Sunday Morning Series - Blueprint for Effective Prayers

Text: Various

How to keep your prayers in the ICU:

1.  I - Inform God. Don't waste your time. Informing God about your situation pulls you into doubt and unbelief.  ASK. DON'T INFORM!

2.  C - Convince God. This is begging. If you beg God, your prayers are immediately in the ICU. You need to go into prayer convinced He wants to answer your prayers.

3.  U - Don't undermine your prayers. The more time you s pend praying about something, the more unbelief comes in. Jesus prayed short prayers.

Blueprint for Powerful and Effective Prayers

1.  Proclaim

     A.  Don't complain. God doesn't listen to whining.
     B.  Proclaim the  promises of God. ASK!

          1.  Exodus 33:19
          2.  Psalms 26:7 & 96:1-4
          3.  Proverbs 20:6
          4.  I Peter 2:9

2.  Predict 

     Anticipate the promises of God coming to  pass.  Forecast a good future and outcome to your situation.

     A.  Worry is just the anticipation of a bad forecast.
     
3.  Praise

     A.  Luke 24:52-53 
     B.  Romans 15:10-11
     C.  Psalms 100

     Continually look for the good stuff, and praise God for it.

4.  Power

     A.  The power or prayer is in the faith we mix with it.
     B.  Don't mix words of doubt in your prayers.
     C.  Or words of works. (I've done so much. I deserve this.) Romans 5:1-2 tells us we access by faith.

Application:  Matthew 6:7

Know what to pray and pray it. Spend the rest of the time in the prayer of praise or fellowship.

To hear the entire message, please go to our website, and click on Listen. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. Children's Church is available for kids and young people at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686.
We'd be delighted to meet you!

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who brought in a toy for the Children's Church toy drive. We know the kids will greatly enjoy them!

Quotable Quote

"There were only a few shepherds at the first Bethlehem. The ox and the donkey understood more of the first Christmas than the high priests in Jerusalem. And it is the same today." - Thomas Merton

This Week At Zoe

On Wednesday, 12/26/12, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue teaching the book of I Timothy. We're up to Chapter 3. If you've missed the previous sessions, you can listen online, download them to your MP3 player, or podcast.

On Thursday, 12/27/12, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet for practice.

On Saturday, 12/29/12, at 10:00 A.M., the Ladies' Brunch will be held in the Children's Church Auditorium. Please bring a batch of your favorite cookies and nothing else!

On Sunday, 12/30/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll gather for our regular Sunday Morning Worship Service. Children's Church also begins at 10:00 A.M.

Have a Blessed Christmas!

May you and your family have a blessed Christmas!

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

Tonight (Monday, 12/24/12), at 7:00 P.M., we will celebrate the birth of Jesus with a candle light service. We expect to be finished by 8:00 P.M.ish, so you can make plans with family and friends.

If you're visiting the area, we invite you to share in this joyous occasion. Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. You can get directions and additional information at our website.

We'd love to meet you!

Mark Your Calendar

The Ladies' Brunch will be held on Saturday, 12/29/12, at 10:00 A.M. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible. All welcome!

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

On Tuesday, 12/24/12, at 7:00 P.M., we'll meet for a Candle Light Service. Let's celebrate the birth of Jesus together.

Quotable Quotes

"For a beggar to live at court is not so much as the King to dwell with him in his cottage." - William Gurnall

This Week At Zoe

On Wednesday, 12/19/12, at 7:00 P.M., we'll meet at Neshaminy Manor to sing Christmas Carols to the residents. You can meet us at the church at 6:50 P.M. or join us there. We'll be there until approximately 8:00 P.M. and then return to the church for a time of fellowship, cookies, and hot cocoa.

The Worship Team will meet for practice on Thursday, 12/20/12, at 7:00 P.M.

On Sunday, 12/23/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll meet for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Church is available for the youngsters.

Sunday Morning Series - 5 Minutes to Effective Prayers - Prayer for Those in a Tragedy

Text: Various

The killings of children and adults in Connecticut last Friday left us saddened and wondering how we could effectively pray for those affected.

How NOT to Pray

1.  Father, be with them.

A.  What does that mean? We are not to say phrases in prayer, but to ask for something.
B.  Hebrews 13:5 - God has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.
C.  2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 - Paul does pray the Lord would be with them, but we must pay attention to the context. It is a greeting.

D.  Romans 15:33 - Again, this is a greeting.

2.  Father, help them.

A.  In what way? 
B.  We need to know what God can do.
C.  Know what the people will allow Him to do. Many are resistant to God's love and concern.

D.  Hebrews 4:16 - We're told to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

3.  Father, let this see your purpose in this.

A.  God doesn't send people into schools to murder little children to teach us a lesson. Satan is
the one who comes to kill, steal, and destroy, and people are his agents.

If someone throws a live grenade at you, do you stand there because you think it's God's will? No, you run. The purpose of the one who threw it was to destroy your life.

How TO Pray

1.  Comprehension

A.  Pray for clarity on the what, why, and how.
B.  2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us that Satan is the god of this world. Jesus prayed that God's will           would be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). People have a choice whether or not to obey God's directive to not murder their fellow man.

2.  Comfort

A.  Comfort does not work by itself. (Acts 9:31, Romans 15:4-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, II Corinthians 1:3-4)  One of comfort's partners is the fear of the Lord. If people are defiant and shaking their fists at God, they will not receive His comfort. Another partner is patience. If you want the comfort of God to work, stay busy doing what He's called you to do. Don't stop.

B.  As you are comforted, God will give you the ability to comfort others.

3.  Compassion

A.  Tragedies give us two opportunities: 1) To harden our hearts against God and others or
2) To fill us with His compassion for those who suffer at the hands of evil people.
    
B.  In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), the brother hardened his heart against the one returning.

C.  I Peter 3:8-13 - God is against those who do evil. Jesus stood against the Pharisees and other religious leaders, who tried to entrap Him and turn the people against Him. He didn't have compassion on them. Our God is a God full of compassion, but He WILL judge evil people.

4.  Compromise

A.  When something happens we don't understand, we are tempted to alter what we believe to line up with what we see.

B.  When the Israelites saw the Egyptian army behind them and the sea before them, they           immediately changed their belief. "Did God bring us here to kill us?"

So, we pray for those who suffer tragedies:

1.  Father, bring clarity. May they know You love them and ache for what they're going through.     Show them that people walk in disobedience to you and bring trouble upon the innocent.

2.  Father, may they not blame or accuse You for this terrible crime. Let the fear of the Lord,   patience work to comfort them, so they may in turn comfort others.

3.  Father, may their hearts remain soft toward you and others. May they be filled with compassion for the suffering.

4.  Father, when circumstances are almost more than they can bear, may they turn to You instead of away from You. May they be steadfast in their trust that You're a loving God, who does not bring evil upon the upright in heart.

To hear the entire message, please visit our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download the message to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686. We'd love to meet you!


    




    

December Events

The Children's Church is collecting Christmas Presents for needy kids. They are looking for gifts for boys or girls, ages 8 and up. Any new toy you can bring for such a child would be greatly appreciated. We will need them by next Sunday, December 16th. Thank you.

On Wednesday, 12/19/12, at 7:00 P.M., we will meet at Neshaminy Manor. We'll be singing Christmas Carols for the residents. Please mark your calendar.

On  Monday, 12/24/12, at 7:00 P.M., we'll have a Christmas Eve Candle Light Service.

Quotable Quote

"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor." - Charles H. Spurgeon

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 12/12/12, at 6:30 P.M., the Leadership will meet for prayer. At 7:30 P.M., we'll have ALL CHURCH Prayer.

 OnThursday, 12/13/12, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet for practice in the sanctuary.

On Saturday, 12/15,12, at 8:00 A.M., the Men's Breakfast will  be held in the Children's Church Auditorium. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible.

On Sunday, 12/16/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll have our Sunday Morning Service. Come out and invite a friend!

Sunday Morning Series - 5 Minutes to Effective Prayer - Effective Prayer for the Unsaved

Text:  2 Corinthians 4:1-7

When sharing the gospel with unbelievers, there are two problems to overcome:

1) They do not see. This  scripture tells us they are in darkness. One who is in darkness does not need to  be blinded to be kept from seeing unless something comes along that can alter that condition.

Those born to believing parents are continually directed to the light. On the other hand, those born to unbelieving parents pass on the same blindness.

2)  They do not hear.  See Matthew 9:34-38 & Luke 10:1-2. We're not talking about an inability to understand here. Rather, the lack of messengers/preachers is the issue.

So, how do we pray for unsaved loved ones?

1)  Take authority over Satan blinding them from seeing the truth.

2)  Pray that the Father will send laborers to (name your loved one/friend). Be specific.

Note: You also must be willing to labor and share the gospel. You may be the one the Lord is sending to answer another believer's prayer.

Salvation is a combination of:

1)  Your confession.
2)  And believe in your heart. (See Romans 10:9-10)

Both are necessary to salvation.

This is a mere snippet of the entire message. To get the full benefit, go to our website, and click on Listen. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. You can find directions and other information at our website. We'd love to meet you!

December Schedule

Please mark your calendar! The Men's Breakfast will be held in the Children's Church Auditorium on 12/15/12, at 8:00 A.M. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible.

On Wednesday, 12/19/12, at 7:00 P.M., we will be caroling for the residents at Neshaminy Manor. Please watch for further announcements.

On Monday, 12/24/12, at 7:00 P.M., a Christmas Candlelight Service will be held to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

On Saturday, 12/29/12, at 10:00 A.M., the Ladies' Brunch will take place in the Children's Church Auditorium. Please bring a breakfast item, your Bible, and invite a friend. It's a great time of fun, food, and fellowship!

Quotable Quotes

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!" - Benjamin Franklin

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 12/5/12, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue teaching on I Timothy 3.

On Thursday, 12/6/12, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet in the sanctuary for practice.

On Sunday, 12/9/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll meet for our regular Sunday Service. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors!

5 Minutes to Effective Prayers - Effective Prayer for Other Believers

Text:  John 17

Jesus sees the disciples as having belonged to God and given to Him by God. He gave them what He received so that they would give to others. Don't wait for things to happen. You can study, pray, and minister to other believers.

Fellowship with God involves not only seeking Him for your own needs, but also for the needs of other believers. Jesus prayed for the disciples and future generations. Don't pray that God will take you out of this world, but commit that you'll serve Him while you're here.

In Luke 22:31-34, it sounds like Satan has asked God for permission to sift Peter like wheat, but Jesus prayed that his faith wouldn't fail. In the Greek, there are tenses for personal pronouns like the word, "you." Here the plural form of "you" is used. Peter wasn't being singled out. Jesus' prayer was for all the disciples, not just him.

The word, "sift," means to sift, shake in a sieve. Satan accomplishes this by inward agitation to put the individual on the verge of losing their faith. Jesus does not pray that their tests would be lessened or removed. He prays:

1) That their faith would not fail
2) That they would strengthen their brethren

Persecution would come to them because the Word was in them. Think about a football game. The opposition goes after the guy holding the football. If he doesn't have the football, they leave him alone. The player does everything he can to retain the ball and cross the goal line.

Sometimes we need to hang onto something and not give up. It's you that gives Satan permission to steal the Word from your heart. How does this happen?

1) Cares of this world
2) Deceitfulness of riches
3) Lack of understanding

We can pray that other believers' faith will not fail and for them to strengthen other believers.

Jesus did not pray that Peter would return to Him. Peter had a free will and that was his decision. God does not make you decide to do the right thing.

How can we fortify ourselves against the onslaught on the enemy? Prayer builds you up and gives you endurance.

As always, this is a brief summary of the message. To get the full benefit, please go to our website, and click on the Sermon player. You can listen online, download it to your MP3, or podcast it.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686. All welcome!

Announcements

The Ladies' Brunch has been postponed. They will meet on Saturday, 12/30/12, at 10:00 A.M., in the  Children's Church Auditorium. 

Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible.

If you would  like  prayer for a specific need, just mention it to one of the ushers or use a prayer request card on the back table. We are happy to pray for you during the service or privately afterward, whichever you prefer.

Quotable Quotes

"Faith is the audacity that rejoices in the fact that God cannot break His own Word." - Smith Wigglesworth

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 11/28/12, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on I Timothy 3.

On Thursday, 11/29/12, the Worship Team will meet for practice at 7:00 P.M.

On  Sunday, 12/2/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll gather for our Worship Service. Since it's the first Sunday of the month, we'll have communion.

After the Sunday Morning Service on 12/2/12, we'll have our last Covered Dish Dinner for the year. Please bring a main dish, enough for your family and some to share, as well as a dessert item. We are usually done by 2:30 P.M. We hope you'll plan to stay for delicious food and fellowship.

Sunday Morning Series - And God Gave Gifts to Men - Effective Prayer for Fellowship

Text:  I John1:1-7

Review

The most common prayer of Christians is for things, but most of our requests should be for wisdom. Christians also pray a lot for help when they should be praising and thanking God. Crying for help is a sign of unbelief. When the disciples woke up Jesus in the boat, they were seeking His help. He asked them where their faith was.

Most of our time in prayer is spent informing, complaining, pleading, and begging God. Most of our prayer time should be in fellowship.

Purpose

When we go to prayer for the purpose of fellowship, we should come away with:

1) Understanding - Maybe you don't understand a particular scripture. God will bring understanding.

2) Revelation - This is something brand new to you.

3) Knowledge of  God

4) Communion with God

5) Basically, we should grow.

Examples

1) Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden. What conversations did they have? They lived in a perfect environment, so they wouldn't be talking about the weather. The animals were already named. Most likely, they asked God questions about how He made the earth, the birds, animals, and them. They passed that knowledge on to their children and future generations until finally Moses wrote the information in book form.

2) Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) - He lived for 365 years. One of the things he learned while spending time with God was the timing of the flood. He named his son, Methusaleh, which indicated that when the child died the flood would come. Methusaleh lived 969 years. In the year he died, the prophetic word was fulfilled.

3) David - He was a shepherd, which was pretty boring unless you were defending them against a bear or lion. He occupied himself by playing the harp, composing songs (psalms), and talking to the Lord.

Application:

Prayer for fellowship involveds:

1)  Praying in the Spirit
2)  Meditation, which is going over and over the Word of God. Worry is corrupted meditation.
3)  Discussion - This is advanced. Moses, Elijah, Enoch, Abraham,  Adam all had two-way conversations with God. This can take the form of hearing God audibly, inside your spirit, through His Word, or in an open vision.

To hear the entire message, check out our website. There will be a link to the Sermon Player. You'll be able to listen online, download the message to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), Warrington, PA  The church phone number is (215) 343-7686. We'd love to meet you!

Quotable Quote

"If you pray in faith, you get to the praise. If you never get to the praise, you never get to the faith..." - Keith Moore

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 11/14/12, at 6:30 P.M., the Leadership will meet for prayer. At 7:30 P.M., we'll have ALL CHURCH PRAYER.

On Thursday, 11/15/12, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet for practice in the sanctuary.

The Men's Breakfast will be held in the Children's Church Auditorium on Saturday, 11/17/12, at 8:00 A.M. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible.

On 11/18/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll meet for our Sunday Worship Service.

Can You Get To Heaven Without Dishpan Hands?

Text:  John 13:1-17

John carefully lays out the circumstances before he tells the story of how Jesus washed the disciples' feet. Jesus knew His time on this earth was short, knew Judas was the betrayer, knew He came from God and was going back to God. With all that in mind, He used the remaining time to emphasize what is important.

Washing the feet was a custom of the time. With dusty roads and sandals, the practice was necessary to keep dirt out of the house, as well as for the comfort of guests. Since they were in a borrowed space, there were no servants to perform this task, and no one offered to do it.

Jesus prepares the basin, towel, and makes His way around the room. Eventually, He comes to Peter. While not the first person Jesus ministers to, he is the first to object. It must have seemed out of place to him. After all, Jesus was the Master. He should not be doing such a menial task.

The Lord tells him, "What I am doing you do not understand NOW, but you WILL KNOW after this." Jesus is indicating to him that this action represents more than the normal custom of the day. Peter declares, "You shall never wash my feet!"

He's informed that if Jesus does not wash his feet, he will have no part in Him. This sends Peter in the other direction. He goes from one extreme to the other. Now, he wants Jesus to wash not only his feet, but also his hands and head.

The Master is so patient, and tells Peter that one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. He then says something interesting. "...and you are clean, but not all of you." Judas is present at this time.

Jesus is illustrating an important principle. He is the only one qualified to cleanse us from sin. After we receive Him as our Savior, we walk through this world's dust and dirt. People get messy in their relationships with us. If we harbor unforgiveness, we retain that filth. I John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Principle:  Instead of imitating Jesus' outward illustration of foot washing, we're to mimic His forgiveness of those who hurt us.

To hear the full message, we encourage you to visit our website and click on the Sermon Player link. We're very excited that the new site is up and running.

If you are visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686. We look forward to meeting you!

This Week at Zoe

On Tuesday, 11/6/12, we have the opportunity to let our voices be heard. It's a privilege many have died to give us. VOTE today, and honor their memory.

On Wednesday, 11/7/12, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue teaching I Timothy. He'll pick up at Chapter 2.

The Worship Team will meet for practice on Thursday, 11/8/12, at 7:00 P.M.

On Sunday, 11/11/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll have our Sunday Morning Service.

Sunday Morning Series - Five Minutes to Effective Prayers - Effective Prayers for a Way

Text:  Genesis 30:25 - 31:55
          Job 19
          Psalm 18

Many times we find ourselves not only needing how to do something, but also a way to get it done. Through prayer, God is the best resource for us!

In Genesis 24:56 Abraham's servant says, "Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master." (Abraham's servant after finding Rebekah)

Have you ever felt like God was standing in your way? It may seem like that's the case. In Job 19, Job says:

1)  (V. 6) Surrounded by God's net
2)  (V. 8) He has fenced up my ways
3)  (V. 10) He breaks me down from every side
4)  (V. 11) He counts me as one of His enemies
5)  (V. 23) Oh, that my words were written
6)  (Job 19:25-27) For I know that my Redeemer lives,  And He shall stand at last on the earth; (26) And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, (27) Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Things are not always as they seem. Remember, this is Job's point of view. He's interpreting the events in his life, but it's not accurate.

How it is - Psalm 18. Here we see David expressing his point of view. David sees God as his rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, his God in whom he will trust, his buckler, the horn of his salvation, and his high tower. He cries out to the Lord. In Verse 36 David says, "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip."

There are things in our path that we cannot do.

Let's look at Jacob and Laban. Jacob wants to leave and strike out on his own, but Laban has prospered under Jacob's management of his flocks. He's not thrilled about the idea. They make a deal, and Jacob gets all the spotted and speckled animals. These are rare, so Laban is getting the advantage.

Jacob concocts a plan. When the strong sheep in Laban's flock are around, he causes them to view some branches that are spotted and speckled. They give birth to spotted and speckled lambs. He thinks what he is doing is bringing him success, but in a dream he's told it's God who has prospered his way. His wealth did not come by scheming but in spite of it.

Principle: I can't judge things by success but by the Word. I can't do what only God can do, and God won't do what is my responsibility.

We have two sides here:   Man's side and God's side. So, how can we pray?

1) We can pray and ask God to do His side.
2) We can ask Him what others need, so we can do our part to meet that need.
3) We cannot ask God to make others do what we want them to do.
4) We can ask God to make a way for us.

The new church website is almost live. Our address is http://www.zoecf.com. You can access the sermon player here. It's up and running. It should now operate on some devices it didn't work on previously. Give it a try on your phone,iPod, or other mobile device or computer. Let us know how it works for you!

If you're visiting the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service. We have Children's Church for your kids and a toddler class. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686.  We'd love to meet you!

Quotable Quotes

"The gage for grace is Joy and Peace.  Grace is the quality of God that makes what should be difficult easy." - Joel Simms

This Week At Zoe

We will not have our regular midweek service on Wednesday, 10/31/12. Instead, we will meet at the Philadelphia Sports Club, at 1 Highpoint Drive, Chalfont, PA 18914, from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. There will be laser tag and wollyball, as well as treats for the kids. Please bring some bite-sized,  wrapped candy. Even if you don't have children, the adults will gather for food and fellowship. For that part of the gathering, please bring some chips, dips, soda, cheese, or crackers to share.

On Thursday, 11/1/12, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet for practice in the sanctuary.

Sunday, 11/4/12, at 10:00 A.M., we'll have communion at the end of the regular worship service.