2014 is Almost Upon Us

It's almost 2014....what will you be doing to be "light and life" to the Greater Montgomery area this next year?

Here are some things to pray for as we begin the new year. Feel free to add more in the comment section as you reflect on this new year and what God can and will do "if his people pray"!!!

Pray first that all Christians will have a RENEWED SENSE OF URGENCY to pray for this area. Greater Montgomery is changing day by day and not all of it is good.

PRAY FOR OURSELVES. That we will each renew our commitment to pray for the place the Lord has us for this time. God cares about our city so much and we should as well. Jeremiah 29:7 "Work to see that the city where I sent you... enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the Lord for it. For as it prospers you will prosper".

PRAY FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS-They will NEVER get ALL crime out of our city but they can surely work toward more civil-ness. Pray that each and every one of them will be renewed this year as they do their jobs and not get too cynical. Pray for those who do not know the Lord to come to the Lord this year. Pray for those who are Christians to have renewed minds(Romans 12:1-2) so that they can see the city they serve through God's eyes.

PRAY FOR CITIZENS of the Greater Montgomery area. Pray for healing, for turning away from sin, for provision, for good mental health, for support, for a church to call home and get support.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCHES to be renewed in their commitment to serving all of Montgomery, not just the members of their churches. Pray for the Body of Christ to be set on fire to LOVE LOVE LOVE the people of our area. Pray that ALL of us will SHOW the love of Christ in ALL we do.

And this is for all of us...................

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land". II Chronicles 7:14

Can You Take a Challenge?

Wonder what would happen in Greater Montgomery  if we challenged ourselves to live this verse every day this week?  Let's try it!

Prayer Challenge:

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing". — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Praying for Freedom

Psalm 118:5 ESV "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free."

We continue to lift up the crime issue in Montgomery. Ask the Lord today to help you look past what a person's behavior is. What their behavior communicates is what is going on in their hearts such as hurt, pain, hopelessness, powerlessness, etc. Pray for hearts to be healed in Montgomery today and all week.

Are you Judgmental?

John 7:24 "Don’t judge by appearances. Judge by what is right".

How many of us do this very thing? I was listening to my high schoolers and their friends discuss some things the other day and they started stereotyping people of color. I asked them what drew them to those conclusions. My oldest, who has Asperger's and no filters said, "Mom, it seems that all the people who have killed someone in Montgomery lately are black. it makes me scared to hang around black people." I then began listing some of our friends who are people of color(and who have not killed someone) and he began to realize that "not all black people" are killers. He made some assumptions about "everyone" of a certain culture based on (comparatively)a small amount of our Montgomery citizens. AND the media coverage. Now, I know the statistics and all but this needs to GO DEEPER for us as believers in Christ. To take a few people of ANY color and stereotype them/lump them into a category is JUST WRONG and very unbiblical.
            What can we as followers of Christ do about this IN MONTGOMERY?

1. PRAY PRAY PRAY about your own stereotypes. Ask the Lord to bring you into relationship with people who are different from you(in any way) Then, begin to get to know them and find out what is on the inside of that person.

Colossians 1:9 (ESV) "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding..."

2. LIVE LIVE LIVE in a way that goes beyond stereotype. Get all that gumption you have in you(the Jesus gumption because we cannot do this by ourselves) and decide to make a choice in living differently. Ask the Lord to help you stop making assumptions about any group of people. It is NOT biblical. We are ALL fallen, messed up, imperfect creatures who have it within our human nature to judge, to stereotype. LIVE beyond your natural desires.

Gal 5:24 (TEB) "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature, with all its passions and desires".

3. LOVE LOVE LOVE those who are you neighbor. Jesus treated every person with respect and love. Even when he was angry, he did so because he loved.

Leviticus 19:18 "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord".

Praying for Your Neighbor

This last week, we had a misunderstanding with our neighbor. It made me realize that we had not taken the time to get to introduce ourselves to them when they moved in. They did not "know" us and our family and misinterpreted our son's actions. It made me realize that part of my responsibility as a follower of Christ is to make sure I take initiative at reaching out to MY neighbors, not waiting for them to reach out to me. 

 Would you pray about that with me this next week? Do you know your neighbors? Have you ever gone and just introduced yourself to them when they are outside or going to work? Wonder what would happen if you took some time to get to know them a bit and reach out to them. 

It is very evident that my neighbors either do not know the Lord or are baby Christians...this conclusion is by the fruit of their actions. We have started praying for the opportunity for them to see Christ in the way we handle this disagreement, in our actions toward them in the future and for the opportunity to speak to them about Christ. Major wisdom is needed, no doubt, but we have Christ guiding and directing us.

What about you? Will you start praying for neighbors you don't know? Are you quick to judge their actions when you don't know their circumstances?

Think on this verse this week and pray for your neighbor!
 

"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up".  Romans 15:2

Poverty-What is the answer?

POVERTY-What is the answer? Education? Employment? Better budgeting? Jesus? I would be so bold to say ALL of the above. Here are some startling stats for you!

Pray and ask the Lord for guidance on what you need to do to help alleviate hunger in the Greater Montgomery County.

Scripture says this:
Isaiah 58:10 "If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday".

Hunger Related Statistics in Montgomery/Lowndes County AL 2013

1. 23.2% of Montgomerians live at or below the poverty level. It was 17% in 2006. (The poverty level is an annual income of $23,550 or below for a family of 4 according to US Dept of Health and Human Services)
2. Poverty rate for all persons in Lowndes County is 27%.
3. 33.9% of children in Montgomery County live in poverty and 10.8% of adults over 65.
4. 72.9% of children in Montgomery County public schools receive free or reduced school lunches. In Lowndes County,that figure is 98%.
5. There are approximately 487 homeless persons in Montgomery, Lowndes, Elmore and Bullock counties.

Statistics from Alabama Possible, Birmingham, AL www.alabamapossible.org

How Living Generously Can Change Montgomery!

Things to Think About and Pray About this week......

Wonder what Montgomery would look like if we Followers of Christ  lived this way?
Living Generously

 
“Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously". Matthew 10:5-8

Heart Change

We are going to continue to petition the Lord for hearts changed in the Greater Montgomery area.

That is the ONLY way to solve our crime problem, our consumerism in church problem, our racism problem, our schools and poverty problems. AND it affects ALL of us. ALL of us, no matter how "spiritual" we are, are in constant need of heart change.

Pray for our area this week for people's hearts to hunger for the Lord...and let's include ourselves in that prayer each day this week!

Sing/listen to this song to the Lord today and every day this week. If you really want crime to disappear, it has to start with each of us seeing people differently! http://youtu.be/DwudqCO7mSQ
Psalm 139:23-24 the Message
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 wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Crime Will be Diminished When Hearts are Changed!

Continue to pray for changed hearts in Montgomery.

CRIME: No matter how hard the police work(AND THEY DO WORK VERY HARD), we will not see crime diminish until hearts change which means that those of us who are followers of Christ will get out and build relationships with those who are hurting inside and those who have never known what it means to have peace in their hearts. 

 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16, ESV

Consumerism in the Church

 

Prayer Question this week...are you a consumer Christian? Read this blog and ask the Lord to show you your purpose in being at church? Is it for your benefit or the Kingdom's? 

http://www.transformativechurch.org/2013/01/24/consumer-christianity-marketing-or-making-disciples/

Praying this week for ALL Montgomery churches...that our hearts will be changed and that we will seek to follow Christ and be disciples, not consumers. Montgomery NEEDS us to be DISCIPLES...

 

Kids Starting School This Week!

 

Every parent rejoices on this day...I know we do. First day of school.....in the River Region for most schools. Some started last week.

This week: PRAYING FOR STUDENTS

Each day, our kids are faced with multiple influences around them. For ALL of them it is the peer influence. We parents don't have control anymore of who our kids hang out with AT school. We don't know every single thing they do at school. Will they make the right choices? Then there is the teacher/admin influence. What "ideas" are they teaching our kids? Do they go against our family values? Are our kids safe? Do they get the right knowledge to get into college or get that job they need to live on? So many things to think about and "worry about".

What can we do to not only cover "our kids" but cover the kids in our schools(both public and private)that need God's protection, wisdom and guidance and influence?

Someone told me once about a situation: "This is the perfect opportunity for you to show Jesus how much you trust Him!" This is one of those opportunities folks! I hear SO much complaining about schools in general(both public and private)that I wonder how much those of us who are "believers" trust our God.

So what do we pray for this week?
1. God's Guidance: for all kids in our Montgomery area schools to have what they need provided for them. To learn well, kids need to have the tools they need. Have you asked your local schools what they "need" so that ALL students can have their resources?

2. God's Protection: For safety, of course, but more than that....protection from the influences that are "societal" not godly. Consumerism, popularity, clothes....things that distract our kids from focusing on the Lord.

3. God's Wisdom: Most every kid in school(no matter what age they are....doesn't have much(if any) wisdom. They need wisdom and they need teachers and administration with wisdom to help guide them each day.

4. God's Influence:praying for all kids at our schools to meet others who can show them how much God loves them. Teachers, administrators, parents who frequent the school can be GREAT examples of God's love for them.

PRAY PRAY PRAY ...pray that your child/ren and ALL children can be a "LIGHT" in the midst of darkness at their schools. Don't think that God won't use children of ALL ages. He uses mine ALL THE TIME to teach me how to LOVE!

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” ~ Oswald Chambers

We are ALL Racists! What?

WE ARE ALL RACISTS!! Shocking right? Actually, we are because we are fallen and sinful human beings. So, in a lot of ways, as humans, we are prone to be racists. When someone is a different culture than our own, we tend to see them as bad and us as good. Let's just admit it....we ALL do it, no matter who we are. Some of us do it in our thoughts, some out loud.

The good news however, is that through Christ, we can be redeemed from those thoughts. Here are two excellent scripture about "hate" and our own hearts. Ponder them this week.

 

1 John 2:9 "If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark".

Psalm 139:23-24
"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".

As you pray for Montgomery this week,look around you and celebrate those who may be different in color or culture from you. We are ALL creations of God, so if that is true, we are to treat EVERYONE with love, grace and mercy. We are to embrace God's creation as he does.

Are You Excited?

So, this past weekend, I was helping orient 60+ mission volunteers from NC/AL to work here in Montgomery at various ministries serving and sharing the gospel. They were enthusiastic and excited. This morning as they headed out, they were "ready for the day". I got to thinking about whether we believers who live in Montgomery are as enthusiastic about "the new day" and sharing our faith with others.

This week, as we pray for our city, pray that the Lord will give you enthusiasm and opportunity to share what Jesus has done in your life. Don't be afraid to do it. God will be with you. He promised. Joshua 1:9 says:" Be determined and confident, don't be discouraged or afraid, for I am with you wherever you go."

Are you going to work today? Why not pray for an opportunity to share with a coworker or pray with them for whatever is heavy on their heart.
Isaiah 40:9 "Go up a high mountain, Zion. Tell the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Jerusalem. Tell the good news! Raise your voice without fear. Tell the cities of Judah: "Here is your God!"

Sitting in the doctors office? Look around you. The people there are needing some help medically, pray for the opportunity to strike up a conversation and share how the Lord can give them peace.
"Cast all your cares on him, for He cares for you." I Peter 5:7

At home with kids? Taking them out to playground or swim? Talk to other parents and ask the Lord for an opportunity to bless them. Like all parents, they can get weary in taking care of their kids.
I Corinthians 1:17 "...... He sent me to tell the good news without using big words that would make the cross of Christ lose its power".

Wherever you are: ask the Lord for trust in Him to give you the right words and to "listen" to what the other person is REALLY saying.

The only way to solve poverty or reduce crime or help schools or bridge racial divides is with a heart change. Pray for that as you are driving around this week.

LOVE MONTGOMERY the way Jesus loves Montgomery and you will see deeper than the surface issues here.
Jeremiah 29:7 "Work for the well-being of the city where I have sent you to and pray to the Lord for this. For if it is well with the city you live in, it will be well with you".

Is It All Just Too Much?

• So, here we are in the middle of summer and so much is going on in our city.

  
  CRIME is up...the officials are scattering around to figure out what to do......our SCHOOLS have MAJOR issues.......POVERTY is on the rise(according to Alabama Possible, 2013 stats show Montgomery has gone from 17% living under the poverty level in 2006 to 23% in 2010(US Census). Overall, our state's levels are on the rise and we are the 6th poorest state in the nation. Here is the ethnic breakdown of poverty in AL. 31/2 % Latino, 30.6% African American and 12.4% Caucasian. It is almost 10% higher than the national breakdown. There continues to be RACIAL disharmony around the Montgomery area. People continue to be caught up in CONSUMERISTIC thinking/living making them happy---most people feel a sense of entitlement (of all economic levels). Sounds like too much to handle, doesn't it?
  
  What did Jesus say: “For in this world there will be trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
  
  FIRST, even though we see all around us the troubles of this world, we have hope that Jesus HAS overcome the world. He has overcome ALL the problems of this world.
  
  SECOND, that does not mean we sit back and let it all happen. We are to be out...in the neighborhood" telling people and showing people the LOVE of Christ...investing in their lives. Acts 20:35 ESV says: "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
  
  THIRD, continue to pray without ceasing for our city, our county---for the people in it and opportunities to share the GOOD NEWS of hope and peace through Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV:"First of all, then, I URGE that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for ALL people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth".
  

  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING for our city!

  

"Violence is an Easy Option When the Future is Hard to Believe In"

"Violence is an easy option when the future is hard to believe in" 

 
What do you think of this statement from a spiritual standpoint?

Read the beginning of a series the Montgomery Advertiser is starting and see how you can pray through this article for our city!
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20130616/NEWS01/306160001/Montgomery-awash-bullets

Childhood Poverty in Montgomery, AL

Wondering what you think and how we can help children in poverty right here in AL. 

http://www.wsfa.com/story/15292365/editorial-child-poverty

Would you pray this week for Montgomery churches and organizations to help children be able to eat this week. What is your part in the solution? 

Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,you were doing it to me!’

Poverty

In Montgomery alone, 17-19% of our population lives under the poverty level guidelines for the United States. That is about 43,000 people in Montgomery who make below $23,550 per year for a family of 4. A lot of people can't read well enough to fill out an application or read a textbook for further training. 14% of Montgomery ADULTS can't read well enough to maintain a job. (that was a 2003 stat by the way, it has probably increased) (Ref: Alabama Literacy Council and US Govt Stats on Poverty Rate

If you think that this is ALL caused by bad money management or laziness, I would challenge you to get to know a family or two in poverty...really get to know them. One of the things you will find out is this: MOST people in poverty don't have the education needed to qualify for a job that will pay enough to take care of their family.People become hopeless when they have to wade through the mountains of red tape they have to deal with every day to get assistance or a job.

Why don't they have the education?...There are many factors including learning disabilities and/or were passed through grades getting farther and farther behind. There are numerous reasons but we have a solution, don't we?

How can we as Christians help?

1. Pray. Pray for those in poverty to be connected to others who could help them.Pray that they are willing to learn some new skills and be encouraged by those who help them!
2. Ask the Lord if you or your church should get trained in ADULT LITERACY as well as CHILDREN'S TUTORING and begin to help those in need.
3. Join up with a church, ministry or organization who tutors kids so that their futures can be different.

JESUS was a practical guy who met practical needs as he ministered along the way. Then shouldn't we do the same if we are "followers" of Jesus?

Need some help with idea? Contact Lisa Rose at Montgomery Baptist Association for resources and trainings. 334-271-6794.

Praying for Summer Mission Interns in Montgomery

Summer is here....all around the city, there are summer interns working in Montgomery with ministries and churches. Some are from here...some are from other places. 

Would you commit to pray this week and next for summer interns all across Montgomery who will be a "light"(if only for a short season)to those they meet?

Pray for them to protected from the enemy(discouragement, physical safety, etc)

Pray that their souls will be consumed with compassion for the people they encounter and that He will make a mark on their lives and their futures.

Pray this verse for all young students working in and around Montgomery.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Praying Together For Greater Montgomery

 A few weeks ago, many faith leaders and everyday Christians came together to pray for our city. It was an outstanding time. Watching Montgomery's people of faith coming together makes a huge difference in the future of this city.  

 

 

 

Wish we could do this together more.... and there ARE several avenues to do this.

 1. Montgomery House of Prayer-believers coming together to pray in unison for our city and county. Contact them for times they are open at: (334) 244-PRAY (7729) OR find their page on Facebook.

2. Start a prayer group in your own house of worship. Gather some folks who have a passion for the city and meet regularly to pray. You can use this page for guidance on what to pray for or use other materials.
...
3. Pray with your family for the city. Your kids can learn a new worldview just by pointing out things to pray for in our city. No matter how young they are, they can learn to "see" the city's needs EARLY in life and have that prayer connection wherever they live in the future.

Philippians 2:1-3

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves".

It is ALL about relationships..........

                       IT IS ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS:

This past week, we celebrated over 200 students graduating from Conversational Eng School that is held at First Baptist Church every Thursday, during the school year. Several students got up and shared about their experience and one of the common factors was about relationships built with teachers that year. Some teachers had gone out of their way to invite these internationals into their homes, made them a part of their families and have prayed for them all year. It made a difference. Quite a few of them will be going back to their home conuntries this summer. Many of these students are very influential in their countries What a testament of God's love to these students!

Pray this week that as you go about your errands or work or school here in the Montgomery area, you will stop and be kind to someone. Begin to build a relationship with them. You never know who you will be influences towards Jesus!

Pray for everything you SAY this week...be acceptable to the Lord.
Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer".

Living Out Your Baptism Proclamation in Montgomery, AL

This past weekend, Gateway Baptist Church baptized 10 people. From age 10-70's-these 10 people stood up for Christ, telling the world that they have chosen to follow Christ.
 

 

Wondering if the "baptism" that we have experienced has the same meaning as it once had..."we are proclaiming to the world that we are choosing to follow Christ, no matter what the price"? Listen to this song and see how our baptism choice "matters" in how we live each day.

If we fully commit to living out our "baptism choice", we WILL make a difference in Montgomery. These 10 will make a difference today in an elementary school, a college campus, in families, in workplaces HERE in Montgomery.

Pray for these 10 as they step out today and LIVE out their proclamation of II Cor. 5:17 "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" NLT
http://youtu.be/GV1k_ckv77M

Praying for the GOOD of the City!

After all these years and months of praying for all of our challenges, I was talking to a pastor here in Montgomery and came up with this idea for the month of May. I am going to write FOUR weeks of how God is WORKING in Montgomery. I want to encourage you to PRAYERFULLY consider writing what good things you see happening in COMMUNITIES (not inside the church)where God is working!

Prayer for this week: Lord, this week, show me where you are at work. Help me to SEE this area through your eyes, not my own. Help me to set aside the negative and concentrate on what you have been doing here in the place you have sent me.
thought this was an interesting translation of this verse. Read it carefully and understand the implications of it! 

 Jeremiah 29:7
New Life Version (NLV)

"Work for the well-being of the city where I have sent you to and pray to the Lord for this. For if it is well with the city you live in, it will be well with you".


 

Schools....Learning to Read Helps Our City and Our Citizens

SCHOOLS: A statistic from the CA Dept of Prisons tells us that most states determine how many beds they are going to need in 10 yrs by looking at the states 3rd grade test scores. That makes sense.....if you can't read, you either get passed along OR drop out from school. Then you might get discouraged because you can't get a job. Then you might get desperate. Then you may commit a crime. Sounds like a vicious cycle to me....

What can Christians in Montgomery do to help our kids succeed in school? Reading is such an essential life skill. Ever thought of helping a kid learn to read or read better? Pray about it. You could be helping that kid stay out of prison. You can help that child learn to read the Bible! You can help that person become a productive citizen. WOW! Look at the possibilities.

Pray about it..........let Lisa Rose know if you would be interesting in helping kids learn to read or read better. 334-271-6794 OR lrose@mgmbaptist.org There are a host of opportunties already established in the Montgomery area for you to be involved in.

Proverbs 18:15 ESV "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge".

Praying for GREAT THINGS to happen in our Montgomery schools!

This week..............SCHOOLS

Praying for parents and teachers to be able to work together in the best interest of the students. Praying for churches to feel a passion about the school in their neighborhood and begin a relationship with them. 

Think about it.....whatever we think or imagine about what "could be" with our schools, our community, our city....God thinks MORE and can do more as we allow ourselves to be used to by Him. MORE! Are you available to the Lord today to let Him guide you and direct you to love your community?

Praying for Our Schools

SCHOOLS: The end of the year is nearing. Lot of changes constantly in our schools both public and private. This week...pray for students. Challenges come when change happens all the time for students.

1. Pray for their family situations. Many of our students have chaotic home lives. Pray for God's peace to infiltrate their homes and the lives of their caregivers.
2. Pray for focus and energy to be directed to learning.
3. Pray for teachers to have wisdom on how to help each child in their classrooms.
4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to infiltrate hearts and minds of each student in EVERY classroom each day.

Do You Pray for Your Community School?

SCHOOLS:
Praying today for our schools and the future of our system here in the Montgomery area.

This week: Administration

1. Pray for administrators downtown to seek God's wisdom and direction. If they do not know Christ, pray for the Lord to bring people into their midst who can share God's love to be open. Pray for open hearts.

... 2. Pray for harmony among coworkers.

3. Pray and ask the Lord what you can do to support the administration. Should you commit to pray for them? Should you send a note of encouragement? Even when we disagree with how things are run, you can lift people up. Could you commit to not being one who is always complaining but find ways to help that uplift others?

Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds".

Is This the Desire of Your Heart?

As you prepare for Ressurection Sunday, ask yourself this.....Is the desire of your heart to see people in the Greater Montgomery area know the Jesus YOU know? As you honor our Christ this week, especially, are you willing to make the desire of your heart....to be a part of letting Christ use YOU and the GOOD NEWS you have to change our city and county?

One More Week........CRIME

CRIME: One more week: Praying for crime again in our area as the 16th homicide victim was shot  and killed this past week. Tomorrow, faith leaders/city officials will be meeting to pray together for wisdom and direction for our city. You can join us as we pray together by praying with us starting at around 10-10:30a.m. tomorrow morning(Wednesday the 20th).

Here are some prayer points to guide you:

1. Pray for city leaders, especially Chief Murphy and his staff, for wisdom, discernment and direction.
2. Pray for those who impulsively act out in anger. Pray for the Lord to CHANGE HEARTS of all in Montgomery. READ EZEKIEL 36:26. Use it as a prayer for those who need the Lord and need HEART CHANGE.
3. Pray for us...Christ followers in Montgomery. Pray that the Lord will show you and me what we can do to bring hope and healing to those who suffer from deep pain, hurt, mental illness and sinful behavior.  We are HIS hands and feet. We are his Ambassadors of Hope. Pray for us to be open and willing to share the hope WE already have in Christ.

Pardon the Criminal?

CRIME-On this last week of our prayer focus on CRIME as one of the 5 issues that Greater Montgomery struggles with, read this verse and ponder these questions.

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon".ESV

What are you doing to tell others who may have committed a crime, hurt someone else or broken the law, about this verse and how they can come to the Lord who can have compassion and help them start over?

We can complain all the time about crime in our city but are we doing anything about it?

Are we "getting the message" of forgiveness and renewal out to those who need it?

Wondering what what happen if we all shared this verse today with someone who may need God's forgiveness and strength to "turn around"???

NEXT MONTH:  POVERTY

Praying Across Alabama, Montgomery Site

Praying Across Alabama..

Montgomery Date and Time: Wednesday, March 13.....10a.m. Steps of the Capitol.
(in case of inclement weather, prayer meeting will be in Stakely Sanctuary at First Baptist Church on South Perry Street).

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME AND JOIN IN PRAYER for our city and state! For more information contact: Montgomery Baptist Association, 334-271-6227.

Heart Check!

"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart".Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

 

                       HEART CHECK THIS WEEK! 

Is your heart geared toward reaching the Greater Montgomery area for Christ? Are you praying for the people of this area to know the God of Peace that you know? Are you able to "see" your neighbors and friends and family around here through God's eyes?

If not, maybe it is time for a heart check. Ezekiel writes of a promise from God that if you come to Him, he will change your heart! Are you ready? Are you willing to have your heart AND mind changed about the people you live around?

Here are a few verses for you to ponder this week in your time with God:

Romans 12:2
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect". (NLT)

Phillipians 4: 6-8 (NLT)
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise".

Continue to pray for the area of "crime" in our Greater Montgomery area. Pray for Chief Murphy and his staff as they figure out the best ways to protect and serve our city.

Crime

CRIME...it is an ugly word to most of us. If we have been exposed to it(in any form)we have a choice. We can either become bitter and anxious which usually leads to us "generalizing the culture of ALL people who were like the one who harmed us" OR we can see that person through the eyes of God(which we CAN do if we just ask). 

Montgomery crime stats are on the rise again and I am wondering if it is because we, as Christians, have stopped praying for crime and those who commit them(or could potentially commit them). Are we bold enough to do that? Pray for the ones who committed the crime or could potentially commit it?

On a personal note, we have had hard lessons this year in our own family and God gave us a choice. Twice in a 6 week span, our family has been faced with others invading our space and violating our safety. Once to our car....once to my son who was face to face with someone who was stealing money from his speech therapists office.They walked in on the guy stealing the money and had no clue as to whether he had a gun or not. He was shaken for a few days afterwards, rightly so, but my son, who has a special insight into life, told me that even though he was afraid, he needed to pray for this man who committed the crime. I asked him why and he said, "because, mom, I have Jesus in my heart and even though I am afraid, I know he will be beside me....we don't know if this guy has Jesus and if he does, he doesn't trust him, does he?"

So, even though my momma instincts were mad and wanted this boy to suffer for scaring my son and his therapist, I had to draw close to the Lord and start praying for this boy who violated my son's sense of safety.

What choice will you make this day as you live for Christ? Crime does not just go on in big cities.......do you think Midland City thought this incident of late would ever happen there?

Specifically, pray for Chief Kevin Murphy.......for wisdom as he discerns how to best work with this city on reducing crime! He understands that there are underlying problems that cause the crime, so lift him up so he can know what is best.

Jesus said: "But I say to you, love your enemies and bless the one who curses you, and do what is beautiful to the one who hates you, and pray over those who take you by force and persecute you". Matthew 5:44

Are you Willing?

"If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God's work on behalf of the people for whom we pray."
-Corrie Ten Boom

 Chew on this for the rest of the week.. As we pray here every week, are you willing to be a part of the answers to prayers that we all pray for Montgomery? Are you ready to be? Are you willing to invest?