The Power of 5

What is it? It's a Bible reading plan. You commit to reading the Bible at least 5 times per week. We commit to helping you. As a church family we will read the entire New Testament together in 2008!

Click here for January - June Reading Schedule

Click here for July - December Reading Schedule

Why 5 times? According to research conducted by Back to the Bible’s Center for Bible Engagement, those who engage in Bible reading four or more times per week experience life much differently than those who don’t! Indeed, statistics show a much higher level of health and stability despite life’s constant challenges.

What are the stats for
less than 4 times?

Those who DON’T read at least 4 times a week are much more likely to have:

· marital infidelities

· drug dependencies

· financial crisis

· emotional sicknesses

· other undesirable behaviours

Based on the significance of these findings, we decided to create the Power of 5.

It's simple. It's dynamic. It's life-changing.

Here's how it works:

· Look for the weekly reading schedule in your weekend church bulletin

· Commit to read one chapter each weekday.

· Count on us for encouragement!

What's the power behind the Power of 5? Taking in God's Word is the power; doing it at least 5 times a week is the plan.

[ Credit / Source: Heritage Park Alliance Church ]

From Today's Daily Bread

November 29, 2008

A Convenient Christianity

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READ: Matthew 16:24-28

Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. —Matthew 16:25

So many television programs, so little time to watch them. Apparently that’s what our culture thinks, because now technology allows us to see an hour-long program in just 6 minutes or less! The Minisode Network has pruned episodes of popular series into shorter, more convenient packages for interested viewers. “The shows you love—only shorter” is how it’s advertised. All to make our life more convenient.

Some have tried to make the Christian life more convenient. They choose to practice Christianity on Sunday only. They attend a religious service at whatever church makes them most comfortable. They give a small offering and are nice to fellow churchgoers—nothing that requires much effort on their part. That way they can have the rest of the week to themselves, to live as they please.

That would be a convenient Christianity. But we know that following Jesus is a lifestyle and not a Sunday-only convenience. Being a “disciple” calls for giving up our lives for Him (Matt. 16:25). It’s about living as Jesus calls us to live, daily giving up our plans and purposes for His. A relationship with Him causes us to be concerned with our thoughts, decisions, attitudes, and actions—all to make our life joy-filled for us and pleasing to God. —Anne Cetas

The Christian life is more than just
A prayer of faith made in the past;
It’s dedicating every day
To live for Christ and what will last. —Sper

Faith in Christ is not just a single step but a life of walking with Him.

The Way

John 14:6 (New Living Translation)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:12 (New Living Translation)
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

John 3:36 (New Living Translation)
36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

1 Timothy 2:5 (New Living Translation)
5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:11-12 (New Living Translation)
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Evangelism

August: Evangelism

Every notable advance in the saving work of God among men will, if examined, be found to have two factors present: several converging lines of providential circumstances and a person.

Let My People Go: The Life of Robert A. Jaffray, 50.

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Read about A. W. Tozer

August 15

Evangelism: Gospel Implications

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
--Titus 2:11-12

The fact is that the New Testament message embraces a great deal
more than an offer of free pardon. It is a message of pardon, and
for that may God be praised; but it is also a message of
repentance. It is a message of atonement, but it is also a message
of temperance and righteousness and godliness in this present world.
It tells us that we must accept a Savior, but it tells us also that
we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. The gospel message
includes the idea of amendment, of separation from the world, of
cross-carrying and loyalty to the kingdom of God even unto death.

To be strictly technical, these latter truths are corollaries of the
gospel, and not the gospel itself; but they are part and parcel of
the total message which we are commissioned to declare....

To offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of
Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that
the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold
injury where it hurts him worst. The Set of the Sail, 19-20.

"Lord, help me to proclaim the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth as I present the Gospel today. Amen."

Have the Attitude of Christ

Philippians 2:1-11 (New Living Translation)

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Philippians 2

Have the Attitude of Christ

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,^[a]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges^[b];
he took the humble position of a slave^[c]
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,^[d]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Footnotes:

1. Philippians 2:6 Or Being in the form of God.
2. Philippians 2:7 Greek he emptied himself.
3. Philippians 2:7 Or the form of a slave.
4. Philippians 2:7 Some English translations put this phrase in verse 8.

Special Music Guest- Ramona Nouneh

Blessings!!

Ambrose University College

God is good...all the time!!! All the time...God is good!!!