11/28/10

11/21/10 Message from Grace Community Church - God's Unfinished Story

1. Our tension living in God's unfinished story

a.We have to face the pain of unanswered prayer.

Hebrews 11:39-40 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect

2. Our challenge in living in God's unfinished story

a.We need a persistent belief in God's goodness when confronted by His silence.

Matthew 15:2121

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, Send her away, for she is crying out after us.24 He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, Lord, help me.26 And he answered, It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.27 She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.28 Then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire. And her daughter was healed instantly

*Faith has no pride* it believes in the goodness of God

Out of His Story In His Story

Bitter Waiting

Angry Watching

Aimless Wondering

Cynical Praying

Controlling Submitting

Hopeless Hoping

Thankless Thankful

Blaming Repenting

Keys:

1.Don't demand the story goes your way

2.Look for God in the details

3.Stay in the story - don't shut down continue to pray

Our hope in God's story we have God's promise to complete our story in His.

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We pray knowing we live in our Father's world of hope. We have the opportunity to live in the wonder of His Story!

Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

Genesis 41:51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. For, he said, God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Thank you for the provision of life. For taking care of our needs, I praise you for you alone are in control and trustworthy, you never fail!

Please forgive my pride, jealousy and lust.

I ask that you would bless Rob at work like Joseph. That his successes would reflect your hand in his life.

I pray that we would be encouraged and strengthened in our journey to Belgium, that we would not doubt or be discouraged. Lead us, teach us to wait quietly for you but to also seek you.

Thailand

Team Bangkok

Amy Hood recovering from surgery

Bea and Pat

Beau

Baby Olivia Ezell and Adam and Misty

Your glory be known.

I thank you for the talks with Eli Adams and the encouragement of seeing someone on fire for you.

I want to get that back!

I love you Father God

Tuesday November 2

Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

How can I not fully trust you. You hold me together.

Thank you for the freedom that I have in you. I praise you for only God could create the entire universe and know its future before it began.

Please forgive my pride, the things I put before you.

Jim, Claire and Elisabeth

Amy Hood healing

Thailand - Team Bangkok - Vandykes

Team Belgium - visas,fingerprints,sale of houses, fundraising, jobs

Bryan and Cassi - Bryanna and new baby. Sharika and Jaythen and Rayya

Elijah Adams interview youth position

Lost people to know you, to seek you and to love you