Advent-LOVE

Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:3-4

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12 

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
1 John 4:20

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God's love surpasses ANYTHING our human minds can conceive concerning how to LOVE. This Christmas season, share God's love with others in the Greater Montgomery. That is the kind of love that sticks no matter what the circumstances. 

Merry Christmas! 

Advent-Hope In the Greater Montgomery Area

Christians are a people of hope, even in a time of widespread despair. We (should)know that no matter how bleak the world around us may seem, God is tearing open the heavens and coming to us. We hope for more than an economic recovery and an end to partisan bickering. Even when the unemployed find work and our political leaders work together, we continue to live in a broken world. The Christian hope is that Jesus Christ was born and will come again—now as well as in the fullness of God’s reign—to transform our individual lives and our world.
(from Ministry Matters)

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 

MANY, MANY people live without HOPE every day in the Greater Montgomery area. Wonder what it would look like if we were very intentional this Christmas to share God's HOPE with our neighbors, our co-workers, those we see every day and usually don't pay attention to? Will you commit with me to be INTENTIONAL in sharing God's love this Christmas season.

In the Five Areas of Concern for the Greater Montgomery area, here are some thoughts about being intentional this holiday season.

RACE RELATIONS-Be intentional as you consider how other cultures feel and think. How can you be a bridge this Christmas instead of building a wall?
CRIME-Be intentional about praying for our public safety officers. Reach out to those who you might not hang out with. Crime has deeper roots than just violent behavior. It is about a heart change from desperation to hope.
POVERTY-Be intentional this Christmas about sharing the love. Matthew 10:8 in the Message says this: "Treat others generously as you have been treated generously." And we all know, we have been given to VERY generously over the years. Share those blessings with others. Consume less and give more. In our family, we try very hard to give more than we receive. That meant cutting back on all the gifts and sharing hope with others.
SCHOOLS-Be intentional about praying for teachers, administrators and others who work for all of our schools in the Greater Montgomery area. Pray for students as they finish up the semester and pray for Jesus to give each and every student HOPE this Christmas.
CONSUMER RELIGION-We are all consumers of something but are you a "consumer of religion"..you know, "let me get what I can from my church" type of thought process. Be intentional this year.....check YOUR heart. Are you getting more than you give? Are you consuming religion but not practicing it? For all of us, because we are human, this calls for a CONSTANT heart check.
In all of these challenges in the Greater Montgomery area, WE CAN BE the HOPE that someone is craving. Will WE be intentional about sharing HOPE with others where we live?

Let's also be so intentional that we don't get so busy with our own lives that we forget others......

“Never be so busy as not to think of others.”
― Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living

Serving Greater Montgomery at Christmas

SERVING OUR CITY AT CHRISTMAS.....Montgomery Baptist Association Community Ministries, seeks to help people be independent, have integrity and dignity in moving out of poverty or difficult circumstances through all of our ongoing ministries.

Sam's Angel Market Video

Our Annual Toy Sale, now Sam's Angel Market, is a way to help families in need provide Christmas presents for their children in a dignified and responsible manner. The parent has the opportunity to choose gifts for their kids and pay for the toys themselves. Toys are priced at a very low cost to the parent (all toys are $5 and under) and every penny is given back to the benevolence of Forest Park Ministry Center and Community of Hope Ministries.  Parents who shop are made aware of how the money is used after the sale to support these ministry efforts.

EVERYONE can participate as a donor or volunteer. We have several volunteer spots available.

For more information on giving or volunteering, contact Lisa Rose at 334-271-6794 or email lrose@mgmbaptists.org.

WORDS

WORDS.

They give life or the can destroy someone. As followers of Christ in the Greater Montgomery area, we need to always be checking our words. We cannot live like others live. We live according to what Jesus taught.
Our prayer today comes from Ephesians 4:31-32.

Ephesians 4:31-32 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
AND
James 3:10
"From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."
AND
Matthew 15:11
"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
AND
Titus 3:2
"To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."
AND
Proverbs 10:19
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."


Will you, as you go about your days this week...bring life to others through your words, not death?
Pray for our city, our state and our country as we process ALL that is happening around us. Let us recommit today to live lives of PEACE, KINDNESS and LOVE toward our neighbor.

Our Tongue

Tomorrow is the DAY, right? We think that after tomorrow(depending on who you are voting for)it will make or break our country, our state, our city. As followers of Christ we must work very hard to change our mindset on this. If we really feel that our way of life in the country as a whole will be demolished OR uplifted by ONE PERSON, then we have a very narrow view of who God is. God is not surprised by anything that happens my dear brothers and sisters.....He KNOWS the outcome and HE IS STILL IN CONTROL.

So, what do we do when our "candidate" does not win? Let's read from Ephesians 4:30-32 on how we are to act. These verses are so very important. We are to watch out actions AND our words AND not be afraid. We MUST trust that the Lord is in charge. As followers of Christ, we are his vehicles of LOVE, GRACE and MERCY to this world. How do we expect the people we are disgusted with to come to a saving knowledge of His love if we are acting wrongly toward them?

Paul urges us in this passage to LIVE DIFFERENTLY.
"And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

This is how we are to live, to act, to speak. Someone posed this question to me once.....would someone who is NOT A believer or follower of Christ be DRAWN to Christ by what you post or say or do? Every day, every way.

I challenge each and every reader here today to think about this passage in light of how we live here in Greater Montgomery. As I wrote on my personal timeline: "are you willing to follow God's Way or will you follow the world's way today, tomorrow and Wednesday(and the rest of your days)?" Is one snarky remark about a politician or another human being WORTH losing someone to eternal death?

Here are a few more reminders about our tongue and how powerful it is...we have to power to bring LIFE or DEATH to Greater Montgomery.

Which will you choose?

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Matthew 15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Matthew 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Praying for The Upcoming Election

We are on the downhill slide for a new administration. I am not going to argue politics here. Each candidate is a broken and sinful person just like the rest of us. Each of them have made promises that most likely will not be able to keep. Each is vying for our attention. I have never seen in my life the nastiness that Christian brothers and sisters have shown toward each other over a candidate who will most likely be criticized the moment they step into office(no matter who it is).

I think it is time to stop the ugliness and start praying for our next president. Neither of them is going to bring this country "back" to what we think it once was. Only Christ can do that....not a president. If we say we are followers of Christ, we must recognize that if we put our hope in a human being, we are ALWAYS going to be disappointed because they will never be able to fulfill what only Christ can do. And that is "heal our land."
Here is an excerpt from a friends blog post. He is a pastor in NOLA but from Alabama. He has some good words to say and if you want to read the whole blog post, I would encourage you to go to this page and read. http://joemckeever.com/…/god-giving-christians-unique-oppo…/


Here is the excerpt you can read now and ponder this week. THIS is true for Montgomery, for Alabama and for our nation.
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Let us determine: We will be faithful.
1. We will do everything without grumbling and arguing. (Phil 2:14).
2. We will strive to be blameless and pure. (Philippians 2:15)
3. We will hold firmly the message of life. (Philippians 2:16)
When we do these simple, but increasingly difficult things, we will gradually see several things: the culture around us puzzled as to how to treat us, some Christians attacking us for not being more active in opposing the wrong-doers, and one by one, people in the darkness recognizing that the way of darkness holds nothing but misery and there must be a better way. And one by one, some will turn to us and come to Christ.
Let us be faithful.
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It is THAT simple but so difficult because we, as human beings, are broken, stubborn and rebellious. But IT CAN BE DONE...through submitting to Christ and saying "thy will, not mine."
Will you choose to be faithful in Montgomery, AL today?

Pray for our city, our state, our nation and our world this week.

Sam's Angel Market

We have prayed for poverty in the Greater Montgomery area over the last 8 years.  this week as we pray for those who live in poverty, here is a way you can be actively involved in helping give a hand up and not a hand out! 

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Here is a way for any of our "pray-ers" to be involved in either gathering toys or volunteering.. Our next orientation for this is Tuesday, October 25th at 6p.m. Heritage Baptist Church.

For more information, contact me and I will tell you more! Hope to hear from you!
Lisa Rose

334-271-6794 

                                                                 lrose@mgmbaptists.org

Watch and see how God works! 

Sam's Angel Market

Being Intentional Part 2

This past Friday, several women gathered together for a second time and the emphasis on this week was praying for our nation. Here is the prayer guide that we used and you are welcome to use it this week. Praying for our nation affects what happens in Montgomery.

Join us as we pray this week for the United States.

FOUR FRIDAYS 2/ October 7, 2016
Prayer for our Nation and Our World
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

Our Nation
1. We will praise the Lord that His sovereign goodness is as true today as ever. We will remember that this world ultimately belongs to God, who created all things and Who, in Christ, is restoring all things.
2. We will repent of our sin, and thank God for His promised forgiveness. We will remind ourselves that all have sinned, and that we are welcomed by God through repentance. Nehemiah began his work in the world with repentance. So will we.
3. We will pray for our current government leaders to fight evil and stand up for truth. We will remember that there is no place where God is not at work.
4. We will pray that truth and justice will prevail over “political correctness” and “tolerance,” both in our own lives and in our culture. We will remember that right and wrong do not change according to cultural fashions, nor does legality alter morality.
5. We will pray for the upcoming election season, that God would show us mercy and not give us what we deserve. We will remember that God ultimately orchestrates human history and uses whom He will to accomplish His purposes. (This is not saying either candidate is “what we deserve”—it is talking about the consequences of our sin).
6. We will pray that God unites His people, using them to bring restoration in this broken culture. We’ll remember that those who have been reconciled to God have been put on mission as agents of reconciliation.

Scripture regarding praying for our nation
“Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” 1 Kings 8:28
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He choose for His inheritance.” Ps. 33:12
“He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge…” Is 33:6
It is “God who changes the times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Dan. 2:21
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12
"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Rom. 12:12
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Tim. 2:1-2
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7
"Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king." 1 Pet. 2:17
"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Ps. 112:7
Ideas for this prayer guide is from breakpoint.org

IF ANY WOMEN would like to join us for the next 2 Friday nights, message me for details or go to this site and RSVP.
https://www.facebook.com/events/218988521852795/

Mental Illness and the Church

MENTAL ILLNESS.........two devastating words one could hear about themself or a loved one. With those words can come a lifetime of stigma and heartache.

In Montgomery, there are many people who have a mental illness....my family included. Three of the 4 of us are living with it in our household. It is a journey that is full of surprises, insight, struggle and joy. Along with the struggles, my family members have more insight that most of us. They are, most of the time, more sensitive to others pain and more than not, more patient and forgiving of me than I am of them.

I had a conversation with a pastor recently and we both agreed that most people in our churches are willing to minister to people with mental illnesses who have need but are not equipped to do the things that would be helpful for them. And when you are not equipped, it can make things worse, not better. Mental illness crosses the boundaries of economics, age, race, gender and religion. It can devour a persons soul and bring families to a point of despair.

So why am I bringing this up on a "Greater Montgomery" prayer list? Because in Alabama, 1-4 people will be diagnosed this year with a mental illness, and 1-17 with a chronic mental illness. Less than 1/3 of adults and more than 1/2 of children with a diagnosed mental illness will receive treatment for it. As the church, we have been given the opportunity to minister and give a cup of cold water in Jesus name to people who struggle daily with MI.

The church can give HOPE to those who live with mental illness every day. We can surround them with care and compassion. We can learn all about their illness so we can understand them better. We can pray with them and for them. Most people I know, including my family say that praying with them is one of the BEST things someone could do for them. Then, advocating and tangible acts of kindness.

Prayer this week?
1. Pray for Greater Montgomery. Remember 1 in 4 Alabamians have a Mental Illness. Those you know, those you don't know right HERE in our area.
2. Pray for peace of mind for those seeking treatment.
3. Pray for wisdom and education in being Salt and Light for people-some of whom live in darkness of the mind-all the time.
4. Pray for more resources to become available for this illness. Not much is available in Alabama.

And lastly....pray this prayer for those you know and love...

Phillipians 4:6-9
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Living a Transformed Life

Assignment this week:
Read this chapter in Romans every day. For all the social issues we have in Montgomery, this chapter sums it up and teaches us how to live and act toward our fellow men and women. Ask the Lord to help this chapter sink into your heart.

When you read this, ask the Lord for wisdom on dealing with everything you see and hear that is going on in the Greater Montgomery area. Here, in this chapter, we have a guide on how to respond.

When we get angry at someone or their situation, we need to respond with a "transformed mind" that only a relationship with Christ can provide. It is hard to not let our fleshly mind take control and be judging, be harsh and cruel and be less than Christ-like. But it is possible....through a relationship with Christ.

And before we say, " I can't do all this all the time" OR "You don't know what I have to face with (fill in the blank)" OR "those people don't deserve (fill in the blank)"......remember....God already knows WE CAN'T DO IT OURSELVES, in our own strength, but through Christ we can do ALL THINGS....including loving the unlovely. (Phil 4:13)

Pray this week for our brothers and sisters in Christ in our area-that we will ALL live as God instructs us to live.

May God's peace reign in your heart this week and every week till you meet Him face to face!
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A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;
7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord.
20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Being Intentional

This past Friday about 10 of us got together and prayed for our city. 

Here is the guide we used. Let's join together this week and pray intentionally for the Greater Montgomery area.
Friday September 30, 2016
PRAYING FOR GREATER MONTGOMERY

“Also, do good things for the city I sent you to. Pray to the LORD for the city you are living in, because if there is peace in that city, you will have peace also.” Jeremiah 29:7
A. Confession of our own fears, weaknesses, apathy/lack of concern for those outside our circles.

B. PRAYING FOR 5 CRITICAL AREAS IN GREATER MONTGOMERY
1. RACE
2. POVERTY
3. SCHOOLS
4. CRIME
5. CONSUMER RELIGION

C. ASKING GOD HOW WE CAN JOIN HIM IN HIS PLAN FOR MONTGOMERY

Closing Prayer
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You (REPEAT)

To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you
(repeat)

Heart Change for White Christians

Ezekiel 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

In Montgomery, in Alabama and in our country, we still wrestle with race issues. People are still treated unjustly, they are targeted and profiled and we continue to not want to acknowledge that, as white Christians, that there is still a problem and it does exist in the Greater Montgomery area. This post is specifically for the white followers of Christ on this page.

ALL of us have the ability to be prejudiced. We do. Why? Because we are all sinful. BUT...the good news is that BECAUSE OF CHRIST, the sin of prejudice CAN be overcome. Those of us who are WHITE Christians need to be aware that because our skin is not DARK, we really have NO CLUE the full ramifications of the ongoing prejudice in our city, our state and our country. We can't say "I know how you feel". We don't and we are fooling ourselves if we think we do."

It is WRONG to make light of our black brothers and sisters concerns and pain as they see people weekly(sometimes daily)be shot or profiled. We don't know what it is like to fear that when your children go out of the house that they might be shot or profiled or the worse scenario, killed. We don't know. It is a lie to say we do.

So what do we do as White Followers of Christ?
We pray.
We ask the Lord for insight.
We ask the Lord to show us our prejudices.
We ask for forgiveness and we turn around from what we were doing(repent).. I John1:9
We go to our neighbors/friends/family and confess that we don't know what it truly feels like but that we are willing to stand beside them/walk beside them and do what we can do to change things which includes SPEAKING UP for what is wrong. That off the cuff joke, that added, my "black" friend, etc. Those are things we MUST change. Jesus would never tolerate that. We must change our language, our thoughts, our actions if we are to claim to be FOLLOWERS of CHRIST in this city. WE MUST BE DIFFERENT!

We have talked about "heart change" and the ongoing issues that are in the Greater Montgomery area. THIS is a way to have that HEART CHANGE in our own lives.

PRAY PRAY PRAY for our own hearts to be changed toward what is happening today and ask for ways to begin to build bridges not walls with our neighbor. 

READ BELOW:
From former pastor of McGehee Road Baptist, Greg Murks.
With another black man, Terence Crutcher, having been shot and killed by police in Tulsa, Oklahoma our Facebook feeds are once again alive with posts - people stating opinions that fall on different sides of what continues to be a tragic and complex issue in our society. Every time there is a shooting like this - either the shooting of policeman in the line of duty or the shooting of a black person by the police, lines and sides form. These same lines form every time a person makes a social statement about these things - the current issue being statements made during the playing of our National Anthem. With all this in mind, and my heart struggling to keep up, I have decided to make the following commitments:
* I commit to seek to hear and see both sides of the story and not simply hear or view these things through my predetermined lens (which is by definition, prejudging, hence, prejudice) - I do desire to see these things through the eyes of Jesus.
* I commit to not rush to judgment because of what I see reported by the media or posted on social media, especially if the information is from a source that is clearly slanted in support of a particular viewpoint.
* I commit to communicate and demonstrate love and value to persons of a different race, perhaps the simplest way being listening to their perspective (and not simply choosing people who I already know see things the way I do)
* I commit to not bury my head in the sand, which, quite frankly, tends to be the easy path, and to not pass judgment on those who protest in order to arouse people's attention.
* I commit to weep with those who weep - whether it be African American families who have lost loved ones, families of police who have died in the line of duty, or all who die a little on the inside because someone who represents them has died in senseless violence - I will not be dismissive of their pain.
* I commit to only take the side of Christ with a clear understanding that He has a greater purpose that transcends and overrules my personal agendas and perspectives.
Some of these commitments will not be easy to keep. Pray for me as I seek to keep these commitments as I will pray for you as you seek a similar path!
In Christ's love,
Greg

Telling a Better Story As Followers of Christ in Montgomery

PRAISE: We are rejoicing this week as a new Korean church plant has started  in Montgomery. Vaughn Forest Church is sharing space, FBC and others are walking beside them and WE need to join them in prayer as they seek to reach a people group here in Montgomery who has most of their material possessions taken care of and like many with their physical needs taken care, don't always seem to see their need for Jesus.
Pray for Montgomery Korean Community Church as they had their launch service this past Sunday. 

PRAISE: Also on Sunday, a group of believers got together at Common Ground Ministry and had some great conversation about tearing down walls and building bridges.
From Alan Cross:
What I saw tonight at the "From Walls to Bridges" forum was basic Christianity - people loving one another and endeavoring to hear one another, even when it is difficult. When our churches say they aren't ready for white-black dialogue, cooperation, worship, ministry, and they are in a place like Montgomery, they mean that they aren't ready for Jesus. THIS is what normal looks like when Jesus is at work. What happens (or doesn't happen) in many of our churches when we stay racially divided is subnormal and reflects a worldly perspective. Read Philippians 2:1-5. It is so clear. If you know Jesus even a little, you will love sacrificially. The desire is to get groups like this happening all over the city. #tellabetterstory.

Pray for followers of Christ in our city. Pray that we will all seek to build bridges in our communities and not walls. 

PRAISE: We continue to follow up with after the Mixtec Outreach with visits and Bible Studies.
Keep praying for this unreached, unengaged people group to understand the gospel and follow Christ fully. 

A lot is happening in our city for the good....let us all be willing willing to seek the Lord this week and  #tellabetterstory.

 1 Chronicles 16:24 "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples".

Who Do You Put Your Trust In?

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." 
                                                                           Psalm 20:7

Thoughts:
What do we trust in as we live and work and go to school in Montgomery? The other day, I heard someone who was putting all their trust in their health insurance and it disappeared when they lost their job. Now they are panicked. I have to admit, I would be too. Another person had put all their trust in a relationship that did not work out and it was devastating as he had put all his hope in her. Another person is dealing with very high expectations of their children and feeling very disappointed and like a failure as a parent because of the poor choices of their child. As followers of Christ, the message of this passage needs to be the norm for us and not the exception. 

Questions to ponder this week:
Are we living out this scripture in our lives? Do we truly trust in the "many" names of God? How can we ask others to trust in that name if we are not willing to?

Prayer Point for today:
1. Pray that we examine our own lives as we tell others to follow and trust in Christ. Do we REALLY believe what we tell others to do?
2. Pray for others. Pray that as we go along the way in our own spiritual journeys with Christ, that we will be able to show others ways we have trusted in the Lord for the outcomes of our lives.
3. Pray for our city leaders To put complete trust in system will bring failure every time because systems fail. Only with heart change can our legislators hearts be changed to make better decisions for our state, our police and fire departments, our medical community. They all seem to put their full trust in a system and not in the Lord when it comes to solutions. Systems aren't bad, they are just imperfect. We can't fully rely on them to be our rock and our salvation in times of trouble.

What do we, as followers of Christ in Montgomery, put our trust in today? 

We Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God  

Look What God Did In Montgomery!

Thank you all so much for praying for the Mixtec outreach this past weekend! We especially want to thank our Mixtec brothers from the Richmond area who drove here to share the gospel in their heart language!!
Here are a few photos and some information you can rejoice in. Let's continue to pray for ALL people who are from other places who are now in Montgomery. God loves EVERYONE and as we meet each person, we are to show God's love no matter what their circumstances!


Revelation 5:9 says:

"And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,"
 

10 salvations
20 homes visited in between events
4 events over the weekend
134+ Mixtecs attended these events
40 volunteers
38 Intentional pray-ers
Approximately 100 Cds with NT books/Metlatonoc on them given out(thanks to Wycliffe Translators)
Approximately 100 Jesus Films/Metlatonoc given out
6 potential Bible studies starting soon
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! 
 
If you or your church would be interested in reaching this people group, contact Alan Cross or Lisa Rose at 334-271-6794 or email lrose@mgmbaptists.org

Praying for the Mixtec People of Montgomery

In 2 weeks, there will be a very intentional outreach to the Mixtec population here in Montgomery. There will be four sites where a pastor from Richmond will come and do some evangelistic meetings IN THEIR heart language--Metlatonoc.

We are asking everyone who is a follower of Christ to join the Mixteco Task Force in praying that everyone who hears the TRUTH in their heart language will receive the TRUTH.

This people group, according to the SBC International Mission Board is the most unreached, unengaged people group in the Americas. In Montgomery alone, there are over 2000 Mixtec individuals. They are a fear based culture and an oral people. 

Wycliffe Bible Translators have just completed the whole New Testament in Metlatonoc via audio. We will be distributing God's Word to this people group that weekend. Some, for the first time, will be able to HEAR the Gospel.

Would you be praying for this people group with us? Attached is the prayer guide starting Sunday, August 21st through the next weekend.

If you would like to receive updates over that weekend, email or message me here with your cell phone number.

DETAILS:
August 26-28th
Friday night: Forest Park Neighborhood
Saturday morning: Troy Highway apartments
Saturday night: Chisholm Neighborhood
Sunday night: Hopper Gardens Neighborhood

If you would like to help with the details of these meetings, contact me, Lisa Rose, at 334-271-6794 or lrose@mgmbaptist.org.
The Lord has brought this people to Montgomery. We need to give them the chance to HEAR the Gospel in their heart language and be able to make a decision to receive it.

Again...the Way We Do Things Matters....Lord Help Us!

Wanted to repeat this post from a few weeks ago. I think we still need to hear it. I do. How about you?
************************************************************

I am reminded of one of my favorite songs by Kyle Matthews, a Christian artist/songwriter. I think one of his songs is very appropriate for how we go about things here in Greater Montgomery as followers of Christ. I want to hold just the chorus up against Matthew 25 as we go about living in the Greater Montgomery area. IT IS NOT ABOUT JUST DOING WHAT MATTHEW 25 SAYS TO DO. IT is about HOW we do it, our motives and how we treat people. The way we treat people shows our TRUE heart. As followers of Christ, we HAVE to check our hearts all the time. I have to. Every day in fact. The way we treat people, current issues, etc MATTERS!! It is the testimony of who we really are.

"The way we go about it matters,
It's the testimony of the heart.
Yes, the way we go about it matters,
It's the proof of who we really are". Kyle D. Matthews

Let's all ponder that as we go about our week and months ahead. The way we handle things DOES MATTER!!!

Lord, help each of us who reads this post today remember that the way we do things DOES matter. It IS the testimony of our heart condition. Help us to remember that the WAY we approach others around us is important to a witness of who you are in us!

Colossians 3:12-17    "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ..."

Living Out Our Faith as a Follower of Christ in the Midst of Chaos

More violence this week......what do we do? We pray. Here are a few prayer points and some scripture to remind us how we need to continue to live despite what is happening around us.

1. Pray for our world-Matthew 24 tells us to not be surprised that these things are happening.  
2. Pray for our nation-violence does not stop violence. If we continue to live that way, it will only get worse. It will not end.
3. For our city-it is summer. It is very hot. This makes people even more anxious and irritable. Pray for peace in the midst of all the chaos. 
4. Pray for ourselves-to be released from the bondage of fear and to live out what Jesus teaches more than ever. Loving your neighbor is not just a nice mantra to hang on our walls or write on a Facebook post. It is a command from our Lord.


Here are a few scripture to remind us all how to live.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:2

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sisters. Romans 14:13 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 

Learn to do right; seek justice.Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:17

Romans 12
And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 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.
3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”[g]says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Love What is Right

In light of the recent tragedies all over our country, I asked the Montgomery Baptist Association Director of Missions, Ken May, to write a response for our prayer page this week. 

 

 

From Director of Missions, Ken May  

 

The shocking shootings of the past weeks have left most of us in a state of confusion, anxiety, or even anger. What is a follower of Jesus supposed to do? The simple answer is to do what Jesus would do, but the real challenge is to discern with a humble spirit what that course of action would be. I am confident that Jesus is calling me to express sorrow over the lives that have been lost and to express sympathy and concern for those who are hurting. I also know that I am commended by scripture to “speak the truth in love”, but the problem is there are so many “versions” of the truth being espoused by all kinds of people on social media, insistent that their “version” is the truth, even if it is just copied from someone else’s site without research or reflection.

My understanding of the movement “Black Lives Matter” is one of concern that the lives of blacks do not seem to count as much as the lives of whites. Of course, in God’s eyes, all are precious in His sight.

Some who shout “All Lives Matter” do so in rejection of “Black Lives Matter” and some do so to complement BLM, with a view that black lives matter because all lives matter.

While it is easy in reaction to these tragedies to retreat in our own conclaves and try to shout down the other side, this stance is neither productive nor is it Christ honoring. The tragedies of the past days call us out of our shells and into relationships with those whose skin color or lifestyle may differ from mine. They call us to support the many outstanding individuals in blue who protect our lives. These events call us to cry out for justice for those who have been deprived of life without due process of law, and to build an environment where people do not fear another because of skin color or color of uniform.

It’s up to you and me to begin constructing that environment by our own actions and by continually praying to that end.

Philippians 4:8-9

"Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you".

PRAYER POINTS

This week, let's pray for ourselves....that WE, who are followers of Christ, would be reflections of Christ to all people.

Pray that as we live our daily lives, that we would be sensitive to the scars and wounds of the past and that we would be " the soothing oil of peace and refreshment" to all we meet.

What Will People Remember You By?

So, I have been doing some family research and found out that my 10th great grandfather, William Chesebrough, came to America in the 1600's. He was apparently a very godly man and he was written about because of it. (William Chesebrough was a farmer and trader in the colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut. He was one of the four co-founders of Stonington, Connecticut, along with Thomas Stanton, Thomas Miner, and Walter Palmer).

Apparently, when he came to America in the mid 1600's, he knew that he was coming into someone else's home and made every effort to respect that home. He made a concerted effort, according to documents, to reach out to the Native Americans in Connecticut and become friends with them. He started a church in Stonington and shared the gospel with everyone he met.

Here is the quote from someone who knew him.

"And further, it needs only to be added, that he was a man of decided Christian principal, and that wherever he planted himself he was an earnest supporter of living out our faith in Christ".

Point here is this: What kind of legacy will YOU AND I leave here in the Greater Montgomery area as a follower of Christ?

I look around and listen to the news and see incredible pain and suffering here and around the world. Part of our legacy should be that people KNEW we were followers of Christ by both word and deed and we were able to OFFER them HOPE and PEACE that ONLY Christ can give.

Let's pray about how we will be remembered today. Let's pray that our lives will point to Christ not only after we die, but now, as we live.

Points to pray for this week as we live and work in the Greater Montgomery area.

1. Pray that our own hearts will be challenged and changed, molded into who God desires us to be. That we will seek Him every day and saturate ourselves in His word so that we will know how to live and act and love others the Jesus Way.

2. Pray for those we meet, that they will see Christ in us, not our human selves. That His light would shine through us so clearly that there would be no doubt whose we are.

3. For those in our Greater Montgomery area-that we will see through the facades that are portrayed and see their hearts AND have the courage and boldness to offer the same love we have been given through Christ.

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me". Galatians 2:20

 

                                                Embrace The Cross-Steve Green

The Immigrant in Montgomery, AL

The Southern Baptist Convention recently passed  a resolution to welcome those refugees who are already here in the USA. Many other denominations have done the same. As Christians, we are always to welcome those who come from other places but especially those who have been torn away from their homes, their jobs, etc. Here is a great article on why, biblically, we are to welcome the refugee.  Read and ponder as we think about that for our nation, our state and specifically, the Greater Montgomery area. This is not a political debate, it is a biblical mandate.

Pray this week as you look around you. There are immigrants in our city who may not have refugee status but came from places where they were abused, raped and threatened death.

 How will you respond as a follower of Christ? The Bible Is VERY clear about what we are to do.

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/what-bible-says-about-how-treat-refugees

Choices

So, last week I was on vacation. Sorry I didn't get to post. We were on the go all day, each day. Glad to be back and praying with you for our great city!

So, we took the train up to and back from New York this time. It was a blast. We met all kinds of people and had fun. As we were returning from a fun filled week of seeing friends and having a blast, we were pulling out of the Anniston station, just an hour from Birmingham and we all of the sudden heard the breaks screech and the train stopped. Three cars back, we felt the jolt. A few seconds later, we heard an announcement that "due to an emergency situation, we will be delayed indefinitely and will return to service as soon as possible." Within minutes, an ambulance, fire tuck, paramedics and several police cars showed up. Word had gotten through the train. A man had been hit. After rumors and scuttlebutt and news reports, I found out that a man had decided that he wanted to cross the tracks even though the train was coming up pretty fast. He didn't make it. We saw the man being carried on the stretcher. We heard that he just had a broken leg. He died later that day of internal injuries. 

After we got back on the journey, we were all stunned. I wondered what that man was thinking. I was mad because he made a choice to do something risky that could ultimately lead to his death. And it did. Now, his family, his friends, those who knew him will be forever marked by his choices.

ORLANDO: A man made choices that devastated, not only his own family, but the families of many, many people.

I want us to pray this week for CHOICES. Our choices on how we love and live here in the Greater Montgomery area affects others. As Followers of Christ, we have to think about our choices and how we treat others. Will we make choices that are only about us? Will we think of others as we make choices? Will we stop and think about how we should handle certain situations biblically?

Here are some thoughts on how to pray as we live as Followers of Christ in the Greater Montgomery area.
1. Pray that we will saturate our hearts and minds with God's Word so that in everything we do, our compass is Christ.
2. Pray for the Lord to show us who and how to minister to those we meet each day.
3. Pray for a spirit of obedience and compassion in every follower of Christ in our Greater Montgomery area. 

John 15:13 "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends".

Helping the Poor. What Does the Bible Say?

THIS.....pray for those who have need in our Greater Montgomery area. God says to. We must be obedient to pray and then act on obedience. 


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

DO NOT EXPLOIT the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life. Proverbs 22:22-23

DO NOT WITHHOLD good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you"—when you already have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

IT IS A SIN to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21

WHOEVER OPPRESSES the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31

WHOEVER IS KIND to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

WHOEVER SHUTS THEIR EAR to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13 

THE GENEROUS WILL BE BLESSED , for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
THOSE WHO GIVE to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. Proverbs 28:27

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9
..............But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18

Pray for Kids and Foster Families in Greater Montgomery

Many of you know that we adopted our 2 sons out of foster care. May is Foster Care Awareness month and I want to tell you why it is so important to foster children when they need a place to go.

This is our experience but holds true for so many kids.
1. Our boys were able to be with families who taught them how to be a healthy family member. Many children who are in foster care lived in chaotic homes where they didn't get to learn how to get along, how to cooperate and how to love without being hurt. Mine got that chance. By the time they were ready to be adopted, my boys, for the most part, had learned how to be a part of a family and cooperate with each other and with their new parents.

2. My boys were loved by their foster parents "as if" they were their own. That helped them learn to attach. Loving a kid and welcoming them into your home and letting them get attached actually "HELPS" them attach to their adopted family if they are adopted. If they are not placed for adoption, they learn that there are people in this world who can show them how to love the right way without it hurting.
3. My boys saw the siblings in their foster homes have goals and dreams that they had never had. Each our boys foster homes demonstrated how to have goals and dreams for their futures.
Here is the bottom line. Our boys BENEFITED from having foster parents who cared about them, who made them a full part of their family and showed them how to dream and have a future.
In Montgomery alone, according to the Department of Human Resources, there are currently 5000 children in foster care. They come from all kinds of situations. They need parental love from a healthy family. They need God's love more than anything. We were very fortunate that both of our boys had Christian foster parents who instilled the Truth in both boys. They laid the foundation for their coming to know the Lord in a personal way.

James 1:27 says this: "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you".

Here are some links if you might be interested in being a foster parents.
Montgomery County Dept of Human Resources
http://dhr.alabama.gov/s…/Foster_Care/Intro_Foster_Care.aspx
Alabama Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministry
http://www.alabamachild.org/
Bobbi Olson is our Montgomery Social Worker and you can call her directly for more information. 334-430-7569
Alabama United Methodist Children's Homes
http://www.umch.net/foster-care.html

Pray this month for kids in foster care, for their birth parents to heal so they can be reunited and for foster parents to serve them through making them a full part of their family and help the kids heal as well.

Praying for Teachers in Greater Montgomery

One of our KEY FOCUSES in the Montgomery Baptist Association is on SCHOOLS. Hopefully, we pray for our schools, we hope you support your teachers and local schools as well. Did you know that you don't have to have a kid in one of our Montgomery public schools to be involved? If you live in that community, you can approach the administration and get involved.

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. That was an "official" appreciation week for teachers but every week can be teacher appreciation week for our churches/individuals, etc. 

What can you do to appreciate your teachers?
1. Pray for them. Pray that the Lord will guide and direct them as they teach and mentor students. Ephesians 5:15-17 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is". 

2. Find out some needs they have and have your family, your church, your business meet those needs. 1 John 3:17 "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"

3. Encourage them. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing". 

Pray for our teachers. They DO affect us. I know each of us can name a teacher who has influenced us both positively AND negatively. Pray for teachers to be a positive influence on our children in the Greater Montgomery area.

Pray with Fervor!

Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Because you have prayed to me …The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this … For I will defend this city to save it, for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David” (Is. 37:21-22, 29, 32, 35).

People will pray about the warfare of world evangelization the way Hezekiah prayed when they are filled with the vision of God's inevitable triumph in world evangelization".  John Piper

Could we be like Hezekiah and pray with fervor our city?  Or in Jeremiah "Pray for the city to which I have sent you, for when it prospers in peace so will you". (Jeremiah 29:7)

This week is leading up to our National Day of Prayer. There are prayer gathering all over the USA. There are several going on in Montgomery.  This is a great time to renew your commitment to pray for "the city to which God sent you" the Greater Montgomery area.

1. Pray for hearts to be changed not only in individuals who don't know Him but for those who are in leadership in our state. Alabama has gotten itself into a pickle right now and there are many who will suffer because of the choices of those in leadership.

2. Pray for those who call themselves Christians to have heart change as well. We don't have it all together but if we allow the Lord to control our growth, we will see our world through HIS eyes and not our own.

3. Pray for those 5 major areas of need in our city and surrounding areas: Crime, Poverty, Race, Schools and Consumer Christians.

The Way We Go About It Matters!

I am reminded of one of my favorite songs by Kyle Matthews, a Christian artist/songwriter. I think one of his songs is very appropriate for how we go about things here in Greater Montgomery as followers of Christ.

 I want to hold just the chorus up against Matthew 25 as we go about living in the Greater Montgomery. IT IS NOT ABOUT JUST DOING WHAT MATTHEW 25 SAYS TO DO. IT is about HOW we do it, our motives and how we treat people. The way we treat people shows our TRUE heart.   As followers of Christ, we HAVE to check our hearts all the time. I do. Every day in fact. The way we treat people, current issues, etc MATTERS!!  It is the testimony of who we really are.

                                     "The way we go about it matters,
                                        It's the testimony of the heart.
                                        Yes, the way we go about it matters,
                                        It's the proof of who we really are".  Kyle D. Matthews

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. THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT IT MATTERS.I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT IT MATTERS.
 I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT IT MATTERS.
 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT IT MATTERS. I was sick, and you cared for me. THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT IT MATTERS. I was in prison, and you visited me.THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT IT MATTERS.

“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,[f] you were doing it to me!’   IT'S THE TESTIMONY OF YOUR HEART. IT'S THE PROOF OF WHO WE REALLY ARE!
Lord, help each of us who reads this post today remember that the way we do things matters. It IS the testimony of our heart condition. Help us to remember that the WAY we approach others around us is important to you!

Here is a snippet of the song I just quoted.  
The Way We Go About It Matters

Crime in Montgomery............again!

CRIME:
Crime statistics seem to be going up in the Greater Montgomery area. Have you noticed? I haven't gotten the latest stats but it sure seems that way watching the news lately!

Are we praying for heart change y'all? Only with heart change comes life change, choice changes, etc. Crime will not go down unless people's hearts change.

Are we investing in people that need the Lord?
Matthew 10:5-8 gives a breakdown of who we need to be reaching for Christ. Here is what it says from The Message:

Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:

“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.
1. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood.
2. Tell them that the kingdom is here.
3. Bring health to the sick.
4.Raise the dead.
5.Touch the untouchables.
6.Kick out the demons.

You have been treated generously, so live generously".

Pray this week that all followers of Christ in the Greater Montgomery area be actively seeking ways to reach people. There is no time like the present to begin sharing what God has done in your life.


Galatians 6:9 
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up". CRIME