Hello White Bluff! As I type this article for this month’s newsletter, today, May 5, 2022 is Cinco De Mayo and National Day of Prayer. While the 5th will be past when you read this, it is a reminder of the importance of prayer in everything that we do. As a wise person once said, “Instead of being a person who prays, try to be a person of prayer.” That should be our aspiration in life… to commune with our God, Yahweh, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in all things. For what can we pray? While by no means exhaustive, here is a list that comes to mind in the “ACTS” mode of prayer. The ACTS prayer model is a very good way to focus our hearts of Who God is and What He has done before we turn our hearts to asking Him for His continued work.
Adoration: During this time, focus directly on God, adoring Him for Who He is– His names, His character, His roles, etc. Worship and praise God with your heart, mind, and voice. I Chronicles 29:10-13 says, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”
Confession: When we acknowledge Who God is and adore Him for all that He is, confession is a natural follow-up. For we cannot stand before the throne of a holy God with sin between us and our Savior. Thank God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins! I John 1:4-9 says, “And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Thanksgiving: This is a time for prayers of thanks for what God has done. Thank Him for salvation, the many blessings in your life, protection, provision, open doors, opportunities, and His gifts to man. I Chronicles 16:34 says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Supplication: Prayers of requests. This is the time to ask God for His divine help to meet needs, solve problems, work in someone’s life, etc. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Prayer should not be arduous, but exciting! The God who created us stands ready to hear us and to answer our requests in His time and way. As Toby Mac would say, “We’ve got to pray just to make it today!” Let us pray.
In addition, I am excited about the upcoming Sunday emphases and some of our special events. While not all inclusive, here is a rundown of the next several weeks. Please pray a prayer of God’s blessing and provision over these!
Sunday, May 15 @ 9:30: Suzanne will have piano students playing in the worship service! You will not want to miss it.
Thursday, May 26 is Ascension Day. Luke 50: 50-53 says, “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
Sunday, May 29- Sunday, Sept 4: White Bluff celebrates business casual dress from Memorial Day to Labor day weekends.
Sunday, May 29 @ 9:30: On Memorial Day weekend, we will remember and honor those in our military who gave their all.
Sunday, June 5 @ 9:30: Pentecost Celebration. Happy Birthday Church! Wear your red as we remember the day in Acts when they spoke in many native languages and the Church was born.
Sunday, June 12 @ 9:30: Trinity Sunday: We will discuss Yahweh- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and how God has always existed as one God with three parts.
Sunday, June 19 @ 9:30: Father’s Day and Juneteenth: We will celebrate our Fathers during the sermon time and honor the day when slaves were emancipated in America.
Saturday, June 25 @ 12:30 pm: Vacation Bible School kickoff with Food Trucks and more!
Sunday, June 26- Thursday June 30 from 5:30-7:45 pm: Vacation Bible School.
There is a lot going on at White Bluff! I am excited to celebrate the goodness of God with you.
Blessings,
Barry
Senior Pastor
