Friday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

Crowds of people came to hear [Jesus] and to be healed of their sickness. But he often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:15b-­‐16).1 

I believe that the eternal fruit that has happened in our midst this past year has been due to God's grace unfolded first through prayer and then the efforts of many people! LORD, a big thanks for Pastor John Mark challenging us to grow in this area.

It’s been a privilege to serve our church in the area of prayer; God has done so much in the way of building this ministry these past twelve months – over a dozen weekly prayer groups, hundreds of people getting the Monday Prayer Feed, a weekly blog on prayer, etc. But I believe God wants to continue to lengthen, widen and deepen this ministry of prayer at Apex Baptist. Private prayer brings public power! Please join with me in praying towards that end.

A relationship with the Father and the ability to bring the needs of others to God’s throne of grace and mercy are among the greatest gifts God has given to mankind (Heb 4:16). However, in order to function in these capacities, times of solitude with the LORD are absolutely essential.

We must publicly worship and pray, consistently proclaim the wonders of God, and do the daily tasks of life and work; however, vital to all these things are times of solitude with God. And yet how few of us strongly desire these quiet times with the LORD of life or quickly turn them into an obligation, a reading assignment, or study session.

Isaiah 26:9 declares that one day God will have a people who say, “My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.” Wow! LORD, help me to have that type of a heart! May I follow in Jesus’ footsteps, especially as mentioned above.

Jesus withstood the many demands that pressed upon his life in order to have times of solitude with God. As followers of Jesus, if we are too busy for regular times of solitude, our lives and values are out of priority. In fact these quite times, away from the press of life, are essential for sustaining our effectiveness and quality of life in God.

Unfortunately, our alone times with God are easily stolen from us by things of lesser value. But what could be better than to sit quietly in God's presence, fellowshipping with him? I wonder how different things would be, if our question was not "How much time must I spend alone with God?" but rather, "How much time am I allowed to spend?"

Maintaining regular times of solitude in our lives is the gray door that few walk through, because it is unappealing. Yet behind that door are the glory of God and the life of God and the key to all that is good and holy. In our natural body, it is the unseen organs that are the most vital to the life of the body; so also is it with the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12ff). Praying 1 See also Mark 1:35, Matt. 14:23, and Luke 9:18. often in secret (Matt 6:5-­‐15) is definitely a vital but hidden ‘organ that pumps blood’ into every area of our individual and community lives.

FRIDAY PRAYER PROMPTS 

1. Lord, continue to build ABC into a house of prayer; help our leaders to:
a. Seek your heart above all else (Jer 10:21).
b. Not cave into the pressures of life (Matt 26:40) or the demands of ministry (Acts 6:1-­‐7) that call them away from prayer and the preaching of your Word.

2. Thank you LORD for the dozens of people that serve our Treasured Friends, our ministry to our shut-­‐ins. May we care for them with your heart of love and continue to see them as precious in your sight and vital to our church.

3. 2014 National Day of Prayer: LORD, use our church to gather and serve the great Apex area on May 1st.
a. LORD, we want to at least double the churches and people involved in this event from last year.
b. Give Pastor John Mark, Peter Dubbelman and those serving with them favor with the pastors of other churches, as they approach them to join this effort.

4. Prayer Guide: God we want to utter your prayers that usher in your kingdom to our lives, our families, our church, ...
a. Use this booklet for that purpose; don’t let the words on the page be dry and lifeless. Help us to pray your prayers, straight from the Bible and your heart and purposes.
b. Give Peter and those who assist him in this effort your heart in these matters.

5. LORD may your administrative blessing be on our church:
a. Help us to do things ‘decently and in order’.
b. Keep our people safe as they travel in our vehicles on mission for you.
c. Pour open the windows of heaven upon us with such a blessing that we are not able to contain it.
d. May our people work as unto you in the kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, security, transportation, … areas of our church.
e. Strengthen and protect us through the Sunday morning safety and security ministry of our church.
f. Help us to be wise stewards of the resources your give us.

Wednesday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" (David Livingstone) 

You're probably familiar with William Carey, known by many as the Father of the Modern Missionary Movement. Carey, after being called to missionary work in India, became part of the Serampore Trio-­joined by Joshua Marshman and William Ward. Together they preached, translated Scripture, began a school, and loved the Indian people with the Gospel.

Three times a year (January, May and October) they would gather together and read out loud what was known as the Serampore Compact of 1805. This document is amazing, and well worth the read. Click here and youcanreaditinitsentirety. 

A few highlights:

1. "It is absolutely necessary that we set an infinite value on immortal souls." Is that how I feel about people? The man at the auto shop who works on my car? Our pediatrician? The driver in the car that cuts me off on the way to work? The one who hurts me deeply with false accusations? 

2. "It becomes us to watch all opportunities of doing good." Is that how I live my life? Am I constantly looking for and aware of opportunities to love and to serve other people and to point them to Christ?

3. "Let us give ourselves up unreservedly to this glorious cause. Let us never think that our time, our gifts, our strength, our families, or even the clothes we wear, are our own." Have I given myself unreservedly for Jesus to use? Am I only willing to serve and love when it is convenient or when it is not difficult to do so? Do I recognize that everything in my life is a gift from the Great Giver of all Good Things? Definitely check out the compact when you get a minute! 

WEDNESDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for our preschoolers and elementary students on Sunday mornings. Pray for their protection and that the Word of God would begin to take root in their young hearts and that they would fall passionately in love with Jesus.

2. Pray for our preschool and elementary teachers and leaders. Pray that God encourages them in their ministry to the children in their class and that he would give them vision and passion as they teach the Bible each week.

3. Pray for our Children's Ministry as AWANA begins on August 28. Pray for our AWANA leaders-­that God would multiply their time each week--and pray for our children involved in AWANA-­-that they would treasure God's Word and that each Wednesday night would be encouraging to them in their walks with Jesus. Pray that AWANA would become a vibrant evangelistic ministry in our church!

4. Pray for wisdom as we begin planning for next summer's VBS-­-June 22-­‐27. Pray that God would bring many unchurched families to our week of camp and that He would use that week to do some mighty and marvelous things that only He can do!

5. Pray for BOOM! on Sunday mornings! Thank God for our BOOM! leaders and their passion to see kids worship Jesus with everything they've got! Pray that God would continue to grow BOOM! and that it would be a place where children feel welcomed and loved!

Tuesday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

Chapters four and five of the book of Revelation contain an amazing description of heavenly worship. John saw a throne in heaven with a rainbow surrounding it. Flashes of lighting and sounds of thunder were coming out of the throne. There were four living creatures who day and night proclaimed: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come” (4:8). John also saw twenty four elders who knelt down and cast their crowns before the throne saying: “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (4:11).

John saw God the Father as the One seated upon the throne with a scroll sealed with seven seals in his right hand. He saw God the Holy Spirit as seven lamps of fire burning before the throne. He saw God the Son as the Lamb who was slain.

One of the elders called John’s attention to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David; when he looked, he saw a Lamb who was slain. An angel was asking: “who is worthy to take the scroll from the hand of the One sited on the throne?” Nobody in heaven or on earth was worthy to take the scroll. Finally, one of the elders said to John that the Lamb who was slain was worthy to take the scroll. When the Lamb took the scroll something remarkable happened. The whole creation worshiped the Lamb. Like a symphony in crescendo, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders were followed in praise by the thousands upon thousands of angels, who were followed by every created thing in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-­‐10)

We are purchased people, bought by the blood of Jesus to be a kingdom of priests to worship Him. Having a time to worship God privately is something that all believers can and ought to do, but having the experience of worshiping God corporately with believers from other races, languages, and nationalities is like participating in a heavenly experience. Jesus redeemed us from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Together we can worship God.

I am so glad that at Apex Baptist, we are willing to experience a piece of heaven worshiping God with people from different races, languages, and nations. Currently during the time of worship in our en Español ministry, the Lord has given us people from 11 different nations. We have a new song to sing, the song of the redeemed, the song of praise and gratitude for having all of our sin forgiven and for making us a new creation in Christ. We have a new position; he has made us a kingdom of priests and we will reign with him. What a privilege and honor!

TUESDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for wisdom for pastor Alex to lead our en Español ministry. To finish his doctoral work (comprehension exams in October 7 & 8, and for dissertation).

2. Pray for leadership development in the different ministries en Español; women, men, married couples, singles, worship, greeters, youth, life groups, home groups.

3. Pray for numerical growth; that we develop a heart to reach out to the lost.

4. Pray for spiritual growth. We want to emphasize the vital aspect of being a disciple of Christ.

5. Pray for increasing integration with the English speaking church as we transition to a new schedule of services. We want to have the opportunity to serve and interact with other ministries in the church.

6. Pray for the Medical-­‐Dental Van ministry (April 11-­‐12, 2014). Pray that we can recruit volunteers to serve in the different medical-­‐professional capacities, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, medical doctors, optometrist, and nurses.

Monday Devotion & Prayer Prompts

In the past few weeks I’ve read the New Testament book of Acts again, and God’s word continues to scream at me that American “Churchianity” is not biblical Christianity. At the end of almost every chapter, I said “WOW,” either to myself or just bursted it out loud. Certainly there are some “WOW” things happening in some American Churches, but those are the exceptions rather than the norm. In Breakout Churches, Thom Rainer reports that 8 out of 10 American churches are in decline or erosion (174) – Yuck!

So what was different about the Early Church? What made it so powerful? I believe there are many lessons we can learn from them, but we must note at least two. First, prayer was a major priority for first century Followers of Jesus. The Early Church was born during a prayer meeting (Acts 2). The early Church prayed and God showed up to save souls, to purify the Fellowship (Ananias & Sapphira), to heal the sick, to set the captives free and so much more. In the American Church prayer is often neglected, stagnant, minimal or an after thought. Let’s pray boldly this week – just as the Early Church did.

Secondly, the Early Believers lived the Gospel. They didn’t just understand that their purpose was to advance the Kingdom of God – they did it. The researchers behind Breakout Churches found inconsistencies in declining churches’ in their willingness to practice their beliefs. “The clearest example of this reality was in the area of evangelism. They might believe that Christ is the only way of salvation, but they are unwilling or unable to share the Gospel with non-­‐Christians” (177). In contrast, Breakout church members, like Early Church Members, “are passionate about reaching others for Christ personally” and “do not expect all evangelism to be done by the staff or a select few from the church” (177).

The early church prayed fervently, then put feet to their prayers and “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) -­‐ good lessons!

MONDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Lord, forgive us for being lame in our prayer lives. May we make prayer a top priority in our personal lives, in our families and in our church.

2. Set us free Father from our timidity, our insecurities, our fears and from our unfruitful past. Lord Jesus, wreck us with your love. As we pray, give us “Christ-­‐like eyes” to see others as you see them. Then, grant us wisdom and sensitivity to respond redemptively.

3. Lord we certainly pray defensively for the protection of our students, but like the Early Church, we also pray for their boldness. Their schools are tough, but ripe, fields for evangelistic harvest. Empower them to be salt & light on their campuses. Give them persistence & courage and help them to work together to advance your Kingdom’s Glory. Help us as parents and church leaders to equip our children for evangelistic success and to model a disciple-­‐making lifestyle.

4. Give us wisdom Father as we sharpen our church’s mission efforts. Use us to be a blessing to our local, regional and global ministry partners.

5. The Bible is our guide for our individual lives and for our church. Grant us courage to follow its examples and principles.

Hopes for the Congregational Fast at Apex Baptist Church

During the week of August 18-24 our church will be praying and fasting for a spiritual breakthrough in our personal lives and in our church body. Anyone who fasts should consult their doctor before going an extended amount of time without eating. There are many different types of fasts that members of our church will participate in.

First, some will do what is called a “normal fast.” These people will only drink water and fruit juices during the fast. Others will do what is called a “partial fast.” This type of fast is when a person only eats fruits and vegetables.

Other people will abstain from something other than food for the purpose of prayer. The goal of any fast is to abstain from something in order to spend time in focused prayer to God. In his book, The Power of Prayer and Fasting, Dr. Ronnie Floyd offers nine outcomes or results of the congregational fasts that his church has done. My hope is that God would stir in our hearts and accomplish these same things.

1. Focus – I pray that God delivers great clarity to our congregation. We are in a wonderful season of ministry and I pray that He allows us to focus on the things that He desires and that we would not be distracted.

2. Wonder – I pray that we get a bigger glimpse of God than we have ever understood before. I am specifically praying that this would affect the way we worship.

3. Sensitivity – I pray that we will be more in tune and sensitive to the Holy Spirit in our lives. I pray that we will follow where he leads us.

4. Unity – A church wide fast will unify us to accomplish the mission God has for us. I am praying that God brings generations together in unity of purpose and direction through this fast.

5. Growth – I pray that God will grow every person participating spiritually through this week. I pray that this fast is spiritual fuel that will launch many into a new season of growth.

6. Anticipation – I am praying that this will affect the worship services in that we will come expecting God to speak to our hearts and then respond to Him.

7. Enlargement – I am praying that God enlarges our vision as we pray and fast. My prayer is that God helps us see the harvest fields ready for harvest.

8. Engagement – I am praying for a renewed engagement in our church. I am praying God would urge many who are not serving into service.

9. Advancement – I pray that the Gospel will advance across the street and around the world because of this week of prayer and fasting.

*First posted at www.johnmarkharrison.org on 8/17/2012

Easter Week

So excited about Easter Week at Apex Baptist! Here's what we've got going on beginning Palm Sunday:

1. On Sunday, March 24 our Worship Team will be presenting a special time of music entitled "Risen Redemption." Powerful and filled with energy, this will be a worship experience you want to be a part of! We'll also be taking the Lord's Supper together as a fellowship and we'd love for you to come proclaim Christ's death and resurrection with us!
2. On Wednesday, March 27 we will have a time of prayer and praise in the Worship Center beginning at 6:30 PM. Join us for a reflective time of remembering Jesus' sacrifice and His triumph three days later!
3. Easter Weekend is going to be super exciting! We're starting a new teaching series called Heroes and we're offering three different worship services: Saturday at 6:00 PM and Sunday morning at 9:00 and 11:00.

Come join us and invite some friends!

Prayer Ministry 2.0

Are you receiving our weekly Monday prayer feed? It has a brief summary of Sunday's sermon and various prayer concerns of our church. To have it emailed to you, click here.

Are you plugged into a Prayer Group? If not, we want to encourage you to join one or make your own! Why not get involved with seeing God do some great things - in your life and others? Our Prayer Groups are designed to pray for particular needs of our church and concerns of your heart; they're led by the Holy Spirit and facilitated by our pastors and other prayer minded folk. For more information click here.

ACCESS

Do you feel like your prayers do not go higher than the roof? Do you have difficulty making time in your day to pray? Are you looking for "more" in your walk with Christ?

Join us the next three weeks as Pastor John Mark begins a teaching series called ACCESS: Understanding the Power of Prayer.

ACCESS will take place during our Sunday morning worship services at 9:15 and 10:45 AM.

As a part of ACCESS we'll have a special prayer event on Wednesday, August 22 called The Covering. We'll meet at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall and walk through our campus praying for different ministries and our church. Bring your whole family and your kids! We'll end up at 7:30 in the Sanctuary for a brief time of worship together. We hope to see you there!

Lead Pastor Candidate Video and Resources

Our Lead Pastor Candidate is John Mark Harrison and he will be preaching in both services (9:15 and 10:45 AM) this Sunday (May 20)! John Mark is endorsed unanimously by our Pastor Search Team, our Staff, and our Deacon Body, and we're excited for what God is going to do in the life of ABC. If you missed the Lead Pastor Presentation yesterday in the Worship Services please watch the video below to help you prepare for the vote for members on May 20. Also, we've made several resources and a timeline of the upcoming weekend available for you on our Pastor Search site.

Five Prayers to Pray

Here are the five prayers Dr. Heisler gave for our fellowship to pray concerning our next lead pastor. These come from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12:

1. Pray for a Pastor who has pure motives.
2. Pray for a Pastor who has a God-centered ministry.
3. Pray for a Pastor who leads with integrity.
4. Pray for a Pastor who has a heart to be: gentle, incarnational, hard-working, above reproach, and edifying.
5. Pray for a Pastor who challenges you to walk worthy of God for the glory of God.

Check out the video of the sermon here if you didn't get a chance to listen yesterday!

ABC Vision Night

Come gather with our whole church family for our 2011 ABC Vision Night this Sunday, September 25 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the ABC Fellowship Hall.

At Vision Night, we'll talk and pray about how God is leading and equipping us to move forward. We'll hear about the vision He's given us thus far, talk about how we're currently responding to it, and look forward to what God has in store for us this next year.

There will be some wonderful music, and Phil will be giving his final charge to our local body as he prepares for the next adventure in his life! We hope you can come hear him!

We'll also have a chance to vote on our 2011-2012 budget and new Bylaws and Constitution. Come join us as we gather as a church around our mission to celebrate, pray and worship God for what he's done. You don't want to miss it!

We'll begin with some light refreshments at 6:00 PM and childcare will be provided for Birth through 4th Grade.


See you on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00!

Praying Without Ceasing

Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor

We could learn quite a bit from the Celtic missionaries of the 7th, 8th and 9th Centuries. Although they were monastic they didn't sequester themselves away from the world, but traveled all over Europe sharing the Gospel with the barbarians--daring to pioneer the way into uncharted and dangerous territories. And scores of them paid with their blood.

One of the many beautiful legacies they leave us today is that of "contemplative prayer." Their concept of prayer fulfilled Paul's admonition to "pray without ceasing." George G. Hunter III writes that contemplative prayer "is an ongoing, or very frequent, opening of the heart to the Triune God, often while engaging in each of the many experiences that fill a day."

The Carmina Gadelica gives many examples of these prayers, including prayers "to accompany getting up in the morning, for dressing, for starting the morning fire, for bathing or washing clothes or dishes . . . and for going to bed at night." Here's an example of one for starting the morning's fire:

I will kindle my fire this morning
In presence of the holy angels of heaven,
God, kindle Thou in my heart within
A flame of love to my neighbor,
To my foe, to my friend, to my kindred all,
To the brave, to the knave to the thrall . . .

These prayers engaged people's imaginations, and contemplative prayer could be a useful tool for many believers today. Not as mantras, but as a way of turning our hearts to God throughout our common activities. Ray Simpson has written a book, "Celtic Blessings for Everyday Life," which includes prayers for the every day workings of a modern world. It even includes a prayer for taking an exam! Check this out, and if you're a student this prayer might behoove you to focus your thoughts on Christ before you plunge in to filling in bubbles on the Scantron or writing in your Blue Book, and totally change your thinking on tests!

I bless this exam

in the name of the Designer of truth.
I bless this exam
in the name of the Protector from ill.
I bless this exam in the of the Spirit who guides.
Open my eyes to see how this subject
reflects something of you.
Aid me to understand this subject
with my heart as well as with my head.
Give me
Wisdom to know the nub of things,
Strength to recall what is useful,
Peace to leave the result to you.