Hi Newport Church Family,
We trust that your are experiencing God’s presence, grace and favor.
This week we have been especially mindful and prayerful as a church for the nation of Afghanistan.
Please pray with us for peace, for protection of all those at risk including our Christian brothers and sisters and for God’s comfort and grace for all those who lost loved ones or were injured in the recent terrorist attack.
Let’s never forget that despite the tragic and chaotic situation God is sovereign and is at work as we pray.
Be Strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might
In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul encourages them to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
When Paul wrote his letter the church in Ephesus they were experiencing a season when they were under attack from both those outside the church as well as from different factions within the church.
Paul encouraged the church and highlighted the key to navigating turbulent times by saying, “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Paul’s words are as relevant to us today as they were to the church 2,000 years ago.
What Paul is saying is:
We can all be Strong
When Paul says, “Be strong….” he reminds us that we can all be strong and know God’s power and might at work in and through us at all times.
His words are the same words that God repeated to Joshua on several occasions as he led Israel into the promised land. “Be strong, don’t be afraid, go in and possess the land I’m giving to you…”
Those words were a mandate to be strong, and they encouraged Joshua to choose to be strong in the midst of adversity.
When God says, “Be Strong…” His words are both a mandate and a promise.
When we respond in faith as Joshua did regardless of the challenges we are facing, God will give us strength and we will know the power of His might.
We can all Grow Stronger
We become stronger when we use the strength that we have to push through resistance of any kind.
We grow muscle through resistance training, we become mentally stronger when we tackle more difficult problems and we grow spiritually stronger as we exercise our faith.
Faith is active not passive, dynamic not static and we will grow stronger if we exercise the strength that we have, even when we feel inadequate to face the challenges before us.
We can all Renew our Strength
Isaiah wrote that even those that are young will grow weary and tired, but when we wait upon the Lord we will renew our strength, mount up on wings as eagles, run and not be weary walk and not faint.
In Psalm 84 we read that those who set their hearts on pilgrimage will go from strength to strength.
As we consider Paul’s words of encouragement let’s make a decision to be resolute in our faith, in our confession to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, to renew our strength day by day and to go from strength to strength!
Prayer for Students this Sunday
Many students will have already started the new school year or will be starting in the next week or two, so we are going to take a moment to pray for them in our Sunday Service this week.
Let’s believe together that this year will be one of great growth for each one of them, academically, relationally and spiritually.
Marriage 365 - Building Relationships that Last
We are only three weeks away from our one day Marriage and Relationships Seminar and this is a great opportunity for all of us to learn and grow as well as to invite friends and family to this special event that we are hosting.
If you haven’t already registered you can do so by clicking here and you can also forward this to the people in your relational world as an invitation to what will be a very enriching day.
The Generous grow Stronger
God’s word declares that generosity makes us stronger and brings strength to those who need our help.
We are bringing strength and hope to many and that is only possible through your faithful partnership in our vision and mission. God also promises that when we are generous our financial strength will grow.
“The world of the generous gets larger and larger.” Prov 11:24 MSG
Let’s continue to be the difference in our world through the strength of our generosity.
Thank you for your presence and generosity. If you would like to give your donation, tithe or offering now you can do so by clicking here.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow in person or online as we gather to worship and encourage one another in faith and hope.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Living with a sense of Divine favor.
Romans 15:13
Let’s never forget, our Presence Matters!
We love and appreciate you all greatly,
Pastor Jonathan & Dianne Wilson
Senior Pastors