Prayer

Their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

2 Chronicles 30:27

Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword you may take to the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bow-string may be relaxed, but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need furbishing, but prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt it cuts the best. Prayer is an open door which none can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open, and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into the enemy's hand. We can never be taken by blockade, escalade, mine, or storm, so long as heavenly succours can come down to us by Jacob's ladder to relieve us in the time of our necessities. Prayer is never out of season: in summer and in winter its merchandise is precious. Prayer gains audience with heaven in the dead of night, in the midst of business, in the heat of noonday, in the shades of evening. In every condition, whether of poverty, or sickness, or obscurity, or slander, or doubt, your covenant God will welcome your prayer and answer it from his holy place. Nor is prayer ever futile. True prayer is evermore true power. You may not always get what you ask, but you shall always have your real wants supplied. When God does not answer his children according to the letter, he does so according to the spirit. If thou askest for coarse meal, wilt thou be angered because he gives thee the finest flour? If thou seekest bodily health, shouldst thou complain if instead thereof he makes thy sickness turn to the healing of spiritual maladies? Is it not better to have the cross sanctified than removed? This evening, my soul, forget not to offer thy petition and request, for the Lord is ready to grant thee thy desires.

Sent from the Morning and Evening Devotional, by Charles Spurgeon. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

Sunday November 4, 2012 at DCC

This Sunday morning we will continue our walk through the book of Ephesians, seeking to better understand the ministry gift/office of “Prophet” and how it functions.

The plan is to look at the various passages in the New Testament that describe this gift in operation, to note how the people respond to it and to ask some hard questions about how all of this should look in a modern day congregation. 

Why is there so much controversy surrounding the issue of Prophets and the prophetic ministry in the church today?

Can we disagree on some of these things and still be unified as a body?

At what point does doctrinal error result in ship-wrecked faith?

What is to be done with false prophets and in the case of  incorrect/false prophesies?

Realizing that experience does not trump Bible - what is your experience?

Is there a prophet in the house and if so how is that decided and validated?

Welcome To Dakota - Sunday October 28, 2012

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Good morning!

Today we are continuing our study of the “5 fold ministry gifts” from Ephesians 4:11 with a look at Apostles and Prophets. (This week I mean it!)

Enjoy the service and please follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 4:1-16; Hebrews 3:1; Romans 1:5; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; Revelation 21:14; Acts 11:27-30; Acts 13:1-12; Acts 19:1-6; Acts 21:7-14; 1 Corinthians 14; 2 Timothy 4:1-6; Acts 21:8; ; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Cor. 12:27-31 

 

Sunday Morning Preview for October 28, 2012

This Sunday morning we will continue our walk through the book of Ephesians, delving further into Paul’s explanation of how this message of grace actually looks as it is lived out by believers in relationship with each other in the Church. If all of this seems eerily familiar -it’s not because halloween is just a few days away -  it is because I failed to cover the planned material last Sunday and so the preview remains the same! 

We have seen clearly that it is God who is the author of the diverse spiritual gifts given to the Body of Christ and that claims that the gifts no longer function are easily debunked scripturally. Now we are beginning to work our way through the gifts beginning with a study of the “five fold ministry gifts” seen in Ephesians 4:11

Are there still people occupying apostolic ministries today? If so what would be the identifying characteristics of such ministers/ministries? How would they, or would they not, differ from the original twelve? What about prophets and the prophetic gifts? Still operating or passed away? How serious is it to say, “Thus says the LORD” if He has not spoken?

Join me Sunday morning as we search for answers to these and many more questions in a sermon I have entitled: “Grace at Work 8 - Understanding Gifts and Service” This time I mean it!

Pastor Dan

Sunday October 21, 2012

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Good morning!

Today we are beginning a study of the “5 fold ministry gifts” seen in Ephesians 4:11 with a look at Apostles and Prophets.

Enjoy the service and please follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 4:1-16; Colossians 3:23-24; Hebrews 3:1; Romans 1:5; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; Revelation 21:14; Acts 11:27-30; Acts 13:1-12; Acts 19:1-6; Acts 21:7-14; 1 Corinthians 14; 2 Timothy 4:1-6; Acts 21:8; ; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Cor. 12:27-31 

 

Sunday October 21, 2012 at Dakota

This Sunday morning we will continue our walk through the book of Ephesians - delving further into Paul’s explanation of how this message of grace actually looks as it is lived out by believers in relationship with each other in the Church. 

We have seen clearly that it is God who is the author of the diverse spiritual gifts given to the Body of Christ and that claims that the gifts no longer function are easily debunked scripturally. Now we are beginning to work our way through the gifts beginning with a study of the “five fold ministry gifts” seen in Ephesians 4:11

Are there still people occupying apostolic ministries today? If so what would be the identifying characteristics of such ministers/ministries? How would they, or would they not, differ from the original twelve? What about prophets and the prophetic gifts? Still operating or passed away? How serious is it to say, “Thus says the LORD” if He has not spoken?

Join me Sunday morning as we search for answers to these and many more questions in a sermon I have entitled: “Grace at Work 7 - Understanding Gifts and Service” 

Pastor Dan

This Sunday at DCC

This Sunday morning promises to be a refreshing time in God’s Word as we welcome KOZ and Effekt leader Joel Cormie into the DCC pulpit. 

Joel has a passionate zeal for the good news and an infectious joy that is spreading through our College and Career and Youth ministries here at DCC. Individual and numerical growth can be clearly seen - just look around the congregation on any given Sunday morning or bring up the topic of the gospel in conversation with one of our young adults. Exciting things are happening!

Service begins at the usual time - 10:30 am, hope to see you there.

PCC/DCC Joint Service this Sunday

The air is cool and crisp, the leaves have turned, the days are becoming noticeably shorter, and shelves everywhere are full of tomatoes, pumpkins, and jars of pickled everything! The summer of 2012 is behind us, and the wonder of fall in Manitoba explodes at every turn in all it’s panoramic glory... our thoughts can’t help but turn once again to the faithfulness of our God.

For believers thanksgiving is an every day occurrence, not merely a once a year holiday; nevertheless the Holiday is a special time of reflection with family and friends in the Body of Christ. What better time for another PCC/DCC unity service celebrating thanksgiving and sharing communion one with another?

Please join us on Sunday October 7th (Upstairs) at 10:30 AM for what promises to be another great time of rejoicing in the Lord and building friendships within the Body.

And don't forget your thanksgiving toques, mittens and snow shovels! (*Sigh*)

Sunday September 30, 2012 at DCC

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Good morning!

Today we are continuing or journey through the Book of Ephesians beginning with a look at the ministry gifts and jumping off from there to examine the rest of the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in other places in the New Testament.

Are these gifts still functioning or did they cease to be part of God’s plan for the church with the advent of the Bible?

Enjoy the service and please follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 13:8-11; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Cor. 12:27-31  Romans 11:28-29; Colossians 3:23-24; Hebrews 3:1; Romans 1:5; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; Revelation 21:14; Acts 11:27-30; Acts 13:1-12; Acts 19:1-6; Acts 21:7-14; 1 Corinthians 14; 2 Timothy 4:1-6; Acts 21:8            

 

Sunday Morning Preview

This Sunday morning we will continue our examination of the book of Ephesians - diving further into Paul’s explanation of how this message of grace actually looks as it is lived out by believers in relationship with each other in the Church. 

The scriptures tell us that God has called us to unity in the Body and that he has also given us various and diverse gifts that we are to offer and receive in service to each other and in some cases to the community outside. (Unity not uniformity). As far as the gifts go; there are the “ministry gifts” mentioned in our text, the “motivational gifts” seen in Romans 12:4-8, and the “spiritual gifts” recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. The plan is to spend the next few sermons examining each of the gifts, learning their character and function, and applying that learning to our ministry lives together.

I hope to see you Sunday morning for: “Grace at Work 6 - Understanding Gifts and Service” 

Sunday September 23, 2012

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Good morning!

Today we welcome Danene Goulet and the women of Teen Challenge Brandon.

Enjoy the worship and the powerful testimonies of God’s ability to set people free from any and all types of bondage.

 

 

Sunday Morning Preview - September 23, 2012

Teen Challenge of Central Canada is a 12-month Christian discipleship program for men & woman struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction.

The first Teen Challenge centre was founded by the late David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade, more than 50 years ago in Brooklyn NY. Today Teen Challenge operates more than 1000 programs in 80 countries around the globe, making it the largest and most successful faith-based drug treatment program in the world.

Teen Challenge of Central Canada began in 1995 with a small 10-bed trailer in Hadashville, Manitoba. Today there are men's homes in Winnipeg, Denare Beach and Thunder Bay as well as a woman's home in Brandon.

Join us this Sunday Morning at DCC as Danene Goulet and the women of Teen Challenge Brandon share the good news of God’s powerful deliverance! 

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed...” - Jesus

Welcome To DCC - September 16, 2012

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Good morning!

Today we begin with a review of “law and gospel” before looking at how we are to understand God’s gifts to the church and how we are to serve one another.

Enjoy the service and please follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 4:1-16; Galatians 4:21-31; Luke 7:31-34; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 11:28-29 

 

Sunday Morning Preview

This Sunday morning we will continue our examination of the book of Ephesians - diving further into Paul’s explanation of how this message of grace actually looks as it is lived out by believers in relationship with each other in the Church. 

We have seen that unity amoung believers requires humility and patience from all, but that this unity is not meant to result in uniformity. God desires us to be “One in Christ” but He does not want us to be all exactly the same; in fact, as we will see this week, it is God who is the author of the gifts and that the gifts themselves are varied in both character and function. Clearly this sets up a situation in the Church that will require constant reliance upon the Holy Spirit if schism and division is to be avoided. (Now doesn’t that explain a few things?)

Hope to see you Sunday morning for: “Grace at Work 5 - Understanding Gifts and Service” 

Prayer Changes Us

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. - Matthew 6:8

You might wonder, "Why does God insist that we pray to him and tell him our problems? Why doesn't he take care of us with- out our having to ask? He already knows what we need better than we do." God continually showers his gifts on the whole world every day. He gives us sunshine, rain, good harvests, money, healthy bodies, and so on. But we often neither ask God for these gifts nor thank him for them. If God already knows that we can't live without light or food for any length of time, then why does he want us to ask for these necessities?

Obviously, he doesn't command us to pray in order to inform him of our needs. God gives us his gifts freely and abundantly. He wants us to recognize that he is willing and able to give us even more. When we pray, we're not telling God anything he doesn't already know. Rather, we are the ones gaining knowledge and insight. Asking God to supply our needs keeps us from becoming like the unbelieving skeptics, who don't acknowledge God and don't thank him for his many gifts.

All of this teaches us to acknowledge God's generosity even more. Because we continue to search for him and keep on knocking at his door, he showers us with more and more blessings. Everything we have is a gift from God. When we pray, we should express our gratitude by saying, "Lord, I know that I can't create a single slice of my daily bread. You are the only one who can supply all of my needs. I have no way to protect myself from disasters. You know what I need ahead of time, so I'm convinced that you will take care of me."

From Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional by Martin Luther, James C. Galvin. ©2005 by Zondervan. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced without written permission from Zondervan, 5300 Patterson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49530. Sent from the Martin Luther's Faith Alone Devotional. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

Welcome To Dakota

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Good morning!

Today we are looking at how we live out the gospel where the rubber meets the road.

Enjoy the service and please follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 4:1-16; Colossians 3:12-13; Matthew 5:22; 1 Peter 2:13-25

 

Sunday September 9 at DCC

This Sunday morning we will share communion and then continue to look at the necessary ingredients for establishing and maintaining unity in the church as laid out by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:2 

Having already looked at the need for humility, gentleness, and patience when dealing with fellow believers; this week our attention turns to an ingredient for unity that I think most of us would rather not offer up.  To forbear is to refrain, to hold back, or to tolerate in the face of provocation. Nothing better than having to tolerate someone in the face of provocation, I always say!

If there is time we will begin to look at the second requirement for unity in the church - (Number 1 was How we treat each other) - “Understanding Gifts and Service.” 

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-12)

I hope to see you this Sunday morning for: “Grace at Work 4” 

Doing It My Way

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.John 15:16

A fierce battle has been raging in this world since the very beginning. Cain wanted to choose God on his own terms. He wanted God to value his work and his offering instead of his brother's. The world has followed Cain's example from that day until now. The world always wants to turn this verse in John around and say, "I don't want to be chosen by God; I want to choose him first." But God cannot and will not tolerate this. He turns their words back around and says, "You cannot and should not choose me. I must choose you. It won't happen the way you imagine, but the way I want it to. I want to be your Lord and Master. I don't want to be mastered by you." That's why throughout Scripture God condemns and throws away this type of choosing that goes against what he commands.

Even Paul condemns this vice. He says, "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you" (Colossians 2:18). Likewise, he says, "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value" (v. 23). With these words, he describes those who practice useless, self-chosen worship and justify it by saying, "I mean well and am doing it for God and to honor him. It will please him, and so he will be merciful to me." These people are twice as bad as God's enemies. God called the Israelites out of Egypt and gave them the Ten Commandments, telling them what they should and shouldn't do so that they wouldn't invent ways to serve him. In the same way, God wants to tell us what it means to serve him.

From Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional by Martin Luther, James C. Galvin. ©2005 by Zondervan. 

 For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

Sunday Morning Preview - September 2, 2012

Please join us this Sunday morning for another combined PCC/DCC service featuring Ryan Rempel of LifeLight Ministries as our guest speaker. 

We will have live worship with singers and musicians from both congregations and everyone in attendance will receive a Bible and the challenge to share God's Word by giving it away in the coming week.

Hope to see you all for what is sure to be a wonderful time of growth and fellowship!

Feeling Guilty?

Christians are persons who no longer seek their salvation, their deliverance, their justification in themselves, but in Jesus Christ alone. They know that God's Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them guilty, even when they feel nothing of their own guilt, and that God's Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them free and righteous even when they feel nothing of their own righteousness… (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Grateful today for a salvation that is by faith, rather than by fickle and fleeting human emotional responses and reactions!

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)

Sunday August 26, 2012

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Good morning!

Enjoy the service - (Pastor Chris is our speaker today) - please follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Isaiah 43:14-25; 2 Timothy 3:16; Mark 10:17-18 

 

 

August 26, 2012 at Dakota

I think everyone will agree that it has been far too long since we heard from Pastor Chris Cormie at Dakota Community Church. 

This terrible injustice will be righted this Sunday morning, so tell your friends and come on out for what is guaranteed to be a fantastic time in the Word.

Our Defeated Foes

Morning

The breaker is come up before them.

Micah 2:13

Inasmuch as Jesus has gone before us, things remain not as they would have been had he never passed that way. He has conquered every foe that obstructed the way. Cheer up now thou faint-hearted warrior. Not only has Christ travelled the road, but he has slain thine enemies. Dost thou dread sin? He has nailed it to his cross. Dost thou fear death? He has been the death of Death. Art thou afraid of hell? He has barred it against the advent of any of his children; they shall never see the gulf of perdition. Whatever foes may be before the Christian, they are all overcome. There are lions, but their teeth are broken; there are serpents, but their fangs are extracted; there are rivers, but they are bridged or fordable; there are flames, but we wear that matchless garment which renders us invulnerable to fire. The sword that has been forged against us is already blunted; the instruments of war which the enemy is preparing have already lost their point. God has taken away in the person of Christ all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, the army may safely march on, and you may go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are conquered beforehand. What shall you do but march on to take the prey? They are beaten, they are vanquished; all you have to do is to divide the spoil. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight shall be with a vanquished foe. His head is broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength shall not be sufficient for his malicious design. Your victory shall be easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all count.

Proclaim aloud the Saviour's fame,

Who bears the Breaker's wond'rous name;

Sweet name; and it becomes him well,

Who breaks down earth, sin, death, and hell. Sent from the Morning and Evening Devotional, by Charles Spurgeon. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

Heaven

They weep no more, for they are perfectly sanctified.
No evil heart of unbelief prompts them to depart from the living God.

I know that every bit of my joy, all of my peace, the totality of my value, worth, righteousness, and justification, is found in Christ alone.

The Holy Spirit bids me to come and receive that "daily bread" (Christ himself that is - not some devotional activity), which alone satisfies and equips for every other task the day holds; and yet, I find within myself a desire to go another way. To take all of that from the day itself instead. To find my joy and the justification for my existence in the tasks themselves, rather than in the one who prepares them for me.

I long for the end of that!

Grace, Freedom, Laughter!

Pat Robertson on Adoption & Dr. Moore's Response

John Piper (@JohnPiper) 2012-08-17 5:30 PM Here's the You Tube of what Pat Robertson said. dsr.gd/NKvcMV Here's the fitting fury of Moore: dsr.gd/R7xIQa

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

This Sunday - Aug. 19, 2012 at Dakota

You won’t want to miss Church this Sunday morning at DCC!

Besides the usual great time of worship and the sweet fellowship we always enjoy, this week the scriptures will be opened to us and we will be fed from the Word of God through the preaching ministry of Mr. Tyson Keffer.

I look forward to seeing you when the saints gather!

Walking Humbly Before God

Walk Humbly with Your God

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.Micah 6:8

Even the most spiritually minded people have a difficult time escaping the temptation to love themselves. As soon as they see that they are better than others in some way, they begin to love themselves and look down on others. The Scripture provides us with a frightening example of this in the story of Saul. He was well thought of and had no equal in Israel (1 Samuel 9:2). He was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. But he didn't do what Micah demanded in this passage. Therefore, he fell into terrible disgrace and was rejected by God.

The church fathers spoke about the temptation to love ourselves in the following way: "No matter where you throw the head of a thistle, it will stand straight up." Similar to a thistle, this wicked attitude easily takes root in the hearts of believers. It's difficult for believers to avoid self-love. As Augustine stated, this is the only evil that sticks to good works. That's why God allows his people to slip into sin, just as he allowed Peter and David to fall. Shocked by their fall into sin, believers humble themselves. They're fearful of thinking of themselves too highly, and they want to keep in mind how weak they still are. This is why David cried out, "My sin is always before me" (Psalm 51:3).

Believers humble themselves by recognizing and looking at their weaknesses and sin. They try to avoid feeling proud of their works or of the gifts of the Spirit they have received from God. This is what it means "to walk humbly with your God." We should be genuinely modest and humble, wanting to remain in the background. We should never look for honor and praise for the good works we do.

From Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional by Martin Luther, James C. Galvin. ©2005 by Zondervan. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced without written permission from Zondervan, 5300 Patterson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49530. Sent from the Martin Luther's Faith Alone Devotional. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

The Joy in Being Forgiven

Morning

Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work.

Psalms 92:4

Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if thou hast but forgiven me, smite as hard as thou wilt; and in a similar spirit you may say, Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what thou wilt, thou hast forgiven me, and my soul is glad. Christian, if thou art thus saved, whilst thou art glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross which took thy sin away; serve thou him who served thee. I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Let not your zeal evaporate in some little ebullition of song. Show your love in expressive tokens. Love the brethren of him who loved you. If there be a Mephibosheth anywhere who is lame or halt, help him for Jonathan's sake. If there be a poor tried believer, weep with him, and bear his cross for the sake of him who wept for thee and carried thy sins. Since thou art thus forgiven freely for Christ's sake, go and tell to others the joyful news of pardoning mercy. Be not contented with this unspeakable blessing for thyself alone, but publish abroad the story of the cross. Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher, and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in. Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord's work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad. Sent from the Morning and Evening Devotional, by Charles Spurgeon. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

To Him Who Is Able!

Commanded to Love

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."Galatians 5:14

People who think they have a good understanding of the command to love are badly mistaken. To be sure, they have this command written on their hearts. By nature, they know that they should do to others what they want done to them (Matthew 7:12). That doesn't mean they truly understand it; otherwise they would also show it in their actions and prefer love above other works. They wouldn't make such a big deal about their antics and superstitions, which amount to nothing. Some examples of such behavior include walking around with a sad face and hanging head, being celibate, eating only bread and water, living in the desert, dressing shabbily, and so on. These are strange and superstitious works, which they choose for themselves and which God neither commands nor accepts. They consider these works so glorious and holy that they cast a dark shadow over love, which is the sun that shines over all works. The blindness of human reason is so limitless and incomprehensible that reason cannot come to a correct understanding of faith, much less make correct judgments about life and works.

Therefore, we must strongly resist our own opinions. In matters of salvation, we by nature would rather base our opinions on our hearts than on the Word of God. We also should strongly object to the mask and halo of self-chosen works. Instead, we must learn to value our calling and the responsibilities that go with it. Although these works may appear puny and contemptible, they are commanded by God. In contrast, we should despise the works that reason chooses to do apart from God's command no matter how glorious, meaningful, great, or holy they appear.

From Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional by Martin Luther, James C. Galvin. ©2005 by Zondervan. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced without written permission from Zondervan, 5300 Patterson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49530. Sent from the Martin Luther's Faith Alone Devotional. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

Sunday August 12, 2012 at DCC

This Sunday morning we will share communion and then continue to look at the necessary ingredients for establishing and maintaining unity in the church as laid out by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:2 

In this first segment of the passage Paul is explaining that unity amoung the believers has much to do with how we treat one another. Although fallen people have a tendency to be very aware of their own rights and sensitive to any violation of those rights; Paul is saying that this is not to be the case amoung the followers of Jesus. Using words like humility, gentleness, and patience; he insists upon a very high standard for Christian interaction.

I wonder if you would say that the Christians you have encountered, for the most part, line up with what Paul is describing here? What about you, is this how you treat brothers and sisters in Christ, and if not, why not? 

I hope to see you Sunday for more along these lines in: “Grace at Work 3” 

Charles Spurgeon - Morning and Evening

Evening

I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands.

Haggai 2:17

How destructive is the hail to the standing crops, beating out the precious grain upon the ground! How grateful ought we to be when the corn is spared so terrible a ruin! Let us offer unto the Lord thanksgiving. Even more to be dreaded are those mysterious destroyers-smut, bunt, rust, and mildew. These turn the ear into a mass of soot, or render it putrid, or dry up the grain, and all in a manner so beyond all human control that the farmer is compelled to cry, This is the finger of God. Innumerable minute fungi cause the mischief, and were it not for the goodness of God, the rider on the black horse would soon scatter famine over the land. Infinite mercy spares the food of men, but in view of the active agents which are ready to destroy the harvest, right wisely are we taught to pray, Give us this day our daily bread. The curse is abroad; we have constant need of the blessing. When blight and mildew come they are chastisements from heaven, and men must learn to hear the rod, and him that hath appointed it.

Spiritually, mildew is no uncommon evil. When our work is most promising this blight appears. We hoped for many conversions, and lo! a general apathy, an abounding worldliness, or a cruel hardness of heart! There may be no open sin in those for whom we are labouring, but there is a deficiency of sincerity and decision sadly disappointing our desires. We learn from this our dependence upon the Lord, and the need of prayer that no blight may fall upon our work. Spiritual pride or sloth will soon bring upon us the dreadful evil, and only the Lord of the harvest can remove it. Mildew may even attack our own hearts, and shrivel our prayers and religious exercises. May it please the great Husbandman to avert so serious a calamity. Shine, blessed Sun of Righteousness, and drive the blights away.

Sent from the Morning and Evening Devotional, by Charles Spurgeon. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.com

Grace, Freedom, Laughter! 

PCC/DCC Combined Service This Sunday

Another holiday weekend is upon us and with it comes another PCC/DCC combined service. Please join us in the UPSTAIRS Sanctuary for a wonderful time of worship and sweet fellowship as we glorify God together and celebrate unity in the Body of Christ!

We are going to break out the lawn chairs on Sunday after church for lunch. If its raining we will use the basement. 
All are welcome - We want to have a simple lunch and would ask you to bring whatever you want and more.  There will be people from both congregations and The PCC folks also have friends visiting from Finland - about eight of them.  So please be generous and bring extra. 


Look forward to seeing everyone this Sunday!