August Daily Prayer #8: Generations

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4)

The Bible has a beautiful balance. The older generation is valued for its wisdom and life experience. The younger generation is valued as those to whom the torch will be passed. Think of Proverbs, the words of a father to a son. Think of our current study of 2 Timothy, the words of Paul to young Timothy. The common theme is a majestic, covenant-keeping God, who loves his people and acts on their behalf.

This vision was expressed in the early days of Lake Baldwin Church, when one of our younger generation folks spoke of creating "avenues for inter-generational connecting." Our hope is that people in every stage of life, single and married, older and younger, will see themselves in the picture!

As for prayer, the Lord Jesus set the example in praying for future generations, in John 17:20--"I do not ask for these (the disciples) only, but also for those (including you and me) who will believe in me through their word."

• Pray for those who are "single again" due to a painful divorce or the loss of a spouse. Pray that they would experience their immense value to our church body.
• Pray for high school graduates, discovering God's purpose for their lives.
• Pray for the treasured folks among us who are over 60, that we would gain from their wisdom.
• Pray for singles in their 20s who will check out LBC this fall. At first, they will see LBC as a "family church" and wonder if they belong, or if they will have the social life they seek. Pray for a growing group that will create new space for young singles. Bonus: pray a bold prayer for college ministry partnerships.
• Pray for parents in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who are in the throes of parenting and professional challenges.
• Thank God for the small groups where young adults are finding community. Pray that these groups will flourish and grow.
• Of course, remember our SPLASH kids and youth. We'll pray for them again this month.

LBC Weekly: 8/10/14

Here’s a picture from our recent membership class. It’s always a highlight to get to know some of the new people that God has brought our way. When you get the opportunity, please say hi to Brad and Kathy Bright, Clayton and Traci Keene, James and Sarah McDonald, Ellane Park, and Jim and Teri Pickering.  Also...please read on for important dates, how to sign up for the daily prayer devotional, and the next weekly prayer gathering Monday evening.

Sign Up to Pray Daily in August!

* The elders have issued a “call to prayer” for the month of August.
* So far, 56 people have signed up to pray daily for the work of the church in light of spiritual opportunities this fall.
* It’s not too late to sign up! Just send an e-mail to Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com (mailto:Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com) . You’ll be included in the daily devotional and prayer requests.
* Check out a 2-minute video giving the heart and history behind the August Call to Prayer. Click here (http://vimeo.com/72191000) .

Worship This Sunday at 10:45

* Jim Cunningham will continue our series on “Keeping the Faith,” with a message from 2 Timothy 4:9-18. In this personal passage, we learn a lot about friendship, and the part that friends play in helping us keep the faith.
* Jim and his wife, Joyce, have been a part of LBC from the beginning. As an attorney, Jim sought theological training on the side, and gives his time to teaching and helping make disciples.
* Please take some moments to pray for Jim, for our worship team, for SPLASH, and for youth group on Sunday evening.

Dates for Your Calendar

* This Monday at 7 pm: Bart and Judy Johnson, along with Danny and Kim Anderson, will be hosting an hour of prayer at the LBC office, 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando 32814. These open prayer gatherings are being held weekly during our August Call to Prayer.
* Don Sweeting, president of Reformed Theological Seminary, will be preaching at LBC on August 17. Dr. Sweeting is the author of the book, How to Finish the Christian Life.
* Our new series on the book of Exodus begins on August 23.
* Small Group leaders will be meeting on September 13 from 9-noon.
* Hospitality Event September 26: Elders and Wives will be hosting home gatherings for their shepherding groups. Plan on a fun evening of food and connecting with others.

Please remember to pray:

* For Robert and Gretchen Gutman: Gretchen’s mother passed away last week, so pray for comfort for Gretchen who is grieving her loss. Also, pray for the family, as they are in the midst of a stressful move, and even had some things robbed from them yesterday.
* Continue to pray for Vicki Glodo, as she recovers from surgery earlier in the summer. Pray that she will be healed and strong enough to begin her teach in job this month.

In His Grace,
Mike

August Daily Prayer #7: Community

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)

The call to love one another seems to permeate the letters of the New Testament, and this call reminds us of the words of Jesus: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) The beauty of the church is that it gathers so many different types of people. In Colossians, people came from all kinds of religious and socio-economic backgrounds. The cross levels all that, and offers the chance to start afresh, in gospel community. The more we see ourselves as beloved by God in Christ, and forgiven, the more we have the incentive and power to offer that love to others in the new community.

• Pray that the "hosting environment" at LBC will continue strong, so that newcomers will always feel a genuine welcome.
• Pray for children as they come into SPLASH, and for youth as they check out our youth group. Pray that they will form joyful friendships.
• We've seen that small groups offer, for many people, a place to be known and loved. Pray that this will continue and increase.
• Praise God for the way that our congregation tends to rally when someone is hurting or in crisis. We don't yet know of new challenges some might face in the months ahead. Pray that those who hurt will find care.
• Inevitably, and often unintended, hurts and friction and misunderstanding can arise in relationships. Pray that forgiveness, love, and grace will be the norm.
• Today, are you finding it difficult to forgive someone, to let go of the hurt? Pray for grace to forgive, in light of how we have been forgiven by God.

August Daily Prayer #6: Worship

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Someone once said that in the Old Testament, God had a temple for his people. In the New Testament God has a people for his temple. In Ephesians 2:21 we learn that we are growing into a holy temple in the Lord. As we gather for worship, even in a school auditorium, we are a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). And there is gospel in the 1 Peter passage above! Our worship is "acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." God is holy and majestic, and yet, with all our flaws and humanness, we are beloved of God as we offer our worship.

On Sundays, as we drive to church for worship, we often recall this wonderful truth, that God fills the temple of his people as we gather for worship. Today, let's pray together for our worship gatherings throughout the fall:

• Pray for the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in worship each Sunday, revealing the beauty of Christ, working in our hearts, and empowering the music and the preaching.
• Pray for the transition to a new worship leader, and for God's provision for the filling of that role. Thank God for Tim and Angela Inman, serving on an interim basis, along with a great supporting cast of musicians and vocalists.
• Pray for additional musicians to add fullness and variety from time to time. God has always been faithful to raise up volunteers from our midst.
• We have a new sermon series on the Book of Exodus beginning Aug 24. Pray for preparation going on now, and that the epic stories of Exodus will come alive to our hearts. Pray that the story of Moses will point us to the "greater Moses," Jesus Christ.
• Of course, worship is so much more than what happens from the front! Pray for our whole congregation, as we add our voices and hearts and love in worship each Sunday.

August Daily Prayer #5: City

Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

This passage is part of a letter written by Jeremiah to God's people who were in exile in Babylon. The people were hearing many voices about how to handle their exile. Some said the exile would end soon, in two years. There was the temptation to be isolated from the city. And there was the temptation to compromise and to become like the city. But Jeremiah urged a better way. Establish a presence in the city, building houses and raising families. Pray for the peace of the city, and seek its welfare.

We, too, are exiles, according to 1 Peter 2:11-12. "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul. Keep you conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Today, let's pray for the neighborhoods and work environments where God has placed us. Let's pray for the peace and welfare of the city.

• Pray for those doing "good deeds" in the name of Christ: Elevate Orlando, 306 Foundation, Grace Clinic, Jobs Partnership, Women's Dress for Success, Second Harvest, and others.
• Pray for all of the churches in the city who are preaching the gospel. Pray that churches will flourish and be a blessing to the city. Pray for new church plants, such as Christ United Fellowship, where Mike and Lucy Aitcheson are planting.
• Pray for the people in your neighborhood, your part of the city. Pray for the Spirit to work in hearts, and for common ground relationships with our neighbors.
• Pray for the teachers, students, and families at Glenridge Middle School, where we worship. Pray for those kids who are from homeless families.
• Pray for the people of Lake Baldwin Church who are working in jobs all across our city. Pray that their quality of work and love for people will be "salt and light" in the city.
• As we live among the people of our city, pray that God will give us the heart of Jesus, who looked on the multitudes and felt compassion for them.
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August Daily Prayer #4: Focus on Christ

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

It's Monday, and we begin a fresh week in our prayer journey! One of the benefits of extended
time in prayer is that we get to focus our minds and affections on Christ. But there are many distractions! Christians can be accused of being "too heavenly minded and no earthly good." This passage tells us something better. We must be heavenly minded before we can be any earthly good! So press on, even if distracted. Even if the richness of our life with Christ seems hidden for now. We walk and pray by faith now, with the hope that one day he will appear, and we will appear with him. For these moments, let's ask God to renew our hearts for the days of prayer ahead.

• What are the "things on earth" that might be distracting you? If anxieties, cast them on God, for he cares. If sins, acknowledge them to God and turn to Christ for his perfect forgiveness.
• Pray that this month of prayer, even the next few days, will be a time of growing intimacy with Christ. Invite the Spirit to work in your heart, to open your eyes to the things of Christ revealed in Scripture.
• Pray for gospel renewal and spiritual revival in our church, and in our city. Be willing to pray, "Lord, begin with me."
• Someone has defined revival as "a new beginning of obedience to God." Christ is seated at the right hand of God, ruling even now in his church and in our hearts. Invite him to be your King today.
• Pray now for the 50+ people at LBC who are joining you in prayer. Pray for their intimacy with Christ and renewal in him.

August Daily Prayer #3: Deacons

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)

Jesus Christ himself set the pattern for serving when he said in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Though all of us are called to serve one another, our deacons hold a serving office, mobilizing the congregation for deeds of mercy and service. In writing to Timothy, the Apostle Paul must have been mindful of the rigors of serving, over time. One deacon recently told me of a recent time of going through some difficult challenges. Yet he sensed the Lord's call this summer to offer help and ministry on behalf of others. Such a deacon gains "good standing" and "confidence in the faith."

• Thank God for our deacons, elected and called by our congregation: Ernie Traynham, Scott Crocker, Phil Steele, Ravi Jain, Adam Mikkelson, Michael Ballenger, and Drew Hallberg.
• Thank God as well for our deaconesses, who serve alongside our deacons: Candice Holtz and Lynn Steele.
• Choose a name of a deacon you know; pray for their marriage and family; for God's blessing on them professionally; and for their walk with Christ.
• Pray for God's grace on our deacons as they extend care and practical help to folks in our church family who are struggling financially or with their health.
• Pray for the leadership they will bring this fall to our facilities, the serving teams they lead, church finances, use of the deacons fund, global missions, and mercy work in the community.
• Finally, pray for future deacons who will be going through the LBC officers' training and leadership development this fall. 

August Daily Prayer #2: The Nations

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, the ends of the earth your possession. (Psalm 2:8)

This verse is a promise that God the Father is making to God the Son. The reign of Christ will extend to the nations. After his resurrection, Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18). 

"There is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!" (Abraham Kuyper, Dutch theologian and Prime Minister from 1901-1905)

Let's pray for the extension of Christ's reign in the world, and for the part that Lake Baldwin Church plays in the larger story of God's work among the nations.

• Pray about the crises in the world that reveal the gripping need for the gospel: the war between Israel and Hamas; the struggle in Ukraine; the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa.
• Praise God for the fruitful work of missionaries supported by LBC in recent years: Justin and Gayle Gallo (church plant in Salerno), Ross and Lindsay Stowers (Italy), Soon and Erin Pak (returned from 2 years in East Asia).
• Pray for our Global Missions Team, charting the course for future mission trips and global church planting: Ravi Jain, TJ Sellers, Bart Johnson, Christina Nesbitt, and future team members. Pray specifically for wisdom in the selection of an overseas church planting partnership.
• Pray for LBC members engaged in global ministry work: David and Joan Walker, Don Dearing, Doug and Denise Anderson, Elizabeth Pennock, Debbie Iannetti, Matt and Katie Watts, Mike and Molly Tilley.
• Praise God for the reign of Christ, and pray for the coming of his kingdom (Matthew 6:10).

August Daily Prayer #1: Call to Me

Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it--the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:2-3)

Our theme for the August Prayer Initiative is "Call to Me." Call to God because he made the earth. Call to God because of the power of his name. Call to God because he said, "I will answer you." As we pray for the work of Lake Baldwin Church in anticipation of the fall, we acknowledge our dependence on God.

• Take some moments to worship God as Creator.
• Turn the affections of your heart to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who lived a life of prayer and dependence on the Father.
• Acknowledge that we cannot serve him in our own strength.
• Thank him for past mercies in your life, for faithful answers to prayer.
• Are you carrying a weight? Ask for his grace to enable you to rest in Him.
• Pray that God will do "great things" for his glory in the coming months.
• Pick one area of church life that's on your heart, and pray for that.

In less than 24 hours, we have 28 people on the list to pray daily! Thank you for signing up!

LBC Weekly: 8/3/14

We’re happy to announce that the elders have issued a call to prayer for the month of August. Beginning tomorrow, we are asking the congregation of Lake Baldwin Church to take a few minutes to pray for the work of the church as we anticipate the spiritual opportunities of the fall. While we pray throughout the year, we have an annual prayer focus each August. Check out this 2-minute video clip that gives some of the heart and history behind the August Prayer Initiative. To watch the video, click here (http://vimeo.com/72191000) . See below for two simple ways that you can participate.

Why have a special focus on prayer?

* God has promised to answer: “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it--the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:2-3)
* We are dependent upon God.
* We are in a spiritual conflict, and we need the strength of the Lord.
* There are spiritual opportunities ahead of this fall. We plant and water, but it is God who causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Take a Few Minutes to Pray Each Day in August

* Starting August 1, take a few minutes each day to pray for the work of the church.
* We’ll send out a verse of Scripture and a prayer focus for each day. To receive this daily devotional during August, click here (mailto:Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com?subject=August%20Prayer%20Initiative--Daily%20Devotional) .
* The aim is to bathe every aspect of church life and outreach in prayer. We will pray for SPLASH, youth, small groups, worship, missions, the city, the world, our neighbors, and more.

Attend One or More Monday Night Prayer Gatherings in August

* Each Monday night in August,  from 7-8 pm, our elders and wives will be hosting a prayer gathering at the Lake Baldwin Church office/hub. The address is 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando, FL 32814.
* The first one will be this Monday, and will be hosted by Richard and Susanne Hostetter.
* Prayer requests will be provided, and you can bring your own requests. We all need prayer--feel free to come with your own needs.
* We will also bathe the work of the church in prayer, and we will pray for revival and renewal in our hearts, in our church, and in our city.

Worship This Sunday at 10:45

* We will continue our series on “Keeping the Faith” with a message from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. As you read this passage in advance, you might want to ask, “How does the reality of Christ in verse 1 shape our lives?”
* We will gather around the Lord’s Supper.
* Ross Stowers, one of our missionaries, will be with us for an interview.

In His Grace,
The Elders