Prayer – Auriesville Tubthumper

To Act or Not: Part 2

Is it appropriate to attempt to be an “Acts Church” today by using the book of Acts as a guide?
Yes and No… let me explain. Certainly the ten points I outlined in the last post will be a great resource to follow and I support the use of them. In fact our churches won’t be too successful without doing those 10 things. So yes, I say we should follow the guide and do our best to carry it out. We need to keep in mind however the differences in culture and their community compared to ours. Without intense study of the culture in Jerusalem at that time in history it would be impossible to understand the vast differences. The response to leadership was different and some things done today were completely forbidden. There was also specific revelation occurring from God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The early converts were praying like we can’t even imagine and God was responding. I believe this issue of prayer is one of our problems but that is another subject. The early church was almost completely a made up of Jewish people before it spread to the Gentiles. (Officially in Acts 15) Our community is much more diverse. Things were done much different back then compared to now and the world mindset was different. I remember a guy saying to me, “Ok, that was the church for then but I want to experience our church for now.” We can be an Acts church but must modify for our contemporary times. It would be impossible to do everything exactly as the Apostles did in the early church.
Secondly I think there is more that God wants us to follow and the Bible provides it. I think if we add Ephesians to the Acts Church we have a winner of a blueprint to work from. We must not exclude the teachings of Timothy, Titus and others.
We know that the primary job of the Church is the ‘Great Commission’ of Matthew 28:16-20) which theoretically is a three part process. One is to make disciples, second is to baptize them, and third we must, “teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” The Church leaders must see to it that disciples are being made. It is their our principle responsibility.
How are disciples made? They are created through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone does not do the same job in the process. Some disciple, some evangelize, some teach, etc… No need to feel guilt if you can’t do everything well. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
A major part of the blueprint for Church today is Ephesians 4:10-16. The main function of the church leaders is to equip the saints for the work of service. And every Christian is a saint, just call me Saint Frank. Church leaders are to be intimately involved in equipping each and every saint. The body of Christ is built up through the process of equipping. So the purpose of leaders is to equip Christians for ministry and not to replace them. The purpose of equipping members for service is so the body can be built up and the ‘Unity of the Body’ can only be achieved through every Christian ministering and supplying the body. When each individual is functioning properly the body builds itself up in love and unity. It will be self-perpetuating because God guaranteed it. The bottom line is that Churches will grow when we as Christians use our Spiritual Gifts in service to the body of Christ.
We need to be careful because looking at other churches through the ages and how other people are doing things has led to decline in Christianity. Churches that are dying are usually mired in tradition or off the path and unwilling to change. We need to be looking at scripture and reading scripture. We need to also be on our knees in prayer. God’s word has all the answers and it is not only in the book of Acts. Albeit Acts is a great place to be and I don’t want to diminish its importance.
The basic point we must remember is that with a guide or not, the church is built up on disciples that are willing to take up their cross and die for the Lord if need be. (Matthew 16:24)
I think I will close with a thought on this church leadership issue: We will all stand before God some day and answer to Him. Many Church Leaders will stand before God and be asked what they were told to do and if they completed it. Many won’t know what He is talking about and won’t be able to say they obeyed. He will ask if they warned the disciples about their accountability for their instructions in the Word. Not many leaders are reading the Word of God any more. The wrath of God will be visited upon disobedient disciples, and will be visited upon negligent church leaders because it is their responsibility to, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28-30) Church leadership comes with an awesome responsibility. Woe to those who scatter my sheep.
Blessings for your day through Christ,

The Tubthumper

1 Stephen Parker, Church Growth Crisis: The Decline of Christianity in America (Oklahoma City, OK: Forever Family Publications, 2011).

To Act or Not: Should we use the Acts Church as the guide?

A lot of people these days believe the church should be trying to do exactly what the early church did in Acts. This is actually where all the small group craze came from. Much of the church growth movement is keyed on this principle as well. So do I think mimicking the Acts Church is how we should do things? Yes and no… You see, the Bible has a lot of information on what God wants the Church to do. We have Acts but we also have Ephesians, Timothy, Titus and more. Let us look at this closer beginning with some points about Acts.

There is no question , the early church gave a good model. Acts 2:47 says, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Some experts have estimated the church in Jerusalem had over 100,000 members. That is larger than many cities.

There are many important principles to follow for Church government. Here are ten examples:
1) Churches should rely on the Holy Spirit’s power. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Church members should have the Lord Jesus controlling their lives. They must let the Holy Spirit take control. Leaning on the Holy Spirit is mostly what is needed.
2) Churches today must nurture a warm fellowship. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common.” (Acts 2:42-44) With a warm, loving and inviting environment new Christians can be loved and grow in the word.
3) Church members must meet together to study the Bible. “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:46-47) They used the temple courts and they met house to house. Both types of meetings occurred. So we must meet at church and we must break bread together and study in our homes.
4) Churches must expand the vision of God. He is in Control. “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.” (Acts 4:24) We already know the Church will survive and Satan is already defeated. Fear thou not because we have all the resources and strength we need. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Christ will build His church!
5) Churches must harness the power of prayer like they did in Acts. From the beginning there has been a spiritual battle going on. Spiritual battles are fought on our knees. Jesus said, “This house will be a house of prayer.” Our Church is to be a house of prayer. In Acts it says, “they prayed” 48 times. Churches need to pray like they prayed in Acts. Churches need God’s power to make us different from the world. (Acts 1:3-4, 14)
6) Churches should be united, generous, loving, and charitable. Our church should be a giving church. The church in Acts was a giving church. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold.” (Acts 4:32-34) We all need to be united and with one mind. Our church should be the place that the needy are cared for. We should learn how to sacrifice for others like the early church did. We should be a powerful testimony to our community. (Acts 2:44-45)
7) Churches must involve everyone in ministry. We find in Acts chapter 6 how this was done. The apostles found men that were specifically shaped and called for ministry. An example is ‘Greek men to minister to Greek widows.’ No one pastor can do everything. God and the Holy Spirit gifts the entire church. The Pastor feeds the flock through preaching and teaching. The rest is up to others. Our churches need to be able to help people discover their Spiritual gifts and then plug them in. The early church sent people out on mission is the community to add to the growth. Don’t allow people to come and just sit on the sidelines. Use the talents and gifts they bring. Not just any people can minister, however, as the position of Deacon is to be filled with men who are currently full of the Holy Spirit. Not one that was filled at one time, but one filled with the Holy Spirit now. Deacons can bless the body and they can bless the Elders by allowing the Elders to devote more time to the Bible and to prayer. Deacons are “hands on” – somewhat a “Buildings and Grounds” people. As they grow they could be appointed to Elder positions. God wants leaders full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, unity, prayer and to stand in agreement. God raises these people up.
8) Churches need to read the Bible and be devoted to the word. It should be heard from the pulpit, it should be read, it should be memorized and it should be meditated on. The only thing that can change lives in our churches today is the Gospel and the Word of God. We need to be devoted to reading the Bible. (Acts 2:14-40)
9) Churches should love and worship with joy. In the early church they practiced Koinonia. What that means is they would fellowship with one another. They were committed to one another and loved one another. Our church members need to protect, care and help one another unlike the world. We also should celebrate Christ together. Church should be enjoyable and we should express our emotion in Church letting go and worshiping with joy. (Acts 2:42, 46-47)
10) Churches should be reaching out to the community for Jesus Christ. The early church reached people for Christ daily. “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:40-41) Evangelism is commanded and we are told to be a witness throughout the world.

Can it work to try and mimic the Acts Church? In the next post I will give you my opinion and expand on what I think we should doing with our church structure.

To go part 2 just click HERE.

In Christ,

The Tubthumper

_____________________________________________________

Steve Davis, Spiritual Leadership Examples from the Book of Acts., http://http:www.stevedavis.org/12%20examples%20from%20the%20book%20of%20Acts.html
Rick Warren, How to Have an Acts Church, http://www.christianpost.com/news/how-to-have-an-acts-church-42320/ (accessed May 1, 2014).

Are we a Bunch of Losers, Part 3

The stark reality of it all…

““Millions of American evangelicals are absolutely shocked by not just the presidential election, but by the entire avalanche of results that came in,” R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, Ky., said in an interview. “It’s not that our message — we think abortion is wrong, we think same-sex marriage is wrong — didn’t get out. It did get out. “It’s that the entire moral landscape has changed,” he said. “An increasingly secularized America understands our positions, and has rejected them.””. From The New York times, November 12, 2012.

Why is America increasingly secularized? Because the ‘The Church’ has failed. We find in the book of Acts how the church should be. How God meant it to be. Let’s take a look at how the church should look to us. I say should.

By reading God’s word in Acts 2:42-47, we can see the first of several assessments of the state of the church. We should first note that the text begins and ends with a statement about the unusual growth of the church. Growth comes from identifying disciples and helping them to discover their spiritual gifts and then equipping and training them to turn their spiritual gifts into ministry that grows ‘The Kingdom’. The church gets built on disciples who are willing to take up their crosses and die for our Lord. (Matt.16:24)

From reading in the book of Acts you can know that in the big picture the Church was meant to be a vibrant, balanced, growing community of disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship comes in response to the Gospel and the Gospel Is Love. In Verse 42 of Acts it lists four of the activities to which the church devoted itself and verses 43-47 serve to further define the four activities. We should, therefore, consider each of the four activities along with Luke’s further description of them.

The four activities of the earliest church are introduced to us as the priorities of the church. These are the four things to which these saints devoted themselves. These were not options. These were the fruit of a genuine conversion and of life in Christ. Here they are and they are not meant to be kept as a secret.

The Apostles’ Teaching: We should focus on one aspect of the apostles’ teaching. The Apostles proclamation of the gospel was recognized as authoritative, due to the authentication of God through miraculous works. Please remember that Peter reminded his audience that the teaching of Jesus had been divinely accredited by the Father. The apostles’ teaching has been preserved in the New Testament Scriptures, so that we have their instruction as well as the early church. We can never over-emphasize the importance of sound, biblical teaching. The Word of God is the foundation and starting point for every aspect of the Christian life. I need to point out that it is the unchanged and complete Word of God I am talking about. Not the false teachings that prevail today. At the conclusion of this series I intend on looking at evaluating your church. If you do not attend a church that has a Pastor or minister expounding on the complete and never-changing Word, giving you the bad with the good and everything in between. You need to find a church that does. It is time we fired the imposters.

Fellowship: The term Luke uses for “fellowship” in the text is a much broader term than our English word. Essentially, “fellowship” means “joint participation” or “sharing something in common.” It is thus a kind of partnership. In Philippians 2:1, the term is used of a common sharing in the Holy Spirit. In Philippians 3:10 and 1 Peter 4:13, it is used of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. In Galatians 2:9, it appears to be a sharing together in ministry. The most common expression of “fellowship” in the New Testament is that of sharing financial and material resources. It was giving to one another when there was a need. One can “fellowship” with fellow believers in a number of ways, including the partaking of meals and engaging in prayer. If Acts 2:44-45 is Luke’s further description of what fellowship looked like in the newly-born church in Jerusalem, then his emphasis would fall on the fellowship of sharing one’s material goods with others. By reading in Acts you will find that no member of the church had a need that went unmet. If there was a need it was filled by another member of ‘The Church’. People took care of each other. That was love. It takes intimacy and closeness. Two scary words for today.

The Breaking of Bread: Breaking bread is not always a reference to the observance of Communion. The expression might simply refer to the eating of a meal together. After he said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all, broke it, and began to eat (Acts 27:35). The sharing of a meal was perhaps the most intimate form of fellowship one could have with fellow believers. In the ancient near-eastern world, when a guest was invited to a meal with his host, it was incumbent on the host to provide protection for the guest. This would partly explain the actions of Lot when the men of Sodom wanted to do harm to his guests (Genesis 19:1-8). The eating of a meal is also used as a description of our fellowship with God.

The Prayers: Luke is telling us that in its very early days the saints in Jerusalem diligently persisted in the observance of the stipulated times of Jewish prayer at the temple. These were newly-saved Jewish believers who were just beginning to grasp the significance of the things they had done as Old Testament Jews, even though they were unbelievers at the time. Throughout the four gospels in the New Testament prayer is emphasized over and over.

This text has been used by many to describe the essential functions of a church. The danger we can run into is that it becomes a “to do” list of activities. If we do all these things, then we feel like we are obedient and in a worse case, we may even be proud that we are biblical. (self-righteous) The test for ‘The Church’ is not just doing the right things. The test is more a matter of having the right attitudes. The success comes from having the right heart and maintaining right relationships. It wasn’t just what the church in Jerusalem did that Luke is trying to convey in his writings. What he wants us to know is how and why they did the things they did. We need to be aware that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus condemned charity, prayer, and fasting that was done in the wrong spirit, and for the wrong reasons (Matthew 6:1-18).

Join me in the next post JUST CLICK HERE and we will have a look at the responsibility of the believer. Is that you? I know it is me.

Until the next time,

‘The Tubthumper’

Intercede for America!

Please pray for our nation. If you pray, and I hope you do, we need prayer, fasting and turning to God in obedience. We need to ask for God’s help in the selection of our nation’s leadership. If you don’t understand the fasting thing then please just be obedient to God and pray. I will be doing my own ting and I pray you will be doing yours. Let us all humble ourselves and cry out to the Lord with one united voice. We must repent and seek His face.

As Christians it is our duty to pray for those who hold elected office in our country. In fact, Scripture commands us to do so. In 1 Timothy 2, verses 1 and 2 it says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

It is also our privilege and our responsibility to vote. After 40 days of prayer, fasting and obedience to God we need to exercise our right and vote. We are at a crucial national, state and local election frontier. We are at a spiritual crossroad and we need to do all we can to elect people who will lead us with Biblical values and return us to our roots. Be sure to register and vote.

Pray for the future of America. We are seeing economic decline in unprecedented terms. We are seeing corruption, secular humanism and attacks on our religious liberties like never before. If you know how to fast do so for prayer and fasting together brings change through the power of God. If you need help regarding the issue of fasting you can seek this great website for guidance http://40daystosaveamerica.com/ . I am not asking you to fast as that is a personal issue. I am asking for prayer. I am asking for a focused daily and consistent prayer for our country. Will you join me for 40 days to lift our country before the creator?

While you pray please remember the presidential election will likely be determined by 7 states. As intercessors, we are to ask for god to move in a mighty way within these states. Please mention them by name as you pray for our God is organized and specific. Ask for Him to move on Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Virginia and Nevada. Certainly do not forget the other states, particularly your own for God can make it happen from anywhere he wishes. I am giving you the human statistical probability as we know it and these states are called the “swing states”.

From the very beginning of America God has moved among us mightily because his movements were preceded by prayer. Over the centuries there have been witnessed triumphs over dark days. Throughout history the presence of God has been invited through our intentional and persistent prayer. The possibilities are endless when we pray! God placed an amazing power in our hands when he gave us the power of prayer and a way to reach the Father. When we humbly seek His face by praying he will answer us and will move to accomplish His desire for our land and for us. Please pray for the direction of our nation. Prayerfully seek His face on a daily basis. Intercede for America. Let us believe our prayers are heard and will make a difference. Let us claim the victory!

Ronald Reagan made a speech to America on February 6, 1986 when he said, “To preserve our blessed land we must look to God…It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us. Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step, in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always.

The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America… Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on Earth. The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace…And God bless you all.”

Humanly speaking… we are hopeless. Our only hope is in the mighty hand of God.

Dear Lord, we come to you humbly today and seek your blessing. Help us dear Lord to listen to you and to heed your instruction. Father, we rest in your presence for you are the anchor of our souls. It is You alone dear Lord that we desire and nothing else can take your place. Father we need you, we love you and we praise you. We pray these things through your son Jesus Christ.

Amen

“The Tubthumper”

Heal Our Land,We Need To Pray

We have an extremely important election this November that needs our attention. I believe in the power of prayer and if ever our nation needed us to intercede with our creator now is the time. I am asking you to join me in 40 days of focused prayer for our nation and our leaders. I am asking all to pray for the healing of our land. Details below…

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”, (2 Chronicles 7:14) There is an absolutely beautiful and appropriate song we sing at church that was taken from this verse and with the name of the title of this post. I am sharing the words with you here.

Heal Our Land by Robin Brooks and Tom Brooks

Lord heal our land, Father heal our land, Hear our cry, And turn our nation back to You
Lord heal our land, Hear us O Lord and heal our land; Forgive our sin, And heal our broken land.

If my people will humble themselves, Humble themselves and pray,
If they seek My face and humble themselves, And turn from their wicked ways
I will hear from heaven, And forgive their sin, I will hear from heaven, And heal their land.

Lord we bow our knee we humble ourselves, Humble ourselves and pray,
Lord we seek Your face, We humble ourselves, And turn from our wicked ways
Father in Your mercy forgive our sin, Father in Your mercy come heal our land.

The Power of Prayer: Right from the beginning of our nation great things have happened due to God’s almighty power and grace toward us. Our land was sustained and protected through the power of prayer. When the early documents were drafted and signed those great men did it prayerfully. We triumphed over many days of darkness by the power of prayer. Through diligent and intentional prayer we have brought the presence of God amongst us. The possibilities are endless when we involve the power of prayer. With God, all things are possible. You and me, we all have an awesome power given to us by God Almighty. As the verse and song says, “When we humbly seek His face through prayer our Lord will act on our behalf and will work His will for us. When we pray for our leaders and for the direction of our nation we can have God’s power to change the direction our nation moves toward.

Please join me in a daily prayer beginning Friday, September 28 and culminating on election-day, Tuesday, November 6, 2012. This is the most critical election in many years for our nation. Join me as we pray for the United States of America, for our leaders and those to be elected to shape the future of our country. Let us claim the promise within 2 Chronicles 7:14. Let’s come together in humility and call upon His name.

If you are signed up to receive this blog by email tt will come to you automatic. You can sign up at top right of the page. If you have sent a “like” to the blog on facebook it will show up on your facebook feed. A prayer will be posted each day for the 40 day period. Please pray along with me?

Matthew 7: 7-8: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 21:22: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

John 14:13-14: And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Philippians 4:6-7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Use these awesome Bible Verses and put them into action by being obedient to what they teach!

Prayerfully,

“The Tubthumper”

Call Him Up, Tell Him What You Want

This post is a little different. I want to tell you about a song I like. I would love to have a great singing voice and always be in pitch but God did not bless me with that gift. I do love to listen to others using that talent though.

Woooo… If you want your body healed tell Him what you want, oooh, tell Him, tell Him, tell Him what you want. Prayer is a lot like picking up your cell phone and making a call. Just go ahead. Dial up Jesus and tell Him what you want. He is waiting for your call.

The Zion Harmonizers have been producing heavenly music for more than 55 years and some of them are over 80 years old. They have been thrilling both ecclesiastical and secular audiences with their accapella sounds and their repertoire of timeless gospel music classics over all those years. I told my wife when I die I want them siinging at my funeral. They have been hugely popular and their music seems to grow stronger and stronger with each passing year. I really enjoy listening to them.

They feature a song on their Greatest Hits album that really its home with me. It is called “Jesus on the Main Line”. I think it was done by Ry Cooder and many others and it is labeled as a traditional song. I like it done with that New Orleans gospel flavor that the Harmonizers use.

Here are the words:

I know Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want ,Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

Well, the line ain’t never busy, Tell Him what you want, Wo, that line ain’t never busy, Tell Him what you want. Well, the line ain’t never busy, Tell Him what you want, Keep on calling Him up, And tell Him what you want.

Well, if you want His kingdom, Tell Him what you want, If you want His kingdom, Tell Him what you want, If want His kingdom, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, You can call Him up and tell Him what you want.

Well, if you’re sick and wanna get well, Tell Him what you want, Well, if you’re sick and you wanna get well, Tell Him what you want, If you’re sick and you wanna get well, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

And if you’re feeling down and out, Tell Him what you want, And if you’re feeling down and out, Tell Him what you want, And if you’re feeling down and out, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

I know Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

Go listen to it soon because the writing does not do it justice.

If you are going to dial Him up on the mainline you need the phone numbers. He has a special phone number extension for each need you have. I am including a few good ones here for you to add into your phone book:

Here is your EMERGENCY NUMBERS…

When you are in sorrow, call John 14.

When people fail you, call Psalm 27.

If you want to be fruitful, call John 15.

When you have sinned and know it, call Psalm 51.

When you worry, call Matthew 6: 19-34.

When you are in danger, call Psalm 91.

When God seems far away, call Psalm 139.

When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11.

When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23.

When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 Cor. 13.

For Paul’s secret to happiness, call Col. 3: 12-17.

For an idea of Christianity, call 2 Cor. 5: 15-19

When you feel down and out, call Romans 8: 31.

When you want peace and rest, call Matt. 11: 25-30.

When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90.

When you leave home for work or travel, call Psalm 121.

When your prayers grow narrow and selfish, call Psalm 67.

For a great invention or opportunity, call Isaiah 55.

When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1.

When you want to know how to get along with others, call Romans 12.

When you think of investment returns, call Mark 10.

If you are depressed, call Psalm 27.

If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37.

If you are losing confidence in people, call 1 Cor. 13.

If people seem unkind, call John 15.

If you are discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126.

If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call Psalm 19.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL EMERGENSY NUMBERS CAN BE DIALED DIRECT. NO OPERATOR NECESSARY. ALL LINES ARE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY! Feel free to pass the numbers on to your friends. They may need them.

Once you start dialing up the mainline it will likely lead you to find some more numbers on your own.

Find that album by the Zion Harmonizers. “The Best of New Orleans Gospel, Vol. 2”, you will really enjoy it!

You can hear and see a little of the Zion Harmonizers by going to this link. http://vimeo.com/32538140 .

God Bless your day,

“The Tubthumper”

1 Stephen Parker, Church Growth Crisis: The Decline of Christianity in America (Oklahoma City, OK: Forever Family Publications, 2011).

Steve Davis, Spiritual Leadership Examples from the Book of Acts., http://http:www.stevedavis.org/12%20examples%20from%20the%20book%20of%20Acts.html Rick Warren, How to Have an Acts Church, http://www.christianpost.com/news/how-to-have-an-acts-church-42320/ (accessed May 1, 2014).

Steve Davis, Spiritual Leadership Examples from the Book of Acts., http://http:www.stevedavis.org/12%20examples%20from%20the%20book%20of%20Acts.html
Rick Warren, How to Have an Acts Church, http://www.christianpost.com/news/how-to-have-an-acts-church-42320/ (accessed May 1, 2014).