Holy Week

Remember that this week is HOLY WEEK. The grace and mercy that we know in our lives did not come cheap. It was bought and paid with a heavy price for you and me. Jesus loves you and He wants you to know Him in a deeper way. Encouraging everyone to take some time each day this week to remember and read about His deep love for us. Start with the book of John and review and renew your commitment to follow Him.

 Don't just be a fan of Jesus...be a follower. Be that follower here in Montgomery and the River Region where we live and work. Be fully engaged in living out the Easter story this week and every day! 

 John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father EXCEPT through me.

Our Life is Like A Vapor.........Here Today, Gone Tomorrow.

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone". James 4:14

 I have been noticing a lot of car wrecks, shootings(as usual)and other "in a minute" life threatening actions lately in the Greater Montgomery area...especially a lot of car accidents. We just never know what will happen when we wake up each day....a car accident, a shooting, a heart attack, a stroke, a startling diagnosis. James talks about our life is like a fog or "vapor" ..it is here for a while and then it is gone. 

So, as we pray this week, lets think about how to LIVE as followers of Christ in a world where ANYTHING can happen to change the course we were on. When I lived in NYC, we always used the phrase "in a NY minute" meaning that things can change so quickly, we can't believe it happened!

1. Pray that YOU are ready to face the Lord. You and I do not know the day our lives will end on this earth. Are you ready? Really ready? Ephesians 2:8-10
2. Pray as you have opportunity to share that special relationship you have with others. They may not be "ready" to face the Lord God. That relationship in not ours to keep a secret but to freely share with this world. John 3:16
3. Pray that our lives, as followers of Christ, will exude a fragrance that is so strong, that people will want to be around us..that we might be able to "tell" them the Good News!! II Corinthians 2:15 

Praying for ALL Montgomery followers of Christ to be sharing that good news with others as often as we can through our words AND our actions.

Loving Our Greater Montgomery Neighbor

 I LOVED it when these signs came out in the 90's. I think they are smart and clever and they got "to the heart of the matter". So, this week, let's think about that. Love thy neighbor is not a suggestion and it is for sure not a "pick and choose which neighbor you are going to love". It is loving ALL people.

Romans 12:9-21(CEB)says this:
"Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord!Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good. If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head.Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good".

This applies to those of us living in the Greater Montgomery area.

Pray over these verses this week and see who God brings your way to love. It might not be the ones who are kind and sweet toward you. It might just be the person who rubs you the wrong way or gets under your skin or hurts you. Pour over God's Word this week so it will spill out onto others through your actions.

Praying for Our Schools

Here are some guidelines that you can use this week to lift up administration, teachers, students AND parents here in the Greater Montgomery area.

1. Pray for the Montgomery Public Schools and private schools in the area. Pray for the administration to not get caught up in paperwork but to remember that the paperwork is for the best interest of the students, not the adults.

2. Pray for counselors, psychologists and specialists who work with kids who have many different issues. Pray for wisdom as they handle each case and to know how to work best with each child they encounter.
3. Pray for teachers. Lord, help our teachers not be so overwhelmed. Pray that they will have good sleep each night to be able to face the days ahead. Pray for resource that they need to teach well. Pray that they will not be overwhelmed with all the needs the kids bring with them. Pray that they will know that they are not alone. Pray that God will make himself real to them wherever they are in their faith walk. PRay for their personal needs to be met.
4. Pray for parents. We can be our child's worst enemy sometimes when it comes to school. Pray for parents to be open and mature when conflict arises. Pray that they will know they are setting examples to their children on how to handle conflict. Pray that they will have their own needs met so they can fully focus on helping their child get the education they need to function in society.
5. Pray for students. Lord, there is so much out there today that kids have to face. Be with each and every child in our schools here in the Greater Montgomery area. Meet their needs. Calm their hearts. Bring adults into their life that will mentor them and guide them especially if they need one. Show them how valuable they are to you.
6. Pray for our city/county. Pray that we, as the community will take more of an interest in our kids education and be a help to the schools in our communities, not a hindrance.

 Titus 2:7
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.

Do We Show Others That They Are Beautiful Creations of God?

This week, our state and city will be recognizing the anniversary of Bloody Sunday that took place "just down the road". As we pray this week for Montgomery, let's include our whole state and our country--that we, as followers of Christ, will be leaders in change. Yes, we have come far, but no, we are not there yet. The Lord loves ALL people. We must live our lives as Christ taught is...to love, not hate people.

People are his delight, his creation. We must treat everyone we meet with dignity and respect as well as recognizing they are a beautiful creation of God. There is no superior race in God's eyes. There is one race...the human race, who he set above all creatures because we are so special to Him. Let us take the lead when we see someone being treated wrongly and show others how to love.

Would you join me in praying that we each will be "light" in the midst of the darkness of this world?

Here is a great verse to ponder this week as you look around you at others....this is how He feels about all of us:

"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love.... he will rejoice over you with singing".
 Zephaniah 3:17


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Citywide Prayer Walk- Churches in Montgomery are gathering together to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Selma to Montgomery March for Freedom on March 7, 2015 at The Court Square Fountain downtown at 9:00 AM. All Christian believers are invited to join and pray as we walk to the Montgomery Riverfront and pray over the City of Montgomery and honor these momentous events. For more information, email LauraHicks@Outlook.com.