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  1. Pray Alone: Jesus would regularly seek out isolation to pray

“even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”

Luke 5:15–16

Drawing close to God privately prepares you to draw close to God alongside others.

                        2.     Pray Together: Jesus also prayed publicly for others, so       they could agree and as an example.

Jesus encouraged us to pray together so we can join in agreement. Why not with your family and loved ones in your own home?

 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:19–20 

  1. Prayer should be direct and simple. There is no need for it to be intimidating. God values direct and simple prayers. The religious leaders in Jesus’ day made prayer complicated, and He was not impressed.

 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Matthew 6:5–8 

  1. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us even when we don’t know how to pray

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Romans 8:26–27 

  1. Prayer is inviting God into your circumstances. He cares about every detail of your life. Put it ALL before God

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6–7

Online Hymn Library

  1. Hymns

https://www.sermonaudio.com/hymnlist.asp

  1. Opry

https://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/countrygospelsonglyrics.html

  1. Contemporary

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=contemporary+worship+songs+with+lyrics

Online Children's Bible Study Resources

https://missionarlington.org/mission-arlington-curriculum-2/

Home Bible Study

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/

Home Communion

  1. The early church met in the homes of believers. Breaking bread [communion] was one of their early practices

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Acts 2:42

  1. Communion is a remembrance shared among believers. There is no need for a specially designated clergy member for an act of remembrance. We all have the status of priest if we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and are letting Him build us up.

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:5

 “you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:9

  1. Communion is an act of remembrance that has special significance, so you should prepare yourself with prayer and repentance. Paul was telling a church full of sinners and controversy how to handle communion. Practicing communion can be an act of peace in your household.

“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

1 Corinthians 11:27–28

  1. What we commonly call the words of institution are taken from Paul’s instruction to the church at Corinth. They are not a special blessing, but a direct reading from the Bible. You can use them for your own celebration of Communion.

“On the night He was betrayed, Jesus took the loaf, blessed it and broke it and said, This is My body which I give freely for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

  “After the supper Jesus took the cup, blessed it and gave it to His disciples saying, This is My blood of the New Covenant given for the remission of the sins of many. Take, and drink from it.”                                                                                                                       

1 Corinthians 11:23–26

 

Posted by Monte Bowers

Be A Flame Thrower!

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IF: Gathering is an annual women’s conference held in Austin, Texas, equipping women to be disciple makers. IF: Local takes the large IF: Gathering event to local churches and living rooms, featuring the live stream of several incredible speakers and a time of Christ-centered worship. A group of ladies from West Twin Grove gathered over 2 days to attend the IF: Gathering at IF: Local site, Eastview Christian Church in Normal. Here’s what was impressed upon the hearts of the thousands of women gathered around the globe: Be a flame thrower! In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, Paul writes to Timothy “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline”. Remember the Sunday school song, “This little light of mine”? When we all have little lights that show the world we are God’s children, we make an impact that spreads light to others- spreading the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. However, if we were to fan that little light into a giant flame, a roaring fire, others could not deny its strength, its power and its heat. The flame becomes contagious. Instead of spreading little lights around the world, what if we threw flames? To be a flame thrower, we need to believe we have something worth throwing. Our faith needs to be so big it engulfs everything around it. It consumes our life- our decisions, our relationships and our conversations. One speaker at IF: Gathering, Vivian Mabini, used a great illustration for seeing real change in our walk with Christ. She had a large pitcher of milk on a table. While talking, she poured an entire bottle of chocolate syrup into the milk. The milk sat at the bottom while she continued to talk. Then she obviously stated that the pitcher was now chocolate milk and stuck her finger in the milk and tasted it. But, it didn’t taste like chocolate milk….yet. Then she took a spoon and stirred it. NOW, it tasted like chocolate milk. In the same way, we begin our faith journey in knowing Jesus and asking him into our hearts, like pouring chocolate into milk. But until we do anything with it, we haven’t stirred anything around, we haven’t fanned the flame so we don’t look different (or in this case, taste any different) than before we knew Christ. When we’ve poured fuel on the fire, allowed the fire to consume our everyday and start throwing flames, we have made a visible change others can see and recognize. The world is full of unbelieving believers, comfortable with our tiny candles in our laps, unwilling to share the flame. Let’s be flame throwers!

 How?

  1. Surrender to God. God, how do you want to use me to grow your kingdom?
  2. Be obedient. When God says move, move. When He speaks to your heart, listen.
  3. Be a disciple maker. Building the fire means sharing it with others. Choose just one person to pour into, teach and mentor. Love and listen to him/her the way Jesus would.

Lastly, a fire dies out if it’s not tended to. Keep careful watch on the flame that’s burning- the passion and fuel for your faith. It’s easy to be consumed and distracted by the bright light of the things of this world. “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17

Posted by Nicole Kohler

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