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I want to thank all of you who follow along on our weekly devotionals. We’ve had the blessing of some guest writers recently that have encouraged and challenged our hearts and we have several more as we head to the end of the year. And we also have another incredible EVENT that’s we’ve just booked that I hope all of you will be able to attend. We’re partnering a regional event with the Memphis Christian Church on TUESDAY November 18th and tickets will go on sale this week.
Their pastor, Dave Colbert has graciously offered their venue for us. So our crew will join with their crew and it will be a tremendous opportunity to encourage one another in “Finishing Well”! Now they’ve only been in this new multi-purpose facility since Easter of this year and it has seating for more than we’ve ever had at any of our events since our 1st event in May 2001 if you remember that one. Here’s what’s in store for us that night…. 1. A lot of great MUSIC….. past & present with a couple of oldies but mostly worshipful songs of praise thru the years 2. Some great DESSERTS … never do a church event without them! 3. A dear friend & GUEST SPEAKER, Dr Neal Windham who’ll be guiding us thru the evening being Grateful, Hopeful & Prayerful in this season 4. And all the usual things at any Finishing Well Event, like…. So I’m pumped about this next opportunity to come together, invite a friend (and pay for their ticket), and do what we’re all called to do….ENCOURAGE one another to “finish well” in the name of the Lord! WHAT’S COMING UP DEVOTIONALLY? Well, my hope has been to continue a 30k foot view of Scripture and end the year covering that and some Biblical events & highlights….. Here’s the tentative plan for the next 13 weeks of the year, but only God knows how it will all shake out! At present 8 of the 13 devotionals will be by some of my friends, many of whom are in my Pastors Finishing Well group that had been together for a few years. The PASTORAL Epistles (Timothy & Titus) The Feast of BOOTHS The Book of HEBREWS Hi PETE, Yo JAMES, & Hey JUDE The New Testament at a GLANCE VETERANS’ Day If I Had ONE SERMON left to Preach THANKSGIVING The CHURCHES of Revelation The REST of Revelation What’s this Jewish thing called, HANUKKAH? A Charlie Brown CHRISTMAS ENDING one year and BEGINNING the next! So I hope these next few weeks will devotionally encourage each of you. And once again, let me reiterate that I am a “local church lover & respecter” and pray that all of our efforts in this ministry only go to SUPPLEMENT (not compete) with what you’re doing and how you’re being discipled in your home church right now. We’re “singing harmony to the melody” that’s being sung in your church and hopefully in a very meaningful & unifying way for folks in our season of life. Now while we’re mostly “promoting” this week and catching our breath from our typical comprehensive/devotional writing, let me end with 2 simple passages that I always feel God brings me back to in life. One is purpose and the other is prayer…. Here’s the PURPOSE…. Colossians 1:28-29 “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom that God has given us. We want to PRESENT THEM TO GOD, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.” (NLT) Our whole goal in the Christian life is not only to present ourselves (Romans 12:1), but to present OTHERS mature in Christ. The implication is that we need to be full of God’s Spirit, bearing fruit ourselves, but not to that end, but for the purpose of making a difference spiritually in others’ lives. Paul was pouring himself out for the gospel, not just to see people saved, but them become all God would call them to be in the Kingdom! Now the implication is for US to present our KIDS, our GRANDKIDS and our FRIENDS as best we can, to the Lord with maturity, and to do it with the strength that He alone gives us. I feel this call more every day of my life. May we do that wholeheartedly….while we still have the opportunity this side of heaven! And here’s the PRAYER….. Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT) And I feel this one as well. God calls us AWAY from anxiety, from worry, & from being chronically & fearfully preoccupied with such things. And the directive is always prayerfulness. That’s why our upcoming event is simply entitled, “Grateful, Hopeful, & Prayerful”, for lack of a more catchy or memorable title. But that is the sequence…. Grateful hearts that humbly THANK the Lord…. Hopeful hearts that boldly PETITION Him…. And Prayerful hearts that respectfully REMAIN in the Lord’s presence….. So now that you’ve gotten off relatively easy from me with a “big promo and a little devo”, take a moment to personally pray and maybe even journal that prayer to the Lord of what you’re grateful for…..and what you’re hopeful for….. May the Lord bless each of you in the calling you have received….with the people you are in position to influence….and with the grace that each of us need to survive, navigate and FINISH the race He has called us to run with perseverance (Hebrews 12)! Love you all and talk to you next Sunday night! gr
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