“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)
Prayer: “Dear God, help me to know how to serve our community. Show me ways to make it better.”
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( 3 / 46 )Well, today is “Black Friday” and people are lined up outside stores all over America to get those early morning bargains. Retailers are tingling with excitement over the prospects of finally turning a profit for this year, and the Christmas season officially begins. In the midst of all of this, we must not forget that the greatest gift we can give one another is love. Not the latest gadget, gizmo, or gift card; it is the loving embrace, kind words and deeds that come from a pure heart. This is the essence of John’s words to us, and in today’s passage of 1John 3, so read, pray and obey. Go ahead and shop ‘til you drop, just make sure that you remember since God loved us, we ought to love one another.
“This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 (NIV)
Prayer: “Dear God, how can we improve in our love for one another? Use me first.”
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( 2.9 / 44 )Dear Friends,
Our day will be filled with a traditional family feast with all the fixings of a Norman Rockwell painting. But no matter where you are today or what you eat for dinner, stop and give thanks, because it all comes from our Lord. He put this wonderful planet together for our enjoyment and stewardship. My thanks today will not only be for family, but also for our country, those who protect it, the freedoms we have, the prosperity we enjoy and the responsibility all of that brings. I am also grateful for the church He allows me to lead. May you and your loved ones have a great Thanksgiving.
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100 (NLT)
Prayer: “Dear God, thank you for all You have given to us as a country, a church and a community.”
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( 2.9 / 40 )Dear Friends,
As you look at Matthew chapter 5 today, you will be reading the teachings of Jesus and specifically the passage where He tells His followers to be salt and light. Light shines the brightest when placed where everyone can see it. None of us want to be just part of a Christian club; we want others to be drawn to the warmth and illumination that God has given to us through His son. Pray that we would do this in 2010 and beyond
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.“ Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
Prayer: “Dear God, show me how I can let Your light shine through me and through us at Gateway.”
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( 2.7 / 22 )Dear Friends,
Open your Bible to 2 Corinthians 8 and read it now. For those of you who were there Sunday, you know I spoke on this passage. It challenges us to be better than average, to do things for the Lord that are excellent, to be loving, faithful, earnest, and to be great at giving. Will you ask God today to search your heart to see if there is an area of improvement that you could make so that our church could move from good to great? It will take every one of us, but it’s worth it.
“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)
Prayer: “Dear God, how can we make our fellowship excellent in every way?”
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