This has been a cold, wet week but work has progressed. Last Thursday and Friday they poured the concrete floor that makes up the second floor children’s area. Today they should be taking the paper and plastic curing covers off those floors. The masons are hard at it putting up the red brick on the North and West sides. Midland Steel finished their part except for a few things that must wait until later. The roofers have all the metal roof decks down and the sheet metal and plumbers are making their holes before the roofing material can go down.

Next week they are scheduled to put the heating and cooling units on the roof before the big yellow crane is moved off site. The drive under canopy is hanging out over the new entry area that is coming together. They are also to pour concrete on top of the canopy before taking down the scaffolding that is holding it up. Next week they hope to pour the concrete floor in the entry so the walls can be put up. The building is getting closed in quickly and the electrician will need to string work lights inside. We have about 30 days to get the building closed in to stay on target for our scheduled completion dates.

Fabulous Fifth Sunday!

First Worship Service

• Joy to the World; Text by Isaac Watts; Music by George Frederick Handel
  • Hear it on Hillsong’s album “Celebrating Christmas”
• Hosanna by Brenton Brown and Paul Baloche
  • Hear it on Paul Baloche’s album “A Greater Song”
• Celebrate by John P. Kee
  • Hear it on John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir’s album “A Special Christmas Gift”
• Because of Who You Are by Martha Munizzi
  • Hear it on Vicki Yohe’s album “I Just Want You”

Second Worship Service

• Salvation is Here by Joel Houston
  • Hear it on Hillsong United’s album “The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One”
• The Glory of It All by David Crowder
  • Hear it on the David Crowder Band’s album “Remedy”
• Hosanna by Brooke Fraser
  • Hear it on Hillsong United’s album “Saviour King”
• Thank You For Hearing Me by David Crowder
  • Hear it on David Crowder’s album “Can You Hear Us?”
• Our Love is Loud by David Crowder
  • Hear it on David Crowder’s album “Can You Hear Us?”

MONDAY—EVANGELISTIC PRAYER

Chronological Reading: Ezekiel 46-48 + 1 John 3
Monday, November 30, 2009

Matthew 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Gracious God and Father:

I know someone just like her! They tell me they feel like they tried to approach you, but got no response. Maybe I can remind them about this story, where you did not immediately bestow the blessing, even though the woman had great faith to seek it. Maybe I can encourage them that even though you intend to give it, you still may wait awhile and cause them to seek you with their whole heart. How many times have I seen you do that in my own life?
Her prayers were good. Her case was needy. She felt her distress and desperate dependence sufficiently—even overwhelmingly! She was intensely earnest, and had faith that made even you wonder.
Faith brings peace, but not always instantly. You may have good reasons that call for the trying of our faith. Certainly, anyone who ever believed that Jesus COULD save them SHOULD keep on seeking him.
O Lord, make the faith of __________ and __________ blossom and bud this week. Give them grace to come to church with me and seek you again if they have ever been willing to seek you before. Some people, like the Philippian jailor, are turned from darkness to light in a moment. But others are plants that grow slower. The seed has to be watered for a while before it germinates. A deeper sense of sin is required. Lord, give me patience to work with them, pray for them, and keep witnessing to them.
I still believe in the love of your heart though it sometimes sounds like silence. I will not give up seeking and trusting you for the salvation of anyone. I will depend on you even where there is no evidence your Spirit is working. Amen.

TUESDAY— CORPORATE PRAYER MINISTRY

Chronological Reading: Daniel 1-3 + 1 John 4
Tuesday, December 1, 2009

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Glorious God and King:
Prayer comes spontaneously from those who are abiding in Jesus. Prayer is the natural outflow of a soul in communion with Christ. The leaf and the fruit come out of the vine’s branch naturally without any conscious effort, simply because of its connection to the stem. So prayer buds and blossoms out of our church as long as our people stand abiding in Christ.
The stars do not say, It is time for us to start shining. And people who are really abiding do not say, It is time for us to get at it and pray. No, we will pray like wise people eat: when hunger hits. Yet we will pray corporately at specified times. We don’t have to feel in bondage when prayer ministry night comes around and say, “I ought to go but I don’t feel like it.” No, it becomes a glad errand to run to this mercy seat! We can rejoice to go there corporately as well as personally, because that puts us in the center of the mission.
Hearts abiding in Jesus send out supplications like fires send up flames and sparks. We can open the day with prayer. Help us surround ourselves with prayer as our atmosphere all day long. Then when we come to church, we simply bring that atmosphere with us! This would create the environment and atmosphere of life in our services.
The fruit of abiding includes liberty in praying. There is a freedom of expression; there is power to pray. Oh Lord, help us plead as we need. We can get the answer for ourselves if we are abiding. Fluency is fine, but we need depth of thought and strength of feeling, because a true prayer is measured by weight and not by length. Make even our groans to be great orations! Amen.

WEDNESDAY—REVIVAL PRAYING

Chronological Reading: Daniel 4-6 + 1 John 5
Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Luke 16:2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Holy Father and Redeemer:
I have to obey you, because you are coming. I need revival before you get here. Lift me out of my spiritual apathy so I will be ready, because you could return at any time!
I am your steward. You are my master. You are coming to give me accountability. Fathers of families will be called to give account. Mothers of children will be called to give account. Singles will be called to account for relationships and the extra time and resources they had for service and attention to the Lord. Workers in the workplace will be called to give account. Young men and women will be held accountable for their strength. Old men and women will be held accountable for their longevity.
Am I clear of guilt? If you call me and say, “I entrusted you with a talent, what have you gained for me?” How could I answer?
God grant me grace to order my life according to your mission. But Lord, I cannot do it without the aid, assistance and anointing of the Holy Spirit! Give me revival now, so that when the Lord shows up I can meet him with joy.
Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers,
I have a deep responsibility, yearning and anxiety toward my generation. I am supposed to serve them. What is the state of my service? What is the state of my heart? When my heart is revived my service will be right. Make my heart sound. Make my heart perfect. Then let me show the rightness of my heart in my words and in my actions, for this is true revival! Amen.

A DAILY PATTERN FOR PRAYER & BIBLE READING

Chronological Reading: Daniel 7-9 + 2 John
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Joshua 5:14 And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
FATHER, I stretch my hands to Thee, no other help I know;
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me, Ah! whither shall I go?
What did Thine only Son endure, before I drew my breath!
What pain, what labor, to secure my soul from endless death!

O Jesus, could I this believe, I now should feel Thy power;
Now my poor soul Thou wouldst retrieve, nor let me wait one hour.
Surely Thou canst not let me die; O speak, and I shall live;
And here I will unwearied lie, till Thou Thy Spirit give.

Author of faith! to Thee I lift my weary, longing eyes:
O let me now receive that gift! My soul without it dies.
The worst of sinners would rejoice, would they but see Thy face:
O, let me hear Thy quickening voice, and taste Thy pardoning grace.

—Charles Wesley, 1741

FRIDAY—FOCUS ON THE CROSS AT CHRISTMAS

Chronological Reading: Daniel 10-12 + 3 John
Friday, December 4, 2009

Psalm 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Savior, Master, Friend:
What a proof it is of how full you were of the Bible that almost every saying you gave from the cross was a quotation or allusion from scripture. To fit this verse to your own situation you added one word to it: Father. You also subtracted something from it: thou hast redeemed me. Because while David could say that, you could not because you were the Redeemer.
Help me make my own speech flavored with scripture today, so all my speech might taste of some text! I should be saturated with it. From your first run-in with the Devil in the wilderness, till your last struggle with Death on the cross, your weapon was ever, It is written….
John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, …go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
In my hour of trouble, in my time of warfare I say, Father. The first cry from the cross is just like the last. They both begin with the note, Father. To help me forgive others I cry, Father! To help me in sore suffering and pain I cry, Father! My main strength lies not in being good, but in being your child.
Where could I go but to the Lord? Beneath a shower of stones, the firt martyr Stephen was
Acts 7:59 …calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
My last emotion when I die (if not my last expression) should be, Father, receive my spirit. That is the doctrinal teaching in the last cry from the cross—the Fatherhood of God and all that comes to me as a believer from it. Give me grace to claim all that you are as my Father. Amen.

SATURDAY—IN THE PSALMS

Chronological Reading: Hosea 1-3 + Jude
Saturday, December 5, 2009

Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Dear Lord and Righteous Father:
The best praise is purity and the best music is holiness. If I really want to worship you I will walk in your word and in the Spirit today. I need revival!
This was David’s deliberate choice. Make it mine. Influenced by the grace of God, let me choose wisdom as the principal thing, and count the fear of the Lord as my best protection.
Others can run after gain and fame. Whatever happens to me today this is my desire: I want to behave myself wisely. But to behave wisely, I have to be holy.
Give me the manliness and womanhood (let alone godliness) to do the right thing in every thing today. It will be the turning point in my career, my home, my relationships, my difficulties. It will save me from a thousand future sorrows for every present pain it may not eliminate immediately.
I don’t need to be a philosopher to know right from wrong. The way to act in every instance is,
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For most people, their conscience is elastic. But the law of the Lord is consistent and standard. I will always lose less by doing right than I ever would by doing wrong.
I will behave—for I am determined—but often I like the power. I want to behave wisely, but you know my dependence is on your Spirit for holiness. Come unto me for I need more grace. I need more help than I find in myself. I call on you to be my helper for holiness. Do it for Jesus’ sake and honor. Amen.

Focus: Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who have never heard, establishing relationships with those we have never met, and connecting all peoples in our community to KCBT.
Live Out Loud Project: Saturday, March 6 from 10am-12pm. We’ll meet at Midtown Baptist Temple to do small group street evangelism in the Midtown area.
Key Verse: Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Contact: Donivan Best

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First Worship Service

• Everlasting God by Ken Riley and Brenton Brown
  • Hear it on Anthony Evans’s album “The Bridge”
• Hallelujah by Brenton Brown and Brian Doerksen
  • Hear it on Brenton Brown’s album “Everlasting God”
• Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus by George Duffield and George J. Webb
  • Hear it on the Promise Keepers’ album “Live a Legacy”
• God is Great by Marty Sampson
  • Hear it on Travis Cottrell’s album “Alive Forever”
• What Can I Do by Paul Baloche and Graham Kendrick
  • Hear it on Paul Baloche’s album “A Greater Song”
• Thank You Lord by Paul Baloche and Don Moen
  • Hear it on Paul Baloche’s album “A Greater Song”

Second Worship Service

• ‘Til I See You by Joel Houston and Jadwin Gillies
  • Hear it on Hillsong United’s album “The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One”
• Freedom is Here by Scott Ligertwood and Reuben Morgan
  • Hear it on Hillsong United’s album “A_CROSS // The_EARTH: Tear Down the Walls”
• I Will Exalt You by Brooke Ligertwood
  • Hear it on Hillsong United’s album “Faith+Hope+Love”
• Worthy King by Diego Chi
• Revolutionary Love by Jeremy Bush, David Crowder, and Jack Parker
  • Hear it on David Crowder’s album “Illuminate”

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MONDAY—EVANGELISTIC PRAYER

Chronological Reading: Ezekiel 28-30 + 1 Peter 5
Monday, November 23, 2009

Isaiah 36:5 I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) “I have counsel and strength for war”: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

Almighty God and King:
This is an important question for anyone. Now on whom dost thou trust? Oh, that __________ and __________ would listen to my answer and make it theirs!
I trust you, Father, believing you have chosen me from the foundation of the world. I trust you to provide for me in providence, teach me in scripture, guide me by your Spirit, correct me by your counsel, and bring me home to your house, where many mansions are.
I trust you, Son of God, believing you have taken away all my sins by your own sacrifice. Clothe me with your perfect righteousness. Be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires to the Father on his throne. Be my Advocate against the Accuser. Justify me by your own blood! I trust you for who you are, for what you have done, and for what you promise to do with me.
I trust you, Holy Spirit, because you have not only saved me eternally, but started saving me right now from inbred sin. I trust you to drive them all out. I trust you to curb my temper, subdue my will, enlighten my understanding, check my emotions, comfort my depression, help my weaknesses, and illuminate my darkness. I trust you to dwell in me as surely as I have life animating me. Reign as my King. Sanctify me completely in response to my complete consecration. Make me yours: spirit, soul, and body, now and forever!
Help me witness to someone who will trust the One whose power will never be exhausted, love will never wane, kindness will never change, faithfulness will never fail, wisdom will never be confused, and goodness can never be diminished. Happy is that person whose trust is in you completely! Amen.

TUESDAY— CORPORATE PRAYER MINISTRY

Chronological Reading: Ezekiel 31-33 + 2 Peter 1
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

1 Kings 9:2-3 That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

O Lord Our God:
No matter what level of spiritual maturity we are at, we need fresh manifestations and new visitations from on high! It is right for us to thank you for the past, and look back in joy at your visits in earlier days, but we seek you for a special appearance, your renewed presence right now.
We seek to daily walk in the light of your countenance. But while an ocean has its high tides twice every day, it also has its spring tides. The sun does shine even if we do not see it, and though there is winter fog there is also summer brightness. We walk with you constantly, but yet there are special occasions—like during the holiday seasons—where we pray for a special visitation, where you open your heart and manifest yourself and let us see your glory.
Not every day in a palace is a banqueting day. Not all days with God are so clear and glorious as certain special conferences and services. We are happy that we have beheld your face in past Thanksgivings, Christmases and New Years. We are happier still if you will come to us once again in the fullness of your favor, in the freshness of your power, and in the moving of your Spirit among us.
We seek your second appearance! We do not need to be saved again, but speak to us again. We need the windows of heaven to be opened once more! We need the Holy Spirit to drop down and renew our strength in your mission. We ask that—just like you did for Solomon—you would answer our prayer with a second appearance. Do this for Jesus’ sake and glory. Amen.

WEDNESDAY—REVIVAL PRAYING

Chronological Reading: Ezekiel 34-36 + 2 Peter 2
Wednesday, November 25, 2009

1 Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Holiness Is What I Long For:
It is a sad thing when a Christian does not open the sacred precincts of his heart in his own house. He or she is profane if he has not set aside a sanctuary in his heart. At work I may be among rivals, but surely I should be revived at home.
A house is better if it has a heart inside. Is my home revived? Does my family feel like I have God’s heart inside me? When I greet my friends, do they see a soul that goes beyond self, and is enlarged in its spiritual vision, and inspires others into ministry for Christ? Give me such a heart! for this is the benchmark of revival.
My heart must be right, but my heart also has to be expressed. How many of my friends fail in this. Some people walk like saints abroad but it’s like living with the Devil to dwell with them at home. Why? Because there is contentiousness, backbiting, jealousy, rage, evil speaking. But I am what I am at home. That’s the crucial test of character, and true revival. If I don’t make my family happy, and my example at home is not holy, then I am a failure of the first order and of the worst kind. My witness is worthless.
The sooner I stop that false profession the better! I need to admit who I am and what I have done, and seek you with humility in a spirit of repentance. It is at home where lack of revival does the most damage. The world is not as much influenced by a hypocrite as my family is damaged by having one inside it. And worse than criticizing me, my children may end up imitating me. Their character will be fashioned on my inconsistent pattern. Help me, Lord! Amen.

A DAILY PATTERN FOR PRAYER & BIBLE READING

Chronological Reading: Ezekiel 37-39 + 2 Peter 3
Thursday, November 26, 2009

Jeremiah 29:10-11 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Oh, to be “Kept for Jesus!” Kept, by the power of God;
Kept from the world unspotted, treading where Jesus trod.
Oh, to be “Kept for Jesus!” Serving as He shall choose;
“Kept” for the Master’s pleasure; “kept” for the Master’s use.

Oh, to be “Kept for Jesus!” Kept from the world apart;
Lowly in mind and spirit, gentle and pure in heart.
Oh, to be “Kept for Jesus!” Oh, to be all His own;
Kept, to be His forever, kept, to be His alone!

Oh, to be “Kept for Jesus!” Lord, at Thy feet I fall;
I would be “nothing, nothing, nothing”; Thou shall be “all in all.”

—Edith G. Cherry (1872-1897)

FRIDAY—FOCUS ON CHRIST’S CROSS

Chronological Reading: Ezekiel 40- 42 + 1 John 1
Friday, November 27, 2009

Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Father God and King:
Christ on the cross—what do I see? I learn what my own duties are when facing distress. Whenever anything distracts, alarms or worries me, let my first reaction be resignation to your will.
I bow me to Thy will, O God, and all Thy ways adore;
And every day I live I’ll seek to please Thee more and more.
Next, I recognize my second duty as prayer. When I am in the very agony of pain, I don’t have to let my mind run loose with bitter grief. I can pray! I must react that way. Your “Father’s heart” is touched by my cry.
The third duty I have is to commit myself to you by faith. If I have truly given my self to you, then I can trust my life to you. I am in your “protective custody.”  I know that if I trust, you will reward my faith in a way as yet unseen.
Finally, I can practice your presence. I recognize that you are here in my time of sorrow and danger, and my moment of greatest frustration and fear. I put myself into your hands just like I would give myself to the care of a policeman or a soldier during a time of attack.
Psalm 140:7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
Let me do my duty right now. I resign myself to your will. I pray to you as my Father. I commit myself to your care. I rest in a sense of your presence. May the Spirit of God help me, for this is what I see displayed in Christ on the cross. Now that I see Christ, make me more like Christ! Make me more Christlike because I have contemplated the cross. Do it for your own glory. Amen.

SATURDAY—IN THE PSALMS

Chronological Reading: Ezekiel 43-45 + 1 John 2
Saturday, November 28, 2009

Psalm 109:4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

Glorious God and King:
If I take care of your honor you will take care of mine. If I truly seek your glory you will guard my reputation. If I live to praise you, then in the long run you will give me praise from others.
Lord, it seems like lying tongues never lie still. But despite anything that may have been slanderously said about me, I have to remember they hated you without a cause and returned hatred for your love. How it hurts to be hated! But you show us the prescription for healing our woundedness.
Even the Psalmist smarted because of this. His solution was to turn to you in prayer. He became by prayer like they became about malice. His answer to his enemies was to appeal for justice to the Judge of the whole earth. Help me leave my accusers unanswered, and simply carry my case to you, dear Lord!
Psalm 109:21 But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.
Satan’s strategy is to get people to give evil for good, and if they won’t do that, then at least return evil for evil. Returning good for evil and refusing to revenge breaks his back!
Let me pour out my sorrow to you on my knees, but please dear Lord, prevent me from bitterness and revenge. Help me rise from this place inspired with the commitment to prove my love in the face of lovelessness. I turn from my enemies so I can see you. I leave myself in your hands, so as long as your will is done I will be content (even with injustice and injury!). I am desperate without divine aid. The adversary has wounded me deep. It is time for you to step in. For this I plead not my own merit, but thy name’s sake. Amen.

The red iron for the canopy was placed on the scaffolding over the new entry last week. The top of the welcome center was delivered, placed in the foyer and welded in place. The second floor concrete is being poured today and Friday. The second floor staircase metal has been put in place and welding is happening so concrete can be poured in them this next week. Yesterday the two escalators were delivered, unloaded and rolled into the foyer area for installation at a latter date. They also started laying the red brick on the north side of the building below the white panels that is part of the EIFS system.

We continue working to have the building enclosed by the first of the year so they can work inside to get the building completed on time. Please pray with us that this will be done before the arrival of bad weather.

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