How to Change a Heart in Greater Montgomery

Recently, I was at a neighborhood meeting about crime and the police officers were talking about all the methods that they are currently using to promote a safe environment in neighborhoods. One person spoke up from the community recognizing that in order for crime to stop, hearts have to change. The police officer responded to her statement agreed with her and implored the churches in Montgomery to help. The police department can't change hearts. Rules and jail and safety tactics can't change hearts.....only Jesus can do that and we, as Christ followers, have the ability to get that message to others. 

We cannot expect the police department to do all the work. The Christian church HAS to step up and participate. The MPD and Sheriff's Dept cannot do this alone.

So what can we do?
1. Every day, pray for our city.
Pray for the people of our city to have an ENCOUNTER with Jesus. Pray for Christ Followers in the Greater Montgomery area to step up and speak... to share the gospel at any cost to our reputations or our fears.
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth” Isaiah 62:6-7 

2. Go to where the hurting are. They need you to tell them about the good news of Christ.
“Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously."
Matthew 10:5-8 The Message 
 
3. Check our own hearts.
Are we living the way we should to honor Christ in all we do?
If not...here is what David prayed and we can pray it too.
"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." Psalm 39:23-24 


These three things WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our city. As we get closer to the day of celebrating the Resurrection, how will your heart be changed so that you can share that gift with others?

Ministering to Schools

SCHOOLS
Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do. – Mother Theresa

In order to rise above, someone has to walk you through how to rise above. Lisa Rose


Here are some verses to pray over our schools in Greater Montgomery. Pray for students, parents, teachers and administration. Pray for public, private and homeschoolers. A difference can be made in hearts through prayer.

Proverbs 22:6 “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Deuteronomy 32:2 “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
James 3:1-2 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
Titus 2:7-8 “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.”
Proverbs 4:13 “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”


Lord be with leaders in our schools...administration, teachers parents and others who care about schools in the Greater Montgomery area. Help our churches to walk beside them as they teach and grow students.

Racism. It is wrong. Period.

RACISM

                                                 The way we treat people matters!
                                                   It is the testimony of our hearts. 

Acts 17:26  "...and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,"

Proverbs 24:23  "These also are sayings of the wise To show partiality in judgment is not good."

Ephesians 4:29-32  " Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

James 2:9  "But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."

Racism is wrong. Period. 

Let's all pray this prayer from the Psalms this week. May we search our hearts and see if there is anything we do to cause a person to be less than they were intended to be by God.

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.
Amen