Wednesday, September 15, 2010 40 Days of Prayer & Impact: 25 Days to Launch

Today, there are 25 DAYS before the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10. We are asking you to join us in what God is doing and is going to do in these last 40 days.

Pray with us. Act with us. Imagine the impact we could have in Helena if each one of us is individually involved in making Helena a better place. Imagine the lives that could be touched. Imagine how the spiritual landscape of our community could be changed even BEFORE the grand opening.

Do Something. Take Action.

Today, we are looking at Matthew 16:24 ...

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.

Jesus taught to His followers a way or a path. He talked of faith not as a destination, but as a journey. He spoke of seeking, entering, and encountering the Kingdom of God. More than words or correct beliefs and doctrine, Jesus called his followers to action — to a way of living. And as a result, the earliest Christians were known as followers of "The Way."

We are called not just to believe, but to deny ourselves and follow the way of Jesus.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Many believe in Jesus, but few are willing to follow Him. Few are willing to "take up their cross." And while James 1:22 encourages us to be "doers of the Word, and not just hearers," few are willing to put into practice the words that Jesus taught.

Our prayer today is for God to release us from inaction. Pray that we would to move from believing "about" Jesus, to believing "in" Jesus. Ask God to help you take the words of Jesus seriously when He encourages us to engage the outside world in a tangible way – be salt and light as in Matthew 5:13-16.

TODAY'S IMPACT

Become salt and light to someone you encounter today. Perhaps pay for the meal of the person behind you at the drive-thru window. At Starbucks or your favorite coffee shop, allow someone to go ahead of you in line.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus encourages us to "let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Our challenge today is to not only hear these words of Jesus, but to act on them.