January 24, 2021
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT) "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you."
Ultimately and without doubt, if we claim to be people of faith, we know in whose hands our lives and those of our loved ones reside. So why do we worry about things that are out of our control? I am not a psychologist by any stretch of the imagination, nor do I claim to have any uncommon wisdom, but I can safely say that worrying is part of our fallen human nature. It hurts to hear and realize that our worry is a lack of trust in the power of our Lord. I also think that our faith and trust in the Lord is a work in progress. The more adversity that is present in our lives, the more our faith is tested and the more it has a chance to grow.
Here in this letter of the Apostle Peter, he addresses the order of things in the church. He is speaking first to elders/pastors and younger Christians in succession. Surprisingly we learn that trust in the Lord starts with humility. What? You might say, the fact that I am worried doesn’t show that I am humble? Exactly…it shows that you believe you might have some power within yourself to change a situation that only God has the power to change, it shows frustration and impotence.
So am I saying flippantly, don’t be concerned? Not by any means. What I am saying is to come to the Lord prayerfully, with all reverence and respect. We all have our share of concerns these days, some that are pretty heavy-duty. Give the Lord the opportunity to show Himself powerful and faithful!
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done." - Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Your brother in Christ,
- Mark
Ultimately and without doubt, if we claim to be people of faith, we know in whose hands our lives and those of our loved ones reside. So why do we worry about things that are out of our control? I am not a psychologist by any stretch of the imagination, nor do I claim to have any uncommon wisdom, but I can safely say that worrying is part of our fallen human nature. It hurts to hear and realize that our worry is a lack of trust in the power of our Lord. I also think that our faith and trust in the Lord is a work in progress. The more adversity that is present in our lives, the more our faith is tested and the more it has a chance to grow.
Here in this letter of the Apostle Peter, he addresses the order of things in the church. He is speaking first to elders/pastors and younger Christians in succession. Surprisingly we learn that trust in the Lord starts with humility. What? You might say, the fact that I am worried doesn’t show that I am humble? Exactly…it shows that you believe you might have some power within yourself to change a situation that only God has the power to change, it shows frustration and impotence.
So am I saying flippantly, don’t be concerned? Not by any means. What I am saying is to come to the Lord prayerfully, with all reverence and respect. We all have our share of concerns these days, some that are pretty heavy-duty. Give the Lord the opportunity to show Himself powerful and faithful!
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done." - Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Your brother in Christ,
- Mark
RECENT PRAYER REQUESTS:
Baby Norah Rae - has been improving slowly day by day - today for the first time the CPAP machine was removed and Norah Rae is slowly adjusting to breathing on her own without assistance for a longer period of time. The doctors are still monitoring her very closely and making sure that she does not struggle with her breathing. She also had an echocardiogram done today and we are hoping to have the results in the next day or so. Please pray that her numbers stay stable and she will continue to get stronger and pray for good results from the echocardiogram. Thank you all for your continued prayers. (submitted 1/23)
Harvey - (4 years old) is out of ICU, a little more stable but still has inflammation in his internal organs, kind of up and down. He has a little bit of a road ahead of him, please continue to keep this little guy in prayer. (submitted 1/23)
Bob & Donna Y. - received their first Covid-19 vaccine today and will be getting another vaccine in a month. Please keep them in prayer for no complications, thank you. (submitted 1/23)
Rose, Edgardo and Emmanuel - UPDATE, Rose was released from the hospital, but is on her way back to the ER due to feeling extremely weak. Her husband Edgardo is in the hospital feeling very weak. Yesterday he couldn't walk, today he took a couple of steps. Their son Emmanuel is stable, he is eating and has no fever. Rose and Edgardo are both 79 years old, their 2 older sons are caring for Emmanuel. Please continue to keep this family in prayer. (submitted 1/23)
Juliet met with the surgeon today. The mass in her back is a tumor. They have scheduled surgery for February 23. They are hoping that during the surgery they will be able to remove the tumor completely, but they won't be able to determine that until the surgery - or if they need to go a different route in treating her. Her surgeon said it is a risky procedure, so we are asking for prayers over the hands of the surgeon and all those tending to her. We are also asking for prayer that they will be able to remove the tumor during the surgery without any complications. We thank you for your prayers and ask everyone to please give Juliet and her family time to process everything.
For our Nation - that we would return to the Lord and that He would have His hand upon us. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Baby Norah Rae - has been improving slowly day by day - today for the first time the CPAP machine was removed and Norah Rae is slowly adjusting to breathing on her own without assistance for a longer period of time. The doctors are still monitoring her very closely and making sure that she does not struggle with her breathing. She also had an echocardiogram done today and we are hoping to have the results in the next day or so. Please pray that her numbers stay stable and she will continue to get stronger and pray for good results from the echocardiogram. Thank you all for your continued prayers. (submitted 1/23)
Harvey - (4 years old) is out of ICU, a little more stable but still has inflammation in his internal organs, kind of up and down. He has a little bit of a road ahead of him, please continue to keep this little guy in prayer. (submitted 1/23)
Bob & Donna Y. - received their first Covid-19 vaccine today and will be getting another vaccine in a month. Please keep them in prayer for no complications, thank you. (submitted 1/23)
Rose, Edgardo and Emmanuel - UPDATE, Rose was released from the hospital, but is on her way back to the ER due to feeling extremely weak. Her husband Edgardo is in the hospital feeling very weak. Yesterday he couldn't walk, today he took a couple of steps. Their son Emmanuel is stable, he is eating and has no fever. Rose and Edgardo are both 79 years old, their 2 older sons are caring for Emmanuel. Please continue to keep this family in prayer. (submitted 1/23)
Juliet met with the surgeon today. The mass in her back is a tumor. They have scheduled surgery for February 23. They are hoping that during the surgery they will be able to remove the tumor completely, but they won't be able to determine that until the surgery - or if they need to go a different route in treating her. Her surgeon said it is a risky procedure, so we are asking for prayers over the hands of the surgeon and all those tending to her. We are also asking for prayer that they will be able to remove the tumor during the surgery without any complications. We thank you for your prayers and ask everyone to please give Juliet and her family time to process everything.
For our Nation - that we would return to the Lord and that He would have His hand upon us. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Today at Calvary Chapel El Monte
Sunday, January 24, 2021
9AM - Service
11AM - Service
Lord willing we will be studying Revelation 19, if you'd like to read ahead.