It is difficult to come close to God or anyone else if we don’t know ourselves. But from my own experience I know that this is most important, second only to knowing God. And I know that there are multiple ways to do this. An accountability partner is one. A trusting and transparent relationship with your spouse is another. Prayer is the most interpersonal way to know God and to know ourselves.

In our devotional times we usually read scripture and pray. Do we hear from Him when we read scripture? Or do we sense God’s leading when we pray? Or outside of our devotions, do we hear from Him through other saints in His Kingdom? I believe if we’re open and trusting in Christ that the answer is yes to all of the ideas suggested above. But there is a particular place and awareness that comes from drawing close enough to God to get the answer directly from Him.

God is most concerned with our personal connection with Him. God is concerned about our spiritual health most of all, and our “works” only after we’ve established a connection with Him.

How do we get to that state and place? First we need to start (every day, week, month, etc.) with a (re)commitment to consistency. Because the Devil is consistent is getting us sidetracked. We need to set aside our prayer lists until we’ve gotten together with God at a personal level. We need to “turn loose” of all our burdens and trust Him to carry them for us. (Don’t worry, if there’s something for us to do, He’ll make it plain.) Then we need to make sure we get a proper perspective of His Holiness and our depravity. Anything good in our lives is from Him. Then we need to get to know His personality. We need to be studying what are God’s passions. God’s passions need to become our passions. And if your answer is not saved souls that are fully functioning in His kingdom, we need to study some more.

Once we have a clear picture of God’s passions (His will), then we’re ready to pray over His church and what His body (1st Church of Christ) needs to be doing. Next we need to pray as individuals for our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

One very important caution is that having a clear signal to God’s promptings is being in a state of 100% humility. The second we insert ourselves into the picture with our own perceptions and desires is no different than interrupting someone who has something meaningful and insightful to say to us, but we interrupt with our own ideas.

I offered the closing prayer for a difficult Elder’s meeting recently. That prayer was not mine. Because before and after that prayer I was pessimistic, but the prayer (from the Holy Spirit) was about success the church will have. By focusing on that Prayer, I can see that God wants to overcome my doubts and use me in the solution. Now that I’ve gotten God’s sense of what needs to be done, I need to put these thoughts into action

This month we celebrate Resurrection Sunday. It is the date of our Lord’s Resurrection. Jesus appeared on earth for 40 days and then ascended in a cloud to be with His Father in Heaven. Shortly before He left, He commissioned the Disciples, and all who would follow, to be baptizing new believers and teaching them what Jesus had taught. We also have the writings of the Apostles, which are inspired by the Holy Spirit, to give us instructions that were given to the early church and also to Christians today. So what does the risen Lord and His commission mean to us today? Especially considering the challenges our congregation faces? See the verses below.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matt. 28:18- 20 NIV

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as We are One: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” - John 17:20-23 NIV

What changes and doesn’t change, at this point in our church life? Can we still follow through on what Jesus commissioned us for, and prayed for us above, even if we would change buildings or our meeting place? The answer is obvious – of course! But what is the reality? Are we there yet? Where has our focus been? On a building? On tradition? On comfort?

Did the early church have similar problems? How did they respond? Chapter 8 in Acts documents the reaction of the church to worse circumstances than what we face.

“And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” - Act 8:1-4 NIV

Our response needs to be the same. What matters most is that the Good News is spread far and wide – at least as far as the various places our current membership resides. Next to this, we need to be in unity – to build up the body of the church so that we are no longer weak and vulnerable.

Look at the 1st Century Church – weren’t they stronger after going through their persecution and dislocations? Will we not also grow stronger if we focus on Christ’s mission? And will He not carry us as we devote ourselves to His will? Then besides our own personal renewal, we can experience Resurrection as a united church body.

Rodney Lannon left this life and entered eternity March 23, 2011. Rodney is the father of Brooke and Justin Lannon. Your church family sends you love and want you to know we are truly sorry for your loss and will keep you in our prayers.

Mark your calendars for a fun weekend of service and fellowship April 15th-17th! We are planning a retreat weekend at Adventures in Missions! The main purpose of our trip to AIM will be to get the camp ready for the rentals in the spring/summer camp season. We will have jobs for all shapes, sizes, and abilities! There will be sweeping, mattress flipping, toilet cleaning, dusting, carpentry, and painting! We will have worship by the fire on Saturday night as a wrap up to an awesome day full of service for the Lord.

The cost is a donation for food, approximately $10 a person or $20 for a family. The memories will last a lifetime and no donation is needed we just ask so that we are not a burden on the camp by being there! You will need to bring twin size sheets and a blanket and pillow. It would be a good idea to wear “work clothes” and of course you'll need a servant’s heart. You can leave Saturday night after worship or stay until Sunday afternoon. We will be attending Bethany Christian Church in Bloomfield for our Sunday service, if you've never experienced a small country church you really should attend, it's a great experience!

AIM has a triple guarantee, you will work hard, you will grow spiritually, and you will have FUN! Sunday after lunch we will have free time where you can wander around the camp and experience the serenity and quietness that brings people back every year! There is 68 acres of nature to explore including a 12 acre lake with really good fishing. There are row boats and paddle boats that you can take out on the lake however you'll need to bring your own fishing gear as the camp has limited gear there. There is also the obstacle course we use for training you can go down and explore down there!

It's always good to see our friends at AIM, hope you can join us! The van will leave the church around 5 on Friday afternoon. If this is too early let us know and we can move it back. Depending on how many need to be back on Sunday the van will either leave the camp on Saturday after the fireside worship or Sunday around 2pm.

This weekend should ignite your fire grow you spiritually while helping you get to know a ministry our church is involved with! Hope you can make it! A sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board, if you have any questions ask Kevin or Beth Hoos!

Thomas Farries is one of our newest members. If you go to Wendy’s on Broad Street you will see Thomas with a big smile, taking your order. Thomas lives in Fairborn and enjoys playing on the church softball team but says his greatest joy is spending time with his daughter Kathryn.

Liam Mills was baptized March 13th.He is in the 4th grade at Xenia Christian School. Liam loves to read and do anything outside such as swimming and riding his bike. He is with his Dad Thursday night and on weekends. Liam enjoys his family time and loves his Grandma’s cooking.

On Sunday March 27th we held a congregational meeting to discuss and vote on the current situation of our mortgage and dealings with The Christian Development Fund (CDF). After a brief discussion a vote was taken on whether or not to accept the offer to transfer the dead of First Church of Christ to the CDF and to allow the Elders (serving as trustees and officers) to take necessary action to facilitate this procedure. The vote was taken resulting in 88 yes votes and 1 no. We now all need to pray about this. First Church of Christ mission continues to be "To produce fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ."