14th Day Ladies Event – Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Ladies come and join us for our monthly Fellowship with a Focus on Wednesday, August 14th at 6:30-8:30pm.
It will be held at the home of Cindy Riggle, 14955 Grassy Knoll Court, in Woodbridge.
Prayer Focus for Madagascar – August 11, 2013
Madagascar, AFRICA: Political troubles and conflict plague this land. Many thought political freedom had arrived with the conclusive defeat of Marxist rhetoric and the ending of civil strife in 2002. The victor of the 2002 and 2006 presidential elections was concerned for the poor but criticized for his autocratic style. He was forced to resign in 2009 after his rival, the capital’s mayor, orchestrated street demonstrations and the necessary military backing to seize the presidency. Widespread political condemnation of this move from most of the EU, the African Union and the UN, demonstrates Madagascar’s continued democratic fragility and vulnerability to military intervention. Pray for leadership that will serve the people with humility and transparency, not seeking power for its own ends.
The Protestant Churches have a glorious history of faith despite their persecution by heathen rulers and harassment by the French Catholic colonial authorities. It grew from 5,000 in 1861 to one million in 1900. There have been significant revival movements within the larger churches in 1895, 1941, 1948, and during the 1980s. Springing from the revivals, movements of indigenous lay “shepherds” are operating within the mainline churches. Their emphasis on healing and exorcism – which relate strongly to the spiritist mentality – has led to conversions and full churches in some areas. Pray that this movement might continue to grow and be rooted in Scripture.
Prayer Focus for Macedonia – August 4, 2013
- Macedonia, Europe: The Macedonian Orthodox Church claims to represent almost two-thirds of the population, but more than 1,000 churches remain largely empty, and most Macedonians are secular and unreligious in practice. The Macedonian government effectively endorsed this Church’s hegemony by imprisoning the local bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church, from which the Macedonian Orthodox illegitimately split. The Orthodox Church sometimes opposes new religious expressions such as evangelicalism, but dialogue is increasing. Pray for new life to touch this Church and all those who belong to it. For more information visit www.operationworld.org.
Mission Trip to North Carolina
Our Mission Team made it safely and have started work in Cherokee, North Carolina. To see pictures go to our Gallery at https://www.crossroadspca.net/gallery/
Acts 12:1-25
James Killed and Peter Imprisoned
12 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Peter Is Rescued
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.”[a] Then he departed and went to another place.
18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
The Death of Herod
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain,[b] they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from[c] Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Prayer Focus for Luxembourg – July 28, 2013
The growth of other faiths presents a challenge to traditional faith. Islam, Orthodoxy, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Eastern mysticism and the multiplication of Protestant and Independent groups have transformed this small nation into a melting pot of religious expression. Pray that believers in the Lord Jesus might seek and make use of chances to share the gospel, and help shape the nation according to biblical principles.
Prayer Focus for Lithuania – July 21, 2013
Lithuania
Lithuania, Europe: Catholicism retains a crucial role in Lithuanian society, but has not fully emerged from old ways of thinking to embrace its potential for godly influence in society. Pray that the Catholic Church uses its significant influence to draw people to Christ. Only one-sixth of Catholics attend church weekly. Fellowship with and acceptance of other Christian groups must be improved. Several Franciscan, charismatic and evangelical-style networks in the Church bring young leadership, new thinking and fresh spirituality; pray for their further growth. For more information visit Operation World
What’s In a Name? Acts 11:19-30
“What’s in a name?” Juliet asks in Shakespeare’s famous romance. Names are small packages that carry a great deal of freight. For example, consider the name “Christians”? How did we get that name? In Acts 11:19-30 Luke records the story of the disciples in Antioch, when they were first called Christians.
Note that this group was called Christians (11:26). That is, they were given this name by those outside of their own circles. The presence of this group within the public square was thick enough to warrant a label. At the same time, no existing label was sufficient. What other group in Antioch consisted of Jews, Africans, Asians and Syrians from its very onset? What other group in the city submitted to the leadership of Jewish teachers in mainly Greco-Roman gatherings? What other mainly Hellenistic group in the metropolitan area would send resources and funding to Jews in Jerusalem? Most important and unique, however, was the core commitment of its members to this Lord Jesus whom the original adherents had preached. With all the Greeks among its members, one may have expected a core commitment to Lord Caesar. With the Jewish sympathies among them, one may have expected the core commitment to YHWH or maybe even Lord Herod. When it came down to it, there was only one common denominator – a common agreement regarding their need for the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
How can we live up to the name “Christians” today? When people meet us as individuals or experience us as a group on Sunday, what name do we elicit? Does our life elicit the label of Christian or are we easily labeled by other groups? Do we transcend the common societal labels such as liberal, religious, progressives, conservatives, environmentalists, etc., etc., etc.?
On Sunday I mentioned several ways that we can seek to make Christ’s grace the defining characteristic of our community. One of them was being willing to learn from those outside of “our city.” Like those Greek converts in Antioch who were willing to be taught by Jews from outside their city, we too can submit to Christians from outside our immediate circles. Specifically, I challenged small group leaders to choose a book in the coming year that comes from outside our time period, nation, denomination, or Reformed tradition. Of course you don’t have to wait for your care group to read one to pick it up yourself. I have listed several below for your consideration.
Saint Augustine of Hippo (4th century, North Africa), Confessions (~300 pages)
Jean Calvin (16th century, France), Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life (short section taken from the Institutes)
Kwame Bediako (Ghana), Jesus in African Culture (compact booklet on the book of Hebrews)
Vinoth Ramachandra (India), Faiths in Conflict? Christian Integrity in a Multicultural World
Samuel Escobar (Peru), The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone
Roland Chia (Indonesia), Hope for the World
Ivan Satravyata (India), Holy Spirit – Giver of Life
Peter Reports to the Church Acts 11:1-18
Peter Reports to the Church
11 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If thenGod gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”