+ Pray that we would imitate our savior, Jesus Christ, as he lived opposed to worldly wisdom, did not seek his kingdom in this world, and accepted the treatment that came with it.
Paul knew that following Christ meant walking the road to calvary with Him. The Christian life will come with difficulty and opposition because that's what our Savior faced. So, then the question becomes, are we imitating the life of Jesus in our own Christianity? Or do we look more like the Corinthian church did?
"For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me." 1 Corinthians 4:15-16
The Ladies' Connection Cafe is tonight. Sorry for the date confusion on the graphic. Hope to see you there!
"'Tis the season … for financial giving requests! Just around the corner is the annual end-of-year flurry of requests for financial donations. Postcards, emails, Facebook posts, requests from the pulpit, and people ringing bells outside of department stores will all be asking: 'Are you willing to give?'”
Don't forget about our monthly Ladies' Connection Cafe this Saturday night! Hope to see you there!
+ Pray that we would be a people that whole heartedly follows after our Savior, even if it means that we will appear to be fools and rubbish to the world.
"One of the greatest concerns—and heartaches—for many Christians is with the members of their families who have not come to faith in Christ, or who perhaps have abandoned the faith they grew up with. Many, many of us are burdened in our prayers for such loved-ones, and sometimes it is hard to know how and what to pray."
Devin will be continuing in 1 Corinthians 4 with verses 10-13 this Sunday at church. Read through it again before Sunday, if you have a chance, and come prepared for the preaching of the word.
+ Pray that we would be humble, realizing that everything we have is given to us from the Lord. We have no grounds for boasting, but we can lovingly serve those around us.
The Christian life is the way of the cross, the way of foolishness to the world. We have nothing to boast in, because all the gifts and talents we have were given to us, we didn't earn them. Therefore, we can serve instead of judge, and sacrifice instead of becoming puffed up.
"For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" 1 Corinthians 4:7
"The root of bitterness is powerful and it’s especially insidious because if often comes through subtle means—slow accumulation over small grievances. But such bitterness threatens to defile both your marriage and your relationship with God."
Brandon will be continuing in 1 Corinthians 4 this Sunday at church. If you have a chance, read through it before Sunday morning and come ready for the message.
+ Pray for our pastors. Pray that they would be serving Christ in their leadership of our church and that they would be motivated by his glory and his will.