As our GS Rev. Jerry Slye wrote, the essential ingredient for a great conference is prayer and that principle was demonstrated in the Hill Country General Conference just last month. I'm convicted that prayer may still be a "missing" ingredient in our churches and I'm trying to become part of the solution instead of the problem. Instead of praying, "God bless our church," I'm praying that our church will "bless God" simply by doing His will whatever it is and wherever it takes us. "Accomplish your purpose and reveal yourself through us," whether in a blog, a kind word or gesture, an email, a card, a book, a poem, a song, an image, a personal witness or a new place of worship. The Christian lives of decency and grace we lead today may lead others to want what we have and find the source of it when they need it most. The life of purpose and peace we live every day is what so many in the world are still desperately seeking. May we never take it for granted.
Rev. Curtis Morton preached a great sermon last Sunday, May 2 on Faith, Purpose and Gratitude. Listen to it when you get a chance. You may want to share it with some of your friends and family.
Thanks, Brad. With the pastors on retreat, we had a discussion at Wed nite study on prayer and how important that what we pray for honors and glorifies God and not simply speaks to our needs. I appreciate your insight into our need to honor and serve the risen savior! As we do that, our lives and those in our churches will surely be a light on a hill!
ReplyDeleteCindy took my place while I was at the retreat and she spoke on the importance of prayer. They followed the study with a time of altar prayer. Several told me it was very meaningful. I know satan means evil when he throws his darts...God is using it for good as we learn to be more faithful and fervent in prayer!
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