Resolution 2014 - Prayer Strategy

As we prepare to launch into a new year, I want to encourage you to write out and commit to a prayer strategy for 2014.  As the new year dawns, many of us will make New Year's resolutions.  In fact, when it comes to diet and health, most of us will have a plan or a new strategy in 2014.  When it comes to our finances or educational goals, many have plans or strategies for success in place.  But what about a prayer strategy?  

This past Sunday, my heart was touched again concerning the importance of intercessory prayer.  In Genesis 18, we read about Abraham's plea for the wicked city of Sodom.  Abraham interceded with God on behalf of Sodom and his righteous life and intercession attracted God's attention.   Job also interceded for his family lest they had sinned against God (Job 1-2).  Jesus interceded with the Father on behalf of his disciples (John 17).

Too many of us lead prayer-less lives.  Why?  Because intercessory prayer is work!!!  It takes time, energy and focus.  Are you too tired, too busy, or too pre-occupied with other pursuits to intercede.  Here's the challenge - In 2014, let's come up with a prayer strategy for our families, our church, and our community.  At New Life, a big part of our mission is connecting you with Jesus and His mission.  We can help you pray!!!

We already have two opportunities for prayer in place at New Life.  Every Saturday evening (6-7 PM) in 2014, we pray at the church office.  I would ask every New Lifer to make a commitment to be present for this prayer meeting at least 1x per month.  Secondly, we spend time in prayer together as a church from 9:00-9:30 AM on Sunday mornings.  You are invited to join us!

What about your personal prayer life?    Do you have a strategy for prayer in your personal prayer life.  We all need quiet time with the Lord, if we are going to lead significant and successful Christian life.  Are video games, netflix, TV or movies stealing away your time in the Lord's presence?

I challenge you to develop a specific plan for prayer in 2014.  Write out when you will pray, where you will pray, and for whom you will pray.  Attending Sunday worship on a regular basis can encourage you to pray.  Participating in a small group on a weekly basis will kindle the fire of prayer in your life.  But, nothing can replace your prayer time with the Lord through out the week.

I'm planning to pray for my spouse and children, my church, our missionaries, and our community on a regular basis in 2014.  During the Daniel Plan I am committing to prayer walk 1x per week and to fast one meal per week.  One of the most exciting realities about intercessory prayer is that intercessory prayer attracts God's attention.

2014 is going to be an exciting year as you commit to a prayer strategy and intercede with God for the needs of our family, our church, and our community.

Daniel Plan is almost here

The Daniel Plan materials have been ordered and the groups start the first week of January.  I hope you will make plans now to join a group or host a group.  We have ordered the Six sessions on DVD, but we need to know how many study guides to order.  So sign up on the web at http://www.newlifecolumbia.org/daniel_plan.aspx as soon as possible.

The New Life Campaign includes a 5K Run/Walk to raise Funds for RISE & Build, plus a challenge to set a weight loss goal and a prayer walk goal.  The Daniel Plan at New Life will run six weeks.  Let's get healthy!

New Heavens and New Earth

The Bible begins with the words, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)  The Bible ends with a similar theme in Revelation 21:1.  John writes, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."  These two verses place every other teaching in the Bible into the context of creation and God's redemptive work of recreation!

God is a creator!  We learn about this characteristic of God even before we come to know him as a sovereign Lord and savior in the biblical story.  Genesis 1-2 tells the story of God's original creation.  Every aspect of our physical world was "spoke" into existence.  God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." (1:3)  By the power of God's word, this beautiful planet flowered and flourished.  Then, God created man and woman and crowned them with his image (1:27).  And this was "good" (1:10, 12, 18, 22, 25), "very good"  (1:31).  In fact, God even "blessed" his special creation (1:28).

Then came the fall and the curses in Genesis 3.  Paradise was lost.  The beauty of God's original creation was beat down by Adam and Eve's sin.  But God was not overcome by their sin!  Man would know God as a redeeming savior--a friend of sinners!  Following Genesis 3, God's plan of redemption, restoration, and recreation becomes the crimson thread of Biblical revelation.  God is a creator, but also a redeeming, restorer, and re-creator!

In the New Testament, Jesus pointed to a day when all things would be made new.   He said, "I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matthew 19:28)

Paul spoke of a personal transformation (Romans 12:1-2) and new creation in 2 Corinthians 5:17.  He writes, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"  Again in Galatians 6:15, Paul writes of this new creation in Christ which is produced by God's Spirit!  

Peter wrote of a new heaven and a new earth in 2 Peter 3:13 echoing the words of the prophet Isaiah when he declared, "See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)  

All of God's story (of which we are a part) culminates in the new heavens and new earth.  In Christ, we have received a "first fruits" or down payment of that new creation promised.  In Christ, we can live above the curse and walk in the blessings of God.  In Christ, we can experience restoration and redemption.  What a bright future we have as Christians!  

In the beginning God created, but in the ending God will create again.  And in the meantime, God is creating something special in you!  Blessings on a great week!  Pastor Tom

The Daniel Plan

The Daniel Plan Small Group Study Guide

Looking forward to January 2014.  At New Life we will be launching a six week campaign called "The Daniel Plan"  It was developed by Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California.  You can go to http://www.danielplan.com for more information.

In January and February all New Life Small groups will workout the six week study together.  And it is a workout (kinda).  The study itself focuses on five aspects of health and wholeness.  They are: Faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends.  I hope you will "get pumped" now about the upcoming Daniel Plan Campaign.  I believe the Daniel Plan can help to make 2014 your best year ever.  Together we can live "DANIEL STRONG"!

Leadership Retreat - A New Anointing

January 2014 we are inviting all current and potential New Life Leaders to join us for our 3rd annual leadership retreat - January 10-11.  The retreat theme is "A New Anointing" and the theme verse comes from Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."  Our guest for Friday evening will be Pastor Ray Brewer, Northern Missouri District Superintendent.  Register at www.newlifecolumbia.org.

The Resurrection and the Rapture

This Sunday, we are focused on the Biblical teaching on the second coming of Christ and specifically the idea of a "rapture" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.  I encourage you to read that portion of scripture, but let me just point out a few things of interest about the rapture.

1) The rapture is connected to the resurrection.  If the resurrection is a historical reality, then so too can we expect a rapture with great confidence.
2) The rapture is a great hope for all believers.
3) The rapture encourages all believers to live for Christ confident of His return.

Join us Sunday as we dig into 1 Thessalonians 4-5.  See you at the ARC at 10:15 AM.  Pastor Tom

Christmas is here! Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Christmas is almost here!  Matthew wrote, ""Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" (1:23)  The miracle of Christmas is that "God is with us!"

I'm sure you have already been out buying presents and listening to your favorite Christmas song.  Won't be long and we will be enjoying some family time around the Christmas tree!  At New life, we want to encourage you to celebrate the real reason for the season . . . the birth of the Savior!

When I think about that first Christmas in the manger in Bethlehem, I am reminded that God works in mysterious and sometimes small and subtle ways.  And He is still working in our world today, but not always in the foreground.  Take time this Christmas to consider all of the ways God may be working in your life and in your world and ask Him how you can partner with Him!

Each Sunday this December, we will focus on "Messiah is Coming" as a way to celebrate the first advent of Christ and look forward to His second advent.  I hope you will join us each Sunday as we celebrate at the ARC.

On December, 24th at 7 PM (Holiday Inn Executive Center) we have planned a very special Christmas Eve Candle Light gathering and invite you and your whole family to join us.

Merry Christmas!  Pastor Tom