WE CAN BE CONFIDENT…
about two things John tells us as he finishes up his first letter to the church. He talks about eternal life and answered prayer. As we finish up the book, finish up this year and look ahead to an exciting year to come we can be confident. How will this confidence effect our everyday Christian lives? Let’s talk about it.
A CULTURE OF HONOR…
I will be talking today about the new year ahead and the importance of building and supporting an experience at Set Free that brings honor and glory to the Father. We come to worship HIM when we come to Set Free. We are here to seek HIS heart and HIS will. This is HIS place. We are HIS people. He has HIS work to be done. Each time we come to this place we need to be coming in expectation of what HE wants to do in and through each one of us. I truly believe God has a great plan for this ministry in the coming year, but we have to be willing to surrender our wills and our wants and wishes to HIM.
MIDWEEK GOD CONNECTION…
if you complain that your live isn’t right with God, or you are powerless over sin, or you can’t understand why God isn’t on your side, then you need to come on Wednesday night to worship and dive into the all powerful Word of God! Starts at 6:30 pm with worship and 7:00 with the class on The Secrets of the Vine from John 15. Absolutely powerful teaching.
CARING OPPORTUNITIES…
Who has been missing from worship lately? Can you ask the Holy Spirit who you can write an encouragement card to? I have some suggestions, but He will tell you exactly who you need to write to.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS…
to two of our own. John Greb and Lee Ann Hill both celebrate their birthday today (31st).
THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL…
our theme for 2012 is various topics from the book of Ephesians. Our first issue is on Predestination from Ephesians 1:11. What is Paul talking about? I’m expecting God to richly use this newspaper each month to touch thousands of people and fill them with encouragement and inspiration. Your prayers help and your donations are appreciated as well. Is there someone you can sponsor a subscription to this year?
GOD’S FOOD PANTRY…
Tina is actively seeking and applying to various organizations and foundations to help with the costs of this work and to be able to expand it. She has a desire to start a diaper pantry to help young families. She also dreams of a store to sell donated items that can no only generate income but provide good usable items at affordable prices for families.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY…
New Year’s resolution…work on my own growth in the Lord. CR is a great opportunity to address the key issues of how to overcome (anything) that holds me captive. Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin. So, why not start this Thursday at 6:30 pm. Could be the best decision you make for 2012! We had nine people here on Thursday from Rogue Retreat. It is a great partner ministry.
ROGUE RETREAT…
I had the privilege of telling a young couple with two small children that they were accepted into our program. It was truly humbling to see the look on their faces and the instant joy that came. I am so thankful for what this program can do and does do for so many. It is amazing to be part of it….We continue to invite people who want to support this ministry to help with our $ a week for Rogue Retreat. The $ can be $1, $5, $10 or whatever. We even have current residents giving $ a week to Rogue Retreat. You can find donation envelopes in the foyer or Heather will send them to you. Call (541) 499-0880.
BOOK STORE…
it is so easy to forget we have this little store with some great things tucked away in the hall by the front office. Please take time today to look over the selection of items. We have some great books that will inspire your walk with the Lord for just a few dollars. Treat yourself to a new book for the New Year.
POP OPEN CARDS…
I had the opportunity to talk with a woman in North Carolina last weekend who loves the cards. She used to get them from Wordbytes for years and really missed them when they went out of business. Her sister lives in Springfield and discovered us and sent her 200 cards recently. She loves how God uses them to touch lives. She was inquiring about getting 1,000 to use. She mentioned that when her brother passed away recently he had requested that everyone who came to his service get a card. The pastor at the service had the people read their cards and of course there were many tears and confirmations. Isn’t it awesome how we are touching people outside our area with these cards? I was talking with Lois Fritz last weekend as well and she works with the Muslims coming from Iraq and resettling in El Cahon. We talked about how great it would be to get the cards in their language. Perhaps one day.
WE CHANGED OUR OFFICE COMPUTER RECENTLY AND LOST…(3)
all of our email contacts to get this update each week. Please write your email on a communication card today and turn it in with the offering so you can be added back.
NEXT WEEK…
I will start a series of sermons on the Holy Spirit. I’ve been reading a very inspiring book: “Experiencing the Spirit” by Henry Blackaby. He wrote the book: “Experiencing God” that touched so many of us in years past. I’ve ordered 10 of these books for our book store. They will be $10. First pay, first receive.
END OF YEAR DONATIONS…
perhaps you want to make a last donation to Set Free to have it count on your tax deduction for 2011. We need to have all donations in the offering TODAY to count for 2011.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR…
do you want to read through your Bible this year? We have some good guides available on our information table. Pick one up and follow it. I can’t emphasize enough how vital it is to read the Word daily and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us from it. I’ve never met a strong believe who isn’t in the Word daily.
MY PRAYER REQUEST TO THE LORD THIS YEAR…
is for a bigger place to worship and do ministry out of. I’ve asked the Lord for years about this and so far He has provided what we are in. I’m thankful, don’t get me wrong, but I see the limitations we have with this place and I long for more room for worship, for an adequate children’s program, for a larger food pantry work and for our ever growing Rogue Retreat ministry. Even our pop open cards seems to be growing and will take more room. The Word tells us to ASK and it will be given. It is far better to ASK than to try to make it happen by our own efforts, but we must ASK and keep ASKING according to the teachings of Jesus on prayer. Will you ASK with me? Will you believe with me?
