We trust that your household will have a sweet time of worshipping our Great God, and we will see you next Sunday, Lord willing.
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Last week we looked at Colossians 1:24 where Paul tells the young church at Colossae '"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions."
Read this story and pray for those--who like Paul had not seen the people at Colossae face to face, as they share in the sufferings of Christ.
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Check here for details on our upcoming Foundations of Grace Seminar. You may register using our online contact info. Lunch will be provided and contacting us through the online form will help us to know who is coming so that we may better prepare meals.
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"Rash preaching, said Rowland Hill, disgusts. Timid preaching leaves poor souls fast asleep. Bold preaching is the only preaching that is owned by God."
Taken from Horatius Bonar's book Word's to Winner's of Soul's.
Lord willing, this coming Sunday, Grace will take a one-week break from our journey together in Colossians in order to consider what the bible has to say about deacons--An important aspect of every church's health.
The elders feel that this sermon needs to come now in the anticipation of moving toward identifying deacons in our congregation, and officially recognizing them as such. Would you pray with us that we would all be sensitive to the Lord's will in this important matter?
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Thanks to everyone for keeping others informed while I was incoherent. I honestly can't remember much for about 3 days. I do know I am thankful for my family who have laid everything aside so I may seek my health again. Which this "simple thank you" does not do justice for my gratitude...
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To catch the thrust of the vision, take a moment to read the entire entry to this (very soon!) upcoming Grace event!
And when you read, help us out with both requests.
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We've added the "First Week" reminder to our monthly events tab. Let's be faithful to commend Him Whom we cherish!
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"Pour out Your wrath on the heathen that do not acknowledge You--and on the families that do not call upon Your name!" Jeremiah 10:25
We wonder how many of our readers have seriously pondered these awe-inspiring words! Observe what fearful threatenings are pronounced against those who disregard family worship! How unspeakably solemn to find that prayerless families are here coupled with the heathen, who do not acknowledge the Lord.
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Sunday afternoon our small group took up a specific prayer request for each other. Namely, that we would pray that each one of us would take advantage of the opportunity to share the entire gospel with an unconverted person before our group cycle ends in May. Oh to see many people born again in the next few months!
Would you join us in praying this for each person in each Grace Group?
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From Bryan:
Kelly is doing really well. She is in a regular room..., and is no longer hooked to machines. Kelly,
herself, is thanking God for His kindness and enjoying His nearness this week.
I do, however, ask everyone to be cautious about visiting, because she is still susceptable to others' sicknesses. We are all eager to see her, but let's keep her best interest in mind. Keep praying.
From Bryan:
The doctors are hopeful that she will be able to move from ICU to a room by days end. Kelly is eating, talking, sitting, and making jokes about her aunt - a drastic change from just a few days earlier. Much is left to be done. Keep intercessory prayer prevalent in your heart.
This Sunday, Lord willing we will be worshipping the preeminence of Christ in reconciliation from Colossians 1:19-23. I encourage you to prepare your hearts with these statements about Christ:
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From Bryan:
She is still on the mend and was sleeping through morning visitation. All her numbers remain good. We await the doctor's evaluation to determine her condition and if an ICU room remains necessary. We are eager to move to a regular room because it indicates a big step of progress, but are happy to stay in ICU if it is the most cautious approach. God has been, is, and will be in control; Kelly's and our hope remains in Him alone.
Psalm 116:1-2: "I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
The Lord sustains. Not just on paper or just in theory, but experientially. He sustains, and has sustained us with His Word.
Kelly is doing well. The doctors removed both masks today and replaced them with a nose clip (which helps her oxygen intake). All her numbers were great, so the machines will only be used tonight as she sleeps. She sat up, bent her knees and hung her legs over the bed. She ate on her own. She spoke with us about Scripture, God's kindness, her spiritual need for Christ, and Nigeria. The doctors hope, Lord willing, she will continue progressing so that she could soon move out of ICU - by the grace of God.
I'm not quite sure how to title this post from an article of an attempted abortion, where the baby was born and then still murdered. What is shocking still is abortion rights activists are apalled at this sort of behavior.
"Even those who support abortion rights are concerned about the allegations."It really disturbed me," said Joanne Sterner, president of the Broward County chapter of the National Organization for Women, after reviewing the administrative complaint against Renelique. "I know that there are clinics out there like this. And I hope that we can keep (women) from going to these types of clinics."
It is totally incomprehensible.....
From Bryan: Thanks for all your prayers. Kelly is off the ventilator and is rotating between masks. One mask makes her expand her lungs by herself. The other requires her to do the work of intaking her oxygen. The hope is for her to strengthen in this area and be weaned from the mask. Her numbers remain positive: oxygen intake 50%, PEEP 7.0 and sat#98. Kelly is resting better and the doctors continue to be encouraged. Pray for Ann and Angie to be able to rest and eat well as both are visibly exhausted.
Phil 1:19 - "For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ."
From Bryan: Last night was interesting. While dreaming, Kelly pulled the tubes out, and we were very alarmed; however, she still made progress. The machines are still showing 50% for the oxygen intake, her sat# is 95, and the PEEP has been reduced to 7.0 (continuing to move in the right direction - see previous updates). Please pray for Kelly's anxiety, as she wants family with her, and wakes not knowing where she is. Pray for the family because we have been up with 2:30 am. God's word remains a tremendous comfort, as we read to one another throughout the night/morning.
From Bryan: "To God be the glory, great things He is doing. Her numbers improved even more today and have held steady the last few hours...We were very encouraged today as Kelly began to communicate by writing messages on paper. She was itching, wanted to make sure her bills were being paid, but most of all wanted to hear the Scripture read (I'm preaching it too) and to hear us pray. Lord willing, we will see God's merciful hand at work, and continue to experience the peaceful nearness of Christ."
Kelly is doing better than yesterday, which was a good day. Her oxygen levels are improving and she is retaining more oxygen in her body. This is measured by the sat# which is remaining above the goal of 93 (the family has observed 95-98 during their visits in her room). The doctors have now decreased the oxygen intake from the ventilator by 30%. The family is thankful to God and continuing to hope in Him. They ask all to keep enduring in prayer by faith.
I asked the team members if they would put into writing our mission trip to Nigeria and some things the Lord did in their heart while there and since we've returned. Kelly is currently in the hospital suffering from a disease related to our trip. Kelly has mentioned that she looks forward to returning to Nigeria soon, Lord willing becasue she now understands to some degree ways the Nigerians are suffering. Pray for her! May the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world receive His reward for His suffering. This is what Kelly Rodgers had to say:
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Bryan reports encouraging words. Her oxygen intake is better. The doctors said they will know more tomorrow morning after another chest x-ray. The family sends their gratefulness for your prayers and visits.
From Angie Smith's Facebook Post (Kelly's sister)
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We're all touched by pain. No exceptions. Often the wounds are deep. Sometimes the challenges we face will substantially alter the course of our life. Even for those who are "less buffeted" by trials, one of the inescapable consequences of living in a fallen world is unavoidable collision with hurt.
When the trials come, how do you respond? I've been helped by two recent examples the Lord has put before my eyes.
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Last week prior to beginning the Colossians series I encouraged the children in a few ways (most of which are already doing this) in hopes that they would listen to the sermon when they sit in "big Church" (as a child this is what I called church with the adults). One of these ways was to count every time you heard Christ mentioned and then report to me after the sermon was over.
This week, Lenarious, a young boy from our surrounding neighborhood attended Grace. He didn't come with anyone, he just came! Evidently Kirk B. encouraged him with this because as soon as the sermon concluded he came straight to me and said "200. You mentioned Christ 200 hundred times today". I then asked him if there was anything that stuck out during the sermon today, to which he replied "Christ".
Will you join us in praying....
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I closed this mornings sermon from Colossians 1:13-18 wth this quote from Charles Simeon:
'Are you not ashamed that this adorable Saviour has held so low a place in your esteem, that even the most contemptible things that can be imagined have had a preeminence above him? There is not a base lust which has not more power to sway you, than love to him, or zeal for his glory. There is not a vanity which you have not more desired, nor an object whom you have not more feared, nor a device you have not more relied upon, than he. Would you not have thought it impossible, that a Being so glorious in Himself, and so gracious unto you, should ever be so despised by you, as he has been? O! humble yourselves before him; and now set yourselves with all diligence to honor and to glorify his name. Let it no longer be a doubt, either in your own minds or in the minds of any that behold you, who has the preeminence in your souls. Give yourselves wholly to him; live altogether for him: let your daily and hourly inquiry be, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" In short, endeavour to begin the life of heaven whilst you are yet upon earth. When once you are there, "you will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Follow him now: follow the footsteps which he trod on earth: follow him, in your affections, to the highest heavens: and look forward to the time when he, who has ascended as your Forerunner, shall come again to take you to himself, and "seat you with him upon his throne, as he sitteth on his Father's throne."
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