One of my goals for the Pastor’s Page is to recap the day that was in worship. As I sit at my computer and try to summarize all that happened yesterday at DBC, I’ll have to confess, I’m struggling to put it into words - which is a good thing. Yesterday will stand out as a highlight of the year for many reasons. From start to finish, it was a great day to be in God’s house! Yesterday’s message hopefully challenged us all to prioritize our lives the way God intends. If prayer is not a priority in your life today, then you better get ready to struggle in your walk with God. And, to take it a step further, if there are problems between you and someone or between you and God (ie unconfessed sin) you can also plan on your prayers going unanswered. Prayer is a powerful tool in our lives and is the key to living a Christ-like life. Let’s not let anything hinder our prayer lives (Ps. 66:18). When we make an effort to be “prayed up”, then we will have the strength to fight the battle of the flesh we all struggle with. Then will be able to better keep our lives in line with God’s will. Sunday morning’s service ended on high note with Mark McGriff joining the church, and the high notes didn’t stop there.
Sunday night we were blessed with Guy Penrod’s music. I know everyone had a wonderful evening and there was no question that the Spirit of the Lord was in our midst. From a technical standpoint, Guy and his accompanists are world class musicians. From a personal and spiritual standpoint, those guys were the real deal. I pray God will continue to give opportunities to minister for him and the rest of the guys that came with him. I hope we can have him come again sometime in the future. I want to thank Jason Rogers for all the hard work he put in behind the scenes to make last night a possibility, as well as all the folks who volunteered to make it a reality.
Have a blessed week,
Jay
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Engaging The Future With Assurance
Make prayer a priority in your life (14-15)
a. God will never answer prayers when unconfessed sin is in the person’s life.
b. God will never answer prayers when unresolved problems are between people.
c. God always answers prayers when they are prayed in His will.
Make a conscious effort to avoid sin in your life (16-18)
a. Believers can fall into sin.
b. Believers can fail to live righteously.
Make certain your mind and heart are in line with God. (19-21)
a. We can trust our heart in our relationship with God.
b. We can trust God with everything.
c. We can never let our guard down concerning idols.
