The Presence of God - Exodus 33:14-15  

I.  God's presence is Essential

II.  God's presence is Replaceable.

III.  God's Glory Returns

IV. God in Us!

God's Faithfulness

James 1:16-17

Luke 11:11-13

We need the Holy Spirit

Luke 11:1 - 10

1.  We have a Praying Jesus

2.  The Parable of the "Unexpected"

3.  The lesson of Asking, Seeking & Knocking

Matt. 26:39

The danger of unanswered prayer is that it we could become cynical, cold, or stop praying all together.

We need to understand there are reasons why prayer isn't answered.

1.  Unbelief:  Matt. 13:58 lack of faith

2.  Pray with the wrong motives.  James 4:3

3.  Unresolved conflict with others.  Relationship issues.  Matt. 6:14-15

4.  When we honor sin in our lives.  Psalm 66:18

Blessing:

We experience the love of God:  He loves us and He knows the future.   He has something better for us down the road.  Even though I don't understand, I trust you.  His grace is sufficient.

Mathew 8:5-13

Jesus has Authority over Disease, Demons, Disaster & Death

But Jesus paid him the highest compliment No Greater Faith!  Why?

"Just Say the Word" Authority

Prayer is knowing that no matter what I need, Jesus has absolute authority over it!

John 14:13 - 14 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me for anything in my Name, I will do it."

There are come conditions.

1.  Believe    2.  Know     3.  Love

Prayer is directed to Jesus

Our requests are unlimited but Conditional

If you ask for anything "IN MY NAME"

 God who answers prayer.  John 1 - Jesus is the ONE and Only

I. Jesus, the One and Only Creator - John 1:1-2, Genesis 1:1

II.  Jesus the One and Only Light - John 1:4 & 5, 9  Genesis 1:3

III.  Jesus the One and Only Lamb - John 1:29

Jesus built the bridge and also closes the GAP

God Answers Prayer - Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing is impossible"

Celebration Service of paying off the church debt

Pastor Mike's first Sunday back since November.

Part of our foundation of Faith is Community.

Community is God's design.  We are not created to be isolated from people.  We cannot do life on our own.  We need others.

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you:  Love one another.   As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Community is Biblical because it:

Helps us grow

Gives us accountability

Gives us encouragement

 Helps us service others