We should be conscious of the way the world views us, the Church, as the Body of Christ.  God has entrusted us with the honor of representing Him upon the earth.  When the world looks at us, they should see Christ in all His Glory.  They should see the manifold wisdom of God as we reveal THE MYSTERY that has been hidden from eternity past.  They should see the love that never fails in the way we respond to each other.  They should see strength reaching out to weakness, first.  They should witness a group of imperfect people with differences and conflicts act totally different from the way the world responds to challenging relationships.  Are you willing to reach out in Christ’s love to the person that is most difficult for you to function in The Body with?

We will resume Sunday School this week at 9:30 A.M. The Service and Children’s Church will begin at 10:30 A.M. each Sunday from now on.  Hope to see you this week.

There is still time to get your name on the list for The Kingdom Marriage Class & Dinner tomorrow night at 6:30 P.M. Please call the church office and ask Sheila to add you to the list. If you know of someone who would benefit from this powerful teaching, please invite them to be your guest.

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:

Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

How much of “God’s” intentions have passed through us? 

Do we know what it means to pray, “Lord, Your name be sanctified. Lord, Your kingdom come”? 

For this kind of prayer we need light and revelation. 

So we should pray in this way: “Lord, fill me with Your intentions.” 

This is how Paul prayed. 

In his praying in Ephesians 3:9-11, he opened up the vision that controlled him: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

In these verses Paul brings to light God’s intention in the universe–that which had its beginning in eternity past and will be consummated in eternity future, and which is now being made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenlies. 

And what is God’s intention? 

God’s eternal purpose and intention is that His manifold wisdom would be made known through the church.

Immediately following the declaration that God’s intention was accomplished, or carried out, in Christ Jesus our Lord, Paul says, “In whom.” 

Paul knew exactly where he was. 

He was in the Second in the Godhead. 

In whom? Christ Jesus our Lord. 

He merged with the prayer life of the Triune God. 

And in this One, Christ Jesus our Lord, he had “boldness and access with confidence through the faith of Him.” 

This means that Paul’s boldness and confidence and access to pray issued from God’s intentions pulsating in his being!

When Paul spoke in this way–“boldness and access with confidence through the faith of Him”–he was building one word upon another. 

It was as though he had mounted up to the heavens to command the whole universe to come under God’s administration. 

Here Paul was not engaged in prayer to fulfill his own needs and desires. 

Although God does answer our personal requests, we need a higher vision so that we can pray with God’s needs and intentions in our being. 

This is the way Paul prayed. 

He fully merged in his prayer with the eternal intentions of the Triune God.

Until Tomorrow 

With a Shepherd’s Love

Pastor

TODAY’S PRAYER LIST

Ashley & Jason’s Friend

Bill Lawhead  

Doris Strickland  

Jeff Fowler 

Jill Haines   

Johnny Page 

Richard Blount – Home 

Amy Garner’s Mother  

Ashley Burn’s Sisters

Barbara Shed’s Family 

Bill Moody 

Carol Lawhead 

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

James Garner’s Brother, G’Son, & Daughter

Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister  

Larry Barker  

Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah  

Lynn – Nancy Brown’s Daughter  

Mary Sims  

Marynell Ford 

Michael Stanley 

Nancy Brown’s Daughter  

Nora Allison – Dustin’s Mom  

Pastor Stucke– Nikki’s Dad

Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend 

Ricky Stubbs  

Roseleigh Osborn  

Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son 

Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend

Sharon Blalock  

Sheila Simmons Cousin  

Tom Witcher