Belmont Kids (AWANA), Youth Classes & Tonight In The Auditorium With Pastor
AT 6:30
Igniting Kingdom Prayer with Dr. Tony Evans
This week’s lesson is The Kingdom Power of Prayer (James 5:13-18): For many believers, the act of prayer has slowly devolved into a mere tradition that has no lasting impact on their lives. But Tony Evans says that prayer is supposed to be so much more: a relational communication with God that establishes the goal of making heaven visible on earth. In this message, discover why prayer shouldn’t be treated like an ordinary ordeal in your life because of its power to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
Hosea 11:8, “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.”
Here we see the intrinsic revelation of God’s love.
His very being is expressed in His speaking: “How can I give you up, Ephraim?”
This is like God speaking to you.
Maybe you feel like you have been joined to idols.
You have spoiled God’s discipline in your life.
You have resisted Him.
You feel like a cake unturned.
You have even taken the devil’s categorizing that you are just a spoiled piece of humanity, that you have sinned yourself to ruin.
Maybe all of this is how you feel.
But over and above your feeling is God’s revelation of His love to you.
And He is saying, “How can I give you up?”
In other words, God’s love goes beyond Ephraim’s being joined to idols, being a cake unturned, rejecting the Word of God, and being full of lies and deceit.
When the Lord says, “My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred,”
God’s love is revealed as something fundamental to His very being.
You cannot take it out of Him.
This is His churning love.
On the one hand, Ephraim deserves every kind of judgment for his absolute, willful rebellion against God.
His awful record merits his being cast off completely.
Yet, when God’s judgment comes to the foreground, mercy prevails and love overcomes Him.
Far more than the consideration of any kind of judgment, love and mercy prevail.
“My heart churns within Me” means that there is a turning in God Himself.
This turning is also exemplified in Genesis 18:16-32 when Abraham prayed for Sodom: “Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city? . . . Suppose there should be forty righteous found there? . . . Suppose ten righteous should be found there? . . .”
Abraham appealed to the Lord in this way when He was about to destroy Sodom.
Abraham’s prayer could actually turn God and remind Him of His mercy and His love; and that is what prevailed–His churning heart of love.
Until Tomorrow
With a Shepherd’s Love
Pastor
TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
David Ford
Doris & Terrell Loyd
Dr. Davis
Dwight Byrd
Katie Guiltner & Family
George & Linda Alexander
Gloria Young
Jean Partee – Rehab
Jill Haines
Joe Shelnutt
Josh Rocker
Kim McCain’s Mother
Hanna Hall
Marynel Ford
Pastor Discroll
Randy Bond’s Son in Law
The Graham Family – Brandon’s Friends
Katie Torbich
Amy Garner’s Mother/Dad
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Barbara Shed’s Family
Bill Moody
Carol Lawhead’s Brother
Charlie Sessom – Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Denise Stubbs – Kim Allison’s Mom
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
Hanna Hall – Pray for Grace
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford – Good News
Michael Stanley
Kenny & Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Rod Gustafson – Cancer
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sheila Simmons Cousin
Tom Witcher