First Alliance Church ATL

Paul sure does pack a lot of ideas into his letters, right?  Each theme could have its own letter or at least chapter, but Paul likes to pack them together.  Let me try to simplify.  Hypnotherapy isn't for everyone.  In some ways, Christianity isn't either.  While Christ died for all so that we could be free from our sins and reconciled to the Father, we come to Christ on His terms rather than on our own.  Christianity and Christian living are not whatever we want them to be.  Our freedom is not for doing whatever we want, but for living according to the Holy Spirit which will lead us away from our selfish desires.  We will be led to love others.  

 

Remember how Jesus called on people to repent?  The heart of repentance involves giving up our agenda and instead taking up the Lord's for our life.  The question that confronts us daily as followers of Christ is: Will we use our freedom to live for the Lord or for ourselves?  The former is living according to the Spirit and the latter is according to the flesh. 

God has revealed Himself and continues to do so today.  Knowing He exists is important, but does not take us far enough.  Having orthodox, biblical doctrine is essential, but still not enough.  God the Father wants us to know Him personally, walk with Him, and experience an abundant life in Him.  Our prayer for the week is: LORD, help us know you better.

Prayer Challenge for the week:

Lord, restore the joy of Your salvation.

Prayer Challenge for the week: "Lord, keep us from stumbling."

The prayer of Agur, Proverbs 30:7-9

Prayer Challenge for the week: "Lord, help me to be truthful and trust in your provision."

Prayer Challenge for this week: Lord, increase the territory of First Alliance Church.

Prayer for the week: "Fight this battle for me, Lord."

We need deliverance from more than just our sins.  We face situations in which we need to be rescued.  There are crippling financial hardships.  There are people who contend with a seemingly never ending list of health setbacks.  There are people who are in the grips of addiction.  There are no shortages of situations in which we come up against our limits.  We need the Lord.  

Jehoshaphat serves as a good example when we face these opponents that we cannot subdue.  Recall 2 Chronicles 20:15.  A prophet declares that "the battle is not yours, but God's" and that the LORD will deliver them.  He did in a mighty way.

Let's pray and see how the Lord responds.