What happens when we die?

Fellow “Sheepdogs:”

We’ll meet on our “normal” day (Saturday), time (0900), and place (Calvary Chapel South Denver , 9052 W. Ken Caryl in Littleton ) for this week’s Bible study and fellowship meeting. However, take note that we are making a real effort to be responsive to those whose schedules don’t jive with Saturday AM. As such, we’ll start meeting on Thursday evenings at least twice a month starting on Thursday, March 5th (1830 hours, Calvary South Denver). I’ll have more in the next newsletter but please plan accordingly.

This Saturday we'll discuss the somewhat controversial issue of “what happens when we die?” God’s answer gives great hope and assurance to all those who KNOW Him as Savior (and an equally frightening promise to those that don’t). It should make for a lively discussion – please join us!

To recap last Saturday’s study, we looked at what it means to get “connected with God.” Our focus was on the importance of being in fellowship with other Believers for a plethora of Biblically-based reasons. Many propose that as long as they “believe in God” (see the February 11th entry) and don’t do anything “really bad,” then they are “good to go” with God. Others think that they can get by with studying, praying and “meditating” on their own, and that simply listening to Christian radio now and then “covers” them in the worship department. Folks, that was NEVER God’s intent! Romans 12:5 tells us “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to the others.” As Dep. Mike Dye (author of “The PeaceKeepers”) writes, “…trying to be a ‘good Christian’ all by ourselves is like going to a hot ‘in-progress’ call without back-up – it’s neither smart nor gives you any advantage.” Bottom line is that there is strength in numbers. There is also the importance of group accountability and support, the importance of spending time worshipping with family, and so much more. Can’t make it on Sunday? Our own fellowship meetings aside (not intended for children or to replace “church”), most solid Bible-centered churches have services of some kind almost every day of the week! At my own church we have worship services on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and two on Sunday. Others have Saturday evening services as well. Need more proof? Check out Ecclesiastes 4:12, Matthew 18:20, and especially Hebrews 10:23-25. Get “connected” in a solid body of Believers where God’s Word (Bible) is taught in truth!

FINDING A CHURCH HOME: Need help finding a church “home” in your area? Pastor Ed Taylor of Calvary Chapel Aurora posted the following on his church website (http://www.calvaryaurora.org/):

"One of the most common questions I hear as a pastor are from those looking for a church home for a family member or a friend. “Find a Calvary Chapel in their hometown,” is my first answer. They'll usually follow up with something like, “Well what ingredients make for a good, strong church?” Even though there are many, I'll encourage them to find a C-O-O-L church (I borrowed this from a pastor that I heard teach on the subject. It's great!).

Acts 2: 46-47 – “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

C – CONFIDENT IN THE BIBLE: Make sure the pastor, leadership and flock are confident in the Bible. Make sure it's being taught, received and obeyed.

O – OPEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit didn't stop working in the church at the end of the book of Acts. He is still active and moving in the church today.

O – OVERFLOWING IN LOVE: This is so key! If Jesus is in a church, you will sense His love in that church. There will be a wonderful unity among the people from all sorts of different backgrounds, races, upbringings, and neighborhoods.

L – LIFTS UP JESUS: Any church that doesn't focus on Jesus is off target. He's the focus. The spotlight should be on Him. It's all about - and will always be about - Jesus.

Notice what isn't mentioned, things like: “happening worship, comfortable chairs, awesome this, great that.” Don't get trapped by consumerism when looking for a church home. But instead, totally abide in Jesus and He will lead you."


PRAYER REQUESTS & PRAISE REPORTS

(1) From Englewood (CO) PD Officer Jason Pearson reference a previous prayer request:

"It is with a heavy and sad heart that I must pass on some news to all of those who have been so generous and supportive of Englewood Police Officer Shane Ellison's 4 year old daughter, Tayler. Tayler's tumor has returned and all chemotherapy and radiation treatments are being stopped. The Make-A Wish foundation is looking at flying the Ellison family out to Disney World tomorrow. Tayler was issued an honorary badge number by Englewood Police Chief Tom Vandermee several months ago. Her badge number is 04-12 to represent her birthday in December of 2004. We are asking everyone to take a minute to pray for this little girl and her family at 4:12 hours (am or pm, depending on your shift) this Sunday. At this point, we can only pray for a miracle and ask that our Lord ease the suffering of this family and their precious child. On behalf of the Englewood Police Department, the Metro Area Graffiti Task Force and the Ellison family, I thank all of you for your caring, concern and most of all your prayers over the past few months."

Tayler needs a miracle – let’s keep her and her family in fervent prayer!

(2) Pray for Ohio Officer Tim Clements who is suffering some severe complications from an on-duty collision with an illegal immigrant who hit him head-on. He has a tough road ahead of him and covets your prayers for complete healing and restoration to active duty.

(3) Denver PD Officer and author (“A Bulletproof Life”) G.T. “Todd” Gentry asks that we pray for the brother of a fellow DPD officer who just found out he has cancer and has only a few months to live. Todd also asks that we pray that they both be open to the Gospel and that “God would get all the all the glory, no matter what the temporal outcome.” Well said!

(4) Speaking of Ohio, retired police officer and FBI Agent Walt Clements (Tim’s Dad), who has gone over to the “dark side” as a volunteer firefighter, sent the following after seeing newsletter/website teaching on what it means to “believe” in God:

"I needed to share this with you. We had our monthly meeting of the Dayspring Police/Fire/EMS Fellowship last night with seven firefighters and police officers attending, representing five area departments. I had been praying about, and struggling with a topic for the meeting, and had narrowed it down to a few. Then I saw your e-mail, and God just laid it on my heart that your topic of what it means to really believe in God was what I needed to talk about. Despite any other preparation I’d made, I followed Him and used the Scriptures you have below, putting together a brief Bible study on this topic. One of the guys attending was there for the first time, brought by one of our regular members. He was a young (to me, anyway, he was late 20’s) firefighter who introduced himself, but never spoke beyond that during our time of prayer requests, study, and discussion. As we were about to close the meeting with prayer, this young firefighter had tears in his eyes, and said “It’s ironic that you chose that topic to speak about tonight”. I told him I’d felt God strongly leading me to talk on this subject, and asked if he found the discussion beneficial. Again he repeated, “it’s ironic you chose that tonight”. He started crying, and said that he was raised in church and until two years ago had felt he had a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, two years ago, he was dispatched to a plane crash in our area (actually, two private planes collided in mid-air and rained down on a neighborhood, killing three). He had to pick body parts out of the crash. Shortly after, he was dispatched to a series of heart-wrenching calls that left him feeling God was not really there after all, and that if there was a God, He certainly did not love people. He cried more, and we all surrounded him and prayed with him. He said our meeting was the first time in two years he’d stepped into a church, but now he knew Jesus loved him, was with him, and he wanted to pursue the personal relationship with Christ he used to have. He also committed to coming to future meetings of our group whenever he was off duty. Praise God!! That’s what we’re “in business” for, right? I just had to take a moment and tell you this. When God laid it on your heart to develop this subject for study, I’ll bet you never realized God would use your study to bring a firefighter in Ohio back into the fold. Thank you, brother, and God Bless you!"

I am humbled and honored that our Lord is using this ministry to reach others all over the world! Praise God!

(5) As with last week, please continue to pray for me and this ministry. God is beginning to use me in new ways (pastoral studies, ministry leadership, etc.) and I covet both your prayers and seek ongoing accountability concerning same.

Don't forget to "spread the WORD" to others on your contact lists!