Revive | Grace Community Church

UNCOMMON - Persecution | Jon Jenz, Old Jacksonville Campus

For those of us who are connected passionately to Jesus, we likely all have some sort of story like this.  Perhaps it’s our families that have been the source of persecution. Perhaps it’s at work where you experience condemnation.  Students, most of you likely have friends who mock you behind your back because you pray or hang out with Christians on the weekend instead of partying. Some of us here today, ironically, are the persecutors. Today we will look at some of persecution Paul and Barnabas experienced.  It will be much different than ours today, here in Tyler, but there is so much we can learn from these two men.

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UNCOMMON - God's Purpose In Pain! | Shane Barnes, Athens Campus

Drawing upon the story of Naomi in the book of Ruth, we will glean several life lessons that illustrate the principle which Paul learned, lived and proclaimed in Philippians 3:7-10.  Our journey through pain and suffering is part of God’s process in helping us discover our desire of encountering Him as our greatest pleasure and the power of His resurrection in representing God well no matter what happens

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UNCOMMON - Is Persecution Inevitable? | Danny Loeffelholz, University Blvd Campus

What clearly is a biblical theme seems noticeably absent in my life and in the lives of most believers in the U.S., that is the evidence of persecution. But conviction enters my heart when I ask the question; if Jesus lived in Tyler, TX would he be persecuted?  As one who follows Jesus, I have to ask; are you currently avoiding, begrudgingly enduring, or humbly embracing the persecution that inevitably comes with picking up your cross and following Jesus?

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UNCOMMON - WEEK 4 STUDY QUESTIONS

How are you using your relationships to build God’s Kingdom?
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UNCOMMON | Faith & Relationship | Doug Clark, Old Jacksonville Campus

When we started this series we said that we wanted to take a look at the fact that this guy Paul, who many think of as Super Christian, had a faith that shouldn’t be uncommon.  It wasn’t reserved for him, it is available to all of us.   Today we get a chance to meet another main character who had huge faith.  He was a kindred spirit with the Apostle Paul and was a great match for him.   His name was Barnabas. Their relationship was strong and we can learn great lessons about kingdom building from how they interacted.

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UNCOMMON | Paul Benefitting From Barnabas | Brian Brandt, University Blvd Campus

What does God consistently use to accomplish His purposes?  As we look at the life of Paul through the lens of his relationship with Barnabas, we'll consider 3 critical elements.   We'll see a pattern for those that want to minister for God, that is consistent for both Barnabas and Paul, as well as others.  Dig into Acts with us as we mine for these elements that we all need to be conscious of.

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UNCOMMON | But Barnabas... | Shane Barnes, Athens Campus

“But Barnabas . . .!”  What a great two word introduction into one of the most important chapters in Paul’s life.  Paul has returned to the scene of some of his glorious past, only to be rejected again by those he most wanted to meet.  Yet, in the midst of that rejection and being misunderstood, God sent someone alongside Paul with whom to walk, to mentor, to encourage and to be Paul’s personal advocate.  God sent Barnabas (“son of encouragement”) into Paul’s life.  Paul needed Barnabas.  Perhaps someone in your life needs a Barnabas too!  Maybe God is calling you to be such an encourager.

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UNCOMMON - WEEK 3 STUDY QUESTIONS

Being used and transformed by God can be a quiet place.
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Thank You Rockwell's in Lindale

 

Lindale Grace had a great problem. They had women who wanted to meet for an all women's study on Sunday morning and no space.  Rockwell's Coffee Brewery, located nearby on 69 in the Identity Plaza, opened its doors for the class to meet at 9:30 am.

This group has filled a need for a growing group of women who attend church alone for a variety of reasons. The group includes moms, marrieds, singles, widows, young, older and the young at heart. The gathering definitely includes laughter, real life sharing, tears and as the women assured me Sunday - "a whole lotta drama!"

Any interested women are invited to join in.Nursery is provided back at the Grace Lindale campus.

UNCOMMON: Paul's Waiting Room | Danny Loeffelholz, University Blvd Campus

Many people have this thought that Saul has an amazing conversion experience on the Road to Damascus and then is transformed into this amazing “spiritual giant” and “great missionary”. But when you put the pieces of his life puzzle together you quickly realize this view could not be further from the truth. Instead of the instant spot light, Saul experiences roughly some 13 years of God’s Waiting Room! A place that I’m sure we all have experienced, maybe even currently experiencing! So why the Waiting Room, what happens in the Waiting Room, and what hope do we have from our Waiting Room experience??? 

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UNCOMMON: Living As One Called | Bryan Tema, Lindale Campus

Saul wasn't Saul forever. He became Paul, a man transformed from one who was 'driven' to one who lived as one 'called'.

This transformation could only take place through God's revelation. The Bible is God's revelation that leads to transformation.

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UNCOMMON: Paul - The Silent Years | Shane Barnes, Athens Campus

In just a few short days, God transformed Saul from a brutal and cold-blooded murderer of Christians into the passionate preacher, Paul, proclaiming Jesus as the Christ of God!  But Paul was not yet ready for what God had in store for him. 

Like Moses, David, Joseph, Elijah and John the Baptist, God would use sustained periods of solitude, quietness, and obscurity to purge and prepare Paul for the ministry He had ordained for Paul.  These would be for Paul, “The Silent Years!” 

And it was in those obscure years in the desert that Paul deeply met God and began a crash course in the unfathomable mysteries of God’s grace that would flow into a lifetime of preaching, teaching and writing.

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Marriage Encounter 2009

Michael & Amy Smalley with artist Anthony Evans
will be at Grace Aug. 29th-31st for a "Marriage Encounter"

Amy and Michael Smalley specialize in teaching couples the principles of loving well and loving for a lifetime. Their popularity as nationally renowned marriage experts and couples counselors quickly grew through their signature straightforward, no-nonsense advice. The Smalley’s message inspires, motivates and challenges people to thrive in their most important relationships. Amy and Michael’s love story began while they were undergraduates at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. After graduation, they went on to earn master’s degrees in clinical psychology from Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois. The Smalley’s have authored several best-selling relationship advice books including Communicating with Your Teen, The Men’s Relational Toolbox, the DNA of Relationships, More than a Match, and Don’t Date Naked.

Michael continues a rich tradition of speaking and writing with his father Gary Smalley. For almost 15 years they have spoken to millions of people around the world through their live seminars, international evangelistic events, and special speaking.  They teach with entertaining stories and illustrations, allowing their audiences to learn through laughter. In 2006, Amy and Michael launched their Marriage Restoration Intensives, working hand-in-hand with couples to teach them valuable skills to strengthen their marriages. Michael currently serves as the Founder and Executive Director of the Smalley Marriage and Family Center in The Woodlands, just outside Houston, Texas. The center provides local counseling, special intensive marriage retreats, and training for professionals and lay-people.

The Smalley's have enjoyed 12 years of marriage and make their home near Houston, Texas. They have three children, Cole, Reagan, and David.

UNCOMMON - WEEK 2 STUDY QUESTIONS

The bright light that changed the world and your world.
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UNCOMMON - Paul's Conversion: Christ's Display of His Perfect Patience | Shane Barnes, Athens Campus

There is perhaps no conversion more unexpected in the history of Christianity than Saul of Tarsus.  Acts 9 is the story of Saul’s conversion.  He is at the pinnacle of his hatred of The Way and the followers of Christ.  Blinded by hate, blood-boiling and blood-thirsty—Saul in on a murderous rampage toward Damascus to storm the city, to capture the infidels and drag them into court.  But God, the Hound of Heaven, had other plans!  What we will see in the story of Paul’s conversion is that it is a brilliant demonstration of Jesus’ longsuffering to us.  In this story, we will see afresh the demonstration of the amazing grace of the Hound of Heaven!   

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UNCOMMON - The Gospel That Saves & Transforms (Kicking Against the Goads) | Danny Loeffelholz, University Blvd Campus

The Road to Damascus, the place of one of history’s most remarkable transformations! One who looked more like a terrorist when he left Jerusalem, is saved by the grace of Jesus and arrives at Damascus looking like a Follower of the Way. What a great picture of the Gospel that saves, but let us not forget the same Gospel continues to transform. For salvation happens in an instance, but life transformation in Christ takes place over a life time. In this sermon we will look at what probed Saul to the grandness of the salvation offered in the Gospel and the depths of transformation offered by the same Gospel!

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UNCOMMON - In The Light of The Son | Greg Brandenburg, Old Jacksonville Campus

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus from a Pharisee who zealously persecuted Christian converts to Paul,   an Apostle whose writings make up half the New Testament is a miraculous picture of the sovereignty    of God. Considering that God could save even Saul, and use him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles is a message of hope that no one is beyond the power of Jesus Christ for salvation.

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UNCOMMON - Uncommon Conversion | Steve Tanner, Lindale Campus

C.S. Lewis wrote, “The church exists for nothing else but to draw men to Christ, to make them into little Christ’s. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time". God became Man for no other purpose.”  In Acts 9:1-19 we see Paul's conversion experience was sudden and unexpected.  His conversion was for you personally. That is, God's design in converting Paul is to give you hope for yourself and for the people you want to see changed.  It was for our sake that Jesus did it the way he did it. To show us "the whole of his longsuffering" to us.

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UNCOMMON - WEEK 1 STUDY QUESTIONS

The beginning of the life of Saul in the book of Acts.
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UNCOMMON - From Saul of Tarsus to Paul of the Epistles | Danny Loeffelholz, University Blvd Campus

Without fail, each time I read the stories of Paul’s life or walk through his epistles, my life is deeply challenged. But how could this NT apostle and author, with such “uncommon faith”, emerge from a man of such spiritual blindness and physical brutality?

The Answer: God’s Grace. I believe Paul’s “uncommon” faith was partly spurred by the understanding of what he had been saved from.

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UNCOMMON - Intro | Steven Wickliffe, Lindale Campus

Somewhere in 2,000 years of translation we have forgotten that we, as Christ followers, have access to the same Holy Spirit as the early Christian Church. Faith of the earliest Christians is now regarded with superhero status because their unswerving faith is so uncommon in the American church today. 

The life of the apostle Paul is one example of the uncommon faith that too many Christ followers consider unattainable.  We meet him as a young man named Saul who despised the church.  He was the worst sinner of all, yet all of us can still identify parts of Saul in us.

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UNCOMMON - Introducing Saul of Tarsus | Shane Barnes, Athens Campus

In this series, we will look at the life of Paul as revealed in the Book of Acts.  It is a study of how God uses and empowers the “common” to become the “uncommon.” 

We begin with a backdrop to the study and a beginning look into the life of one who was known as Saul of Tarsus—a portrait that is brutal and bloody.  Ours is the study of a cold-blooded murderer of God’s saints who would be transformed into a mature man of wisdom and grace.

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UNCOMMON - A Faith That Should Not Be Uncommon! | Doug Clark, Old Jacksonville Campus

Paul’s training and pedigree made him into the perfect point person for the persecution of the Christians by their brothers and family, the Jews.  He was brilliant and strategic.

He knew God’s law inside and out. Paul’s hatred of the Church didn’t stop the church from growing. In fact it ignited faith in the lives of others. Really, that should be common.

Those who reject Christ and us today ought to ignite faith in our lives as  well. 

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Luke, ReCASTING the Vision | Bryan Tema, Lindale Campus

Jesus has a purpose for His Church.  His vision is that the Church be used as His primary change agent to bring people from darkness and into light.  We are going to look at how we believe God has called Grace Community Church to be 'fishers of men' in our community and around the world.

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Life Change: What Brings It & What Blocks It | Danny Loeffelholz, University Blvd Campus

Could you name a person whose life challenges you? What about them challenges you? In this message, we are going to look at three snap shots of a man’s life that was radically changed over time by Jesus. This life change will challenge us and wishing that we had more written about him! 

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Keep Your Fork...The Best Is Yet To Come | Shane Barnes, Athens Campus

We have a difficult time thinking about heaven without unconsciously “smuggling” earthbound thinking into it.  All the elements of this life that make us tired, confused, bored, stressed and overwhelmed will be gone. 

When God makes all things new, he will make us spiritually and morally pure as flawless crystal, he will give us a body like the body of his glory, he will renovate all creation to take all futility and evil and pain out of it, and finally He Himself will come to us and let us see His face. 

And so forever and ever we will live with pure hearts and glorious bodies on a new earth in the presence and the glory of our heavenly Father.  “Keep Your Fork . . ., The Best Is Yet To Come!

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The State of Grace Communty | Doug Clark, Old Jacksonville Campus

If God’s desire is for people to worship him, we as his image barriers are to reflect him to a world that seeks him, then finds him and worships him as well.  To reflect God’s image is to share his message of salvation and to live out being his hands and feet to the world.

It is both words and actions.  We don’t just feed the hungry we also share the truth.  Likewise we don’t just speak the truth, we meet needs.  I think the mission of the gospel is to do all of these things so people come to Christ and worship God.

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Revelation Week 17 Study Questions

Are you ready for Christ to return?
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28 DAY | CATALYST - OUTRO

By Steve Rumpf
Global Outreach Pastor

One of the most tender moments in scripture is recorded in the last half of Acts Chapter 20. The Apostle Paul is telling the elders of Ephesus goodbye and making it clear that they will not see him face to face again. In a heartfelt benediction he says, "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." After that he knelt down and prayed with them and they wept and wept and hugged and kissed him.

We have finished together these 28 days of prayer for global evangelization. Thanks for praying! We have asked God to bless, to encourage, to challenge, to protect, to resource, to embrace, to nurture, to convict, to inspire, to renew, to regenerate both those who tell and those who hear. Now, I too, kneel down with you and commend you to God and to the word of His grace. I pray that you will pray - pray with a renewed (or new) conviction - that God's church around the world will be the salt and light that we are intended to be, so that "None Will Perish."

Revelation - Return to Eden | Bryan Tema, Lindale Campus

This lengthy text is filled with imagery that takes us back to the Garden of Eden, providing us a picture of a God who brings to life what was once trapped in darkness.  Because sin and death have forever been dealt with, God is able to permanently dwell with His people forever.

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Revelation - Jesus Is Coming Soon | Doug Clark, Old Jacksonville Campus

What will heaven be like? Many are fascinated by this question. What will we do in heaven is on our minds? What will the relationships be like and how will we spend our days? It seems that about the only thing we will know we do for sure is to worship the Lord. For some reason God has chosen to not give us much detail on that subject. That may be because he desires us to focus more on walking with and following him now.

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28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 28

By Vicki Clark
Pastor's Wife

Joshua 13:1 - 14:9. For Christmas, my husband spoiled me with a new phone. My children soon started downloading all kinds of video games to it. I was frustrated at first because the worthless games took up memory on the phone that could be used for more important applications. Then, upon my son's urging, I lost my mind for a few minutes and played one. Now, its somewhat of an addiction. I've even resorted to playing strangers online. What's worse, I've found out that when my opponent starts winning, I can easily quit the game, and find an opponent who I can beat more easily.

I think that's what Israel's tribal leaders wanted to do when they went to spy out the land of Canaan. When they found the land well fortified and saw "giants" living in it, they felt like grasshoppers and decided they'd rather just quit the game, than experience defeat. All the leaders, that is, except for two: Caleb and Joshua. Although Caleb and Joshua had seen the exact same obstacles in Canaan as the other leaders, their reaction was completely different. Instead of resorting to "game over", they cried, "game on!" Their focus wasn't on the opposition they were facing, but on the promise God had made to give that land to the Israelites. They realized that they had a powerful God who could conquer any enemy and that with Him on their side, there was nothing to fear - victory was inevitable!

Let's pray: that our missionaries would have faith like Caleb's and Joshua's, that when they face opposition of any kind, our missionaries would remember and claim the promises of God and his ability to grant spiritual victories over the enemy, that our missionaries would be strong, courageous and tenacious as they fight spiritual battles to expand the kingdom of God.

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 27

By Stephen Wickliffe
Assoc. Pastor of Missional Life

During a recent visit to Los Angeles I had the opportunity to visit the capital of homelessness, Skid Row. On a daily basis over one thousand people including men, women and children call Skid Row home.

It was disheartening to see young children who lived in shelters and adults whose physical existence could be summed up in a cart of possessions. It seemed eerily similar to what I envision the leprosy colonies looked like that formed outside the cities during the times of Jesus.

The book of Leviticus sheds light on these colonies saying that those with leprosy were cast outside the city and walked around muttering words, "Unclean, unclean!" Consciously or unconsciously, the faces of the homeless have become our colony of unclean Western lepers.

Pause and read Luke 17:11-19...

If it is possible for us to be a fraction of what Jesus was to these ten lepers, then our prayer should be "Father God, form more of Christ in me!" As more of Christ is formed in you and me then we will have the ability to shed mercy on the homeless.

Today, I encourage you to meditate on the thought of what it would look like to live a life that exhibited unstoppable mercy. What would that look like in your life.

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 26

 

By Mary Rossman
The Oldest Blogger at Grace Community

I come to Psalm 102 today desiring to praise, but tired and unreponsive; so I begin with the words of explanation at the beginning of the Psalms, "A prayer of one afflicted when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord." I love this! The Psalmist comes to the Lord "down." The Psalmist is either feeling poorly due to health or perhaps guilt of sin - or an awful fatigue. Perhaps it is worry that disables his mind or other subjects like fear, distress or sickness.

The Psalm records the complaint of the Psalmist: He pleads for the Father - Lord - King to incline His ear to him (vs 3) "for my days pass away like smoke and my bones like a furnace. My heart is struck down like grass and is withered (no energy or strength?). I forget to eat my bread (no appetite) because of my groaning pain. My bones cling to my flesh (weight loss). I am like an owl in the waste places."

Whether these words describe physical suffering or a disease or the result of extreme emotional suffering is not mentioned. However, not a few of you who read this may be able to understand, or have personally experienced such misery.

More and more lately I come tired, not feeling well or discouraged with myself or events in my life. I am finding that most often praise of God's nature is the thing that covers the fatigue, sleepiness or other problem. Sometimes my brain just refuses to function or my fatigue renders me so dull my brain doesn't respond. Yet God's love and welcome to me is expressed in just the words: "Hear my prayer O Lord, let my cry come to You."

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 25

By Linda Ahrens
Receptionist at Multi-Site Church Office

Mark 6:4, Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." Why is that? Why wouldn't people who were most familiar with Jesus listen to Him? They saw the kind of life He lived, and were maybe even fond of Him. They might have had thoughts like "What? That guy from Nazareth? He makes nice furniture - but why has He suddenly taken up public speaking? What could He possibly know that we don't know?"

Sometimes it's the people we are most familiar with that we pay the least attention to. But when we see that someone has traveled from another area to speak to us - that's another story. The fact that they have left their own country/comfort zone gets our attention. Maybe they do know something we don't know. Maybe they have important information for us - they apparently care enough to make the effort, maybe we should make an effort to listen.

This statement Jesus made has always puzzled me. I can't imagine anyone not honoring Him. But what is my attitude right now? Am I ignoring someone nearby that has a spiritual lesson for me? Am I refusing to leave my own comfort zone to reach out to someone who needs to know that God is real? Do I read Jesus' words and think "same old (wonderfu) stuff", or am I startled by His authority and moved to action?

Lord, help me today to listen for Your voice. Help me to see You in the people I live with, work with, and pass by on the street. Help me to remember that all of the thoughts, words and actions I direct toward others are actually directed toward You.

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 24

By Larry Mast
Mercy Ships Missionary 

We were enjoying a hamburger at home when I noticed something new on the ketchup bottle. On a bright blue background were the words: "Fridge Door Fit."

I turned to my wife and said, "Only in America." We recently returned from Benin, West Africa, where we helped the Mercy Ship crew screen patients for surgeries onboard. Most of these poor don't have refrigerators or ketchup bottles, and few of the choices in life that we take for granted. My wife and I were patient escorts, walking people from the medical triage exam area into a large stadium. During the day my hand "fit" firmly into the hand of those blinded by cataracts, as I led them into the stadium. My arms "fit" closely around children with a cleft lip and palate, or grotesque tumors and other conditions as I carried them to the waiting area.  I cried for the first hour, but I pulled the brim of my baseball cap down so only God knew.  I saw once again the disparity between the rich and the poor.

Today, what "fit" are you most concerned about?  The ketchup bottle?  Ask God to fill you with His mercy and compassion for those around you.  You'll find it's a good fit.

Revelation Week 16 Study Questions

The Millennial Kingdom
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28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 23

By Jeff Johnson
Executive Pastor of Operations

II Timothy 2:3-7 What Motivates you most in your Christian life? Service, reward, hope, heaven, hell? As Paul wrote II Timothy, he was at the end of his life here on the earth. In fact, these may have been the last words he wrote. He was in prison, in chains and he was being poured out.

His time was coming to an end. Paul knew what mattered most and he imparts to us in three similes, the soldier, the athlete and the farmer, what our motivation should include, some of which we might not find very appealing - suffering, hardship, competition, hard work, endurance - but all for one main point, one main reason for life, the big idea: to please God.

The soldier was to focus on pleasing his commander and not on other matters. We are to keep our eyes on God, working to please Him. The athlete is only victorious by playing fairly within the rules of the sport. We are to do God's bidding, His way. The farmer receives reward by hard work and faith. We are to work hard and give our best effort as we live by faith. Do you see yourself in these similes? Can you say with Paul (II Tim. 4:7), I have fought the good fight (soldier), I have finished the race (athlete), I have kept the faith (farmer)? If not yet, are you prepared to change so that you will be able to say this as you are being poured out?

As you go to prayer, ask for His motivations for your life. Ask for His help for you to live up to the calling of the Gospel. Pray that you would live like a Christian today.

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 22

Authored by a Missionary in a Restricted Access Nation

"And after the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came the sound of a low whisper." 1 Kings 19:12

I have always found this verse peculiar. How strange that the God of the universe was found in the sound of a low whisper, or a still, small voice. In the Hebrew, a low whisper can also translate to a thin silence. Our culture is the opposite of "thin silence," we are surround by more and more noise every day. We live in a "Martha" culture where the busier we are , the better. This is more obvious after visiting a culture where satellite TV, iPods, and cell phones with internet are practically non-existent; life moves much slower.

To understand the significance of this verse, we must look at the distractions and noise that overwhelm our lives every day. We once heard someone put it this way: Many of us desire to hear the Lord speak to us, but maybe He's been speaking the whole time. Maybe there is just too much noise and distraction to hear that still, small voice. Jesus was the perfect example of someone who wanted to hear from the Father.

In Luke 5:16 it tells us that "Jesus often withdrew to the lonely places to pray." Today or the next, make an effort to model the Son who drew away into the desolate places to talk to the Father. Turn off the cell phone and get away from the TV or the computer. Allow yourself to be silent.

Revelation - Unveiling Heaven | Danny Loeffelholz, University Blvd Campus

Some 60 years after the disciple John heard Jesus words, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you”, John now gets an unveiling glimpse into the place Jesus has prepared. But what is there and what is not there? This message will give us a revealing look into Heaven and will spur our hearts to long for Heaven.

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Revelation - Following the Faithful King | Bryan Tema, Lindale Campus

The imagery of this passage is the righteous going to war with nothing but the white robes they have been clothed in. 

They are going up against what appears to be giants and the only weapon they have is Jesus Christ going before them with the sword of His mouth, the Word of God. 

Giants can only be slain by the power and presence of God.

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Baptism: The Demonstration of Devotion | Shane Barnes, Athens Campus

In the book of Acts, there is a message and a response that are consistent.  The message is Jesus and the response is voluntary—a simple faith in Christ and an immediate response to faith in baptism.  Water baptism is the beautiful portrayal of the transformation that occurs when a person trusts Christ.  Baptism is the willful plunge into the power and promise of Christ.  The significance of water baptism in the life of the believer is the topic of this morning.  It will provide the backdrop to todays baptisms!

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Revelation - 1000 Years: Why Do We Have To Wait? | Doug Clark, Old Jacksonville Campus

The church is about meeting needs in homes, neighborhoods, their community and the world. Why should we be a part of this? Because we are moving forward as part of the marvelous plan of God that finds its fruition in the book of Revelation. The Millennial Kingdom will be a time in the future of Israel and the Church where believers will reign with Christ on the Earth. His rule and reign will be characterized by righteousness. We can live in anticipation of this truth today.

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28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 21

By Beverly Rumpf
Pastor's Wife

God's word is primary to telling others of His renown from "generation to generation." Has God done a miracle in your life? How about when He drew you to Himself and you put your trust in Him; that is the most significant miracle of all! Perhaps you have been physically healed. You know God's hand was on you as He walked you through it. Have you been delivered? Delivered from alcohol, drugs, nicotine, food, or other addictions? Has God saved your marriage or healed relationships with others? Has He provided for you when you were in need? Whatever God has done in your life is to be shared with this generation, "so it can be passed on to a generation yet unborn." Psalms 22:31

Today, why don't you reflect on your life and how God has saved, healed, delivered, and provided for you in a miraculous way. Make a list of "miracles" God has done in your life, then thank Him for what He has done and declare that you will help make his name famous by sharing your testimony with others. Look for opportunities. Be sensitive to others and their situations that mirror yours, so you can share God's glory with them and "generations to come."

"Future generations will be told about the Lord" Psalms 22:30

"But You O Lord sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures through all generations" Psalms 102:12

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 20

By Steve Rumpf
Global Outreach Pastor

Some verse in the Bible just seem so out-of-place for modern America, especially here in the "Bible Belt."

When we read 2 Timothy 3:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," we can easily relegate this statement to the life and times of the Apostle Paul. This is not true for many (most?) of the national believers that our missionaries work with.

They know what it means to be treated harshly for their devotion to Jesus Christ. A little reading at www.persecution.com or persecution.org will reveal the extent of the persecution of our brothers and sisters around the world. Consider these reports as you pray for your bothers and sisters in other countries:

• More than 43 million Christians have been killed for their faith since the crucifixion of Jesus.
• It's been estimated that more Christians have been martyred in the 20th Century than in all the prior 1,900 years combined.
• More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day, 60% of these are children.
• 150,000 to 165,000 believers are martyred each year.

Revelation Week 15 Study Questions

The Groom and General are coming for their bride. Are you ready?
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28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 19

By Steve Rumpf
Global Outreach Pastor

We read that Ezra "set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach it" Ezra 7:10. Four decisions are to be made to emulate Ezra's leadership commitment.

1. Set our hearts

2. Study God's Word

3. Apply and practice what we read

4. Teach others what we now know and experience

Which of the four steps is the hard one for you? Settling your heart - even desiring to study? Or is it the application and practice part?

It seems like we sometimes jump to number 4 and start teaching what we have yet to apply to ourselves. I heard someone say that they could quickly tell the difference between a man who walked closely with the Lord and one who had recently read a good book.

As we pray today, may we focus on the priority of knowing and doing God's Word; that lies at the heart of every missionary endeavor. Pray that our missionaries (name two or three) would find the time in their busy schedules - and a quiet place - to study the Bible and listen to God. The most important thing they have to offer of value to a spiritually dead people can be found through prayer and in the Word of God.

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 18

By Steve Rumpf
Global Outreach Pastor

Renewal. We all need renewal, even missionaries; no, especially missionaries.

The unique stress and demands of being in a new and radically different, even hostile culture and the lack of a supporting group of friends, can really lead to spiritual dryness, deadness, silence. Missionaries are not "Supper Saints," immune to periods of spiritual drought.

We must support them in prayer.

Remeber what Paul said to Titus about our initial renewal? Titus 3:4-7 "But when the godness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Well, additional renewal is also a much welcomed gift.

For our missionaries, let's pray the prayer of Lamentations 5:21, "Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old." And while we pray let's do so keeping in mind 3:22, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 17

By Steve Rumpf
Global Outreach Pastor

How good it is to be in a familiar place, how comfortable to be back home. How reassuring to find ourselves in a social setting with good friends, how satisfying to have a place.

Jesus encountered Saul - soon to be Paul - on the road to Damascus and told him this, among other things, "...I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."

Oh my, a place among those sanctified by faith! Should we not pat the wooden bench with our hand and say, "Here, come sit with me. Jesus offers you a place with us"?

Today's prayer might include a request to God to use you to open the eyes of those in darkness, that they might turn to light, be freed from the grip of Satan, have their sins forgiven and take their place on the bench with you.

Now, broaden your prayer and pray for the same thing for our missionaries.

28 DAY | CATALYST - DAY 16

By Steve Rumpf
Global Outreach Pastor

In spite of increased technology and bountiful resources, the poor and the hungy , as in Jesus' day, are still with us. In fact, He plainly told His disciples, "You will always have the poor with you."

Now let's be careful; Jesus did not therefore mean that we should casually dismiss our duty to the unfortunate simply because they are everywhere.

We read in Psalm 140, "I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy."

Will He be employing us to accomplish His desire for justice - social justice for the needy? How should we pray about this? Is it appropriate to pray for God to answer a need if we are the answer?

Take some time to intercede for the poor, the homeless, the alcoholic, the destitute, the disenfranchised, the enslaved, the sweatshop worker, the oppressed, the persecuted, the unemployed, the desperate, and anyone else God places on your heart who is needy.