Today this passage of Matthew 22 focuses our hearts. There are many people all around us that need to come in to the banquet hall of Christ Jesus, and it is our responsibility to bring them in. It is a commandment. This was not just spoken to the professional pastor, but every person who is a part of His kingdom. As you read this chapter, pray that God would give you eyes to see who needs an invitation to come, and then be willing to take the risk and invite someone.
“Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.'” Matthew 22:8,9 (NIV)
Prayer: “Dear God, help me be willing to go to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
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( 3 / 39 )Dear Friends,
Take 20 minutes for the next 20 days to read, meditate, pray and dedicate to being His servants and stewards right here. I have provided some key verses for us to think about, but I would encourage you to read them in the context of their chapter. When we do this, we get the most of what God was saying to His people then and to us, His followers today. We will begin to ask God specific questions like: “What can I do?” “How can I serve?” “What can I give?” I am expecting God to teach us many new things during each day of 20/20 Vision, and I’ll be eager to hear what you are learning from His Word and your time of prayer.
Today’s reading is Matthew 9. Pause a moment to read that chapter, and then meditate on these verses:
“He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)
Prayer: “Dear God, what can I do to be a part of Your harvest?”
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( 2.9 / 17 )Miles McPherson of the Rock Church is one of my favorite pastors. He recently asked his congregation to participate in a time of prayer & fasting and gave them guidelines to help them. I have gleaned from his material, added some of my own thoughts and pass this devotional guide along to you.
Gateway Church 20/20 Vision Devotional Guide
Beginning November 22nd for the next 20 days, I would like to challenge you to read a Scripture passage and pray for at least 20 minutes every day. Some of you may want to go a step further and choose to participate in a fast, beginning on the tenth day, December 1. You may want to fast for one week, one day, or one meal, or the Lord may impress upon you to give up a certain food. If we choose to do this, God will increase our focus upon Him, and it is my prayer that we will all have a fresh encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are some practical things to remember as we embark on this journey together.
1. Confess your sin before the Lord. (1 John 1:9) Fasting is a time for cleansing. The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2. Establish proper spiritual goals. A life-changing encounter with God should be the number one goal of a fast. Keep Him at the forefront of your mind, by reading Scripture, memorizing and meditating upon His Word.
3. Establish THE PLACE and time to meet with God. It is more than a physical location, for it is a place where you can have peace of mind and rest without distractions like the telephone, the TV, the cell phone, the computer, and where you are set apart from friends and family. Be equipped with a Bible, a pen and a journal so you can record thoughts the Lord will bring to mind. Plan ahead and be consistent.
4. Ask the Lord to help you fight doubt and fear. Fasting is not something to which we are accustomed, and the enemy will want to stop you from continuing on. Choose faith when you are faced with this temptation. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” (Gal. 5:24) “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “’Abba, Father.’” (Rom. 8:15)
5. Avoid social tensions. Because this is a time between you and the Lord, I suggest that you refrain from discussing with others your specific plan. This way you will avoid questions and distractions that will defeat your purpose. Jesus encourages us not to draw attention to ourselves when fasting. “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
I am praying for Gateway Church - every person that crosses the threshold of our building. I am expecting God to meet us here and give us His vision for 2010-2020. “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)
In Christ, Pastor Mark
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( 2.9 / 22 )One of my favorite times of the year is Thanksgiving. It always lands on Thursday, then Friday seems like Saturday, but it’s not, and Christmas is just around the corner. But before we get there, we get to pause and give thanks to God. Sunday, I will be preaching on thanks – giving from the book of 2 Corinthians. One of the blessings that I will not have time to fully develop, is how personally thankful I am that God has allowed me to work with such a great staff here at Gateway. Sometimes I feel like we just keep moving, never satisfied, always changing and challenging each other. And the staff just takes it as an adventure. I imagine it’s like asking them to go on a trip with me to Gnome, Alaska. “Come on, everyone,” I say; “take your chain saws with you. We are going to cut up an iceberg and sell ice cubes to Eskimos. It will be fun. We’ll see the polar bears, Aurora Borealis and have a great time.” Seriously, the team here at Gateway is the squad I would want to take on that adventure!
Sunday we will start our twenty days of feasting and fasting, preparing our hearts for the journey the Lord has for us in 2010 and beyond. Pick up your devotional guide in the church lobby or read it here online.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
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( 3 / 37 )November 11, 2009
Today is Veterans Day, a national holiday for all of us in the United Sates, and it should be. In 2009, this day is also being remembered for the horrible loss that our army suffered on our own U.S. soil at Fort Hood. Please take a moment to pray for the victim’s families and our country.
Years ago, at the end of WW I, at 11:00 am on November 11, 1918, an armistice was declared. More than a cease-fire, yet far less than surrender, the “War to End All Wars” came staggering to an end. Yet this was not true peace; shalom, as the Bible says. This was just an unresolved conflict that flared up years later as WW II. What we need to pray for is real peace, not as the world gives, but as God gives. (John 14:27)
This is what Life’s Healing Choices has been about, experiencing peace with God through the forgiveness of Jesus. Peace with ourselves as we have taken long looks inward, and peace with those we love and care about. My hope is that you will come this Sunday for a celebration of what God has done. We will not be able to hear from everyone; there simply is not enough time. Many have emailed and written their new commitments, so we will have a sample of those testimonies and then celebrate with one another during the Lord’s Supper service. God is doing some great things in our midst as we align ourselves with His will and keep pressing on toward His high call. See you Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
Be sure to say “thank you” to a United States veteran today for their service to our nation.
Read our November Gazette online: http://www.gatewaychurchonline.com/medi ... letter.pdf
Also, pray that parents will seize the opportunity to attend the Focus on Parenting simulcast this Saturday at the church. Read about it more here: http://www.gatewaychurchonline.com/stories/focus/
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