“Grab a Corner”

On By MarkIn church, Community, GRACE, Resurrection, SalvationLeave a comment

3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.  4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.  5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:3-5

Jesus wants us to let others know about Him.  Resurrection Sunday, and really every single Sunday, is a great opportunity to invite people to come and see who Jesus is and what He’s done for them. In Sunday’s message, four people had faith and they acted on that faith to do the unusual so a man could be both forgiven and healed. As I understand the passage, the paralytic wanted to see Jesus, probably for the healing. I wonder if the forgiveness was unexpected.  Sometimes God asks us to do the unusual so the unexpected can happen. And sometimes He calls us to do it together with others. Personal evangelism is more of a team sport than we think it is. Most of us don’t do a great job with evangelism because we erroneously think it’s all up to us. The church and the work of the church is a team event. None of us are meant to go this alone. Can you imagine just one of the four friends trying to do what the four eventually had to do?

So, who is our team? Well, it’s me, it’s you, it’s our church. I believe it’s a work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  As you pray to the Father for your unsaved and unchurched friends, ask the Holy Spirit to help you and to show you the opportunities to invite and to encourage.  Join me and simply grab one of the corners of the mat. It’s NOT all up to you.  Salvation is God’s work. Jesus accomplished it on the cross, and now the Holy Spirit is convicting.  Let’s do this together, with each other, joining our church family and seeing what God will do.  When we only do the usual, we get the expected. Let’s ask God for more. Let’s be willing to do the unusual so we can experience the unexpected!

#KSA

On By MarkIn GRACE, PrayLeave a comment

At Grace we are in a series called Prepare. The idea is this: What would happen if God answered your prayers?  Are you prepared?  Most of us have some idea of what we’d love to see God do, whether it’s related to our work, relationships, unsaved family and friends converted, or to see our church family grow.  Before the people of Israel entered the new promised land, Joshua provided leadership with these words:

‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’  Joshua 1:11

As the day approached, Joshua continued:

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 3:5

This past Sunday the topic was Confession.  Considering the awful scene in Joshua 7 where one man’s sin kept the entire nation from a presumed victory, God judged sin in a most dramatic fashion.  Similarly in Acts 5, we see a unique demonstration of discipline on sin during the offering part of the church service.  God has never looked lightly upon sin. And that’s why Jesus had to die for our sins.

Confession is good for the soul, true. But it’s more than that.  Confession keeps me humbly aware of God’s holy character and my need for His presence, through the Holy Spirit. My sin is less about me than it is my need to see God as revered and holy.

One application from the study on confessions is to keep short accounts. That simple phrase simply means, don’t allow something to go unsaid, misunderstood, or unconfessed.  If you’ve wronged someone, make it right. Say something. Go to them, not someone else.  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Eph 4:26-27

We all want to see God answer our prayers. Let’s be prepared for whatever God wants to do through our circumstances by making sure we keep short accounts.  Seriously, that’s a good hashtag right there: #ksa!

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-15

Grace Group to Mexico

On By MarkIn GraceGives, GraceGroups, TravelLeave a comment

This past week we spent a couple of days with our Grace Group helping Casa de Elizabeth orphanage in Imuris, Mexico.  Our church helps this particular orphanage by not just giving some financial help, but by praying for them and occasionally going to help out with some real practical needs.  #GraceGives

 

ImageLast summer a group went and we painted the outside white. Looks great with the finished trim work done since then.

 

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This is the small group (minus the beautiful photographer…see below) that did some painting, electrical work, hung curtains and prepared a couple of meals for the kids and staff.

 

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Great job, team.  Loved working alongside each of you!

 

 

My last Saturday

On By MarkIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

At this place. 

For the past 7 1/2 years, this has been home for the Grace offices and ministry center. 

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I’m thankful the Lord has had a place for us and we have been able to see a lot of lives affected and changed right here in this building. With the students of GSM that meet here, the men’s and women’s groups, Bible studies, discipleship groups, classes, prayer meetings, the worship rehearsals, the countless elder and staff meetings, the special meetings we’ve had, there are many great memories here. Remember those few times we had to actually meet here for our Sunday services?  Seems like we did that twice.  Pretty awesome!  God’s people have had a place to do ministry and for that we’re all grateful. But it’s time to clear out and make more memories at the next address.  

ImageMost Saturday’s I’ve been here in this quiet room.  No matter how busy or hectic the week has been, I’ve found a place to be still and get my mind and heart ready for the weekly celebration we call “church”.  I know God has much more in store for Grace with our new place and a season while we continue to shop for a place to buy. In the midst of packing I’m encouraged that we are HIS people, no matter our address, no matter if we rent or buy. We are His, our identity is in Jesus, not an address.  Thanks to all of you who have worked hard to bless the body of Grace Community Church. 

A week from today is our huge “moving day”.  Yes, we need your help!  What’s that saying, ‘many hands…’?

Keep praying for your church!  

Access

On By MarkIn Jesus!, PrayLeave a comment

If you missed this past Sunday’s sermon at Grace Community, you can hear it here. In Jesus’ Name.  The passage was John 14:1-14.

I’ve been thinking about this all week!  Because Jesus is the only Way, Truth, and Life, we can now have access to the Father ONLY through Him.  Because Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him, (meaning: Jesus IS God) we can now have access to the Father, through the Son.  What an amazing gift. To pray to the Father, in the Name of Jesus.

So, what are you praying for?  What would happen if God said yes to what you’re asking of Him?  How will the Father be glorified through our prayers?

God’s House

On By MarkIn GRACE, Serving, ThanksLeave a comment

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, 

will enter your house. 

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; 

let them ever sing for joy, 

and spread your protection over them, 

that those who love your name may exult in you. 

Psalm 5:7, 11

Today, Grace experienced a great ‘work-day’.  We are moving our Ministry Center and Offices to another temporary rented location.  The reason: about twice the space, much less in rent, allowing us to move forward with ministry while being financially responsible as we continue to pray and look for a place to purchase for our church!

We actually have two suites, very close together; one for offices, and the other is the main meeting room area.  The Ministry Center side is mostly good to go, we will be redoing the stage area and painting the entire room, but otherwise it’s in great shape.  Today’s work was tearing stuff out in the other room so the builders can get to work building out the office space.  I was so encouraged to work alongside so many great people today.  There’s a lot to do still, but today was good.  I’m sure I’ll get some pictures posted soon.  Thanks to all of you who were able to carve out most of your morning to lend a hand.

20 People for 20th Year

On By MarkIn 20th Anniversary, PrayLeave a comment

As Grace Community Church celebrates our 20th anniversary later this year, the challenge has been made to pray for 20 people. Let’s pray for people that need Jesus as Savior, let’s also pray for those who need to return to the Lord.

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Instead of coming up with a ‘top ten’ list to pray for, pair up with someone and the two of you combine your lists to come up with 20 people. Maybe you can only think of a few and your partner has more.  Either way, the beauty of pairing up is that you are encouraging and reminding each other to pray.  And remember, prayer is near the heart of God. He loves to hear us come to him in worship, adoration and dependency. We’re asking Him to do His work of saving people.  Let’s ask.

Thankful

On By MarkIn Love, Thanks2 Comments

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

Psalm 136 may have been read or sung in the temple as the Passover lambs were being slain. The priest would read or sing the first part of each [verse] then the congregation would sing or read the last phrase which is the same throughout the Psalm.

The key word in the response is the Hebrew word for ‘mercy’ or ‘steadfast love’. We might pronounce is ‘hesed’, with more of a ‘ch’ sound at the beginning. Defined in part as “loyal love” it’s God’s gift of love towards us, as best seen in words like ‘mercy’. A brief survey of English translations shows even a fuller meaning of the term, and this in turn can help us see the root of our thankful hearts. It’s Who God is and what He’s done for us.

ESV: for his steadfast love endures forever

NKJV: For His mercy endures forever

NASB: For His lovingkindness is everlasting

NIV: His love endures forever

NLT: His faithful love endures forever

There is so much to give thanks for on this Thanksgiving Day 2013. At the center of it all is the finished work of Jesus on the cross, taking my place, paying for all of my sin. And now as His very own, I will proclaim His goodness, His love and mercy, His ‘hesed’ for all to hear.

God bless each of you this Thanksgiving!

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:18 NLT

 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you Phil 1:3

This Week @ Grace

On By MarkIn Bible, Serving1 Comment

Last Sunday I began teaching through the New Testament book of Philippians. Wow! What a letter for the church today.  How revolutionary in our thinking that we too are “servants of Christ Jesus” and “saints in Christ Jesus”. And! He’s not done working on us yet.

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” 1:6

This coming Sunday we’ll discover what I believe to be one the biggest keys in the entire Bible on ‘how to live for God’.

This Sunday also provides an opportunity to learn about our awesome Children’s Ministry and how you can be a part of a great team doing an amazing work.  Right after our service there is an informational lunch just for you. Whether you have experience or are just curious, please plan on joining the team downstairs in the Commons for lunch and a brief meeting.

To my fellow Servants and Saints: wherever you go to church, go this week expecting. Go prepared to worship with the other saints, be ready to bless someone else and be ready to hear from God.