February 17, 2023
February Focus of the Month:
Important Info:
Focus of the Month: February - This month, we are doing a follow-up to Pastor Josiah’s Leadership Development talk from the Deacon Retreat. You can find it here if you haven’t watched his session yet. In this month’s video (above), we walk through three simple steps to implement the information Pastor Josiah outlined at the retreat.
Taking Ground UPDATE: Our offer has been accepted for the property off Ustick Road near Can-Ada that Pastor Ben mentioned at the Deacon’s Retreat! The Purchase and Sale Agreement is in hand and being reviewed. If we accept, we'll open escrow next week and officially start our due diligence period. Here are the prayer requests as we begin the next steps:
Pray for wisdom and expediency in our review of the PSA (the deadline is next Friday, 2/24)
Pray for wisdom as we have discussions with all the city/county agencies, as this could turn into a very costly effort to build a church if we don't ask the right questions
Pray for favor: That the city would see we are a church and not a developer, in hopes that their development fees and expectations are low
Pray for wisdom as we develop a site plan that meets our needs and fulfills our mission to reach, teach and train at a 24/7 ministry facility
Application Questions:
Evergreen Joy
How Constant Rejoicing & Grace Are Possible
Philippians 4:4-5
Read Philippians 4:4. What are some of the excuses you might occasionally believe exempt you from obeying this repeated command? What about the character and work of our Lord Jesus should overcome those excuses?
Practically, what can “rejoicing in the Lord” look like when you are discouraged, sad, grieving, or enduring a trial?
Read Titus 3:1-8. Why is it often difficult for us to remain gentle and gracious in a world that is hostile to Jesus? Why should remembering our own salvation help us in this?
Read 1 Peter 3:8-9. Spend time thinking about the attitudes/actions called for here in this passage. How have you been helped by others treating you like this? How would you like to grow in displaying these things in your relationships?
Find a couple verses that express the reality that the Lord is near to His people. How will these verses encourage you in difficult situations this week?
