February 20, 2025
“A true follower of Jesus never becomes accustomed to the sound of footsteps headed for hell.”
If you were present for the initial message in the current series, “Road to Renewal,” you may recall that the theme for this year is Thrive in ’25. It is my prayer that we of RiverStone Church will be a church thriving in every way by year’s end.
Prompted by concern about our not effectively sharing Jesus with our community in a way that results in more people attending and growing in Christ, I first lifted up what must be our motivation for succeeding in this venture. That motivation would not only fuel our desire to prosper but shape our efforts. Our motivation must be grounded in our love for Jesus and love for our neighbor. These must provide the overarching motivation or we’re missing the mark. After all, Jesus came to seek and save the lost (you, me, and the rest of the world) because He loves the Father and He loves us.
On the “Road to Renewal” I want to better inform and equip us to be effective disciple-makers. Step one on the Road was “Fess up”. Step two was “Repent”. Step three, which we are spending some time on, is “Pray!”. Time is required here because we also need to learn what are the various aspects in evangelical praying. For example, this past week I taught that when we pray, especially when we pray to reach people for Christ, we enter a spiritual battlefield. That being the case, how then do we pray?
I have been looking at various prayer evangelism guides. You may not remember, but I wrote one and published one here last year. I was surprised that it compares well with others I have seen. With some small revision, you will be handed one Sunday. That’s so we can start sooner more than later begin praying strategically for us and those the Holy Spirit would lead us to offer Christ. This supported by teaching and more discovery on how to effectively pray in this battle will I pray help us to be fruitful.
Sunday’s Scripture is Matthew 9:35-39. Read, pray over it, and meditate on it. Write down insights and questions. Pray for me as I prepare the message. Pray for Holly and her team as they will prepare to lead us in worship. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s anointing and that His flame will light our hearts with His holy fire!
Pray that we truly Love ,Follow , and Serve Jesus. For that is the only way RiverStone Church will Thrive in ’25.
Loving you in Jesus!
Pastor Brian
“A church that neglects prayer becomes disunited, scattered, lethargic, all but dead.” Charles Spurgeon
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