"Choosing Gratitude Over Grievance"

First Covenant Church of Willmar

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"Choosing Gratitude Over Grievance"

March 24, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

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Our final point to our commitment to "PRAY BOLD . . . be humble" is a commitment to deal with our doubts, excuses, and complaints diligently, and choose gratitude instead. Or another way to say it -- Choosing Gratitude over Grievance. Gratitude invited humility. Being truly thankful opens you up to receive a gift to its fullest measure. It is interesting that nearly half of the Psalms are considered Psalms of Lament. While these poems express deep heartache and grievance, they nearly all end with a sense of gratitude; an acknowledgment that the LORD is God and ultimately there is no better place to be than in His sovereign hands. Likewise, the Apostle Paul encourages the Church in Colossae to be thankful and allow their gratitude to empower their prayers and faithful obedience to Christ Jesus.

This Palm Sunday, we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We know how Holy Week ends, and we know what awaits Jesus’ Disciples on Resurrection Sunday. Though there is deep sorrow all around us, we have MUCH to be thankful for!

"Admitting and Amending"

March 17, 2024 • 1 Peter 4:7–11

This Sunday we are privileged to have Thor Anderson from Lake Beauty Bible Camp present with us as he shares about the upcoming summer camping season. Thor will also be continuing in our Lenten sermon series as together we explore the sixth prayer principle; Admitting when I am wrong and quickly making amends. In preparation for this Sunday, read 1 Peter 4: 7 - 11

"Testify to God’s Working in My Life"

March 10, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Psalm 71

When we pray boldly, it is because God has filled us with faith to be able to do so. Faith prays with assurance when God has made the outcomes known, and faith prays with submission where God has kept the outcome hidden. When we pray, we must remember that prayer is a dialogue. The Holy Spirit will speak and reveal God’s will in our lives -- if we are paying attention. Praying boldly while living humbly means we commit to keeping our eyes open to see how God is working in and around us. Ultimately, this is what Christian testimony is all about -- bearing witness to what God has done and is doing in and through you. A major step in unleashing a life of bold prayer is to learn how to pay attention to the movement of God. In preparation for this Sunday, read Psalm 71

"Praying in Faith-- Moving Toward God’s Miracles Every Day"

March 3, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • James 2:14–16, James 5:13–18

This past Sunday many came forward to humbly present impossible prayers before the LORD, laying our prayers at the foot of the cross. These prayers express our heart’s desire for God to work miracles on our behalf. We believe that what is impossible for us as human beings is possible for God. To "PRAY BOLD, be humble" requires faithfulness; we are invited to faithfully walk in God’s will as we take measurable steps toward God’s miracles every day. According to the Apostle James, bold prayer will take one of two forms; confident assurance or humble submission. Both require faith, both are rooted in the belief that God is able to work the impossible -- both invite you to trust your Savior and LORD. In preparation for this Sunday, read James 2:14-16; 5:13-18.