Praise from Eddie

On 03/01 there was a prayer request that was posted for Eddie as we were praying for him to be allowed to talk to his children. I talked to him on Saturday and he was really happy that he had spoken to his children for the first time over the phone since the divorce situation started. Join me in praising the Lord for His grace in Eddie's life.

Fellowship

"Blessed be the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

This week was a huge blessing from the Lord. Jim Cosley came and shared about his brother, Brian, who passes away last year of a drug overdose. We were also blessed by the testimony of my friend from seminary Brian and his wife, who shared about their brother in law and his struggle with being a drunkard. The aim this week was to show how the lives of them men do not only affect them but the people around them. Their sin affects their wives and children as well, but above all, they are sinning against a Holy God. My girlfriend, Dany, was brave enough to come and support this ministry with her presence and prayers and that was a huge blessing as well. We had more people showing up this week than the other weeks and I thank the Lord for that. There were six new faces who got to hear the gospel massage and I ask for your prayers that the Lord be working in their hearts.

Anthony - Pray for his wife and children, that they would remain strong during his time in the Rehab. Also for his parent's health. He desires to be faitful in studying God's word and be changed in his character (so that he would not get angry anymore). He is thankful for his soberness to this point.
Justin - Pray for his recovery and more so, for his relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that God would work in his family and bring restoration.
John - Be in prayer for his children.
Joseph - Pray for the salvation of his mother and friend, and for better health.
Eddie - Continue to lift his family (wife, 7 children and granddaughter) up to God. Pray for restoration in his relationship to his wife.
Muno - He asks prayer that he would stay with God and continue to remain clean from addiction. Pray also for his family.
Steven - Pray that God would give him the strenght to resist the temptation to continue in his addiction; that God would work mightily in his life. He realizes that he needs God's help to accomplish lasting change.
Scott - Be in prayer for two of his friends, that God would protect them and reveal His forgiveness in Christ to them. Pray for his brother to remain sober. Pray for Scott as he is in Rehab, that he would be walking with Christ and remain sober.

The power of prayer

Now we should almost be up to date. These are the new prayer requests. After a break last Saturday because of Easter (well, much rather celebrating Christ's resurrection), the ministry will resume this Saturday. Please be in prayer for the men who will attend.

David - Pray for his wife to be freed from her addiction and for the salvation for his children. Pray for him that he would be able to live a life by the power of God.
Anthony - Be in prayer for his girlfriend, who will soo be his wife. His kids are sick, pray for thier healing. He asks for prayer in being able to understand God's word, which he desires to know and live out.
Albert - He wants to live according to God's calling in His life, being obedient to Him and doing His will.
Eddie - Continue to be in prayer for his wife and his children, as well as his granddaughter. He and his wife are going through a divorce and Eddie desires for his wife to change her opinion. He is thankful for his Lord Jesus Christ.
Joseph - He asks for prayer for his mother and her salvation. Also, please pray that God will save him from his own pride.
Antonio - Please be in prayer for his family.
Frank - Pray for his recovery and his family. And for God to work in his life and heart, so that he can be the father and husband he is supposed to be by God's grace.
Danny - He is coming close to completing the program. Pray for him as he soon will face the 'outside' world again, that God would help him to remain sober and work in his life through all situations that he will face.
Ricardo - Please pray for his family and friends.
George - Be in prayer for his family and his health. He is excited about having learned his first Scripture by heart - praise God with him for that.

Thank you for lifting those men up to God.

Praise

I received a phone call today from Joseph, one of the guys we were praying for and was just praising the Lord for answered prayer in the conflict that was in his relationship with his girlfriend. It is really neat to see God answering specific prayer requests.

The cost of discipleship

Last Saturday was particularly powerful and encouraging in seeing God's Word in action. The passage preached on was Matthew 16: 24-27 on the cost of true discipleship. Emphasis was on the aspects of what some of the conditional aspects of that are. There needs to be true repentance as a condition that is empowered in us by God. This includes denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him. Christianity is about Lordship obedience. It is not about empty promises of a life without suffering, without commitment, without a price. Our salvation is a gift but it is conditional. Having said that, this can not be achieved by our works, but rather, by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8). Let us not forget as well that Christ dying on the cross was a condition, a cost for God to forgive our sins, for His wrath to be propitiated.Emphasis in the message was also on the question 'why should I take this seriously?' From the passage we see that the reasons are to find the true meaning of life (Glorifying God), to save your soul (Not to forfeit it), and because Christ will return to judge

Here are this weeks prayer requests. Remember that God hears the prayer of those who love Him!

Scott - Pray for him, that he would continue his walk with Christ and remain sober. Please pray for two of his friends that God would give them peace and comfort in a hard situation. Also, pray that his brother would continue to live sober.

Albert - He desires to have a deeper understanding and knowledge of God, and true wisdom.

Edward - Be in prayer for his wife and 7 children and their family situation. He praises God for allowing him to learn new things from His word.

Joseph - Pray for him as he is going through a hard time.

Christopher - His children are not saved, please pray for their salvation. Also, he desires to see one of his children, that he has not met yet.

Anthony - Please pray for strenght for his wife and two children.

The power is in the message

Today was the first day of teaching at this ministry while heading it up. The Lord was teaching me to trust Him and reminding me that it is not me but the power of His Word that is sharper than a double-edged sword and able to cut through the thoughts and intentions of the heart. In that I have confidence. Paul writes in Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The power is in the message itself. This gave me great comfort in the face of my inadequacy. I taught on 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 and broke down the gospel message and also our response to it emphasizing the fact that Jesus is Lord. A few of the guys really struggled with the message and asked a lot of questions. It was sad to hear of some of the perspectives some of them have to the Lordship of Christ. For some, since Christ died for us we can live a happy life and enjoy it to the fullest. Three guys walked out during the teaching. My hope is that they come back next week. I am challenged this week by Paul's words to Timothy:

And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

May the Lord grant me His grace in this. 6 Prayer requests were turned in today

Beginnings

This Saturday was the first day of the ministry now starting with me heading it. Before I had been doing it under Tony for 8 months but now have a time slot of my own. It was humbling and scary at the same time but I took comfort in the fact that these men need the gospel and the Lord was with me. It was really need to see some of the men there who I believe are already believers. The focus was on breaking the ice with them and allowing them to know me and well as I getting to know them a little. Please join me in praying for these prayer requests.

Carlos - Please pray for his mother and children (4 Children) during this time he is in rehab

Chris - Requests prayer for guidance and strength. He has 4 children that are unsaved

Ricardo - Prayer for his mother who is having nerve attacks

David - For wisdom in the decisions that he will have to be making while in rehab

Mike - For his relationship with his ex-wife and 2 daughters

Eddie - Just signed the papers for a divorce with his wife. Please pray for both of them and that he may be allowed to see his children.