums". And even then, the Lord makes it very clear in the Bible that there are no "stipulations" to helping the poor.
Here are a few verse to remind us of our responsibility this wonderful Monday morning.

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31:8-9

"He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished."
-Proverbs 17:5

"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty."
-Proverbs 22:16

"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"
-Matthew 19:21

"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses."
-Proverbs 28:27

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
-1 Timothy 6:17-19
What are you doing today to care for the poor here in the Greater Montgomery area???

Just some scripture to ponder and pray over!
Happy Monday!

Consumer Religion?

What is Consumer Religion?

  

Find out what Ken May, Director of Missions for Montgomery Baptist Association has to say about it.

Time to evaluate ourselves and see where we are in reaching people for Christ in Montgomery??? 

Psalm 139: 23, 24 says:
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

 http://www.scribd.com/doc/104878998/09-06-12-Montgomery-Assoc-Color

The Olive Tree Ministries of Alabama

Did you know that Olive Tree Ministries of Alabama has officially started in Lowndes County? Along with Montgomery Baptist Association churches, several other denominations have come together to fight poverty, racism and lack of education in this county. This county is about 31% pop. below the poverty level. Partnering with the Lowndes County BOE to provide tutoring and holding Operation Inasmuch Mission Days(revitalizing homes of seniors)this ministry will make a difference. Black and white churches are working together this Fall also to begin forging friendships with each other and bridging the racial gap.
Would you pray for the Olive Tree Ministries of AL? 

Pray for resources, volunteers and open hearts as they live as disciples of Christ in this county.
Isaiah 55:11 says: "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

Pray for the right words for each of these volunteers that will be bring streams of living water to refresh the people of Lowndes County!

This week: There are over 50 countries that are represented in our county's population! Did you know that? Wonder what would happen if we took the time to pray for the Lord to speak to those from other places who are not Christ followers to have an experience this week with the Living God? Would you join us this week in doing that?

 

These next few days, there are 15 people that will be trained in Conversational English to be teachers. They are taking a step to reach people for Christ through teaching a practical skill. Pray for them as well!

"The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God". Leviticus 19:34

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak.....

   Pray for those in the Montgomery area who are affected by the closing  of the Greil Hospital.

http://www.wsfa.com/story/19090407/greil-mental-hospital-set-to-close 

Our church community needs to become more aware of the effects that mental illness has on the family/caregivers, etc. 

 

 

 

Do you know someone who has a mental illness? What about a family who is caring for someone? Pray for them today and ask the Lord what it is that you can do to help this person and their family. Mental illness need not be a taboo subject. The Lord cares for those in distress whether it is physical or mental.

 What is your church doing to minister to this particular  people group? There are a few here in the River Region who have begun? Will your church be sensitive to this need?

Psalm 41:1
"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble".

Create in Me A Clean Heart...for the city of Montgomery.

 

 Psalm 139:23-24 

        Investigate my life, O God,

      find out everything about me;

   Cross-examine and test me,

      get a clear picture of what I'm about;

     See for yourself whether I've done anything....

then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Sometimes, we forget that when we are not clean inside, it is hard for the Lord to work through us. This week, pray David's prayer so that you can be aware of what you might need to give up to the Lord. You are a powerful tool in reaching people in the Greater Montgomery area. Only through getting rid of the stuff we carry around with us, can we be fully used by Him.

Here are some prayer points to guide you:

1. Ask the Lord to make you aware of any thing you have in heart
(bitterness/anger/unforgiveness)that would hinder you loving someone fully.
2. Ask the Lord to show you anything that hinders you from fully loving the person you know who thinks different/looks different/acts different than you do. What is it that is hindering you from "loving your neighbor"?
3. Pray for those who are believers in our city to take these verses to heart. If we can all come before the Lord cleansed, we might see things/people differently. Maybe even the way the Lord sees them! 

Racial Tension in Our City

“…for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26, 28).
1. Pray for heart change among believers in Christ. We all have prejudices in our hearts because we are fallen creatures. Ask the Lord to show you what prejudice you might have in your heart and confess it to him. Ask for forgiveness and for ways to honor Him in your actions.
2. Pray for racial tension within our community leaders. Ask the Lord to change their hearts.
3. Pray for racial tenions in our neighborhoods. That beleivers will be there to break down barriers.
4. Pray for our churches. Pray we would be courageous enough to rid ourselves/churches of anything that is displeasing and disparaging to the Lord.

Abuse or Misuse of Affluence

"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf".    Proverbs 11:28

There are people of wealth here in Montgomery. It is easy to target the wealthy and be mad at them for having money. Many of them worked hard to get it. That is not the problem. The problem comes when wealth is the sole reason for living and you abuse others to get it. That is the problem. God says in this passage that when people trust in their riches, they will eventually fall. But if they trust in the Lord, they will thrive.

What can we glean from this passage this week in praying for our city?

1. Pray for those who have wealth to have a heart change if their trust is in their money.
2. Pray for those who abuse others to get where they are, pray for heart change.
3. For those who are believers, to trust in the Lord more and more every day and share their wealth with those who are struggling.
4. For city leaders to not be consumed with wealth but in helping our city be the best that it can be.

A Call to Pray!

A CALL TO PRAY!!

With the recent deaths of several children and young adults and the perpetrators being from Montgomery, it is important that we continue to pray and pray hard for our city and for the people who live here. There are many, many people who live here who for whatever reasons, have not learned about Jesus and about self control.

Our society perpetuates "impulsive" "in the moment" get what you want and do whatever you have to do to get it. If you are mad at someone, shoot them, if they have something you want, take it. All of this with no thought to how actions affect others. Not only have these recent murders affected families of the victims, but they have affected communities, schools and cities. In fact, the recent killings in Auburn made national news this morning.

What do we do about this? Is this so overwhelming that we can't have any influence?According to Scripture...there is HOPE for our city....for the people who live here who do not know Jesus...YOU can be an influence in their lives!

Here are some reminders from scripture about how to bring HOPE to our city.

1. Love Deeply  I Peter 4:8"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
Love your neighbors, your mechanic, your grocer, your neighborhood schools. Love does conquer!
2. Trust God's Promise Isaiah 61:4
"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations". the Lord has given His people the opportunity to be a part of the restoration of sin and devastation. Are we open to participating in this with him?
3. Pray for the City Jeremiah 29:7
"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY!

CRIME: Summer is here and with the heat can come anger and frustration which a lot of time leads to crimes being committed. Montgomery's crime rate went down for a while but have had a rash of crimes lately around Greater Montgomery.

 1. Pray for the MPD and other law enforcement as they do their job/analyze the crimes and work to better prevent them from happening. These men and women need wisdom as they work hard each day.
2. Pray for victims of crime. As they get their lives back together, pray for peace and forgiveness. Pray for the Lord to work in their hearts.
3. Pray for those who commit crimes. Pray for God to touch their hearts and help them understand why they do what they do, repent and stop the cycle.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God".

SCHOOLS are starting to wrap up this month in the Montgomery area.

What will you do to make Montgomery better concerning kids?

Tutoring? Mentoring?

Praying for kids?

Having a backyard Bible club right in your own yard? 

 Mark 9:35-37
"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

MEN: Praying for men in Montgomery who have not been taught to be the husband and father that God intended them to be. There are many men in Greater Montgomery who have to be taught to be the right kind of hsubands and fathers. 1. Pray for Christian men in Montgomery to step up and be mentors to younger men who are helping produce lots of babies but not taking responsibility for their care.
2. Pray for ministries and churches to provide opportunities for men to grow and know what it means to be a man of God.
3. Pray for all of our hearts to be changed who claim Jesus as our Lord. That we will be filled with passion for the lost and grace for those who have never been taught.  We are instructed to "teach" the younger men....are we really doing it for those who really need it?

Titus 2:2-8
"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance......Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us".

SCHOOLS:

Praying for Montgomery area schools this week(both public and private)

1. Pray for teachers and administration to have wisdom, compassion and discernment.


2. Pray for students. Many students today carry a lot of emotional baggage. Poverty, crime and abuse are a part of their daily routine at home. They bring that with them to school. It is difficult to concentrate when you are hungry, soiled or sleepy. OR when you are being constantly berated every day or being overly pressured to succeed. Pray for healing to take place in students lives.


3. Pray for parents: parents hold the key to their children's success. Pray for parents to find peace and healing through Christ for their own lives. Pray for eyes to be opened where they might be blind. Pray for wisdom and discernment.

4. Pray untimately that teachers, administration, parents and students will understand that God loves them and that they can depend on him for all that they need.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

" Scripture is inspired by God and is useful[a] for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living,17 so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed"



Hearing the Cries of the Poor

Lift up those who struggle with "generational poverty" here in the Greater Montgomery area.

Pray with us on these things:

1. That the chains of dependence on others will be broken.

2 That, as Christians, we will not be harsh in judging a person of low wealth.

3. That the Lord will give our Greater Montgomery Christian congregations the wisdom to know how to help someone in a healthy way to break those chains and be willing to invest in others lives for the long term.

"If you neglect the cries of the poor, your own cries for help will not be heard". Proverbs 21:13



Praying for Our Sister Churches!

The Enemy LOVES to take down churches and Christians. Pray for ALL of our Christian congregations in the River Region area. Many are under attack and being distracted from the call to serve our city! Lift up your Christian brothers and sisters who might be being distracted and focusing on non-eternal things!

Romans 15:5-6 ESV
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ".

It is Not About YOU!

"For everything, absolutely everything,above and below, visible and invisible...everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him".Colossians 1:16

This week, as we "end" Holy Week, look around you in Montgomery and where you are...ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to "be"Christ to those around you. Are you living out what He died for....LOVE?
Remember Rick Warren's opening line in the bestseller, "The Purpose Driven Life" IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU! It IS about Jesus. It IS about people coming to know HIM personally. Is it about you today OR is it about Jesus and telling others what HE has done in YOUR life?

One of the core problems found in Greater Montgomery is the abuse or misuse of wealth....

Pray this week that those who have the means will truly look at their "wealth" and turn it over to the Lord. Pray that they will use their money for the things above and not things that they "cant take with them when they die! ......

Here is a great quote from former Money Matters CEO, Larry Burkett. "God does not condemn anyone for having riches. Riches come to people from many sources, but He gives grave warnings to those who seek after them more than they seek after God and trust in them more than in God. His greatest desire is for us to set our hearts on things above and not on things on this earth. This may sound very high and unobtainable, but Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). The secret is knowing Christ as Savior and allowing the Holy Spirit to conform our minds and heart to His (Romans 12:1-2)".