Tuesday, July 30, 2013

#40 - why 40 days?

Acts 1:3

After Jesus had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Jesus hung around for a while.
Isn't that amazing?
I have abandoned drive-thru lines because they were too long or going too slowly and Jesus spent another 40 days here away from home, away from His Dad. He stayed in a place where only weeks before people decided to nail His body to a cross.

Why?

It was important to Jesus to spend time with the men and women He was sending out to the ends of the earth. He desired to encourage them and prepare them for public ministry.
He made Himself known. 
He showed Himself alive.
He prepared His people.

We need to spend time with Him before we spend ourselves elsewhere.
We are 40 days away from having our first celebration service on September 8th at Central Middle School in Waterloo.  

It is important during this time of anticipation to spend time with Jesus.  

No church can save people. 
Jesus saves people.

If Candeo is used to save some, it will be because Jesus is with us.

Pray for Candeo.
Pray that God would be with us in this endeavor.
Pray that disciples would be made and equipped to make more disciples.
Pray that Jesus would spend the next 40 days preparing us for the good works He has planned for us.
The Cedar Valley does not need another church.
The Cedar Valley needs Jesus.
 
God, we cannot do anything without You.  Make Your glory grow in brilliance over the Cedar Valley through us as we submit and obey You more and more.  Thank You for the opportunity to pray.  We know You can hear us.  We know You can do even more than we ask. Amen.