Building Up

Sunday morning retuning: I pray God has your attention. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. Are you living it? Could He say He is well pleased with you?

Last week we had a guest columnist. I spoke with a few conductors who are going to help with the Christmas musical orchestra. I met with a guy who is helping to guide us through some facility upgrades in the sanctuary. I rehearsed with a soloist for this Sunday’s service and am looking forward to sharing the choir anthem with her. I am planning on having someone led for me on a Sunday morning in few weeks. The Christmas musical is quickly approaching as well as a couple other special services. I am aware of my need of a little creative support and a lot of help over the next eight weeks or so.

All of this has me thinking again of equipping.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

Equipping is done so the body will be built up. The point of the building up is that we all reach unity in faith and knowledge, and ultimately maturity. To think that each of us has a part in that is very exciting to me.

So what is your part? Are you a choir member, bass player, actor, painter, tech, carpenter, intercessor, etc.? Are you fulfilling your role? Have you been equipped to do so? Is there more that you could be doing? [There is always more that could be done, but are you doing what God wants you to do.]

Here is a list of some things that are emerging. Maybe you have some talents and/or passions to express for the good of the church.

Contributing authors – I believe some of you have some things to share that would make great Tuesday Tunings. I am officially excepting submissions.
Christmas Eve – I am praying about some creative expressions for that evening. I welcome ideas.
Creative Team – Like our worship team that meets weekly to prepare to lead our people, I am considering compiling a group of people to plan and express talents in worship for the glory of our Lord. Interested?
Intercessors – I would love to see a group of people praying during each of the presentations of the musical on December 11. Would you be available to pray for us as we present?
??? – Maybe there is something else that we need to be doing to allow God to declare His glory in our midst. I welcome those thoughts.

I look forward to hearing from many of your in response to these needs. I am trusting God to continue to move in our midst as we faithfully stay one step behind Jesus. What an exciting time to be a part of the family of worshippers who call North-Mar Church home! I am glad I am here and that you are too!

Jesus, equip us for the building up of Your Bride.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Prayer, and a Call to Prayer

Sunday morning retuning: What kind of fruit are you bearing? May the Spirit help each of us bear fresh fruit from today, not stale fruit from yesterday. All for the glory of our Redeemer.

Over the weekend I asked John Grundy, worship team/choir member to contribute an article for TT. This is what he offers us today. As an elder who has begun issuing a call to prayer to all who have ears to hear, I am not surprised at what he has put before us. Thanks for the good word, John.

[6b] all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56)

God brings joy in prayer! Prayer is an active and vital part of walking just one step behind Jesus. Prayer allows us to have communion, or fellowship, with God. Prayer allows us to praise Him, to honor Him, to give Him the glory that is His due. “Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” [James 5:13(b)]

We are to also bring our requests to our Lord through prayer. Phil 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Most of us are adept at this, and for many asking God for things is the sole purpose of prayer. Notice that we are to present our requests “with thanksgiving”. Be cautious. God is not the Make a Wish Foundation. Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Prayer, even when we are asking God for something, must be done in the context of praise and adoration, not selfishness or pride.

Prayer is often linked to fasting. (e.g., Ps. 35:13) Fasting involves sacrifice, which we do not enjoy. Yet we wonder why our prayers are often ineffective. There is a link in scripture between prayer coupled with sacrifice, and God’s answer. Phil 3:10, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” We want to see God’s power, but we are not so anxious to sacrifice or suffer in order to see His power. Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” After his baby was struck ill, David fasted, prayed and wept, hoping that God would be gracious to him and spare the child. (II Sam 12:22)

Prayer also permits us the privilege of interceding on behalf of others. 1 Tim 2:1 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.” It is a great privilege to be able to intercede before the throne of the living God on behalf of one we love. We trust in His grace as we bring others before Him in prayer.

We say we believe that nothing is accomplished without prayer. Yet, do we pray? Many of us are comfortable in our personal lives. Certainly things at North Mar Church are more comfortable than they have been in recent memory. But our Lord has not called us to be comfortable. In fact, it is dangerous to be comfortable and to assume that state will continue indefinitely. (See the Parable of the Rich Fool, Luke 12:13-21)

The Word of our Lord clearly commands us to pray. I invite each of us to climb out of our comfort zones, and pray. Pray individually, and join us in corporate prayer.

On Sunday mornings, come to the prayer room. After the choir is dismissed, after the praise team leaves the platform, make your way back to the prayer room and join others there praying for God to move in our midst, to do what He desires and only He can do, to intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters and those who have not yet come to be Jesus followers, to pray for our pastors and elders and others who God has called to be shepherds at North Mar Church, to praise Him and give Him glory and honor and thanks.

God will bring joy into a life cultivated with prayer. Come join us.

John Grundy

Jesus, make us a people of prayer.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy