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APPROACHING THE THRONE It is a known fact. We are not perfect. We know it. Others know it. God knows it. We are weak. We are inconsistent. Yet God loves us and nurtures us. He has plans for us. He plans to change people’s lives. He plans to change people’s lives through us. How can this be? “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” God wants to change people’s lives through you and through me. What a humbling thought. We are not worthy. We have done nothing to be worthy. This thought should bring us before God on our knees. We must be clean when we approach the throne of God in prayer. Spend time in prayer and meditation as you think about the way you live your daily life. Known Sins None of us are without sin. However, God has provided the way for Christians to deal with their sin: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 The Ministry of Our Church. This is the command, to the Apostles, to the church, to our church, to you: “Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We are to be active tools in God’s hands as He touches and changes lives through us. We must pray. We must go. We must speak. John 16:8-“When He comes He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” I can pray for the Holy Spirit to convict a lost friend of his sin and expect the Holy Spirit to do it. 1 Timothy 2:4- “Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” God wants my lost friend to be saved. I can ask God to save him. John 6:44 - “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day.” I can ask God to draw my friend to Himself. “We have all eternity to tell of the victories won for Christ, but we have only a few hours before sunset to win them.” Anonymous This year will soon wind to a close. God is keeping an historical account of the daily lives of each of us. What is He writing about you? Think about the remaining days in this year. What will He be writing about you? Remember, God keeps on writing until the moment you die and stand before Him. He will have your full attention then, does He have your full attention now? Within the local Body - The First Baptist Church of Fayetteville, Arkansas Pray for those who are ill. Many within our flock are battling illness, or have a loved one who is battling illness. Pray that God would make His presence felt as He reaches out to them in love. Thank God for His watch care and ask Him to make His power and love felt in our midst. Pray for the lost who attend our services. Every week we have people attending our Sunday School or Worship Services who have not accepted God’s gift of forgiveness and redemption. Pray that God would burden us for those in our midst who have not accepted His gift of love. Pray for the workers who serve and lead us week after week. Some of these serve in places of high visibility and others serve quietly in the wings. We depend on all of them as we tackle the many obstacles and opportunities God places before us. Pray that God will continue to call out laborers as we need them. Pray for our sister churches. Pray that God would work in every group of Christian believers in our area. God doesn’t need their names in order to work in their lives. He knows each of them - He knows each of us - He wants to answer this prayer. Ask Him to draw each of us to our knees as we face our sin and shortcomings. Pray that believers in this town would become lights that draw others to Him. Pray for the straying. Pray for those who have drifted away from their close walk with the Savior. Pray that God might use other believers to draw them back into an intimate walk with Him. God wants every believer to be involved in reaching those who are straying. Pray for those who are still lost. There are many individuals in our town who do not believe in the Bible, in God, or in Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift. Only God can change that. Pray that God would move in a powerful way in our midst. Ask Him to let us be a part of that work. Pray that our churches might become a launching pad for God as He reaches out to our neighbors. The Internationals. Pray that God would give His children a burden for the many internationals who have moved into our area. Ask that He would lead us to reach out in love to those who come here from other lands. Pray that our people would open their homes and their hearts to our neighbors from afar. Look for a way that you might become involved. Pray for the those in need. There are many reasons why a family, or an individual, might find themselves in need of help. Sometimes the need is financial. Pray for those who help at CEO in giving aid in Christ’ name. Ask God to call forth more workers for this wonderful work. Sometimes a lonely person needs a caring person to listen to their problems. Pray that God would lead us to be available caring persons. Around the world
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First Baptist Church Fayetteville, Arkansas |