SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Paul is asking, through faith, we make Christ the center of our lives. When we let Christ change us only then can we help change of our community. As a church body, with Christ at the center of all we do, together we can transform our community through the vision God has for Friendship-West Baptist Church.
APPLICATION
How has Christ changed in your life? Think about those things you know Christ wants to change in you and you are still trying to hold on to those things. Is Christ at the center of your life? Are you willing to trust God and allow Him transform you into who He has called you to be so that you will do exactly what He has called you to do in His Kingdom.
PRAYER
God, help me to place you first in my life. I want you to be the very center of my life. Lord, forgive me for trusting myself, my family, and my friends far more than I have trusted you. Show me how to stay focused on you, especially when life gets tough. Strengthen me to be all I can be at home first and then with my church family. Strengthen me as you accomplish Your will in me even through my weakness.
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SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:31-34
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
FOOD FOR
THOUGHT
The people of God should be concerned with the things of God, His Kingdom and Righteousness. Prayer will help us to grow our faith daily to depend on God to provide for us as we help to build and support His Kingdom on earth. As we care for God’s kingdom he will provide for our daily needs.
APPLICATION
Check your giving at the church. Have you trusted God and given your tithes and offering or have you been worrying about tomorrow? If you have not been supporting the church financially through tithes and offering write down the reasons why you have not supported God’s church and the vision. Ask God to show you how to trust that He will handle tomorrow for you so that you can worry less and contribute toward the building of His kingdom.
PRAYER
God, show me how to not worry about tomorrow or today and to trust you for all I need. Show me how to give a small portion of what you have given me back to the church for Your kingdom building. Build my faith so I will follow you as you guide me. |
SCRIPTURE
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
God wants us to come to Him in prayer and make our requests known. He is the only one who can truly give us all we need and the strength to sustain us through our tribulations. We must thank God for being all sufficient, even in our troubled times. Only then we can look past our situation and be a blessing to others who are in need.
APPLICATION
As you pray, speak aloud to God about all the things you are worried about and all that you fear. Tell Him about the problems in your family robs you of your peace. Then leave all your cares and worries with God for He will take care of them.
PRAYER
Father God, Your Word says that I should not worry about what’s going on in my life, in my home, on my job, within my marriage, with my kids, with my family members or even at church. So I am giving you all my problems, fears and worries and I ask for your peace that surpasses all understanding. I thank You for your mercy and grace and your Son, Jesus Christ, who allows me this privilege to come to you. |
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Think of all you have done that God has forgiven you for. We should not even be here today considering how wretched we are. God forgave us for our perverted behavior and sinful ways so we must learn how to forgive others and let go of our hurt, pain and anger.
APPLICATION
Pray and ask God to show you everyone you need to forgive. Then ask God who you need to ask forgiveness from. Think about how long you have harboring anger in your heart or holding a grudge against someone. Think of how negatively it has affected your life.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to go on with my life and forgive those who have hurt me and ask for forgiveness from those I have hurt. Thank you for brand new mercy each day. Purge and cleanse me so I can be used by you. |
