Good morning church,
I hope that you had a good week and that you spent time each day in prayer. We are nearing the end of our first week in our 40 Days of Prayer. I have enjoyed the time that I have spent with a few others praying over the prayer point of the day and a myriad of other things. I would love to hear how your prayer time went this week. On one of the days, we prayer for several of our missionary friends that are serving around the world. This morning, I want to invite you to pray for Savannah Chappell. She is doing a residency in church planting at Frontline in Oklahoma City. Ask God to use in a special way as she seeks to live on mission for Him. BTW, she is like a self-supported missionary so she always welcomes additional support. If God lays that on your heart, I would be glad to get you the details. Earlier this week, she sent out an email update. When I read it I knew it was a perfect piece to send out for the Ramblings. Fortunately, she graciously agreed that I could use it. I hope that you enjoy it. I think many of us will identify with it.
View this email in your browser  Oh, to remember the provision of the Lord. On Sunday, I was tired. It had been a WEEK. Lots of wonderful moments shared with a sister, but also many moments of minor inconveniences that come with not feeling great, power outages, water main breaks, and freezing cold temperatures. As I sat anticipating rejuvenation from worship, a dear friend stood to lead the congregation in prayer for the city utility workers, medical professionals, and first responders. Even as I wallowed in self-pity, I could admit that these workers had endured far worse those past two weeks than I had. Before interceding for these people, my friend recited Psalm 100, beckoning the church to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord!” and “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!” As she prayed, she thanked God for the innumerable ways he provided for us that week. And I sat dumbfounded. Until that moment, I felt I was justified in my frustrations and self-pity, yet I had allowed those frustrations to blind me. Not only this- I felt I was justified to NOT enter his gates with thanksgiving since my week was rough. Had I truly forgotten the love and provision of a good Heavenly Father because I couldn’t take a hot shower? Sometimes I am shocked- and other times I am acutely aware- of the depth of my sin and self-absorption. I pray that we walk into this next season with more than relief at our deliverance from last year’s atrocities- I pray that in spite of our discomforts we may see the goodness and provision of a Father who is and always has been watching over us. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100 |
Love God. Love others. Impact our community. Change the world.
Pastor Larry
0 Comments