tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87214510579067290842024-03-19T00:30:32.343-04:00Prince Of Peace MBC Grand RapidsThe Prince of Peace MBC, 715 Evergreen SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-72923328761634127212011-06-10T00:50:00.001-04:002011-06-10T00:50:12.598-04:00How God Transforms Lives Reveals a 10-Stop Journey – part 2<span xmlns=''><p><span style='color:#4a4949; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>George Barna is a leader researcher and author in the area of Christian Growth. I found this article on-line. This is part two of the article. Enjoy<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#4a4949; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong>Stops on the Journey</strong><br /> <br/>The transformation journey has ten stops en route to wholeness and freedom. Most Americans, according to the research, never get beyond stop three (awareness and concern about sin and its effects, but not cooperating with Christ to alleviate that problem). Among those who become "born again Christians," most never move past stop five (i.e., having invited Christ to be their savior and then engaging in a lot of religious activity). In other words, a majority of the American public never reaches the second half of the stops on the journey to wholeness. Barna also determined that most church programs are designed to help people get to stop five of the journey but not to move farther down the road to Christ-likeness. <br/><br/>The single most challenging stop is what Barna identified as "stop 7, which is that of brokenness." The researcher indicated that in order to move closer to completion of the journey, a person must be broken of three things: sin, self, and society. He noted that America's culture serves as a strong barrier to people being willing to completely abandon themselves and the world in favor of listening to, obeying and enjoying God. <br/><br/>Barna also pointed out that a biblical pattern of spiritual development would require brokenness prior to a person becoming "born again," but that Americans typically follow a different ordering of the experiences than that identified in the scriptures. That re-ordering is responsible for the prolonged time it takes to make real spiritual progress. <br/><br/><strong>Transformation by the Numbers</strong><br /> <br/>Armed with numerous insights from the research, Barna mentioned a few of the statistics included in the book that place some of these perspectives in context. For instance, while more than two-thirds of Americans say they are either "religious" or "spiritual," they admit to not being deeply committed to faith matters. Fewer than one in five (18%) claims to be "totally committed" to engaging in personal spiritual development. Further evidence shows that among adults who claim to be Christian, just one out of every seven (14%) say that their faith in and relationship with God is the highest priority in their life. <br/><br/>While four out of five adults say they are Christian, only one out of five (20%) contends that the single, most important decision they have ever made was to invite Jesus Christ to forgive them and become their savior. <br/><br/>Driven by social mores, few adults who believe they are Christian are willing to abandon worldly objectives in favor of seeking godliness. Only one out of five (22%) stated that they live in a way which makes them completely dependent upon God – and follow up research, according to Barna, indicates that such dependence only emerges in times of crisis or suffering. <br/><br/>Emphasizing that "you get what you measure" – that is, you evaluate yourself in areas that you believe are important and generally ignore the rest – Barna asserted that neither churches nor individuals usually have measurement criteria for spiritual development that reflect the outcomes promoted by Jesus. Citing "tangible fruit" as a more desirable outcome than the factors often measured – such as attendance, giving, program completion, or even Bible knowledge – he suggested that Christians and communities of faith reconsider how they determine "success" and "maturity" in light of what the research has shown to be the characteristics of those who have reached the latter stops on the journey and exhibit more substantial evidence of holistic life transformation. <br/><br/>The <strong><em>Maximum Faith</em></strong> research not only described the ten stops on the transformation journey, but also the percentage of adults parked at each stop. Less than two percent of the public has reached either of the final two stops on the journey.</span></p></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-13868706230104644482011-03-03T13:15:00.001-05:002011-03-03T13:15:57.188-05:00Micah 6:8 -"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but <br>to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" <br> <br>"Reading makes a broad man but writing makes an exact man" -Francis Beacon-Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-36615806442833648552011-02-26T23:48:00.001-05:002011-02-26T23:48:37.487-05:00"Salvation is of the Lord." Jonah 2:9..."Salvation is of the Lord." Jonah 2:9 Salvation is the work of God. It is He alone who quickens the soul "dead in trespasses and sins," and it is He also who maintains the soul in its spiritual life. He is both "Alpha and Omega." "Salvation is of the Lord." I do nothing whatever towards my own preservation, except what God Himself first does in me. Whatever I have, all my goodness is of the Lord alone.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-51824522090178446942011-02-19T20:01:00.001-05:002011-02-19T20:01:35.920-05:00"Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet ..."Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." Ezekiel 36:3 Prayer is the forerunner of mercy. Turn to sacred history, and you will find that scarcely ever did a great mercy come to this world unheralded by supplication. You have found this true in your own personal experience. God has given you many an unsolicited favour, but still great prayer has always been the prelude of great mercy with you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-14113034762595395322011-02-13T20:17:00.001-05:002011-02-13T20:17:39.229-05:00In the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:5-15), J...In the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:5-15), Jesus taught us everything we need to know to develop a vital, intimate and powerful prayer life. If we follow His model, no ceiling can stand between us and the throne room of heaven.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-4350578581563893772011-02-04T13:47:00.001-05:002011-02-04T13:47:05.373-05:00I know the plans II know the plans I have for you says the Lord Plans to prosper you & not to harm you Plans to give hope and a future Jer 29:11Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-47560826128618127892011-02-01T07:33:00.001-05:002011-02-01T07:33:37.221-05:00Do not gamble with grace.Do not gamble with grace. Ephesians 4:30Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-54697405071651579752011-01-12T22:12:00.001-05:002011-01-12T22:12:49.874-05:00"I have yet to speak on God's behalf...."I have yet to speak on God's behalf." Job 36:2 From the hidden springs within let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passer-by. To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honouring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their parents. Lord, unloose all Thy children's tongue.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-18655489759479051292010-11-16T10:11:00.001-05:002010-11-16T10:11:15.621-05:00It is not "The Lord is partly my port...It is not "The Lord is partly my portion," nor "The Lord is in my portion"; but He Himself makes up the sum total of my soul's inheritance. Within the circumference of that circle lies all that we possess or desire. The Lord is my portion. Not His grace merely, nor His love, nor His covenant, but God Himself. He has chosen us for His portion, and we have chosen Him for ours. It is true that the Lord must first choose our inheritance for us, or else we will never choose it for ourselves.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-28162077196736857372010-10-29T11:07:00.001-04:002010-10-29T11:07:24.328-04:00Don't neglect your right and responsibility to vote. Every election is important. Most people believe the Presidential election is the most impotant vote they will cast. However. you need policies and elected official at the local to truly impact the quality of your life and community..<p>Get out and vote.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-8581176106441206202010-06-09T13:04:00.001-04:002010-06-09T13:04:55.414-04:00"The Lord hath done great things for ..."The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." Psalm 126:3. Some Christians only look on the dark side of everything! They dwell on what they have gone through than what God has brought them through. Their impression of life is described with Continual Conflicts, Deep Dismay and Adverse Afflictions. The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, Who has led us through it all and preserved us til now.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-51547514309280076022010-06-05T23:38:00.001-04:002010-06-05T23:38:09.442-04:00"The Lord shut him in." Genesis 7:16...."The Lord shut him in." Genesis 7:16. Noah was shut in with his God. "Come thou into the ark," was the Lord's invitation, by which He clearly showed that He Himself intended to dwell in the ark with His servant and his family. All the chosen dwell in God and God in them. Happy people to be enclosed in the same circle which contains God in the Trinity of His persons, Father, Son, and Spirit. Come in out of the danger, storm and rain.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-18884976961243130412010-06-02T16:00:00.001-04:002010-06-02T16:00:50.990-04:00"The Lord will perfect that which con..."The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." Psalm 138:8. The Psalmist was wise, he rested upon nothing short of the Lord's work. It is the Lord who has begun the good work within us; it is He who has carried it on; and if he does not finish it, it never will be complete. Our confidence must not be in what we have done, nor in what we have resolved to do, but entirely in what the Lord will do.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-20849398684324372922010-06-02T09:30:00.001-04:002010-06-02T09:30:37.189-04:00"Only let your conversation be as it ..."Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27 The word "conversation" doesn't just mean our talk & converse, but the whole course of our life, actions and behaviour in the world. If our life is to resemble the gospel, we must shun everything that hinders our perfect conformity to Christ. For His sake, our own sakes, and the sakes of others, strive day by day to let our conversation be more in accordance with His gospel.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-80275151898560220312010-06-01T15:00:00.001-04:002010-06-01T15:00:26.183-04:00"This I recall to my mind, therefore ..."This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." Lamentations 3:21 Memory is often the bondslave of despair. As a general principle, if we would exercise our memories more wisely, we might, in our very darkest distress, strike a match which would instantaneously kindle the lamp of comfort. Remember the kindness of the Lord, Rehearse His deeds of grace & Recollect His memorials of mercy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-77568877729544956362010-06-01T06:00:00.001-04:002010-06-01T06:00:10.627-04:00Take us the foxes, the little foxes t...Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines." Song of Songs 2:15 A little thorn causes great suffering. A little cloud hides the sun. Little foxes spoil the vines; & little sins do mischief to the tender heart. These little sins bury and burrow in the soul. Walls may be built up of little pebbles, as easily as of great stones. The sea is made of drops; the rocks are made of grains. Don't let the 'little things' destroy you. Morning and Evening I will bless You and bring glory to Your name.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-66673250186130555892010-05-31T20:56:00.001-04:002010-05-31T20:56:34.147-04:00"The king also himself passed over th..."The king also himself passed over the brook Kidron." 2Samuel 15:23. David is run out of his kingdom by his son Absalom. In v. 30, he and all his country are barefoot, weeping, head covered and passing over a muddy brook as they go UP to worship. In v. 32 he worships. Battered, beaten, homeless and hurt, he goes UP to worship. Morning and Evening I will praise You and bring glory to Your name.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-66301116081618273152010-05-26T08:46:00.001-04:002010-05-26T08:46:35.064-04:00Life is too short for long grudges an...Life is too short for long grudges and long faces - "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." Psalm 55:22. Morning and Evening I will Bless You and bring Glory to Your name.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-24216392051230893442010-05-22T21:19:00.001-04:002010-05-22T21:19:32.611-04:00"In the world ye shall have tribulati..."In the world ye shall have tribulation." John 16:33 Don't waste too much time looking "inward". In this world there are many trials and tribulations. Rather, look "upward"! That is where your source lieth. And know this, while you look "upward" He is looking "downward". "Downward to navigate you through the caverns of your tribulations. It is there while you look "upward" and He looks "downward" that your eyes shall meet in alignment. That is where we align with His will. Morning and Evening I will Bless You and Bring Glory to Your Name.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-13268874294544330092010-05-12T14:03:00.001-04:002010-05-12T14:03:21.579-04:00"GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN"
Josh 14:10-12..."GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN"<br />Josh 14:10-12 (NKJV) - And now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day;<br /><br />Anything WORTH having is WORTH WAITING for and WORTH the WORK. If it is God's WILL, don't WAIVER and WORRY. Whatever He promised, comes to pass. Caleb was young, now he is old. But his strength remains because God promised! Now before you call it quits, holla out 'GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN"!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-14187741240606000042010-03-28T22:00:00.001-04:002010-03-28T22:00:24.338-04:00RT @popmbc: "Then all the disciples f...RT @popmbc: "Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled." Matthew 26:56 He never deserted us, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-68618187594941836312010-02-16T23:00:00.001-05:002010-02-16T23:00:16.965-05:00"I have learned, in whatever state I ..."I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11 <br /> <br />These words show us that contentment is not a natural propensity of man. Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth: and so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener's care. Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated; it will not grow in us by nature; it is the new nature alone that can produce it, and even then we must be specially careful and watchful that we maintain and cultivate the grace which God has sown in us. Morning and Evening I will Bless the Lord and Bring Him GloryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-23806251081922862792010-02-16T15:01:00.001-05:002010-02-16T15:01:28.323-05:00"To Him be glory both now and forever..."To Him be glory both now and forever." 2Peter 3:18 <br /> <br />Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! The unnumbered years will speed their everlasting course, but forever and for ever, "to Him be glory." Is He not a "Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec"? "To Him be glory." Is He not king for ever? King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father? "To Him be glory for ever." Never shall His praises cease. That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the luster of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. Jesus! shall be praised for ever. Long as immortal spirits live--long as the Father's throne endures--for ever, for ever, unto Thee shall be glory. Believer, are you anticipating the time when you will join the saints above in proclaiming all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now? The apostle's words are, "To Him be glory both now and for ever." This day make it your prayer. "Lord, help me to glorify Thee; I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give Thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Yours, and glow with no flame but affection for You; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of You and for You; You have put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I am all Yours; take me, and enable me to glorify You now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have." <br />Morning and Evening I will Praise You and Bring You GloryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-16059603870670459092010-02-16T12:00:00.001-05:002010-02-16T12:00:38.054-05:00We are praying now for God's favor in...We are praying now for God's favor in Phase Two; The property must be rezoned in order for the church to use it for 'religious' purposes. Join us in prayer for the favor of God to move with the City of GR. We already know that He is ABLE! Blessings and Honor.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721451057906729084.post-16283756804122961032010-02-16T06:00:00.001-05:002010-02-16T06:00:03.570-05:00ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF ASH WEDNESDAY
A...ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF ASH WEDNESDAY<br />Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and abstinence. It is also known as the 'Day of Ashes'. So called because on that day at church the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross. In the Old Testament ashes were found to have used for two purposes: as a sign of humility and mortality; and as a sign of sorrow and repentance for sin. The reference to the sealing the servants of God for their protection in Revelation is an allusion to a parallel passage in Ezekiel, where Ezekiel also sees a sealing of the servants of God for their protection; (Ezekiel 9:4-6). They also symbolize death and so remind us of our mortality. Thus when the priest used his thumb to sign one of the faithful with the ashes, he says, "Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return," Getting self-ashed. Ash Wednesday marks the onset of a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection. What will you give up for the next 40 days beginning February 17 until Easter? Will you replace it with the word of God?<br />Morning and Evening I will Praise You and Bring Glory to Your NameAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268758925088691844noreply@blogger.com0