FCC Etown Podcast

21 Days of Prayer: Day 3

21 Days of Prayer: Day 2

Care and courage. Matthew showed care for those he knew and he had the courage to invite them all over so they could meet Jesus. In this message Stuart challenges us all to care enough about someone to daily pray specifically for them, and have the courage to invite them to come to a service or special event here at FCC. Who are five people you know who need the light of Jesus? Pray specifically for these people. Who needs a bold invitation from you? Have the courage to invite because the worst they can do is say no, so invite boldly!

21 Days of Prayer: Day 1

Sadly only 30% of Americans feel fulfilled in their job, meaning 70% of the people we see every day don’t like the thing that most people use to define them. The alternative is to allow Jesus to define us. By doing so, we become known by faith, love, and hope. You have an identity in Christ no matter what has happened, where you’ve been, or who you have been. Jesus died and rose again so you could have a new identity defined by who He is. Therefore, choose to be defined by the eternal, not the temporal.

As the church, we need to one another, one another. How do we do that? We share with one another by giving our time, finances, and empathy. We also share what we know with one another truth, hope and how magnificent our Heavenly Father is. We live in a broken world, unfriendly to the church and desperate for Jesus. Therefore, let us one another, one another to build up the body and show those on the outside why they should be a part of the church.

Leading people closer to Jesus requires action. Inviting, speaking, and loving are all action steps. What actions are you taking to lead people closer to Jesus? Do the people in your life have an open invitation to FCC? Are you gossiping about the gospel? Do you love the unloved and tough to love? We hope that you will answer yes to all of those questions by the end of this year.

Sometimes in the church we forget who our real enemy is. It is Satan, and he is a liar, and deceiver who only seeks to cause chaos in the lives of those who follow Jesus. As a result it is essential that the church follow Acts 2 being fully committed to biblical teaching, fellowship with one another, breaking bread and prayer. However, that is not enough. The church must be willing to fight spiritually because people need Jesus, and our fight makes a difference.

When “home” is more than a feeling, when God takes up residency in our hearts, and our heart becomes his home. What happens when the warmth of Christmas lasts longer than December? What happens to the compartments of our life when Jesus has a home in us? He redecorates, and it changes who we are, how we live, and what we’re living for.

Fear is the thief of dreams and peace and joy. What keeps you from taking a risk, setting aside your fears, and taking a step of faith where you feel called. Trust your Heavenly Father and the plan He has for you, even if it seems risky and even if it differs from what you have in mind.

May the courage of two young kids in the first century who were tasked with bringing the Savior into the world inspire you to set your fears aside and take a step. With a bit of courage and trust, God can do far more than you could ever imagine.