1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

​Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Because you have kept My command to persevere… —Revelation 3:10

Perseverance means more than endurance— more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know Him. Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life— throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.

God ventured His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to venture our all with total abandoned confidence in Him. There are areas in our lives where that faith has not worked in us as yet— places still untouched by the life of God. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ’s life, and there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, “This is eternal life, that they may know You…” (John 17:3). The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we will take this view, life will become one great romance— a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.

-- Oswald Chambers

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer - Pastor Mike

Today's Prayer

Psalm 67

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer Topic:  Our Families 

 These are extraordinary times for all of us. Our Families are faced with challenges not known to many of us in recent history.  From loss of work hours for the sheltering order, to other financial concerns and demands.  Many parents are struggling with navigating schooling from their home now and keeping their children on task toward school work and completing the school year.  These trials can bring strain to the marriage relationship as well.  We continue our week of intercessory prayer with Families in mind: 

Pray for a supernatural protection and strength for all families.  Pray for our parents, both married and single, as they maintain their households in this crisis.  That God would grant His great wisdom and mercy and grace in homes between parents and children.  That there would be an extra measure of love and patience with each other in this crisis.  Pray that this shelter in place would be a time of spiritual growth in the family unit as a whole.  That regular worship and prayer and Scripture reading would be a part of every family sheltered in place.  That as parents we would redeem this time, knowing we would not normally have it to spend with our children and our spouses.  That God would bless our homes in crisis. 

Pray for the temptation to fear and worry about possible financial shortcomings in the form of rent/house payment and other debt.  Pray families would exercise great care and caution and wisdom in their finances so the enemy cannot use it to tempt them to fear.  For for provision for those families in genuine need.  That those needs would be met to the glory of God.  Pray that jobs would be restored fully to moms and dads who have had their hours limited or those laid off.  Pray for those in career changes that they would seek the Lord for wisdom on changing jobs. 

Pray for salvation to come to every home in Modesto, Stanislaus Country, and California.  Pray that neighbors and families would be sharing the Gospel as they interact in their neighborhoods.  Pray for a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in speaking the hope of Christ to others, particularly in our neighborhoods.  Pray that each family would find reason for praise to the Lord in this crisis.  That there would be great growth in Christ in all our homes.  Pray that plans which have been altered would be viewed with understanding and faith that God will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purposes.  Pray that weddings and celebrations would be restored soon. 

“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among the nations.  Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You” Psalm 67: 1-3