And Finally

What a great way to start the New Year. Thank you for your participation. The answers are on the way. I believe we will be overjoyed by the results. Paul writes verses beginning with “Finally Brothers” as a way of saying, don’t forget this. Final words are important. After all has been said, please remember this! I want you to remember these important truths as you continue to pursue His best in 2014.

I. Be strong in the Lord
Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
This is a reminder of our source of strength. It is HIS mighty power that we rely upon.
Psalm 84:5-7 “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, (weeping, trouble) They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.”

II. Rejoice in the Lord

• Philippians 3:1“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!”
• Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP) “And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.”

TRUE STORY
“A conference at a Presbyterian church in Omaha. People were given helium filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. Since they were Presbyterians, they weren’t free to say “Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.” All through the service balloons ascended, but when it was over 1/3 of the balloons were unreleased. Let your balloon go.” (Bruce Larson)
Don’t be glum … release your balloon!!!
COME ON!!! There is power in rejoicing.

Philippians 4:4 (AMP) ”Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!”

Don’t keep waiting for something tomorrow to make you happy. Have you heard that saying that life is what happens while you’re waiting for something else? Don’t wait for something else to be Joyful. You have the Lord today, rejoice in the Lord!

III. Think Right
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, “He’s so big we can never kill him.” David looked at the same giant and thought, “He’s so big I can’t miss.”
A shoe manufacturer who decided to open the Congo market sent two salesmen to the undeveloped territory. One salesman cabled back: “Prospect here nil. No one wears shoes.” The other salesman reported enthusiastically, “Market potential terrific! Everyone is barefooted.” During WWII General Creighton Abrams found himself and his troops surrounded on all sides. He told his officers, “For the first time in the history of this campaign, we are now in a position to attack the enemy in any direction.” What are you going to dwell on? Don’t dwell on what’s disappointing and confusing. Focus on what is good, what God has done and is doing.

IV. Pray for Us
2 Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” Cheryl and I do covet your prayers. I know many of you pray for us every day. I would ask everyone to make that a habit. We have made a habit of praying for you. Let this be a year that is soaked in prayer more than ever before. The more you pray, the more you pray!!! Prayer is a learned behaviour. You can be come more effective at it.

• Job 22:28 {AMP}
  “You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways.”
• Colossians 4:2 {AMP}
  “Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving”
• Luke 21:36 {AMP}
  “Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.”
• Luke 11:1
  “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
• James 5:16b
  “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”

V . Good-by and God Bless
2 Corinthians 13:11-14
“Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
This is a substantial good-by. AIM FOR PERFECTION He covers a lot of ground there and wraps it all up with my favourite blessing!
Blessings are powerful. We have a command to be a blessing. We as the seed of Abraham will bring blessing to the whole earth.

Finally Be Strong In The Lord!
Finally Rejoice In The Lord!
Finally Think God Thoughts!
Finally Pray For One Another … Pray More!
Finally Good-by And God Bless!

Let me repeat this with Paul over you.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

AMEN!!!

PRAYER DIRECTIVES:

1. Thank Jesus for all the effectual praying that has gone up.
2. Thank God for all of the wonder filled answers that are ours.
3. Thanks God for the wonderful community He is building called IMPACT CHURCH
4. Thanks God for all the salvations, healings, and abundant blessings that will manifest in 2014
5. Thanks God for being so loving and wonderful!

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

13 COMMENTS

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, BRYAN SAID
Thank you Father for anointing us with the oil of joy and gladness. That we can live outstanding lives because we have an outstanding God who causes us to be more than conquerors..great word PK

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, JUDY B. SAID
Thank You, Abba Father for You and Your amazing Love. Thank You for Jesus our Lord and Saviour . And thank You for the Holy Spirit our Helper and Comforter. Without You, we are nothing. With You we are everything. All things are possible with You. We are leaving no unoffered prayers or unasked questions and we expectantly and confidently await your responding actions and answers. I have really enjoyed the Pastor’s postings and everyone’s else responses and prayers. God bless each and every one of you with His awesome and amazing best. May Impact Church continue to be a strong part of His Body. Amen!!!

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, DAN SAID
I AM – the God of the now the ever present help – Thank-you Jesus you are a RIGHT NOW God – we are thrilled to walk with you today, we are excited for the white harvest before us NOW, we are so expectant for greatness today and everyday! Amen to the prayers that we have been praying this week and will continue to release – we go BIG in Jesus name!!

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, SUE MCGLAUGHLIN SAID
inspiring 10 days…wisdom proved right by her actions…anyone who receives instruction must share all good things with his instructor…and…God sees all and we must give an account…a few that come to mind

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, JOHN WATT SAID
Put God first in all that you do and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, FAY SAID
I love this! Thank you!

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, STEFAN NICHOL SAID
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” – Martin Luther I have enjoyed the past ten days of prayer. I truly believe all things are possible through prayer. Many prayers have been said. Let us now do our part in making these prayers come true. Do not sit idly by waiting for someone else to do it. I exhort you all, “To be the change in the world you wish to see”, for, “To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandi.

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, RON MILLS SAID
Thank you, Pastor for a terrific kick-off to the year. What a delight!

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, RON MILLS SAID
Thank you, Father that every spirit directed prayer lives continually before You- until it is answered. Thank for a community of believers that will rise up and declare before You those things You want to do in their lives. Thank you for our church, for our pastors and leaders. Provide wisdom, direction, provision, and grace throughout our journey this year. We declare this a year of substantial increase in every way.. A year of strength, rejoicing, of purity, of progress, of growth, and we declare this to be a year filled with Your glory manifested in our lives. Thank you Jesus.

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, GORD SAID
Thank you Father for the strong sense of purpose, expectation and increasing faith that is present within your people right at the start of this year! As you are the God of increase, these factors will expand, spill over and flood the spheres of influence we all have. Bless our pastors! Bless this church! Bless all who boldly declare the might name of Jesus! Advance Your Kingdom!

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, PAT WATT SAID
Thank you Jesus for truly great pastors who have been your hands and feet extended to us in so many ways over the years. Thank you for their tenacity, their boldness in setting their face like flint to answer their call, to continue to seek you and for their desire for your best for each and every one of us. Bless them, bless them, bless them. May their faith for the impossible, for the above and beyond be manifested NOW, in Jesus name!! Amen!!

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, COLEEN SAID
Yes, much is accomplished through prayer. I will continue to pray and cover the leadership & youth in this awesome body of believers. Looking forward to more corporate prayer! Lord, you are truly amazing.

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014, CHERYL THOMAS SAID
Thanks be to God who causes us to triumph. Thank you God that you hear and answer prayer and that our prayers are never wasted, but are effectual. We declare 2014 to be a year of great rejoicing, because of all you will do through us your servants. PK – great job on the postings, love this format of corporate prayer, and especially loved the community gathering for prayer this past Wednesday. ct