Wow, what a day in worship at the First Mount Zion Church had this past Sunday. God is truly faithful for the atmospheric change in houses that are determined to worship and work for Him. Our early morning prayer was great, our Sunday School class was outstanding, which sparked a new emphasis for our bible class. For in days such as these, when the ills of society have begun to make people think more and more about their own mortality, there is a great need to study intently in a classroom setting, the great book of Revelation. So beginning in March, we will do an exhaustive and extensive study as a congregation on Revelation. Please pray for our church and this effort to grow stronger in the knowledge of the Lord.
We continued our exposition on the book of Ezra entitled Restoration and Rededication, with our study of Ezra chapter 5:1-17 which I tagged the Determination of a Devoted Church. Here in chapter 5, the children of Israel had just experienced severe opposition to their work on the temple in chapter 4, and 15 years of inactivity had just passed, where the Jews focused on making their own houses look nice at the expense of the House of God. It was then after 15 years, they decided to get back to work on rebuilding the temple for the Lord. they became determined to never let their opposition keep them from doing the Lord's work. God is looking for a people that is willing to stand firm against their enemies and complete the Lord's work no matter the cost. I will post the outline on tomorrow.
Our church has also taken a hit this week with extended members of our church family going home to be with the Lord. One was a senior who lived a long and fulfilling life, and the other was the tragic death of a 24 year old woman at her office. We have two homegoing services back to back this week, our church and myself really needs your prayers to assist us in making it through this tough time.
I have not opined about sports lately in my posts, but after an extremely difficult 6 game road trip out east, which began with the horrific injury to my New Jersey brother, Andrew Bynum, and finishing the trip with games against the Celtics and the Cavaliers, mixed with a 61 point game in Madison Square Garden by Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have made the statement that even withouth Bynum, they are the BEST TEAM in the NBA bar none! This is the most exciting year in basketball since the glory days of Jordan, Pippen and the Bulls. And with Alex Rodriguez' admission of steroids and the end of football season, we all had better begin appreciating the greatness of this NBA season. Can't wait!
4 comments:
Praying for you and your church to hold on during tough losses of membership.
But, Lakers...UGH! Go, Bulls!
Pastor Mann,
I am in prayer for you and your congregation during this time of testing and trial. Meanwhile, I'm sure they are being blessed through the faithful exposition of Ezra and are licking their chops in anticapation of your Revelation series. I had the joy of teaching through the book of Revelation last year at our church and I must say their curiosity was stirred. Stay the course my brother! God be with you.
Praying for you Lance as always.
Keep going, we got ya brother!
Tony R.
I will continue to pray for you and all that concerns you, particularly your congregation as you lead them through the lost of these beloved members.
NLT Numbers 11:17 I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.
God will see you through
Ron
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