May the Lord make your love increase and overflow
for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
May he strengthen your hearts
so that you will be blameless and holy
in the presence of our God and Father
when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Observation
• Look for opportunities to express God's love.
• In the face of disappointment or delay, let God strengthen your heart.
• No matter who is elected, Jesus is still Lord.
Prayer
Lord, I call on you, the author and finisher of my faith.
I pray that my love will increase and overflow.
I pray that you will strengthen and sustain me.
Continue to smile on my life.
Help me to step forward and not slide backwards.
Help me to thrive and not just survive.
Lead me in the way everlasting.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
Observation
• Live in such a way that you exalt God and don't embarrass God.
• Growing deep in faith is a result of going deep in the Word of God.
• Be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for your Word that is alive and powerful in my life. Today, I will live in such a way to exalt you and not embarrass you. I will walk in the light and not in darkness. I will declare your Word with my actions and my conversations. Continue to work in and through me. Amen! Amen! Amen!
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Observation
• Everyday someone is mentioning your name in prayer.
• The evidence of a true believer is faith, love, hope.
• Stand firm and sure, God is about to do something great in your life.
Prayer
Father, I give thanks to you for the numerous blessing you have given me. I thank you that each day I know you are working on my behalf. Today, I will work by faith, labor in love and endure with hope. I refuse to be distracted, discouraged, defeated or destroyed. I will go where you want me to go and do what you want me to do. I am looking forward to what is ahead with assurance. I believe your provision and direction is on the way. Hallelujah! Praise The Lord!
Devote yourself to Prayer
Devote yourselves to prayer,
being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message,
so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;
make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Observation
• Your persistence is an expression of your faith.
• Remain alert and grateful as you walk through the day.
• When it comes to prayer remember, delays are not denials.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the privilege of prayer.
I thank you that you answer prayer in the morning,
in the evening and all day long.
Today, I will take another step forward in faith.
Today, I will look for your mighty hand of provision and favor.
Today, I will watch my words and control my reactions.
Today, I will make the most of every opportunity given me.
Be honored and glorified in my life.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach
and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him.
Observation
• God's peace will confirm your next steps in life.
• Your heart is the center of your will, conscience and emotions.
• Bring honor to Christ in all that you do today, you are His ambassador.
Prayer
I thank you Father, for the promise of your peace.
Today, I need your wisdom, guidance and understanding.
Today, I need you to help me make good and sensible decisions.
I pray that your peace that passes all understanding will rule my heart.
May my life shine bright as I converse with others.
May my words reflect your love and grace.
I am looking to you for favor and supply.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
5 Common Qualities of Bold Leaders
Proverbs 28:1 …the righteous are BOLD as a lion.
Wow…what an amazing 2018 Connect Tour. Some are saying it was one of our best with record setting attendance at each of the seven locations. Over 500 OMN pastors, missionaries and local church leaders attended. Our theme this year is BOLD and it was the emphasis of this year's Connect Tour.
Boldness is a willingness to venture out and do the right thing at the right time, regardless of the barriers or fears we may encounter. This enables us to speak the truth, perform a task without fear of the consequences or results, because it is the right, biblical thing to do.
What does a BOLD LEADER look like in 2018?
Here are 5 common qualities I see in bold pastors and leaders:
1. BOLD Leaders HAVE A CLEAR MISSON
They have identified the WHY in their leadership and life.
2. Bold Leaders HAVE A COMPELLING VISION
They know WHAT they are attempting to accomplish.
3. Bold Leaders HAVE A COLLABORATIVE TEAM
They know it takes a team to fulfill the dream.
4. Bold Leaders HAVE A COURAGEOUS HEART
They know it requires deliberate action steps.
5. Bold Leaders HAVE A COMMITMENT TO GROW
They look for ways to be enriched, stretched and improved.
Which of these five areas do you need to grow? As you move through the next 10 months of this year, let me encourage you to re:SET your goals and restructure your schedule. Take time to ask God to guide you into a new season of effectiveness; then be willing to take at least one bold step where God leads.
You were made to do something BOLD for God!
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
and you have been given fullness in Christ,
who is the head over every power and authority.
Observation
• Christ alone has the true meaning of life.
• No need to live on empty when you have Jesus Christ.
• Use your head; keep your eyes on Jesus and study God' Word.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I rejoice in you and sing your praises.
I am grateful that I don't have to live on empty
but can be full of your Spirit.
Order my foot steps and open doors of opportunity.
I look to you Lord Jesus for security, strength and serenity.
We pray for our nation in its time of great need.
Revive All I pray.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
For this reason, since the day we heard about you,
we have not stopped praying for you.
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will
through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way:
Observation
• Knowledge plus action leads to transformation.
• Pray that you will know and understand God's will for your life.
• Stay full of the joy of the Lord knowing He is in control.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for all those who have prayed for me.
I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and strength it has provided.
I will seek your direction and guidance for the days ahead.
I pray that you will fill me with insight and understanding.
Help me to walk through the right doors at the right time.
I ask for wisdom and favor.
My future is in your hands.
I look ahead with great expectations.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Observation
• Keep a joyful spirit, the Lord is near.
• Turn your worries into prayers.
• God's peace is your best defense against anxiety.
Prayer
Gracious Father, I am blessed and encouraged today by your Word.
Today, I will rejoice knowing that you are working every detail out in my life.
I give you my worries and turn over my anxieties.
I will face the day with your peace that passes my understanding.
I look forward to announcing how you have provided and protected.
I look forward to shouting once again, "Hallelujah, God is good all time."
Amen!
Your Network theme for 2018 is BOLD, based on the lines in Proverbs 28:1 …the righteous are as bold as a lion. God has compelled us to take BOLD steps throughout this year in order to fulfill the demanding and dynamic mission we have to Develop Effective Leaders and Build Healthy Churches and Ministries.
2 Timothy 1:7 (The Message) God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
Here are the 10 Bold Actions I believe God has called us as a Network to give our full attention to this year.
Work to help every OMN minister be healthy and better equipped.
Work to see that every OMN church experiences growth and increase.
Work to raise up a new class of credentialed ministers.
Work to insure every OMN event experiences and enjoys the presence of God.
Work to expand our Church Planting and PAC Initiatives.
Work to assist all OMN churches in being disciple-making churches.
Work to increase our Bending the Sending Edge world-wide missionary family.
Work to insure all OMN churches have access to financial accounting services.
Work to improve the OMN's financial position to provide increased resources.
Work to finalize the next phase for the OMN office.
Each of these bold steps carry with them a demand of intentional actions and deliberate strategies. I believe with your help and involvement we can accomplish the task. This month I'll look forward to our annual Connect Tour around the state in key locations. Each stop will feature several presentations designed to inspire and inform us to our next bold steps. I will look forward to meeting with you and your local church leadership at a location near you.
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very BOLD.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect,
but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Observation
• Let go of your past disappointments.
• Continue to pursue your God given destiny.
• Look forward to a fuller and more fulfilling future.
Prayer
Father, I choose to keep pressing on to the goals you have put in my heart.
I will not be discouraged, distracted or defeated.
I will anticipate your hand of favor and blessing.
I will run with faith and expectation.
I will finish the race strong, in Jesus Name.
Amen! Amen!
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interest of others.
Your attitude should be
the very same as that of Christ Jesus:
Observation
• Look for ways to show God's love through service.
• Remember, you choose your attitude.
• When in doubt ask yourself, "How would Jesus respond?"
Prayer
Father, I am fully aware of my need for you in my life.
Help me to have a proper and positive attitude and I go through this day.
May Jesus be seen in my words, work and walk.
Help me to encourage and inspire others to put you first.
In Jesus Name, Amen!