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Prayer Corner
Pastor Skip Ast from West Valley
Bible Church
has been instrumental in getting local churches in Surprise working together in
the local community. West
Valley has a vision for
being integrated into the community and they preach salvation by faith alone,
in Christ alone. Let's pray for West
Valley and Pastor Skip
that God will continue to work through their efforts to reach the unsaved in
our city. Take a minute and pray for West
Valley Bible
Church right now...
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Vision
Sharing your faith can be intimidating
sometimes - but we are committed to providing you an opportunity (and training)
to share your faith. On April 3rd, Loway Shammas will give a short
training session on "how to share your faith without an argument" just before
tossing you all into the deep end of the pool at our April 3rd "in
the park" outreach. Meet at rotunda #6 at the Surprise Park
(by the lake). The band begins playing at 11 a.m. and the hot dogs start going
out to hungry people - be there and take advantage of an opportunity to share
your faith.
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This Coming Sunday, March 21, 2010
So often we think we know
what we need from God. But God sees our needs in a completely different light.
He knows what is best for us because He knows our greatest need. It can be
difficult to trust God but if we can learn to trust Him it will make all the
difference. Come on out and see what I mean as we explore Mark Chapter 2: 1 -
12 with a message called "He Decides". See ya Sunday.
We're starting a mini-series
of messages from the Gospel of Mark called "Getting Real". Invite your
friends....
Coming up....
April 4 (Easter)
Mark
2: 13 - 17, "A Real Calling"
Real change for the better in your life.
April 11
Mark 2: 18 - 22, "A Real Connection"
Real power for the challenges in your life.
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A Word of Encouragement
Mark 9: 35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve
and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the
servant of all."
The
word servant used here is "diakonos" which means: voluntarily sacrificing
oneself for the needs of others. This is altogether different from the Greek
word "doulos" which means "slave". A "doulos" had no choice - he or she was in
a servile position by force. But a "diakonos" was in a service position by
choice. Jesus was saying that putting ourselves into a position where we are
not seeking our own best position first will result in a greater blessing than
any self-seeking we might desire. For example, in American history Benedict
Arnold is despised to this day as a traitor. During the revolution, Benedict
made decisions based on putting his own best position in first place and the
 result is that he was despised. On the other hand, Col. Robert Shaw of the 54th
Massachusetts
regiment voluntarily put his own best interests last for the sake of his men. What
makes Colonel Shaw's decisions even more remarkable, as a white man during the
1860's, is that the 54th regiment was an all black regiment during
the Civil War. At age 25, Colonel Shaw not only sacrificed his social interests
to lead the 54th (during a time of unjust racial discrimination) but
he also gave his life for his men. As a result, the 54th became one
of the greatest regiments in the war. In fact, their example was credited by
Abraham Lincoln who believed Colonel Shaw's bravery and the sacrifice of the
men of the 54th turned the tide of the war. When we willingly sacrifice our own
best position for the service of others we make history in a very different way
than when we try to put our own best interests first. What kind of history are
you making with your decisions?
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Thank You
Eric French has just
accepted the role of "Inside Foreman" for Future Quest. Eric is organizing and
leading the volunteers who will help with set-up and break-down for everything
inside the building during Future Quest - everything from stage design to
chairs. It's a big job and we're blessed to have Eric take the lead on this
important task. Thanks Eric.
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Special Announcements
Concert
outreach in the park: Saturday, April 3rd. Surprise park (at the lake). 10 - 2. We
will meet at Rotunda #6. Two concert sets, hot dogs, invitations to church and
a chance to share the Lord - don't miss it.
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