Sunday's Update - July 18, 2010

Encouragements:

• If Sulphur Springs in going to change, it's going to be up to the citizens! Please support one or two of our local businesses this week. Have a quick look at our town's website while you're at it: www.sulphurspringsar.com/

Praise Reports:

• Elaine's facial treatment went well and she was doing well on Sunday.
• The health of the Augustin's goat, April, is improving. 
• After praying long and hard for a different vehicle, Roy and Julie now have a beautiful new automobile!
• Sandy expressed her gratitude for the recent painting of her house. 

Prayer Requests:

• Katherine asked for prayer for her husband Ron's health.
• Keep David and Shirley in your prayers as they work out their Faith Project.

• Cameron is working with his grandfather in St. Louis and we pray that he will be protected, be a big help to his grandfather, and that he will be a shining light of Jesus' love to those he comes in contact with.
• Remember Roy and Julie as they struggle with their Faith Project: may God give them comfort and wisdom.
• A 20 year old young man from the area named Cody Carnahan was recently killed in a motorcycle accident. I believe that he left behind a small daughter and friends and family who miss him greatly.

Cleanup Crew:

• Next Sunday, July 18, we will have Dwayne, Vivian, Roy and Julie on kitchen duty.

Sermon Notes:

David began by reading Psalm 21.


This week we looked at the well-known miracle of the fig tree to find an intriguing new concept.

Mark 11:12-26

In verses 22 and 23 it sounds like Jesus is stating a universal truth: "if anyone says...it will be done for him." Does this mean only Christians? It doesn't seem so. After stating this He says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer...." New Age thinkers and non-Christian religions have long grasped the concept of faith making change, and we need to realize that this is an actual phenomenon. However, it is nothing compared to the power of God! "...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Genesis 11:1-7

"...nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." This sounds like the universal principle at work. If pagans can do these great things, how much more can we do through Jesus' name? The disciples were amazed at the fig tree, and Jesus told them to "Have faith in God."

How do we relate God's Will in praying and the "name-it-claim-it" ministries? We are not to pursue things, our hope is in Heaven. We know God's will through the Bible, and we must be courageous and come before Him in faith and with humble arrogance.