From Pastor’s Desk

This Sunday morning, we will pray for those seeking the baptism of power in the Holy Spirit with the gift of speaking in tongues. If you did not hear my sermon yesterday, I encourage you to listen, as it speaks in detail about how to receive this experience.

The way we will do this on Sunday is, during our normal time of worship before the offering and sermon, we will have an overlapping time of worship and seeking the baptism of power. So, for those seeking Spirit baptism, I will lay hands on you and pray for you as others are focused on worship.

Let’s all pray daily for God to work powerfully among us this Sunday. Let’s all come to church with faith and expectation. To build faith, read and pray through Acts 1:1–9; 2:1–39; 10:34–48; 19:1–7.

You can listen to the audio of yesterday’s sermon here: Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Keeping Our Vision in View

Pray that by God’s grace, our church will have financial well-being, and each individual will have financial well-being. The church’s financial well-being is that we have a surplus every month. Your financial well-being is to be debt-free, to have all your needs met, and to have a surplus each month to use with generosity.

The Effectiveness of Our Evangelism Depends on Prayer

Lord, I ask you to open doors for the spread of the gospel in Chicago. Give opportunities for each of us to spread the gospel, to lead people to conversion, and to enfold them in the church as true disciples of Jesus.

A Promise of Answers to Prayer and Faith

James 5:17–18 says, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

A Promise of Protection

Psalm 121:1–2 says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (ESV)

A Promise of Wisdom

Psalm 119:98–99 ESV says, “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.”

A Promise of Healing and Health

Acts 5:16 ESV says, “The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”

A Promise of Full Provision

Psalm 23:1–2, 5 says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.... You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (ESV)

An Exhortation from Jesus

Luke 8:18 ESV says, “Take care then how you hear [the Word of God], for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”