Inspirational Food for Thought

Welcome back to our study on The Agape Person.

Last month we looked at the Agape person who placed a special priority on prayer; having a daily communication with God in worship and in prayer. We illustrated the “model prayer” from Luke’s gospel, Luke 11:1-4; the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray.

This month we are looking at the Agape Person who is obedient before their God. They seek to obey God daily, in everything they do. As an agape person understands the commands and desires of God, he is willing to submit to them and make them his or her own desires.

An agape person realizes that obedience to his Heavenly Father involves submission to those who are placed in authority over him.

Defining obedience: Most dictionaries define obedience as one who compiles, who is submissive, one who respects, and is in agreement.

According to scripture obedience is illustrated all through the Bible teaching God’s children what He desires & expects each of us to do.

Obedience is better than sacrifice. God desires His children to daily put Him first in all areas and in every decision we would make in our life.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Matthew 26:39
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Hebrews 5:8
Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

Scripture clearly states that obedience is the best & only way to live our lives before God. We can clearly see by the illustrated scripture text that obedience is required in all stations of life. Jesus led an obedient life in every area; He demonstrated complete obedience, even to the point of His death. He put His Heavenly Father first in all areas of life no matter the consequences. Jesus never compromised but gave His all.

Jesus is our perfect “Role Model” teaching us what true obedience is all about. Jesus put His Father’s desires above His own. He learned obedience by life’s circumstances’, and through the trials and testing’s He would experience during His life time here on earth. We too can learn obedience through life’s circumstances like Jesus did.

John 14:31a- But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do.

Jesus desired to please the Father and He desires for us to lead obedient lives seeking to please the Lord in every station of our lives as long as we live.

Closing Thoughts

To recap our study we have discovered today that obedience is required for the agape person who is seeking to please the Lord in every area of their life.
We have found that Jesus is our perfect role model for us to fashion our lives after.

John 15:10 Message Bible sums up the Agape Person who is walking in obedience before their Heavenly Father. I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.

Jesus desires that we make our home in His love just as He did with His Father. I encourage you today to make yourself at home in His love & make God’s desires your own. You, the Agape Person will be blessed beyond measure as you walk in His love & obedience submitting your all to Him!

 

In His Service;
Judith S
Prayer Ministry Leader
Coquitlam Christian Centre

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Symphony of Prayer Newsletter is owned, written and copyrited by Judith S. All Newsletter publications come under the Banner of our Prayer Ministry @ Coquitlam Christian Centre Church. I am their Prayer Ministry Coordinator and oversee prayer. You need permission to copy, post or quote any part of these newsletter publications from me the author first.

Prayer Focus

Pray for the Hurting & Brokenhearted in our communities and neighborhoods.

-          Pray they realize that God is there to help them

-          Pray for the staff & volunteers who serve in local churches

-          That the Lord would anoint them afresh for effective service

-          To touch these precious lives for the Kingdom of God 

Scripture Focus

Psalm 34:18 (New International Version)

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 145:14-16 (New International Version)

 ¹⁴ The LORD upholds all those who fall
 and lifts up all who are bowed down.

 ¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
 and you give them their food at the proper time.

 ¹⁶ You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Romans 12:7-8 (New International Version)

⁷If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ⁸if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Colossians 3:17 (New International Version)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Prayer Focus for Week of September 20, 2009 

-          Pray  for our Christian Leaders of our Educational System

-          For wisdom, knowledge and discernment

-          To distinguish between right and wrong

-          And make God honoring decisions

-          And not compromise their faith

Scripture Focus

1Timothy 2:1-4 (New Century Version)

¹ First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him.² Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God.³ This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.

Philippians 1:9-10 (New International Version)

⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

Bible Study

Welcome back to our study on The Agape Person.

Last month we looked at the Agape person who was filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit. We discovered that when the “Power of God’s Holy Spirit” took control of our lives we discovered that what once made us weak now strengthened us to be the person God desired for us to become.

This month we are looking at Prayer, an Agape Person who is following the example of our Lord, the disciples, and Christian Leaders throughout the centuries.

As we grow in our relationship with Jesus we will come to realize the importance of having a daily time set aside for “Worship, Prayer and reading of God’s Word”.

1.      An Agape Person places a special priority on prayer.

2.      He places a special priority on daily communication with God.

3.      He realizes that God delights in fellowship.

4.      God desires worship & welcomes our prayer requests.

God desires and enjoys having sweet communion with His children. God Himself has placed a huge priority for Prayer and Communication. All through Scripture we see examples of both men and women having sweet fellowship with God in prayer and worship. They discovered that they served a loving God who truly cared, listened to their needs and watched over them with loving arms.

Jesus left us the “Model Prayer” that we all know. This is a prayer that we all can pray today.

Luke 11:1-4

The Model Prayer

 ¹ Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
² So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

      Our Father in heaven,^[a]
      Hallowed be Your name.
      Your kingdom come.^[b]
      Your will be done
      On earth as it is in heaven.
       ³ Give us day by day our daily bread.
       ⁴ And forgive us our sins,
      For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
      And do not lead us into temptation,
      But deliver us from the evil one.”

The Lord’s Prayer covers every area of our lives. God loves us so much He left us a model prayer in the Bible that we could learn from just like His disciples and pray ourselves.

Prayer is a two way conversation with God, coming to Him with our needs, talking to Him about our life, family, work and everything in between.  God truly cares about everything that has significance in our lives. He listens and desires to meet all our needs.  He created us in our mother’s womb. He has great plans for us and desires the very best for each of His children

As we come before Him in Praise and Worship, meditating on the goodness of God, being enveloped in His sweet presence, we are welcoming God’s presence to move upon us and bathe us in His love. He yearns for us to come to Him daily to have one on one communication, seeking His guidance & direction for our lives.

Yes, our God desires for us to have an open heart and open ears as we come before Him in prayer so we can hear His “Still Small Voice” speaking to us deep within the recesses of our hearts.

Closing Thoughts

To re-cap our study, we have discovered that the Agape Person who grows in their relationship with Jesus will come to realize the importance of having a daily time set aside for “Worship, Prayer and reading of God’s Word”.

We have learned that God desires for us to fellowship with Him. He loves us and listens to everything we say to Him. He is a personal God who walks with us every step of the way. He longs to meet our needs. He has great plans for us and desires the very best for us.

Colossians 4:2: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

I encourage you to be an Agape Person growing in your relationship with Christ, earnestly seeking Him in Prayer and Bible Study, enjoying sweet communion with your Heavenly Father daily.

In His Service;
Judith S
Prayer Ministry Leader
Coquitlam Christian Centre

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Symphony of Prayer Newsletter is owned, written and copyrited by Judith S. All Newsletter publications come under the Banner of our Prayer Ministry @ Coquitlam Christian Centre Church. I am their Prayer Ministry Coordinator and oversee prayer. You need permission to copy, post or quote any part of these newsletter publications from me the author first.

Text: John 17

1.       Kept in the Father’s Name, John 17:11 this was a prayer that Jesus prayed for the keeping of the saints… Jesus asked the Father to protect them so they could remain as One as Jesus and the Father were One. We too can know that no matter what circumstance we face here on earth we are kept by the power of God.

 

2.       Kept in Safety, In Verse 12 Jesus reminded his disciples that while He was with them He protected them. He reminded them that none had been lost except the son of perdition, referring to Judas, who betrayed Jesus. He reminded them that according to John 18:8-9 that Judas was never really one of  those given to Christ, and John 6:64-71 that Judas had never really been a believer, and John 13:11 made reference that he had not been cleansed.

 

3.       Kept in Joyfulness, in verse 13 Jesus prayed that they would have a full measure of joy within them, John 15:11 Christ’s joy abides in believers, in us, that His joy might be in us and our joy might be complete. According to Romans 14:17Joy has been promised to the believers.

 

4.       Kept in Purity, in verse 15 Jesus prayed to the Father that He wouldn’t take the disciples out of the world but that He would keep them from the evil one. That they would keep themselves separated, pure before God, fulfilling all that was required of them.

 

5.       Kept Separated from the World, in verse 16 Jesus prayed reminding the Father that they were not of this world as He himself was not of the world…Something to think about, we live in this world, but we are not a part of this world, meaning our real home is in Heaven. Jesus has gone on before us, preparing a place for us when it is our time to be called home, in the meantime we live here on earth doing the Father’s work, abiding in Christ, keeping our eyes on the Finishing Line, Amen!

 

6.       Kept in Process of Sanctification, in verse 17..Jesus prayed that they would be sanctified by the truth, and said Your Word is truth…Sanctify is to be purified, set apart…Isn’t it awesome to know we are sanctified, purified and kept by the power of God, that our lives are held in the palm of His Hands.

 

7.       Kept in Active Service, in verse 18 Jesus prayed to the Father saying as You sent me into the world I have sent them in to the world…they were set apart for active service, they were kept by the power of God, we too can be kept by the power of God in active service, we can depend on God to equip us for active duty. Knowing that we are kept by God’s power it strengthens us knowing that even in this world, we are kept safe, knowing, having the confidence that God is surrounding us with His love and protection.

 

8.       Kept in Perfect Unity, in verse 20-21, here Jesus prays for all believers, praying that they might be one as He was one with the Father. He prayed that the world would know that the Father had sent Him.

 

9.       Kept for the Coming Glory, in verses 22-24 Jesus again prayed for unity, for oneness, for the world to be brought to a complete place of unity knowing that the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed , “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Closing Thought:

Our Heavenly Father has promised to “Keep us”

We are kept by the Power of God, It is the Father’s protection that surrounds us. John 17:11

Prayer Focus for Week of August 16, 2009

Pray for those in Authority

Ø  Pray for our Municipal, Provincial and Federal Government Leaders

Ø  Pray for Wisdom, Guidance and Protection

Ø  Pray that “Righteous” leaders be appointed into government offices

Ø  Pray our leaders be known as men and women of integrity

Ø  Pray they have an awareness of God’s presence, and trust God with all their heart

Scripture Focus

 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (New King James Version)

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Romans 13:1 (Amplified Bible)

LET EVERY person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment.^(A)

1 Samuel 12:14 (New Century Version)

You must honor the Lord and serve him. You must obey his word and not turn against his commands. Both you and the king ruling over you must follow the Lord your God. If you do, it will be well with you.

Proverbs 14:34 (New King James Version)

Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.

6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Prayer Focus for Week of August 2, 2009

Prayer for Our Pastors, Leaders and their Families

-          Pray that our Pastors and Leaders will seek God’s heart for vision, wisdom & direction

-          Pray for a fresh anointing and infilling of God’s Holy Spirit upon their lives

-          Pray a hedge of protection around our pastor’s, leaders and each of their family members

Scripture Focus

Jeremiah 33:3 (New King James Version)

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Acts 1:8 (New King James Version)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me^[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Psalm 5:11-12 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
      let them sing joyful praises forever.
   Spread your protection over them,
      that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
 ¹² For you bless the godly, O Lord;
      you surround them with your shield of love.

Prayer Comes First

 

The king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king…
Nehemiah 2:4-5

 

When Reverend William Gale was principal of Brainerd Indian School in Hot Springs, South Dakota, the furnace had to be replaced in the girls’ dorm. Knowing the girls were cold, Gale made this a matter of earnest prayer. He grew so burdened that he prayed into the night; and between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m., he took a pencil and square, went to the girls’ dorm, and marked out a rectangular area. He asked God for a furnace to fit the hole. The next day he told his carpenters to saw and frame the space. They suggested he wait until a furnace was found, but finally did as he requested. Later that morning, a man drove up in a pickup truck containing a gas furnace he wanted to donate to the school. Taking it to the dorm, they were amazed to find it fit perfectly into the hole. ¹

 

Just as Nehemiah prayed before answering the king and just as Reverend Gale prayed in expectation of God’s provision, we should begin every task for the Lord Jesus with prayer. He has an answer to fit every need.

 

There are three secrets to the success of our work: prayer, prayer, and more prayer.

Quote by Billy Graham

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/default.aspx 

Prayer Focus for Week of July 26, 2009

Pray for Fellow Believers

- For purification of our thoughts and deeds

- That we may be fit instruments and channels of God’s Love

- For Individual, Spiritual and Physical needs

- For fellow believer’s maturity and consistency in their personal lives

- That Christians might encourage each other to love & do good deeds

Scripture Focus

Psalm 139:23-24 (New King James Version)

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
 Try me, and know my anxieties;

²⁴ And see if there is any wicked way in me,
 And lead me in the way everlasting.

Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:9-11 (New King James Version)

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Hebrews 10:24 (New Living Translation)

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study

Welcome back to our study on The Agape Person. Last month we looked at the person who is filled with Faith, an “Agape Man or Woman” who is drawing upon the infinite resources of God by faith in order to live out the Christian life.

This month we are looking at The Agape Person who is seeking to serve God, making Him Lord over every area of our life. God desires for us to surrender our lives over to Him, giving every detail over to Him. That means being willing to surrender our talents, material possessions, minds, bodies, relationships, surrendering our all to the lordship of Christ.

The Agape Person allows Christ to be Lord in every area of their life. He recognizes that all he or she has is ultimately been given as a gift from God.

These gifts that have been given come with a responsibility. We are to take good care of what God has provided. These gifts are in fact blessings from our Heavenly Father.

When we began our journey as believers in Christ, we began the life- long adventure of becoming conformed to the image of Christ. That included surrendering our wills, our desires, all our possessions, that means, finances, work, dreams and everything in between. Something to think about: Are you willing to surrender all to Christ to be that Agape Person God so desires for us to be? Is there something you are holding back? What can you do to let go and let God have His way in your life? I challenge you today, Let Go and Let God!

We discovered last month that an Agape Person draws upon the infinite resources of God by “Faith” in order to live the Christian life. He understands that “Faith” is his response to all that God is and all that He promises to those who trust and obey Him.

This month we will discover that an Agape Person who is demonstrating good “Stewardship” allows Christ to be Lord in every area of their life, Lord over his mind, body, material possessions, finances and everything in between.

Ideally an Agape Person considers him or her to be a responsible steward of the blessings God has provided.

Question: How can an Agape Person be a “Good Steward of the gifts God has provided?  An Agape Person needs to know what the Word of God says about Stewardship, about being a good steward of the possessions we have been entrusted with.

The following scriptures have outlined the areas that teach us to be “Good Steward’s” of these blessings God has bestowed upon us!

A.    We are to offer our bodies as “Living Sacrifices” Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^[a] act of worship.

B.     To know the “Mind of Christ” 1 Corinthians 2:16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

C.     “Honoring God with your Body” 1 Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

D.    “Allowing God to be Lord over your Thought Life” Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

E.     “Using the Gifts God has given Wisely to Bless others” 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

F.      “Being the Agape Person who is seeking to live a life that is pleasing in every way to the Lord” 2 Peter 1:5-8 ⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Agape Person who demonstrates all these qualities is someone seeking to surrender their all to the Lord. To make Jesus the Centre of their entire lives, to make Jesus Lord of All!

Closing Thoughts 

To re-cap our study, we have discovered that the Agape Person who is demonstrating “Good Stewardship” is one who is allowing Christ to be Lord in every area of their life.

He or she is seeking to surrender their mind, body, relationships, talents, and material possessions to the Lordship of Christ. That Christ would be First in their lives, in every decision he or she makes, Lord over their Finances, Lord over every Business and Ministry Endeavor.

When we understand that faith is our response to all that God is and to all that He promises, and become good stewards of what God provides, allowing Him to be Lord in every area of our lives we will become the man or woman He desires for us to be.

I challenge you today to surrender your Mind’s, Bodies, Relationship’s, Talents, and Material Possessions to the lordship of Christ! Be the person who is filled with character qualities of an Agape Person who is striving to please God!

 

Prayer   

Prayer for Our Pastoral Staff and their Families:

Senior Pastor:

Pastor Kris B., Paulette and Family

Assistant Pastor: Pastor Craig S., Danielle and Family

Shining Star Daycare Director: Brenda C., Mike and Family

Children’s Pastor: Vanessa J.

Church Secretary: Sue C. and Family

Continue to pray for God’s Will to be done in the lives of our Pastoral Staff. Pray that they will be filled with a fresh anointing and infilling of God’s Holy Spirit. Pray for a renewal and strengthening to be outpoured on their lives in Mind, Body and Spirit.

Members of the Church Board:

Ø  Wale E. Bukky and Family

Ø  Gary R. Pat and Family

Ø  David M. Fay and Family

Ø  George R., Ruth and Family

Ø  Nishan P., Tania and Family

Ø  Rob S., Kah-Mei and Family

Ø  Ron T., Carol and Family

 

 

I encourage you to pray for our Church Board and their Families. Pray for God’s Will to be done in their lives and in the decisions they make concerning Coquitlam Christian Centre. Let us pray for a fresh Anointing & Baptism of God’s Spirit over their lives.

 

Prayer for our Ministry Leaders and Families:

Ø  Couples Ministry: Pastor Craig and Danielle S.

Ø  Church Treasurer: Shawn B.

Ø  Day Care Director: Brenda C.

Ø  Kid’s Club: Fay M.

Ø  Men’s Ministry: Gary R.

Ø  Missions: Judith S.

Ø  Music Ministry: Philip H.

Ø  Power Point: Bert H.

Ø  Sound: Various Assistants under the direction of Bert H.

Ø  Seniors Ministry: Art H

Ø  Women’s Ministry: Sarah R

Ø  Social Convener: Pat R                                                                                 

Ø  Hospital Ministry: Ron & Carol T

Ø  Sandwich Making: Ron and Carol T

Ø  Youth & Children’s Ministry: Pastor Craig and Danielle S

Ø  Prayer Ministry: Judith S

 

Continue to pray for our Leaders and their families. Let us pray for a fresh anointing and infilling of God’s Holy Spirit upon their lives. Pray for new and fresh ideas as they seek God for new directions concerning these ministries.

Pre-service Prayer:

 I would encourage you to come out to our Sunday morning pre-service Prayer meetings. We are meeting every Sunday morning from 10:00 am to 10:30 am before the Morning Service commences. We are seeing many new faces in our midst and we are all enjoying the presence of the Lord. We are seeing many answers to prayer. You are welcome to come for all of that time or come as long as you can. Just the same we will be pleased to have you there.

Summer Schedule for Ladies Bible Study

Our Weekly Bible Study has recessed until September.

July 15^th Ladies Bible Study will meet at Judith S. home for “Fellowship and Prayer”. Please bring an extra lawn chair.  A safe children’s play area has been set aside for your child.  

August: Date, Time & Meeting Place TBA

Remember Prayer is the Key that Unlocks the Door to God’s Blessings. Prayer is the back-bone of a healthy Church. Prayerlessness is the sign of an un-healthy Environment.  

Have a Blessed and Safe Summer Holiday with your loved ones.

In His Service; 

God’s Richest Blessings,

Judith S

Prayer Ministry Leader for CCC

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 Symphony of Prayer Newsletter is owned, written and copyrited by Judith S. All Newsletter publications come under the Banner of our Prayer Ministry @ Coquitlam Christian Centre Church. I am their Prayer Ministry Coordinator and oversee prayer. You need permission to copy, post or quote any part of these newsletter publications from me the author first.

All Surnames of the Church Leaders in this Newsletter Posting have been omitted to protect the privacy of the individual.

 

Prayer Focus

- Pray for the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all Canadians
- Pray that Christian leaders would seek God’s heart for vision, wisdom and direction

Scripture Focus

Romans 10:14-15 (New King James Version)

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, [a]
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”[b]

Jeremiah 33:3 (New King James Version)

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Prayer Focus for Week of July 5^th

-          Pray that the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders

-          As they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society

-          Pray that our leaders will act justly and serve with integrity

-          Honoring high Moral Standards

 

Scripture Focus for Week of July 5^th

 

1Timothy 2:1-4 (New King James Version)

 

¹ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

 

² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

 

³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

 

⁴ Who desires all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Prayer Focus for Week of June 28^th

-          Pray for God’s Will to be done where you live

-          And throughout Canadian society as it is in Heaven

-          That in kindness God will lead many to repentance

-          In your city, community and across our nation

Scripture Focus for Week of June 28^th

Matthew 6:9-13 (New King James Version)

In this manner, therefore, pray:

      Our Father in heaven,
      Hallowed be Your name.
       ¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
      Your will be done
      On earth as it is in heaven.
       ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
       ¹² And forgive us our debts,
      As we forgive our debtors.
       ¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
      But deliver us from the evil one.
      For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen

Romans 2:4 (New Living Translation)

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Bible Study

Welcome to our first study in the Series, The Agape Person. Last month we completed the series on the 9 Attributes of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. At that time I introduced the new series on what it means to be an Agape Person filled with character qualities that are pleasing unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

The agape person is consistently aware of the character of the Triune God, one God manifest in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An agape person draws upon the infinite resources of God by faith in order to live the Christian life. He understands that faith is his response to all that God is and all that He promises to those who trust and obey Him.

In order for us to be the Agape person God wants us to be we need to Pray & Study God’s Word. Prayer and Bible Study go hand in hand. As we study God’s Word and learn/discover what God’s Word says about life we then can take the things we learn to God in prayer, praying that those principles we have just discovered would be applied to our daily lives.

From the moment we come to know Jesus we begin the life long journey of becoming conformed to the image of Christ.

During the next several months we will look at and study several character qualities that make up an Agape Christian.

We are going to look at 11 character qualities of a person who is demonstrating character qualities of an Agape Person. By the end of this series I trust we will be Men and Women who are filled with these qualities and living out our lives as Agape Christian’s bringing glory to God & pointing others to Him!

 Closing Thoughts From the Desk of Judith

To re-cap our study,  over the next few months we will look at the character studies of Faith, Stewardship, Power, Prayer, Obedience, Direction, Action, Love, Vision, Leadership and Fellowship. This series is based on the Course Material I took years ago with Great Commission Prayer Crusade with Dr. Bill Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ. I will use the basic material with adding my own background history and a “Word Study” on each of the “Agape Character Qualities” that will hopefully guide us into a deeper walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lifestyles where we see ourselves completely surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ and having these character qualities becoming real in our lives.

The first character quality we will look at is Faith.

Defining Faith:

Faith is Confidence, Trust, Reliance, Belief, Loyalty, Dedication and Commitment.

Hebrews 11:1 states “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.

Romans 10:17 states “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”.

Galatians 2:20 states “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me”.

Hebrews 11:6 states “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”.

Hebrews 12:1-2 states “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We serve a faithful God who is the author and finisher of our faith. Our God is: Dependable, Trustworthy, Faithful to His Word, our God keeps His promises, our God who promises is Faithful.

We have discovered that an Agape Person draws upon the never-ending resources of God by faith in order to live the Christian life. When we understand that faith is our response to all that God is and to all that He promises, we will be the Agape person God desires. I challenge you today to seek out God for yourselves, strive to be filled with the character qualities of the Agape Person. Surrender to the lordship of Christ. Be the man and woman God so desires for you to be!

In His Service;
Judith S
Prayer Ministry Leader
Coquitlam Christian Centre

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Symphony of Prayer Newsletter is owned, written and copyrited by Judith S. All Newsletter publications come under the Banner of our Prayer Ministry @ Coquitlam Christian Centre Church. I am their Prayer Ministry Coordinator and oversee prayer. You need permission to copy, post or quote any part of these newsletter publications from me the author first.

Bible Study

Welcome back to our ongoing study “Living under God’s Canopy of Love”, studying the 9 attributes of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Last month we looked at the attribute of self-control. This month we will tie this together with looking at what God says about being filled with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

This last study on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit will also be an introduction of a new study that will begin in June’s Monthly Prayer Newsletter. The study will be about “An Agape` Christian”. We will cover 10 Character Topics of what it means to become “Agape` People” demonstrating Christ-like qualities in our lives.

In order for us to be an Agape Christian we need to Pray & Study God’s Word. Prayer and Bible Study go hand in hand. As we study God’s Word and learn/discover what God’s Word says about life we then can take the things we learn to God in prayer, praying that those principles we have just discovered would be applied to our daily lives.

I challenge you to clothe yourself in Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Gentleness, and Self-control. Let’s be the Women, Men God would have us be. Let’s seek to be filled with God’s Fruit, Shining for Jesus!

 Closing Thoughts from the Desk of Judith

 To re-cap our study on “Living under God’s Canopy of Love”, studying the 9 attributes of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit we have discovered that God has instructed us to be clothed with the Fruit of the Spirit.

Paul’s list of what he calls moral qualities is produced by the Spirit & provides assurance that those who “live by the Spirit” will actually fulfill God’s requirements for His people. Indeed it is God who gives us the ability to live out our lives filled with all 9 attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit. We see that God’s Word puts an emphasis on being filled with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Our Heavenly Father desires for each of us to demonstrate these 9 attributes of the Fruit; to be ready to allow the Fruit of Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Gentleness and Self-control to flow through us.

A life that is filled with the Fruit of the Spirit will demonstrate godly characteristics. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the moral character that is developed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught that the genuineness of the Christian would be known by their fruit.  Matthew 7:17-18. Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

 

From the moment we come to know Christ as our personal Savior we begin the life long journey of becoming conformed to the image of Christ, seeking to bear fruit in our lives. Indeed Christ is able to display His own character qualities through us His children. And before long these characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit will flow through us to the ones He brings along our path.

Believe it or not it is possible to become “Agape` People” who have surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ seeing His character qualities becoming real in our lives. In the next few months we will look at 10 basic qualities of “Agape` People” The guide will be used as a basis to pray and look to the Lord to work these Christ-like qualities in to our lives.

We will look at the Characteristics of Faith, Stewardship, Power, Prayer, Obedience, Direction, Action, Love, Vision, Leadership and finally Fellowship. Hopefully we will discover how to apply these principles to our daily lives.

I encourage you to daily seek to be filled with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, being filled with Christ-like qualities becoming Agape` People, allowing God’s Hand’s to be extended through your life to the people He brings along your path.

I believe that if you earnestly seek to be filled daily with more of God and seek to have these qualities flowing through your life you will be a blessing to others and your own life will be enriched beyond measure.

In His Service,

God's Blessings

Judith S

Prayer Ministry Leader of Coquitlam Christian Centre 

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Symphony of Prayer Newsletter is owned, written and copyrited by Judith S. All Newsletter publications come under the Banner of our Prayer Ministry @ Coquitlam Christian Centre Church. I am their Prayer Ministry Coordinator and oversee prayer. You need permission to copy, post or quote any part of these newsletter publications from me the author first.

Psalm 19:1-2
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

Thoughts on today's verse

God's voice is always speaking. His witnesses give testimony to his glory, majesty and creative grace. The universe shouts with joy because behind it's intricate beauty and power is the One who gave it life, purpose, and intention.

Prayer:

O Great God and Creator of the countless heavens and our own small, blue planet, thank you for noticing the heart cries of one so small in a universe so large. I love you, admire you, trust you, and worship you with wonder. Be exalted in my life, by words, and my deeds this day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi/todaysverse.cgi 

Prayer Focus for Week of June 1st

 

-          Pray for a moral & spiritual awakening in the entire world

-          That all people will acknowledge God’s mercy & forgiveness

 

Scripture Thoughts for Week of May 31, 2009

2 Chronicles 7:14 (King James Version)

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Jeremiah 29:13 (King James Version)

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

1 John 1:9 (New King James Version)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Prayer Focus for Week of May 17^th

-          Pray for an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on Canada

-          Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister would be directed to do that which pleases God.

-          Pray for the Churches of Canada to make the Gospel accessible to all Canadians

-          Pray that Christian Leaders would seek God’s heart for Vision, Wisdom and Direction

Scripture Focus for Week of May 17^th

Acts 2:17 (New Living Translation)

‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.

Proverbs 21:1 (New King James Version)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

Romans 10:14-15 (New King James Version)

¹⁴ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,^[a]
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”^[b]    

Jeremiah 33:3 (New King James Version)

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’