To The Ends of The Earth - Week 79

April 6, 2007 To The Ends of The Earth…

Verse for the week:
...for through [Jesus] we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)

...in [Jesus] we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
(Ephesians 3:12)

Quote for the week:

"Prayer is self-discipline. The effort to realize the presence and power of God stretches the sinews of the soul and hardens its muscles. To pray is to grow in grace. To tarry in the presence of the King leads to new loyalty and devotion on the part of the faithful subjects. Christian character grows in the secret-place of prayer. - Samuel M. Zwemer

People Group of the week:
Beja People of Eritrea
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=101211&rog3=ER
(*Links to websites do not necessarily imply endorsement.)

Apostolic Missions Committee Member to pray for this week:
Jon Schmidgall (Oakville, IA)

Apostolic Elder's Wife to pray for this week:
Barbara Graf (Akron, OH)

Apostolic Christian Missionaries to pray for this week:

Joel Rinkenberger (Magdalena, MX) - Pray for Joel as he ministers to the young boys in his dorm. Pray for guidance and wisdom as he administers love and discipline to these young souls. Pray also for stamina and energy.

Other News:

This week as we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, may we not forget that it was not just our salvation that was purchased on Calvary - it was also direct access to the Father's heart through prayer. The power of prayer that we enjoy today was paid for by Jesus' death on the cross, which removed the sin barrier between fallen man and a holy God. This is one reason why we pray "in Jesus' name." It is a reminder that ONLY through Him do we have access to the Father.

I must admit that while I'm often overwhelmed with gratitude for salvation, I rarely am overwhelmed with gratitude for the ability to directly access the throne room of Almighty God. If God was willing to pay such a high price for prayer, it must mean that prayer is extremely important in His plan for the world. This Easter, let's be sure to thank and praise God for the death and resurrection of His Son - not just for the salvation it won, but for the direct access to the Father's heart through prayer that it opened up. Praise the Risen Redeemer!!!