Matters of Prayer

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

Praise
Thank You Lord for being OUR wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Prayer
Please remember those who will be going to church this Sunday and next for the holiday that the Lord would really draw them and they would finally respond to Him.

We sponsored a family for Christmas this year, so let's pray that the Lord would really bless them in many ways.

Keep Paul Wolkersdorfer SR. in prayer because of his cancer treatments and all that they entail.

Let's continue to pray for Robert McDowell who is scheduled to teach on January 10th & 17th when Michelle and I [that is Paul Wolkersdorfer Jr.] are in Israel, that the Lord would give him His heart and His message for Calvary Chapel Newport those days. Pray also for Jeff Potts as he will be leading worship on those same Sundays as well.

Matters of Prayer

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26

Praise
Thank You Lord for helping us and interceding to God on our behalf.

Prayer
Let's continue to pray for Robert McDowall as he prepares to teach here on January 10th & 17th, and for Jeff Potts as he leads worship on those Sundays, that the Lord would use them for His glory and bring His heart to us through them.

Continue to pray for Paul Wolkersdorfer SR. as he continues with his cancer treatment.

Please pray for Maj. Cindy wise & her 3 children. Her husband Maj. Philip Wise was shot to death in Arkansas in front of their 3 children (who they adopted last year from an abusive family) on Christmas Eve. This is a very difficult thing for them to deal with and need the strength of the Lord to rule in them and for the children as they cope with being eyewitnesses of such a tragic ordeal on top of their own abusive past.

Let's pray for the Prophecy Update teaching on New Years Eve at Calvary Chapel Spokane (and our potential web-casting of it) that it would be a very fruitful time.

Matters of Prayer

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Praise
The New Years Eve “Prophecy Update” [By the way this was a bore just because it was not gospel centered] event went well and the exhortation for us to “look up” [this is ripped out context from Revelation] was well taken as we eagerly wait for Jesus.

Prayer
Pastor Chuck Smith had a small stroke but is expected to make a full recovery.

Paul Wolkersdorfer SR. is still dealing with other illnesses that have disrupted the chemotherapy to treat his cancer. Please pray that the Lord would touch his body as well has his heart during this season of trail.

Please continue to pray for Robert McDowell. He is scheduled to teach here on the 10 & 17. Please also pray for Jeff Potts as he leads worship on those same Sundays and that the Lord would use BOTH of them to communicate His heart and draw the hearers.

Let's keep on praying for Maj. Cindy Wise and her 3 children as they mourn the murder of her husband and set out to resume living life without him. They are in great need of the peace of God to RULE in their hearts, especially the 3 children, as they were eyewitnesses to this event.

Matters of Prayer

Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.

Praise:
Thank You Lord for all that You are and for all that You have done for us & faithfully brought us through.

Prayer:
Paul Wolkersdorfer SR. has been diagnosed with stage 3 multiple myeloma bone cancer and will be starting a treatment regimen to slow it down. It's incurable and the treatments are very harsh on the body and taxing on the mind & heart while enduring it. Please pray that the Lord would bring healing and also comfort for his wife Sylvia as well.

Let's keep Maurine in our prayer as her pain level has elevated and perhaps the time when she will finally be with the Lord is drawing closer. Pray as well for her family, that they will be impacted by the witness to the Lord that Maurine is to them.

Let's pray today for the witness of the Christian church in the world and the persecution that is being increasingly felt by those who hold to a Biblical world view; and who don't compromise or dilute the Word of God.

Pray for the families & marriages in our fellowship to be Christ centered and strengthened in their faith.

Matters of Prayer

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” 1 John 3:1

Praise:
Dennis completed his welding classes and received his welding certificate! Thank You Lord! Now he is job hunting, so let's pray that the Lord would open doors of opportunity for Him and bless him.

Jo Morrow is in remission from her cancer! Thank You Lord!

Prayer:
Paul Wolkersdorfer SR. received results back on his bone marrow biopsy, and it concluded that 70% of the white blood cells in his bone marrow are canerous, much worse then they first thought. The news is weighing heavily on his mind & heart. Let's continue to pray for Spiritual strength also for his treatments that he has to endure.

Let's keep on praying for Devin, and that the Lord would use Deanne to speak His Truth to Him. Pray also for his children as they experience life in a broken unsettled home.

January 8, 2010
As I was heading down to Lower Wolf Trails, I read on a car that is ford tempo I read, “That War is Not the Answer.” I don't know if he or she is right or wrong. Something for me to ponder I guess.


I went down to the Lower Wolf Trails, As I arrived, it was 1:05 pm. As I stand at the Lower Wolf Trails, I read a 'yellow—and black sign' that says, “WARNING A COUGAR HAS BEEN SIGHTED IN THIS AREA.”

It says something for camper's to do. Here's what it says,”Camper Responsibilities: Store Food in vehicles or RV'S. Keep a clean camp. Watch children & pets.”

Oh yes I forgot to mention I saw the Cougar's Paw Print in the Snow.

I arrive at the Upper Wolf Trails at 1:28 pm. I saw a lady wearing a purple coat, black panes, and a black hat. She also had a black dog with her.

As I get to the Upper Wolf Trails. I see the same sign that I saw at the Lower Wolf Trails on the right—hand side and the left—hand side of the Road. The signs were stapled on poles.

Oh Yes., and I also saw a lady as I was heading down to the Lower Wolf Trails she told me, “That she had seen the Cougar.” She then said to me, “Does that mean we can't go on the trails.” I said, “No you can still go on the trails.” I have never as long I have lived, seen a Cougar. And I am 27 and have never seen a Cougar.

I know a girl her name is Wendy, she go's to the Lower Wolf Trails a lot, I think I should pray that God will protect her as she go's on those Wolf Trails. She has a dog so that might give some protection from the Cougar. But I still think I should pray that God will protect her.

Oh Lord Thank You that You watch over us Day & Night we are thankful for Your protection and are grateful, with love we cannot express.

Foolish talking and jesting are not the ways in which Christian cheerfulness should express itself, but rather "giving of thanks" (Eph. 5:4). Religion is the source of joy and gladness, but its joy is expressed in a religious way, in thanksgiving and praise. —Charles Hodge

David’s condition was such, that deserving his people’s esteem, he was nontheless groundlessly hated by many (as he complained that “he had paid back what he had not taken away”). No small consolation for me it was— when assaulted by the unwarranted hatred of those who should have put their efforts into helping me—To conform myself to such a great, excellent pattern. And this very knowledge and experience was a great help to me in understanding the Psalms, to keep me from wandering, as it were, in a strange land. And actually, my readers, (I am sure) will recognize that when I recount the inner feelings both of David and of others, I am speaking of them as things, with which I am intimately acquainted. —John Calvin

No man ever circumcised his own heart. No man can say he began to do it by the power of his own will, and then God only helped him by his grace. As the act of outward circumcision on the body of a child was the act of another, and not of the child who was only passive therein [but the effect was on the body of the child only], so it is in the spiritual circumcision—it is the act of God, in which our hearts are the subject. It is the blindness, obstinacy, and stubbornness in sin that is in us by nature, with the prejudices which possess our minds and affections, which hinder us from conversion to God. But by the circumcision, they are taken away. —John Owen

This is the Christian of the right stamp, and all about him are better because of him… For my part, I had rather have the company of a heavenly-minded Christian than that of the most learned disputants or princely commanders. A soul that does not set its affections on things above disobeys the commands, and loses the most gracious and delightful discoveries of the Word of God… As heaven is the perfection of all our mercies, so the promises of it in the gospel are are the very souls of the Gospel… It has pleased our Father to open his counsel and let us know the very intent of his heart, that our joy might be full and that we might live as the heirs of such a kingdom… And shall we now overlook all? Shall we live in earthly cares and sorrows, and rejoice no more in these discoveries, than if the Lord has never revealed them?
—-Richard Baxter

Learn to judge of the sufficiency of the merits of Christ… the unsearchable riches of Christ. Consider what offer he makes—after his resurrection—-of his grace to sinners… There is sufficiency in his blood to save the biggest sinners (Acts 13:38, 39)… Remission of sins is through faith in his blood (Eph. 1:7)… The biggest of sinners cannot be saved but by the abundance of grace.“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). He will grip hard, his fist is stronger than a lion’s paw. Take heed of him. He will be angry if you despise his Son. And will you stand guilty in your trespasses when he offers you his grace and favour? —John Bunyan

The fourth piece in the Christian’s panoply… is the shield of faith. Justifying faith. A grace that makes him the devils match… not a naked assent to the truths of the gospel [but] an act of the soul whereby it rests on Christ crucified for pardon and life, and that upon the warrant of [God's] promise. Faith is… a shield intended for the defense of the whole body… Sometimes temptation is levelled at the head… against this truth and that, to make the Christian call them into question… blot out the Deity of Christ, with other mysterious truths of the Gospel… Now faith comes between the Christian and this arrow. It comes into the relief of the Christian’s weak understanding. —William Gurnall

Flame is soon spent, graces that act most strongly require most influence, as beng most subject to abatement. We sooner lose our affections than anything else. Love is a grace we can ill spare; it is the spring and rise of all duties to God and man… If we would do anything in the resistance of sin, in keeping the commandments, we cannot spare our love… Well, then, watch the more earnestly against the decays and abatement’s of love. Sin confessed without remorse… prayer made for spiritual blessings without the desire of obtaining… hearing without attention… singing without any delight or melody of heart—all this is but the just account of a heart declining in the love of God.
—Thomas Manton

Suppose, therefore, we believe that every means of prospering, lies solely in God’s blessing and that without it every misery and calamity await us. Then our duty is not to aspire with excessive greed to riches, honours, relying on our own skill or diligence, or mens’ favour, or fortune; but to look always to God, so that by his leading we may be led to that state that seems good to him. Thence it will come to pass that we will not try to rake in wealth, to steal honours by right or wrong, by force or craft, or other devious ways, but only to seek the good that will not turn us away from innocence. –John Calvin

Thanksgiving
I will remember Your works, O Lord; Surely, I will remember Your wonders of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works And consider all Your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as You? You are the God who works wonders; You have revealed Your strength among the peoples. You redeemed Your people with Your power, The descendants of Jacob and Joseph. (Psalm 77:11–15)

Affirmation
You are not a man, that You should lie, nor a son of man, that You should change Your mind. Have You spoken and not done it? Have promised and not fulfilled it? (Numbers 23:19)

Affirmation
You, Lord, are a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate You, but showing lovingkindness to a thousand generations of those who love You and keep Your commandments. (Exodus 20:5–6; Deuteronomy 5:9–10)

Intercession

You, Father, are my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of Your Son, of how unceasingly I make mention of Your people in my prayers. (Romans 1:9)

Petition

When I ask, it will be given to me; when I seek, I will find; when I knock, the door will be opened to me. For everyone who asks receives; everyone who seeks finds; and to everyone who knocks the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7–8; Luke 11:9–10)

Renewal

Lord, may I not turn aside from following You, but serve You with all my heart. May I not turn aside to go after worthless things which do not profit or deliver me, because they are useless. (1 Samuel 12:20–21)

Confession

Lord, I have heard of Your fame, and I stand in awe of Your deeds. O Lord, revive Your works in our day; In our time make them known; In wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

Adoration

You, O Lord Most High, are awesome, The great King over all the earth! You are the King of all the earth, and I will sing Your praise. You reign over the nations; You are seated on Your holy throne. (Psalm 47:2, 7–8)

A spiritual darkness and death came by sin on all mankind… In thi state of things, the Holy Spirit undertook to create a new world… wherein righteousness should dwell. And this, in the first place, was by his effectual communication of a new principle of spiritual life to the souls of God’s elect… This he does in their regeneration… All our faith and obedience to God, and all our acceptance with him, depend on regeneration or being born again. —John Owen

This then is our plea: Not to be vanquished, overwhelmed by temptations. But by the Lord... See More’s power to stand unmoved against all hostile powers attacking us. This it is not to succumb to temptations. Our plea: received into His care and safekeeping, secure in His protection, grant us victoriously to endure, sin, death, the gates of hell, the devil’s whole kingdom. So it is to be “freed from the evil one.” Mark this clearly: Not in our power is it for us to engage in combat that great warrior the devil or bear alone the force of his onslaught. Otherwise, pointless it would be to ask God what already we have in ourselves. Those who, self-assured, ready themselves for combat, know not their ferocious, well-equipped adversary. As from the jaws of a mad and raging lion, we seek now to be freed from his power. If the Lord did not snatch us from the midst of death, we would by his fangs and claws immediately be torn to pieces. Swallowed down his throat. Still we know if the Lord is with us, if He fights for us while we keep still, in His might we shall do mightily. Let others trust in their free choice, their own capacities–For us, enough it is to stand, be strong, in God’s power alone. From “The Piety of John Calvin”

God will not quench the smoking flax, but blow it up till it flames. In smoking flax there is but little light... See More… Grace is little at the first… Let us not be discouraged at the small beginnings of grace, but look on ourselves as “elected to be blameless and without spot” (Eph. 1:4)… Christ will not quench small and weak beginnings. First, because this spark is from heaven, it is his own, it is kindled by his own Spirit. And secondly, it tends to the glory of his powerful grace in his children that he preserves light in the midst of darkness–a light in the midst of swelling waters of corruption. –Richard Sibbes

When we grow careless of keeping our souls, then God recovers our taste of good things again by sharp crosses. —Richard Sibbes

Envy, malice, ill-will and bitterness of spirit are the very reverse of thereal essence of Christianity. Love is the sum and temper and spirit of Christianity. An envious Christian, a malicious Christian, a cold and hard-hearted Christian, is the greatest absurdity and contradiction! —Jonathan Edwards

"So you pereive that all the Law does is curse—it cannot bless. In all the pages of Revelation, you will find no blessings that the Law ever gave to one who offended it. There were blessings for those who kept it completely—though none ever did—but no blessing is ever written for one offender. Blessings we find in the ...Gospel, curses we find in the Law." Charles Spurgeon

Beware, I pray thee, of presuming that thou art saved. If thy heart be renewed, if thou shalt hate the things that thou didst once love, and love the things that thou didst once hate; if thou hast really repented; if there be a thorough change of mind in thee; if thou be born again, then hast thou reason to rejoice: but if there be no vital change... See More, no inward godliness; if there be no love to God, no prayer, no work of the Holy Spirit, then thy saying “I am saved” is but thine own assertion, and it may delude, but it will not deliver thee. —Charles Spurgeon

"The Romish priest professes to make man hear the voice of the Gospel by seeing, but the Scriptural way is to make men see the Truth of God by hearing. Faith which is the soul's sight, comes by hearing." ~ Charles Spurgeon

I believe that election is free and permanent, being founded in grace and the unchangeable will of God. I believe that we are predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son (Rom 8:29, 30). I believe that without Christ Jesus there is neither election, grace, nor salvation (Eph. 1:3-14)… I believe that no man can know his election but by his calling… Election does not foretell or prevent the means which are appointed of God to bring us to Christ, to grace and to glory (II Pet. 1:6-11).
I believe that in effectual calling the Holy Ghost must accompany the work of the Gospel, and that with mighty power… Calling is the fruit of electing love (I Thess. 1:4-10)… an effectual awakening about the evil of sin, and especially of unbelief… and great awakenings about the world to come and the glory of unseen things. —John Bunyan

Christ has conquered all in his own person, first, and he is God overall, blessed for evermore; and therefore, over sin, death, hell, Satan and the world. And as he has overcome them in himself, so he overcomes them in our hearts and consciences. Christ sets up his kingdom in the conscience, and makes it a kind of paradise. The Spirit of Truth, to whose tuition Christ has committed his church, and the truth of the Spirit is the Sceptre of Christ, abide forever…This truth must not only live forever, but likewise prevail over all that oppose it, for both the Word and the Spirit, are mighty in operation (Heb. 4:12)… A little faith strengthened by Christ will work wonders. —Richard Sibbes

The Saint’s enemy is the devil… a very subtle enemy. The Christian is endangered most by his policy and craft… His first main design is to draw into sin. The second main design is to accuse, vex, and trouble the saint for sin… molesting the saint’s peace and disquieting the saint’s spirit… Satan is first a tempter, and then a troubler.
—William Gurnall

Thanksgiving


We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. (Revelation 11:17)

Affirmation


As I give, it will be given to me; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into my lap. For with the measure I use, it will be measured back to me. (Luke 6:38)

10 Reasons to Pray the Scriptures

By John Piper

Here are some of the reasons you should pray and meditate over biblical truth.

1. Biblical truth saves.

Take heed to yourself and to your doctrine; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)

2. Biblical truth frees from Satan.

You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

3. Biblical truth imparts grace and peace.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)

4. Biblical truth sanctifies.

Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. (John 17:17)

5. Biblical truth serves love.

It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. (Philippians 1:9)

6. Biblical truth protects from error.

Attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God...so that we may no longer be...carried to and fro by every wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:13-14)

7. Biblical truth is the hope of heaven.

Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

8. Biblical truth will be resisted by some.

The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings. (2 Timothy 4:3)

9. Biblical truth, rightly handled, is approved by God.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

10. Biblical truth: Continue to grow in it!

Grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

Father, You are the light and the salvation of our singles; whom shall they fear? You are the strength of their lives; of whom shall they be afraid? When the wicked even their enemies and their foes come to eat up their flesh, the wicked will stumble and fall.

Though a host should encamp against them, we confess that our singles’ hearts shall not fear. If war should rise against them, we confess that their confidence will be in You.

We declare that our singles will desire and seek to dwell in the house of the Lord all of the days of their lives. We confess that our singles will behold Your beauty and inquire in Your temple.