Wednesday, October 6, 2010 40 Days of Prayer & Impact: 4 Days to Launch

I am so excited that there are only FOUR DAYS before the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10. As we have been counting down 40 Days of Prayer & Impact, we have been hoping to prepare you to impact our community in a tangible way.

There are only a few days for you to join in with what God is doing through an amazing group of people. First, pray with us. Then, let's intentionally take an active part in seeing the spiritual landscape of our community changed even BEFORE the grand opening.

Looking Beyond Ourselves

Today, we are looking at 2 Corinthians 3:16-18...

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Jesus' message has never been safe. It requires a bold-risk. It requires standing out among the crowd. It is not a message of convenience. It requires us to do hard things — to put others above ourselves. The message of Jesus challenges us to look beyond, and to become part of something greater.

I've heard it said that "we need not think less of ourselves, we only need to think of ourselves less often." Isn't it interesting that as we look away from ourselves, and focus on the needs of others — in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and community — that is when we personally come to know the healing and forgiveness of Jesus? When we surrender completely to God, that is when we experience the greatest freedom.

So let us look beyond ourselves and toward Jesus.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Today's prayer is to look beyond. Imagine what greater things Jesus can accomplish through us, than just ourselves. surrender to Jesus. Ask God to make you less safe, and more dangerous to the enemy, to apathy, and the status quo. Ask to do hard things, not thinking of ourselves but for others. And finally, ask for the freedom that can be yours through a heart broken for the things that break His heart.

TODAY'S IMPACT

As you turn toward the Lord today, the veil will be removed. You will see Him more clearly and in turn, others will see Him more clearly reflected in you. Where in your life, where in your relationships, are you being called to look beyond yourself? As you gaze upon Jesus, who do you need to see more clearly? What bold risk do you need to take to help them turn toward Jesus as well? It is time for true freedom!

Reflect God's glory this Saturday as we serve our community for the Downtown Helena Kids Fall Fest this Saturday from 10am-2pm. Then, you are invited to step beyond yourself into something greater through Encounter Church. Come and bring some friends to the Encounter Grand Opening this Sunday at 5:30pm.