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We Have Power With God At a time when the whole world is in distress may we find our relationship with God has been strengthened?  May we like the great men and women of old find that our strength is in Him.  May we have learned in our seclusion that we also have POWER WITH GOD.  Our text for the next couple of weeks will be Genesis 32:28 where Jacob struggles with God and prevails. Jacob had power with God.  Observe that it is the power of a single individual, exhibited in a time of deep distress: if that is the power of one with God, how much more power will be found where two or three agree in prayer! As we start to look at this great truth let us notice what this power is NOT.  I. THIS POWER IS NOT. ·Jacob’s physical strength. In that great book of Job’s struggles God asks Job "Hast thou an arm like God?" (Job 40:9). The answer is no.  Man’s power with God is not from man’s own strength.  Man has no physical strength to be able to contend with God. ·Jacob’s mental intellect.  Job is also asked if beyond his physical strength does he have the knowledge and understanding of Jehovah,”Declare if thou hast understanding" (Job 38:4).  The answer is no.  The wisest and most brilliant human cannot touch the hem of the garment of God’s ways. ·Jacob’s ”supernatural, magical power”. Some seem to think that prayers are incantations, like a magicians “abracadabra”.  This is most absurd, even though many of the neo-charismatic movement have this bent.  It is a concern of even the old writers of scripture.  God created the universe with just his word and that dumbfounds magicians "He makes fools of diviners" Isaiah. 44:15. "Use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do" (Matt. 6:7). ·Jacob’s own merits. Again with Job, God asks Job if he thinks God profits from the righteous acts of Job or does God end up better because job has been righteous.  "Is it gain to him that thou make thy ways perfect?'' (Job 22:3). If you are righteous, what value is this to God "If thou be righteous, what do you give to him?" (Job 35:7).  “Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to Thee for grace: Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die.” ·Jacob’s individuality. Jacob was one of a kind. He would now be called Israel, the father of seed of Abraham.  Yet, did he have his own power with God.  No, "Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me" (Job 23:6). II. WHERE DID THIS POWER COME FROM? 1. It comes from God’s own nature:  “God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing. He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds don’t burst with the weight. He covers the face of the moon, shrouding it with his clouds. He created the horizon when he separated the waters: he set the boundary between day and night. The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at his rebuke. By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster. His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent. These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” Job 26:7-14   “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power, and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 His attachment and loving kindness to us his children is the ultimate expression of His own powerful nature. 2. It comes from God's promise.  “Not one of the LORD's faithful promises to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; every one was realized.” Joshua 21:45 “…and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things,  that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.” Joshua 23:14b “…And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20, 21 “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 In every aspect of God’s relationship with us the Lord joins himself to us. We, who know how to plead his truth and faithfulness, see His power and promises in His Word. " Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.." Isaiah 43:26. 3. It comes from God’s grace we have in Jesus Christ. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23, 24 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8, 9 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority (power) in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ's faithfulness.” Ephesians 3:11, 12 We, who know Christ, know the Father and enjoy everything we have because of Him.  Praise His Holy Name!!! Next Sunday we will pursue how we can use this power.  Stay close, stay safe and stay in His Love.  Love you all!   Pastor Ken

The I.F.C.A has designated May 3rd - 9th as it's International Week of Prayer to go along with the National Day of Prayer on Thursday May 7th. I have copied and pasted their prayer guide here for all of you who are interested. SUNDAY - IFCA International: Pray for the leadership staff in the Office and Board of Directors, especially Executive Director Richard Bargas. Pray for more new members. Pray for spiritual renewal in our IFCA churches & organizations. Pray for Vision World and the desperate need to see churches planted worldwide. Pray for the 2020 Convention in Covington, KY in June: Staff and final preparations, speakers, workshops, etc. Pray for the IFCA Regionals in existence and potential areas for Regionals to begin MONDAY - National Concerns: Pray for President Trump and his special COVID-19 team of advisors as they lead during this national crisis. Pray for the US as we face this pandemic regarding health, loneliness from isolation, death, grief and economic challenges. Pray for the gospel to fall on fertile soil as the message goes out through neighborhood conversations and social media. Pray for the safety of our IFCA Military and Institutional Chaplains as they stand in arms way ministering on the front lines of this pandemic. TUESDAY – Spiritual Concerns: Pray for all those in authority and that we show attitudes of submission, respect and honor as unto the Lord. Pray for troubled marriages to be restored and examples to those around. Pray for those struggling with various emotional battles. Pray for those enduring financial & physical challenges. Pray for homes that will raise children in a godly direction. Pray for Spiritual Renewal in America and the conviction of the Spirit of God. Pray that believers will live holy, godly lives in a dark world. WEDNESDAY – Vision World: Pray that God will give your pastors a clear vision of how your congregation can impact the world over the next ten years. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers of all ages and abilities from your church and IFCA regional. Pray for the protection of our missionaries from the Corona Virus and for their outreach to those living in areas where it is spreading. Pray for the approximately 1/4 of the people on earth who have yet to even hear the Gospel proclaimed in a language they can understand. Pray for those workers who are preparing to go and need prayer and financial supporters before they will be allowed to enter another country with the Gospel. THURSDAY – God-Centered Thanks: Pray that we in IFCA will be known as thankful people bringing to God our deepest heart desires acknowledging His goodness, holiness and righteousness. Pray that we will be thankful for God’s faithfulness, guidance, blessings, protection, answers to prayers, and provision of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in our lives. Pray for churches that have been started, souls that have been saved and baptized and spiritual empowerment to serve Christ. Pray for the Word of God, opportunities to share the gospel with the unsaved and the right words and timing in which to display a Christ-like spirit to those around us. Pray for God’s renewal in marriages, financial stability, and wisdom in counseling, guidance in direction, and hope for the future. Pray for unity and purpose, Godly leadership in our churches, and opportunities to support missions. Pray for a God-honoring attitude that is truly grateful and joyful in every aspect of our lives; at work, home and abroad. FRIDAY – Home and Churches: Pray for your pastor and his wife. Pray for the children and youth workers in your church. Pray for God to provide godly fathers in our churches. Pray for outreach ministries your church is doing. Pray that the Church remains steadfast, united and joyful in times of temptations to be discouraged and frustrated in light of COVID-19. Pray that God would strengthen our families as culture drifts away from God. Pray for IFCA Church Planting Agencies across America. Pray for IFCA church planting ministries abroad. SATURDAY – Church Planting: Pray for IFCA International and the efforts to partner in church planting throughout the world. Pray for those IFCA churches that are planting sister churches. Pray for Church Planting Advance meetings at the Convention this summer with the theme “On a Quest for Church Wellness.” Pray for wisdom in knowing the right areas to start new churches. Pray for Regionals that are in the midst of starting new works.