Archive for May, 2010

Prayer for a Nation!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

This Sunday I am going to conclude a series of messages on “iPray” — as we look at how Nehemiah prayed for his nation in Nehemiah, chapter 1.

Everyone needs prayer.  But never before has America needed prayer as she does now.  The level at which our society and culture accepts values, which would have been abhorred a generation ago, is astounding.  If we care for our children and grandchildren, we will pray for our country.

As a church, we want to be relevant and connect with the younger generation.  We need to offer them an alternative in the Gospel from the secular society in which they live.  Such an alternative comes from our proclaiming the truth of God’s Word, presenting it to them in a palatable way, and praying for impact in our current culture.

We owe our children that much.  Join us as we pray for our nation!  You can see how Nehemiah prayed for his nation in Nehemiah 1:5-11.

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Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

On Sunday, May 30, we will celebrate the Memorial Day weekend. We have a very special morning worship service planned here at Delaney Street. We look forward to honoring our military — especially those who have sacrificed for our country with the loss of their lives. We salute them this week!

Men and women who have served our nation have given their lives for our freedom. We need to honor their sacrifice by striving to use our freedom as a blessing to others and in service to God.

As Nehemiah prayed for his nation in Nehemiah, chapter 1, we need to pray for our nation. We should pray that our country will be swept with a great turning to righteousness and honoring God in every way possible.

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iPray

Friday, May 21st, 2010

This month we are walking through a series of sermons called “iPray.” The idea of this title did not originate with me. But I love the idea. We know of how quickly we can call for help — 911 or wherever needed — with an iPhone, or any type of cell phone. We need to realize that we can call upon God through prayer — as fast as iPray — at any time from anywhere!

This Sunday we will look at the 3rd of 4 messages I have prepared on the subject of prayer, or “iPray.” We have already talked about prayer in an emergency (May 2) and prayer by a mother in a hopeless situation (May 9). We had a guest missionary in the pulpit on May 16. Now, on May 23, we will look at “Prayer Born of Faith” through the story of the Centurion who called upon Jesus to heal his servant’s child. And then on May 30, the weekend of Memorial Day, we will look at “Prayer for a Nation” through Nehemiah, chapter 1.

God answers prayer. Prayer is a mighty force. I fear that we do not avail ourselves of prayer nearly as much as we could or should. We need to be a praying people!

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Abraham Thomas

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Wow, what a great missions service we had on May 16! Dr. Abraham Thomas from Trivandrum, India, was outstanding. I cannot remember when I have been in a better service focusing upon foreign missions!  Jesus said, “The fields are white already unto harvest!”

I was so pleased with how warmly our church received Dr. Thomas. As I took him to the airport on Tuesday, we rejoiced over what a great visit he had here in Orlando. Dr. Thomas hosted me in India in January. I was so glad we could return the favor. His love offering was the best I have seen here at our church. He deserved it!

Dr. Thomas certainly stirred our hearts with the opportunity to partner with him in his outstanding ministry in India. His ministry has started and supports 185 churches throughout India, plus 16 children’s homes, and a college of approximately 150 students at Logos School of Theology. Spiritually India is a needy country. With a strong Hindu population, it is known as the “land of 300 million gods.” The born-again Christian population is no more than 1 % out of an overall population of 1.2-billion people. There is much work to do to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank God for men like Abraham Thomas, who was born and raised in India. We are thankful to be able to support his effort!

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