Worship Declaration & Prayer –  By Bonnie Kirk

Note:  Bonnie is one of our CPC young adults, wrote and

shared this in a recent Sunday morning service.

Jesus, we're learning a lifestyle of worship

Thank you for this relationship

Where you show us what you are like

And we get to fall in love with you

Over and over

I pray that our personal times with you

Will deepen our fellowship here

That our gatherings will bring down Heaven

 

Whether we feel you or not

We believe that you are why we live

 

We pray to be made whole

So that we can experience you more

 

Help us to tune into you

You are the best communicator

Help us listen

Without being afraid

Of what you might ask

Help us loosen our grip on our lives

And trust that you won't leave us lacking

You know how you put us together

All the fire, all the power in us

We worship you with our thoughts

And with the energy of our lives

We worship you with our choices Lord

Obedience means moving forward

The Word of your Spirit

Is more powerful than anything else

Help us to know this well

And live like we know it

Your will is love

Your way is perfect

You are entirely good

There is no exciting, wild and creative tendency in us

That is apart from our God

We want to know our incredible Jesus

We want to bless you

You created motion and momentum.

You understand why your church is restless at times

Thank you for the dreams you dream with us

You are the beautiful genius, Holy Spirit

You have a strategy

Your Spirit is whispering it to us

This Valley is yours

Made to contain the worship of Heaven

Fill us with hope

Help us move past our own lives

So that we can join together in the vision

You created motion and momentum.

You understand why your church is restless at times

Thank you for the dreams you dream with us

You are the beautiful genius, Holy Spirit

You have a strategy

Your Spirit is whispering it to us

This Valley is yours

Made to contain the worship of Heaven

Fill us with hope

Help us move past our own lives

So that we can join together in the vision

You long for your glory

To be expressed through us

You are steadfast

You have all authority over our region

Thank you for your faithfulness to us

And your patience as we grow

If we are looking at you

We are not going to fall

When we suffer

You invite us close

You make our hearts bigger

So that we can hold more of your presence

You teach us that leaning on you

Is abundant life

Thank you for being our comforter

Jesus, prince of peace

You quiet us with your love

Free us from old thinking

That steals the fun

From running after you

Renew our minds

We want to be in touch with what you are doing

Right now

You are what we look forward to most

You are our life

And we want to discover you all of our days

The Heart of Radical Generosity

Generosity is who we really are. 

This becomes increasingly clear when we understand that at the very heart and core of being a Christian is generosity.  When we understand the transforming power of love and a generous God at work in our lives we cant help but begin to respond to the divine nature, our new DNA and heart God has placed with in us.

The VERY NATURE of God is love and generosity.

Over the last few weeks I have been inspired by one of the greatest examples of generosity found in the Bible. It's the story of the Macedonian church responding to a need for help that another church was experiencing.  (The Jerusalem church was experiencing a famine) 

What's interesting is the fact the Macedonian church were experiencing their own need and struggles and could very easily have just said: 'No!'  'We Can't!' 'We have our own problems!'       ...........which too is often our default human response. 

Instead their first response was: 'We want to help!'  Flowing out of their new DNA, they begged for the opportunity to help with this need.  They wanted to be involved. They wanted the priviledge of sharing.  (Imagine if this attitude really caught on in our lives and in our churches....)  

• 2 Corinthians 8  ¹ And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ² Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. ⁵ And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.

Following are a couple of observations, key attributes we find embedded in the heart
of radical generosity.

My Generous Grandson Jacob bringing
 Flowers and a Big Leaf to his Nana

1.   Grace of God

We see this in Vs 1.   When we think of the Grace of God we cant help but remember how we are recipients of undeserved favour, the goodness of God, unconditional love, his mercy and forgiveness.  It's almost overwhelming to think about it. 

It's the personal experience of God's grace and new DNA with in us that moves us I believe to greater generosity. 

Matthew 10:8  'Freely you have received, freely give.'







2.  Overflowing Joy

Vs 2 'Their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.' 

The reality is, the God of hope had filled the Macedonian believers with overflowing joy. 
Poverty may have been their current circumstance but it was not their DNA.  The Macedonian church refused to let their difficult circumstances determine their mindset or their future actions.  They were not going to be slaves to a spirit of poverty.  INSTEAD......they choose to give out of who they really were, not just what they had. 

The good news is generosity helps break the spirit of poverty.  As Christians our new God nature, DNA is rooted in an abundance of God's Grace and Overflowing Joy rising up with in us in rich generosity.  We are being ruled by a different kingdom, the Kingdom of God that has more than enough being released through your life and mine.

Let us commit ourselves to being who we really are; radically generous.  Practice paying attention, looking for opportunties each and every day where you can abound in grace, overflow with joy and radically give. 

Give out of who you are, not just what you have.

• 2 Corinthians 9:7,8  For God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.'

Be Radical
Pastor Dave Postal

Another Encouraging Resource:  Give Every Day

2012 Comox Valley Prayer Declarations

This past week a number of Comox Valley churches joined together in united and passionate prayer, each morning and evening, (Different Church Each Day) praying that 2012 will be a year of breakthrough and increase of God's favour and presence in our valley. 

One thing special that stood out during the week was the blessing and honour given to each pastor, leaders and congregations for the unique role each contributes to the Body of Christ here in our Valley.  It became clear again, the more we honour and appreciate one another the more we can experience the benefits and blessings of one another.

• On Friday night, many gathered at the Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church for a great evening of celebration, corporate worship and prayer.   The presence of God was strong and inspiring.  At one point during the evening, Pastor Barry Falk led us in a time of declaration and breakthrough prayer.  As you read below, you can join in agreement with us as we believe for more in 2012.

2012 Prayer Breakthrough Declarations    

In the Church

1. For increasing testimony of the manifest presence of God



2. For increased conversions and baptisms



3. For amplified participation in corporate as well as individual prayer, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines leading to more effective discipleship



4. For decrease in divorces and renewed commitment to marriage between a man and a woman in covenant relationship as God intends



5. For imparting faith to children and youth as parents are equipped by the church to become primary disciplers of their children



6. That among churches, there would be a passionate pursuit for the well-being of our cities through the planting of new congregations, benevolent ministries, practical service and focused evangelism



7. For greater Commitment to radical generosity as evidenced by compassion ministries and global missions



8. For improved health among ministers as evidenced by their joy, decreased resignations, healthy loving relationships within their families, and an increased response among young people called to the ministry



9. For Christians involved in bold witness accompanied by miracles, dramatic conversions and Holy Spirit empowered victories over evil



10. For heightened expressions of love and unity among all believers, as demonstrated by the unity of pastors and leaders 

In our Culture

11. For breakdowns of racial, social and status barriers as Christ's church celebrates together - Jesus!


 

12. For restoration of morality, ethical foundations and accountability among leaders of church and government, business and politics



 

13. For transformation of society through the restoration of Christ's influence in the arts, media, and communications



 

14. For increased care for the hungry and homeless, the most vulnerable and needy


 

15. For young adults, students and children embracing the claims and lifestyle of Christ through the witness of peers who live and love as Jesus



 

16. For community and national leaders seeking out the church as an answer to society's problems



17. For increased care for children as "gifts from the Lord" as the gospel addresses abortion, adoption, foster care and child well-being



 

18. For righteous relations between men and women: decrease in divorce rates, co-habitation, same-sex relations, sexual abuse, sexual trafficking, out of wedlock children and STD's



 

19. For awakening to the "fear of the Lord" rather than the approval of people, thus restoring integrity and credibility



 

20. For neighborhood transformation and an accompanying decrease of social ills through increased expressions of "loving your neighbor" in service, compassion and unity

Let us continue in prayer throughout 2012 believing that Our God is Able......"to do more than we could even ask or imagine according to his power at work with in us.'   Ephesians 3:20

Now Is The Time
Pastor Dave