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STAND AND STAY
STRONG
My hope and prayer for 2006 is that you and I grow,
stand and stay strong…all year long. I’m sure you share
that desire. I know God does. However, you and I know
that withstanding the challenges and influences of a
culture gone bad is no easy task. So, what it’s going
to take?
In 2 Timothy, Paul encourages and challenges Timothy to
do exactly this…be strong…endure…don’t give up, ever!
Inspired by Paul’s encouragement and guidance to
Timothy, we began 2006 by looking to God and and
studying His practical, powerful Word in 2 Timothy. God
has impressed three key things on me during this study:
1) Believing, really believing, that the promise of
life is in Christ enables you to stand strong
Paul laid it out plain and simple in 2 Timothy 1:12,
“I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed,
and am convinced that he is able…” Do you really
believe God is able? Are you experiencing God’s
absolute “able-ness” in your life?
2) Receiving, really receiving, the help and support
of others helps you stay strong
Timothy had the support of his mother and grandmother,
the people in the church and the apostle Paul.
Paul clearly shares his love and commitment for Timothy,
“I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so
much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!” 2
Timothy 1:2 (MSG)
Do you have someone investing in your life like this?
Are investing in someone else like this?
3) Applying, really applying, what you already have
will help you grow stronger
Don’t wait until you think you’ve got it together.
God’s already blessed you with so much. So, believe and
obey what He says. Give, serve and share…here…now.
Paul encourages Timothy to trust God by applying what
God has already given him, “This is why I remind you
to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when
I laid my hands on you.” 2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT) How are
you doing in this area? Are you waiting for “more time”
or a “less demanding schedule” before you wholeheartedly
invest your life in a way that promotes God?
So, what does all this have to do with practical life
and ministry at Crosspointe? Below, I’ve listed several
areas I would like you to join me by putting
believing, receiving and
applying into practice:
Staff & Leadership: 1) Male Leader for Student
Ministry, 2) Finance & Facilities Coordinator & 3)
Family Camp Coordinator – continue in prayer to ask
(apply) that God provide (believe) the individuals we
need (receive).
Property Tax Exemption – pray (apply) for God’s
orchestration (believe) of the decision process
concerning our application to be exempted from annual
property taxes (receive).
Affirmation of our new elders Steve Meadows &
Kelly Wilson – thank God (apply) for raising up these
two men (believe) to help shepherd and lead our church
(receive). Also, support the 2006 elder team (Lin,
Cliff, Steve, Kelly) at a time of commissioning on
Sunday, February 12th.
Strong in Christ,
Mike Deese
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