A Baby Changed Everything...

With all the strife in the world, take time today to listen to this video as we begin the Christmas season with Advent(December 2).....then pray and ask the Lord to show you (and me and all followers of Christ in Greater Montgomery)how to be "little Christs" to our world here in the Greater Montgomery area....

 

 

A baby changed everything....Luke 2

 

 

A Baby Changes Everything..

Serving Your Community

Great question for each of us today....in the Greater Montgomery area.

 

How is your church serving your community...out side the walls of the church?

Isaiah 61:1-4

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Let's pray this week that we will all live out Isaiah 61 in our communities.

Praying for ALL Christian churches in the Greater Montgomery area to get out into the community and serve the Lord. The community is where the people are and we are to serve the people of the community.

Serving the Community

Love Them Anyway.....

1 John 3:16-18 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Lately, there is controversy all around. If we focus too much on controversy, then you can get unfocused on what the focus of being a follower of Christ is....

TODAY, as you go about your day, in the Greater Montgomery area, stay focused on the thing that is most important. Love God, Love Others..to the ends of the earth. 

Leaving you with a great quote credited to Mother Teresa.
Love Anyway..................

Praying for people living in poverty

Praying for people living in poverty today in the Greater Montgomery area....that the Lord will meet their needs and bring them true peace in trusting in His care.

Most everyone I know agrees that it is important to help people in need. But, when the rubber hits the road, it is hard to know what to do. Whenever I feel overwhelmed with the need, I start simply by praying and asking the Lord "how do you want me to help?"

Here are some great verses to pray over as we feel concern for those in need of physical assistance.

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Ask the Lord to show you the need around our area.
Ask for exactly what you need to do.
Ask for the courage to get beyond your comfort zone.
Then....go do it.

There Is No Fear In Christ!

One more tragedy today. How does this affect our city? More people become scared. More are overwhelmed. More feel hopeless. More may retreat or make poor decisions or live in more fear than before.
As followers of Christ, we are still prone to those same actions after such a tragedy but the Bible assures us that we will ALWAYS have HOPE. A hope that is long lasting and free of fear.
As you go about your day today and this topic comes up here are a few verses you can share and meditate on yourselves.

Pray for our city but also Las Vegas and our country as we have all felt profound sadness and anger over this tragedy. And, as always, remember the family of this man who did this. We can't always couple the families of shooters with the shooter.

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from Crosswalk.com
It’s not always easy, and it often comes down to a choice:
Choosing not to allow fear and anxiety to control your life.
Choosing to guard your heart.
Choosing to focus your mind on what is truth in the midst of uncertain times.
We might still feel afraid, but we can believe that God is with us. We may not be in control, but we can trust the One who is. We may not know the future, but we can know the God who does.

“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.” Philippians 4:6-7
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 

REMEMBER THIS: 

GOD IS WITH YOU!

 And we need to be sure and communicate that with others. Go and share with others the GOOD NEWS of Christ despite what goes on in our world. Let us not retreat but go forward with HOPE .

A Conversation on Race, Racism and Faith

Today, I want to share a post from Vaughn Forest Church(SBC) and have you listen to a conversation on race in Montgomery from two pastors who have invested a great deal of their lives in bridging the gap of race in our city. Ponder this verse this week......

 1 John 2:11   "But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

Listen to the video, pray for our city and then ask the Lord what He wants YOU to do or change to better reflect Christ in Greater Montgomery."

Let's Talk - A Conversation Concerning Race, Racism, and Faith 

Praying in the Aftermath Of Irma

Praying for Irma Aftermath today.

As their state got pummeled by Irma, some Florida evacuees have been here in Montgomery, waiting on the go ahead to go back home to assess the possible damage to their own homes. Thank you to all who have helped get supplies to make their stay more comfortable.

HOW CAN YOU PRAY AND HELP during this time?
1. Pray for peace, for comfort in the midst of a storm, for each person here from FL to be able to cope with whatever comes their way.
2. Help. Donate to your favorite charity who helps with disasters. For Southern Baptists, here is the link to donate. 100% of your donation goes toward helping victims of the recent storms. LISTEN to what local orgs tell you they need. Don't assume you know. Sometimes, helping can hurt if we don't listen to what is needed. www.sbcdr.org
3. Do something kind for someone here in the Greater Montgomery area this week. You never know what they are experiencing. Their "disaster" may not be a storm or a terrorist attack(9-11-01)but a devastating loss or perpetual poverty or an addiction that is consuming them. Be kind. It WILL make a difference.
4. Help remind ALL those you come in contact with this week that God is our refuge, our rock during hard times.

He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.Selah
Psalm 62:6-8

Help In Times of Trouble

Let us bring the HOPE OF CHRIST to our city by praying over these things. People are very scared these days. As followers of Christ, we have the HOPE they need.

READ AND PRAY for individuals in our city and nation who are having a very hard time with all that is going on. There are many who suffer with severe anxiety over news stories. Let us pray for peace for all in the Greater Montgomery area as well as our nation this week.

Today, keep in mind there are many things to be praying for this week for our nation:
1. DACA-this will affect a whole lot of people who are living here, being productive people, not harming anyone, living the life our country was founded on. We need to pray for direction and a pathway to citizenship for each of these folks who were brought here as babies. All they have know is the United States as their home.
2. HARVEY-the remnants of Harvey, the clean up and people having to start over, the volunteers who are working tirelessly.
3. NORTHWEST FIRES-Homes destroyed, people displaced. The hundreds of firefighters and rescue personnel trying to control a fire.
4. NORTH KOREA-Praying for intervention and cooperation among our allies and a plan to stop this guy! Praying for safety for all people affected by evil actions.
5. IMPENDING IRMA-Where will Irma land? Praying for redirection of the storm, preparation of all people affected. Prepping of all disaster relief people.
6. Flooding in Southeast Asia. Hundreds of people lost their lives. Thousands displaced. Pray for all humanitarian workers who will be helping with recovery and restoration.

SO MUCH.....can feel overwhelming. Makes you want to go back to bed and hide under the covers and never listen to the news again. At least, that is what my instinct wants to do some days.
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God has kept his promises about being with us through hard times. He has warned us in His Word that there will be troubles in this world.. He has promised to be with you and me during this time.
When I was living in NYC, right after 9-11-01, I was walking in a park and saw this verse taped onto a tree-just scribbled on a plain piece of paper-with these words.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1

Meditate with me on this verse today. It can soothe the soul and bring us to a deeper understanding of God's love for us.

Praying for Montgomery Public Schools

Let's pray for our Montgomery County School system this week. BIG MEETING this Thursday. Pray for Tom Salter and Dr. Eggleston this week as they meet with pastors/clergy on Thursday!


From Tom Salter. Montgomery Public Schools.

Community involvement, especially by leaders like yourself, is critical to our success as we work to improve our schools. Please plan to attend and share this information with other religious leaders who may want to attend."

I hope to see you Thursday.
Sincerely,
Tom

School is starting!!!

Praying for Our Schools



This week and the next few weeks, schools will be starting and getting back into a routine. Let's pray this week for our teachers, administration and students/parents.


Teachers-Pray for wisdom, care for self, resources provided, discernment on how to care for the students they have.

Administration-For wisdom and guidance on decisions that have to be made on a daily basis. For them not to forget that the students are the priority.
Students-That each student will be filled with hope in a brand new year. That they will have clear minds to concentrate and that a hedge of protection will be around each and every student.
Parents-That parents will strive to help their students to have the things they need to be successful in their school day, care for themselves and their ids, provision to make the load lighter and that any things that are troubling them will be resolved.


Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

 

Rejoicing in New Life

Had to stop and take a break to rejoice over some great news in the Montgomery area.

Last night, after 10 years of investment, building relationships, getting to know the culture, we launched the FIRST Mixtec Church in 2 areas of Montgomery. We had 52 told come to the services. Sunday nights 5:30p.m. Food and Fellowship.

This people group has been in the Montgomery area for many years and we just found them about 10 years ago. This church is only the 4th Baptist church in the nation. We are so very excited. They are an indigenous people group from southern Mexico whose primary language is Mixtec, not Spanish.

If you know any Mixtec who either are curious about Jesus OR are Christians and need a safe church to attend and grow in, we would welcome them with open arms. Each site has a unique and simple worship style and the goal is to grow up leaders from within this indigenous group to lead.
Be praying as things get going. Contact me if you know of anyone who could benefit from being a part of this fellowship.

Prayer Points:
1. Pray for the deep spiritual needs of this culture.
2. Pray for indigenous leaders to rise up and become the overseers of this church.
3. Pray for the men of the culture to be interested in this Jesus guy!
4. Pray for those who are already Christians to grow and become leaders and examples of Christ like living.
5. Pray for the Bible teachers now to be wise and sensitive to the spiritual needs of this culture.

Contact Lisa Rose at 334-271-6794 if you need any information. 

Racism Part 1

RACISM--That word no one wants to acknowledge that we ALL have problems with. Today I want to remind us of some scripture that we can use for ourselves as we battle the SIN of racism. We ALL have the potential to be a racist. WE ALL have sinned and come short of the GLORY of God. Right?

 1 John 2:11  "But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

So the challenge is this:
1. Look at our own heart and see if there is RACISM in our hearts.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts,
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

2. Then ask the Lord to show it to us and then pray this prayer as well....
Psalm 5:7-13
Purify me from my sins,[c] and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
    you have broken me—
    now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
    Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit[d] from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
    and they will return to you.

3 Live out that clean heart through teaching others BY YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS how to love ALL people.....not just be nice to them, but LOVE THEM.
I John 3:18
"Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

4. Which means standing up for someone when they are wronged because of the color of their skin.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of ALL..... Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Then, this will happen................
Isaiah 58:8-9
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

Will you take the challenge today?
Will you ask God to show you the ugliness of racism in your own heart? 
Will you allow Him to cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness?

Then and ONLY then can we see change in this area of SIN in the Greater Montgomery area.....