Todays Events
Upcoming Events
- March 10, 2010
- March 12, 2010
- March 13, 2010
- Believe Middle School EventBelieve Middle School EventBeing held at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, near Florida Christian College. The cost is $69 per person, plus the cost of meals. all day
- Men At The CrossMen At The CrossTime: 8:00 am
Northland Church presents "Men At The Cross." Men at the Cross provides the tools to equip and empower men to become disciple makers for a lifetime. We believe that by the grace of God and through His power we can engage with you to ignite a passion inside the hearts of men to be the leaders they were designed to be. Tickets are $25. at 8:00 am
- Believe Middle School Event
- March 14, 2010
Women’s Bible Study Continues
March 7, 2010 – 5:15 pm
The Women’s Bible Study continues to meet each Wednesday at 7 p.m. On March 10, the ladies will meet at the home of Donna Russell in Hyde Park. For more information or directions to Donna’s home, please contact Donna Russell at djrussell22@yahoo.com.
Series on Money Management Continues
March 3, 2010 – 6:13 pm
Last Sunday, Phil Walter shared the first of three messages in a series entitled, “How to Act Your Wage.” The series is about money management advice from King Solomon. These messages are, especially, helpful for families and singles who are struggling with their finances.
Next Sunday, March 14, Phil will preach the second message in the series. Don’t miss it! Join us at Westbrooke Elementary School, 500 E. Tomyn Boulevard, Ocoee, FL, at 10 AM for our Worship Celebration.
Missionary Judah Tangshing - That he will get approval for a visa to travel to US
March 3, 2010 – 2:53 pm
The Explosive Effect of Prayer
March 2, 2010 – 2:12 pm
Myth Busters is one of my favorite television programs. Jamie, Adam, and their friends conduct various “scientific” experiments to prove or disprove conventional ideas, such as urban legends. One method they really enjoy using is the explosion affect. They love to blowup things, such as toilets, refrigerators, butane lighters, school buses, canned biscuits, and a fake cow. Recently, they experimented to see if a stomach could explode by a person drinking a diet coke and eating Mentos. Certainly, not all of their experiments are rocket science. But, there is something exciting about a sudden burst of energy that changes its environment, such as an explosion.
Well, there’s a verse of Scripture that sounds like somebody set off an explosion in a prayer meeting. (Acts 4:31 NIV) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Can you imagine being in that prayer meeting. Suddenly, you thought an earthquake had hit. But instead, God was shaking the ground where you knelt in prayer. Your prayers combined with others were like a nuclear missile. And, when you left that house, you were covered with the radiation of the Holy Spirit, because God had come into your presence.
God has never shaken the ground where our church prayed together, but sometimes when we pray, I can sense His presence in our midst. It is a sense that someone unseen is moving among us. It is a feeling of joy and peace that is hard to describe. Then, when I leave that place, I carry exciting joy and peace with me. It’s such a wonderful feeling that I want to share it with others.
Now, I don’t need a feeling to convince me that God is near or that He hears my prayers. I believe that because of my faith in the promises He made to us in His word. However, any positive emotion that I feel after I pray is a bonus.
I want you to know with certainty that there is comfort and peace in God’s presence. So, if you have never sensed God’s presence when you pray, perhaps there is something separating you from God; perhaps you are living in disobedience to God; perhaps you are thinking of too many worldly things when you pray. Prayer is a time to be totally open and honest with God, knowing that He sees us as we really are.
We must focus on the Lord when we pray, not on things that are happening around us. We must not think about what we could be doing or will be doing later. Instead, we must examine ourselves and acknowledge that we are undeserving sinners. We must approach God’s throne of grace with true humility. We must let our requests be known to Him and seek His will for our lives. And, we must submit to whatever answer He gives to our prayers. Then, we will begin to recognize God’s presence with us when we pray.
Prayer has always been a source of strength and power for God’s people, and it continues to be a vital part of our lives today.
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil
Copyright © 2010 Philip Walter
Practicing Prayer
March 2, 2010 – 11:40 am
Over the years, I have attended several conferences and workshops designed to teach me about prayer. I have studied my Bible and read several books on the subject of prayer. And, I have preached many sermons about it. But, all that knowledge does me little good if I don’t use it.
Don’t get me wrong. We need to learn about prayer. In fact, Luke, the Gospel writer, tells us, One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1 NIV) Just like those early disciples, we should desire to learn to pray in the way that Jesus did. We can learn much from His example, as well as His teachings.
On the other hand, have you ever thought that learning about the components of prayer is like learning about an automobile? You can study the intricate design of the engine. You can admire the beautiful, flowing lines of the body. You can appreciate the fine materials that are used to create a comfortable environment when you ride in it. But, none of these things compare with riding in the car, especially driving it-putting it through its paces; testing its acceleration and handling.
We can enjoy studying about prayer, but it’s not the same as truly connecting with God in prayer. We must learn how to communicate with Him. Then, we need to practice the skills we have learned. But in truth, prayer is not a ritual-it’s an experience. So, we must “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
Personal prayer and corporate prayer can be times to connect intimately with the Lord-to sense His presence and be filled with the Fruit of His Spirit-His love, joy, and peace. They can be times for us to talk with God and listen to Him speak to our hearts through His word.
So, let me encourage you to reach out to God in prayer everyday. In fact, why not stop for a few minutes after you read this, and spend some quality time with your Heavenly Father?
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil
Copyright © 2010 Philip Walter