1 John 5:6-13
 
Bob Schraeder, one of our elders, preached on Sunday.
 
This week’s passage answers the question: Can I know I have eternal life? Bob emphasized that the apostle John wants us to know the answer to that question for sure. Notice that the question refers to me, myself, not someone else. Don’t we Christians sometimes spend too much time “deciding” if so-and-so is (or was) a believer in Jesus Christ? Take time in prayer examining yourself. Express to God the Father what you believe about Jesus. Can you say … I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he is fully God and fully man, that he died for my sins? If so, thank God for His promise of eternal life and ask Him to help you rest in that assurance, especially when your heart condemns you (3:20).
 
Bob concluded his message with a gospel, or sinner’s, prayer. It is entirely possible that someone entered the worship center as a dead man walking, under the wrath of God, and left as a beloved child of God, embarking on eternal life. We don’t have to know names to pray for such a person. Pray that they will tell someone about this transformation. Pray that they will hunger for the word of God and grow in their new faith by leaps and bounds. Pray for protection from the evil one.
 
I appreciated Bob’s point that eternal life is a present possession. We sometimes think that eternal life starts when this mortal life ends, but that is not true. Let’s ask the Lord to help us focus less on this temporal life and more on the eternal life running alongside. Ask Jesus to help us experience the abundant life he promises (John 10:10) today and every day.
 
Calvary Family
 
I welcome prayer requests and praise reports from anyone in the Calvary family. Look for yellow prayer cards and a box in the entrance to the worship center or e-mail me directly.
 
Thank God for the influx of new people in our midst. Pray that they will get connected in the body, knowing others and being known. Ask the Lord to show them how to use the gifts He has given them to serve.
 
Lift up the Godfrey and Tebay families as they grieve the death of Carrie Tebay’s mother, Terrie, three weeks ago. Pray for Carrie’s dad, Jim, as he adjusts to the loss of his wife. He lives alone now in St. George, Utah, with no family nearby.
 
Calvary’s small groups are starting up for the year. Whether you are part of a small group or not, please pray that each participant will grow and mature in Christ. Pray that, in these first few weeks and months, small groups will make newcomers feel welcomed, establish good study habits, and develop the trust needed for honest sharing.

 In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

This is an abbreviated version of the prayer blog. Contact us to subscribe to the full version, which includes personal prayer requests.