40 Days of Prayer - Day 23

Day 23

For a few years, I was the Chief Negotiator of a bargaining unit.  In preparation of these negotiations, we distributed a questionnaire to gather what our members desired in their next contracts.  We received a litany of items from our members and the sorted through which ones were the best items to present to our employer.  My role as Chief Negotiator is to act on behalf of the members.  I have to decide what is in the best interest of the membership regardless if I agreed with it or not.

As a person of prayer you have an opportunity to intercede on behalf of others.  I don’t mean the prayers that you do with someone on the spot, but the prayers you communicate when no one is there.  The word “intercession” means “prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another”.  When we pray for someone, we are praying for them to God.  We are acting on their behalf.  Tonight, would you pick two people (be specific) and pray for them…intercede on their behalf.   Look on the prayer wall and pick two to pray for.  Make your prayer specific. 

¹And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. ² Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down.

Numbers 11:1-2

Sunday afterthoughts 05.16.10

I have been lagging on my Sunday's afterthoughts, but here they are:

• Many of our regulars were out on Sunday, but that means we shouldn't be discouraged.
• Our children nearly outnumbered our adults/youth in service.  THAT IS AWESOME!
• God wants our marriages to be built on trust and not just love.
• Trust and Love is a must in a healthy marriage.
• Even the most successful people can fail in their character and marriages.
• King David's story about his encounter with Basheba sounds like a "Godfather" story.  Lies, manipulation, murder.....it is all in there.  (2 Samuel 11)
• The Bible amazes me with the stories it tells.  It is not about the good things, but the bad things as well.
• Our chuch, CornerStone, needs prayers.  Many of our people are sick or attending to sick family members.
• I need to be more committed in my marriage.  I can't lead unless my marriage and leadership in the marriage is healthy.
• You will never ever get away with sin.  NEVER.  (2 Samuel 12:13)
• God will always forgive you!  (2 Samuel 12:13)

Acts 6 - People Problem

Have you ever had a people problem? Where there was just so many people you couldn't meet the needs of all of them? It may have been overwhelming and you may have been unprepared it happens.

Sometimes in churches growth can be a blessing, but ministry opportunities can be missed. It has been said that people will often make their decision to return to church within 5 minutes. We must not miss an opportunity to serve all people and we must figure out to deal with the problem.

Such was the case with the early church. They had explosive growth. Acts 6:1 says, But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

There were probably almost 10,000 people in the church and some people were being neglected. Intentionally or not, they had a legitimate gripe. So it looks like the Pastor's were going to get involved and start serving these people food. NO! In fact, listen to what they said. We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word. Acts 6:2-4 (NLT)

Here is the point. God assigns people to serve. He gives you the talent to serve. He uses people to serve people. Sometimes the "people problem" is us. The church. We are too busy to serve, that we don't seek solutions but seek prayer. Prayer is used as an excuse instead of acting on what people need.

How do you tackle people problems? Do you wait for others to solve them? Do you "pray" that God would send someone? Do you not act? Maybe the people problem is you!