CRIME: Changed Hearts Is the Solution

The solution to stopping crime? Changed hearts.

 The vehicle to hearts being changed? Followers of Christ sharing the Good News of Jesus.

Prayer Thoughts?

1. Pray for the Lord to change OUR hearts so that we will be willing to share the gospel with those who may get into trouble.....even BAD trouble. Jesus came and died for EVERY SOUL who has been born. EVERYONE no matter what we have done, deserves a chance to have heart change through Christ. Are you willing to step beyond your comfort zones and share the gift you have with others?

2. Pray for those who are incarcerated now...that someone will share that good news with them and they will have the healing power of Christ in their lives.
3. Pray for the Greater Montgomery area. Pray for residents to be wise as serpents but gentle as doves. Pray for those victims of crime(who understand God's grace) to share forgiveness and redemption to those who were the perpetrators.
4. Pray for our law enforcement officers to have wisdom and direction on what they CAN do to make our city safer but we don't need to put the whole responsibility on them! WE need to be wise stewards of our belongings and kind to our neighbors.

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2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
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."
Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Consumer Religion VS Sacrificial Living

Consumer Religion
Great article on how consumerism has bled over into our faith.

Read the article and scripture this week on how to live a sacrificial life in Montgomery, AL . 

Pray for our city, of course, but pray for those of us who are followers of Christ, that we will  live a life of sacrifice and not consumerism

The world says BE A CONSUMER.
The Bible says LIVE A SACRIFICIAL LIFE.

“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” (Romans 12:1).

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

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.Luke 9:24

When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."Luke 18:22

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.Acts 2:44-45

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.   John 12:24-25

http://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2006/july-online-only/from-lord-to-label-how-consumerism-undermines-our-faith.html

Loving Those Living In Poverty

We will be revisiting the 5 areas of concern(Poverty, Crime, Race, Schools and Consumer Religion) in the Greater Montgomery area. This time around, I will be presenting a list of scripture for each area of concern to ponder each week as well as prayer points.
Today:
Poverty 

The Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God. (Micah 6:8)

People who see a brother or sister in need, yet close their hearts against them, cannot claim that they love God. (1 John 3:17)

Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!” – if you don’t give them the necessities of life? (James 2:15-16)

Learn to do right. See that justice is done — help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows. (Isaiah 1:17)

None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others. (1 Corinthians 10:24)

Don’t take advantage of the poor just because you can; don’t take advantage of those who stand helpless in court. The Lord will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.
(Proverbs 22:22-23)

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. (Proverbs 21:13)
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
(Luke 14:12-14)

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Points for Thought:
1. Look around your home. What are you not using anymore that is in good condition? Look through those closets. Share your abundance with those in need. Take in good condition clothes, linens, furniture, household goods to a local ministry to share with others in need.
2. Pray for the opportunity to share your resources with others.. The Lord would be pleased with you.
3. Pray for heart change in the way you see people in poverty. Ask the Lord to show you any thoughts that are not His thoughts and ask for a changed heart.
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“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
― John Bunyan