SERMON NOTES:

PRAYER REQUESTS
JULY 31, 2011
Y Pray for Ankur Chopra as he finishes army training. Y Pray for Barb Bliss as she has been sick. Y Pray for Dwight Zvorak who has been transferred to a nursing home for rehabilitation. Pray for Tiffany and Paulette to find strength. Y Pray for Paul and Amys friends Katie & Greg Hansen. Y For John & Juanitas daughter, Jody Weismann, who delivered a baby boy! She is on bed rest for another week.

Y Pray for Angelica Van Iperens friends, Paula and Ruben, and they struggle with infertility and limited resources to treat it. Y Donna Mc Cullen, Ken Mc Cullen's wife as she goes through more intense chemotherapy treatment.

DEVOTION
For the past month we at Chain of Lakes are reading through the book of Acts. This part of the summer is one of the hardest times in the church because many people are traveling and many people are at cabins. Its easy to get disconnected from each other. One way we can connect is by reading through the book of Acts. Many new churches start out their ministry by studying Acts. We can connect by using this devotion. As youre reading this, know that many others at Chain of Lakes are doing the same thing. Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org.

Y For John & Glorias grandchildren. Nick

will be entering basic training for the Navy, and Elle for her summer work assignment in a Japanese language immersion camp as a nurse.

Y Pray for persons and process involved in property purchase for COL. Y Pray for Dean Morins family as they mourn the loss of his grandfather, Roger Page. Y Pray for Tiffany Chopra to have the strength and faith to know that God knows what He is doing with her life. Y Pray for Ben Simmer, a young man just graduated from college and has MS with worsening side effects. Pray for new treatments to become available and a cure. Y Pray for all whom at Chain of Lakes who look for jobs, in particular, Gary Wassam & Lee Bliss.

Monday, August 8 Read Acts 25:1-22

In this chapter we read of the somewhat circuitous decisions regarding Paul and his appeal to be released from prison. It might be hard to relate personally to this passage as none of us have been jailed for our faith. We dont know what its like to be persecuted for our beliefs. But imagine that you were jailed for your faith. And then imagine being brought to trial for your faith. What would you say at the trial? How would you defend your own

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beliefs about God? What beliefs do you have about God for which you would be jailed? These are challenging questionsbut this is a challenging story!! As you pray today, reflect with God about what core beliefs you have about God for which you would be willing to be jailed.

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It soon became obvious to Agrippa and to Festus that Paul should be set free. Paul was released to continue his own journey to Rome. This journey had been anticipated in Acts 19:21 and 23:11. Today as you pray, give thanks for Pauls courage in front of Agrippa. Pray for courage for yourself in sharing the faith in an appropriate way.

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to cure the father of Publius. This must have made a big impact on the people. Were being watched by people all the time in how we respond to situations. Much of the time we dont even realize that were being watched. But our example to others in how we respond to situations is a form of evangelism. Today as you pray, pray that you can be especially aware that you are an example of the faith to many others. Ask for help from God in being an example. Pray that we at Chain of Lakes can create a congregation where we are consistently an example of the faith to others.

Tuesday, August 9 Read Acts 25:23-26:23

In this story Paul defended himself before Agrippa. He shared his own story (that we already read in Acts 9) of being confronted by Jesus and then turning his life to God. Paul was sharing his faith story with Agrippa. I (Pastor Paul) have encouraged us to develop our faith story in the past. This is another time where we can reflect on our faith story. As you pray today, reflect on these questions: What were some times in your life that you felt Gods presence closely to you? Who have been some important people in your own life who have guided you? What is God doing in your life right now that is new? What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?

Thursday, August 11 Read Acts 27:13-44

What an adventure the people on this ship experienced! Notice in verses 34-35 how Paul shared what seems to be a Communion ritual: Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads. After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. Acts 27:34-36 Receiving Communion must have been very significant to the people on the ship. Can you remember some times in your own life when Communion was very special to you? Think about some times when Communion was extra special. As you pray today, give thanks to God for those times.

Saturday, August 13 Read Acts 28:11-31

Paul finally reached Rome. While there he met with more resistance from people about the message he was sharing. Even Paul experienced the frustrations of sharing the message of Jesus with others. Look at the last two verses of the book of Acts: He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. Paul saw his task about proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus. The task of the church today is not that different. Congratulationsyou have completed the book of Acts. You have read about the start of the church, the work of Peter and James,

Wednesday, August 10 Read Acts 26:24-27:12

Paul was so confident in his faith that Agrippa wasnt sure for a moment if Paul was trying to persuade him to become a Christians! What faith Paul had.

Friday, August 12 Read Acts 28:1-10

While in Malta Paul was watched closely by the natives there. They saw that a viper wasnt able to kill him when it attached to his hand. They also saw that Paul was able

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the mission of the Gentiles, and then the stories of Paul. This is a marvelous book. As you pray today, reflect on what you have learned from this book. What have you learned which will help you in your own faith? What have you learned which will help Chain of Lakes in our faith? Today as you pray, reflect with God on these questions.