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 FIVE PRINCIPLES OF THE MASTER’S PLAN
FOR MAKING CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
Robert Coleman tells us that Jesus method was men. “It all started by Jesus calling a few men to follow Him. This revealed immediately the direction His evangelistic strategy would take. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow…. Men were His method of winning the world to God.”
1. PRAYER AND FASTING
2. THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD
3. THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4. GENUINE ACCOUNTABILITY
5. RELATIONAL MULTIPLICATION
This month we will highlight the first principle, PRAYER AND FASTING. We cannot take any shortcuts to becoming a people of God who make Christlike disciples. It must begin as we pray and fast for an outpouring of God’s grace and wisdom in our lives. I am calling on the church in Eastern Michigan to pray and fast for the miraculous, supernatural move of God in our church in bringing the lost to Jesus Christ, and in enabling them the grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.. With God nothing is impossible. Nothing is even hard. God has a thousand resources that we have not even considered.
Consider the plight of Jehosophat in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 when he called the nation of Israel to fast for divine intervention in the face of an enemy with overwhelming superiority in warfare. Here are three principles for you to contemplate.
GOD ANSWERS PRAYER WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD ADD FASTING TO THEIR PRAYERS
J. G. Morrison – “Our contention is that whenever God’s people sincerely fasted before the Lord it enabled Him to do what otherwise He was unable to do.”
Fasting is a gift entrusted to us by God. He has given us the ability. He has given us the opportunity. He has given us the privilege. He has given us the duty.
Fasting enables God to do what otherwise he cannot do for the local church, for our families, for the community, and for the nation.
Here are some things God cannot do that fasting enables Him to do:
- God cannot bring miracles to disobedient people. Prayer and fasting will bring us into obedience.
- God cannot bring revival to a church that will not pray and seek His face. Fasting brings us to a place of seeking God in prayer.
- God cannot perform signs, wonders, and healings for people who will not believe. Fasting brings us to believing ground.
- God cannot awaken the unsaved to the gospel until the church fasts and prays. Fasting brings us into a life of effective intercession for the lost.
GOD ANSWERS PRAYER WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAY IN AGREEMENT SEEKING HIM
E.M. Bounds – “God Says Prayer is Essential.”
We agree with confidence in God’s power. We have confidence according to His past performance. We have confidence as we stand in His presence. We have confidence as we cry out to God to save.
We agree in the confession of our need. We acknowledge before God that we need Him to destroy our enemies, we need Him to come to our rescue, and we need Him because we are without knowledge or power.
We agree in the congregation. We come together to seek the Lord. We come together to stand before the Lord, including the men, the women, and the children.
There is power when God’s people come together in agreement that moves God to action. Matthew 18:19-20 -- 19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
GOD ANSWERS PRAYER WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD HAVE FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD
Three principles of Biblical Faith
Faith must have an object. The object of our faith is God, and not just any God. The object of our faith is the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The objective of our faith is believing God, according to His Word and according to His revelation in Christ Jesus.
Faith must risk something. To demonstrate faith in God you risk ridicule, you risk pain, suffering, persecution, and death, and you risk disappointment with God.
Faith must persevere. Real faith in God perseveres in prayer until the answer comes. Real faith in God perseveres in believing God until the answer comes. Real faith in God perseveres in fasting until the answer comes.
We must be convinced that God answers miracle prayer. If we were convinced that God brings miracles to His people when they fast and pray, when they offer prayers of agreement, and when they pray in biblical faith, would we not pray? Prayer is indispensable.
THANK YOU TO ALL PASTORS WHO REPORT ON TIME EACH MONTH
First Churches to report July Stats by:
Phone: New Covenant Church of the Nazarene
Online: Allen Park Church of the Nazarene
Email: Silver Lake Church of the Nazarene
The First Zone with all churches fully reporting: Lakes Zone (once again)
Second Zone to report fully: Livingston Zone
Third Zone to report fully: Ann Arbor Zone
Fourth Zone to report fully: Detroit East Zone
Congratulations to all for a fabulous job of reporting this month!
Jot me an email note with any questions or suggestions at scnnazpastorgary@charterinternet.com. God is growing a great church in Gregory. We are blessed to be a part of his great kingdom work!
Yours for His Kingdom,
Gary A. Slusher
Chairman, EMD SDMI
First District Ladies Tea A Great Time
It is my pleasure to report the District Ladies Tea was a huge success in every way! We had 72 reservations available and filled 71 of those reservations. We received many great compliments and comments on the Tea from those who attended. A delicious luncheon was served with tables beautifully decorated with a Sunflower theme. A program followed.
We especially appreciated the new sound system, staging, and latice backdrop that was set up under the direction of Larry Betz. It helped to make the Tea a first class event.
We are making plans to have another Tea at Campmeeting next year. We expect to double the number of ladies next year. We have addresses of each lady who attended the Tea, and they will be the first to receive mailings of upcoming events and resources handed out at the District level.
Linda Hall
Women's Ministries Director
Christian Singles Get Away Weekend
There will be a Christian Singles Get Away on October 5, 6 & 7, 2007 at Indian Lake Nazarene Campgrounds in Vicksburg, Michigan. This event features guest speaker Jim Pope and music by Dan Evans. If you are interested in attending, you can download the registration form for this event from the district Web site.
Senior Adult Retreat - "Being the People of God"
Our Water's Edge Campground in Howell will be hosting a time of Worship services, workshops, fun & fellowship, activities and much more for senior adults on October 1st through 3rd, 2007. The special speaker will be Dr. Ron Blake, senior pastor of Detroit First Church of the Nazarene. To register for this event, please download the registration form from emdnaz.org.
Williams Lake Hosts District Men's Ministry Breakfast
Date & Time: Saturday, September 8th from 8:00 to 10:30 AM
Location: Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene at 2840 Airport Rd, Waterford, MI 48329
Rev. Charles Bledsoe will present a mini-seminar on the book Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow. This book is the result of years of study and interviews with men and churches across the USA & Canada. David’s discoveries are down to earth and insightful. For more information, contact Rev. Charles Bledsoe 248-894-9718 or CharlesBledsoe@comcast.net.
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Golden Anniversary (50 years!!) on August 31, 2007 for Rev. Richard M. and Mrs. Donna Bruce. Rev. Bruce was former pastor of Tecumseh Church of the Nazarene. Here is their information:
Eastside Mission is again open (as of August 6) to accept donations! During our "down time", cleaning, painting, and general sprucing up of the place (photo below, right) was done with a great group of volunteers under the direction of our Director of Development, Rev. Roger Lutze.
Roger is also still working on the golf outing coming up in September. Please contact him at