<![CDATA[ASCENSION ANGLICAN CHURCH - Spiritual Assignments]]>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 12:06:28 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[CONNECT WITH GOD THROUGH 3 PRINCIPLES OF GIVING]]>Sun, 27 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/connect-with-god-through-3-principles-of-givingJoyful Giving - Sermon 10-27-19

"GIVE TO THE MOST HIGH as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold. Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no partiality. He will not show partiality to the poor; but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged. He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan, or the widow when she pours out her complaint." Sirach 35:12-17

1) Why do we give? 
Giving is an act of worship to become more like him and to participate in God's work to grow his kingdom. "Give to the Most High as he has given to you." 
2) What do we give?
We give ourselves--our time, talent and treasure. This declares to God: We value you!
3) How do we give?
We give generously, faithfully, and joyfully!

So here's your assignment. Consider giving on a percentage basis. Start with any percentage and build your testimony from there.]]><![CDATA[Get Our Jesus Right]]>Sun, 21 Jul 2019 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/get-our-jesus-rightREAD ALL OF COLOSSIANS IN ONE SITTING
Paul was so very grateful for the faith and love of the Colossians (see Colossians 1:3-4). And having heard of the heresies being taught to them (all paths lead to God, secret knowledge, the need to measure up, etc.), he listed his prayers for their spiritual wisdom and understanding, for increasing in knowledge, and for being strengthened in all power for all endurance and patience with joy and thanksgiving (v 9-14).

Then Paul makes clear how to identify all counterfeit teachings: study the original, the FOUNDATION of our faith--WHO CHRIST IS.

Let's all get our Jesus right by reading Colossians 1:15-20, http://bit.ly/32TGjiS
Then go the extra mile with this week's spiritual assignment:
Read all of Colossians (4 chapters) in one sitting. In the file below you'll find the handouts from Sunday, July 21, which include:
1) Who is Christ (7 characteristics)
2) The Colossian Heresy
3) Colossians Megathemes
colossians_handouts.pdf
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]]><![CDATA[Jesus came for a harvest of souls. We are his laborers.]]>Sun, 07 Jul 2019 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/jesus-came-for-a-harvest-of-souls-we-are-his-laborers
Jesus came for a harvest of souls. He is Lord of the harvest, and his plan begins with discipleship, which creates the laborers who are then sent in peace.

The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.
Luke 10:1-6

The Lord of the harvest directs us. Where did he send you last week? Where will he send you this week? He's not only sent us, he's empowered us that their might be great joy in the harvest. Take the following prayer with you in preparation of being God's laborer in harvesting souls.
​Prayer of Repentance and Faith (printable version below)
Lord Jesus Christ, I confess my faults, shortcomings, sins, and rebellious acts, and ask you to forgive me. I embrace you, Lord Jesus, as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for your atoning death on the cross in obedience to your Father’s will to put away my sins. I enthrone you, Lord Jesus, to be in charge of every part of my life, and I ask you to indwell and empower me with your Holy Spirit, so that I may live as your faithful follower from now on. Amen.
prayer_of_repentance_and_faith.pdf
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]]><![CDATA[There is now a man in heaven]]>Sun, 02 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/there-is-now-a-man-in-heavenPicture
On Ascension Sunday, Fr. Jack reminded us that Jesus’ ascension into heaven means there is now a man in heaven. He’s physically there. He sat down at the right hand of God, giving him authority (Mark 16:19). And it gets better. After he left, he sent the Holy Spirit so he could be with all of us at once—to guide and comfort us as he had done in person (Luke 24:49). But wait, there’s more. Jesus is praying for us, interceding for us (Romans 8:34)! What do you think he’s praying for you right now?​
]]><![CDATA[Watch for a "burning bush"]]>Sun, 10 Mar 2019 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/watch-for-a-burning-bush
"Burning bushes" come in all shapes and sizes. In the midst of ordinary life, God sends something out of the ordinary to get our attention and call us aside to be with Him in a holy time.

So this week's spiritual assignment: 
Watch for a "burning bush" in your life--God's invitation to come aside and spend time with Him, to be in His presence and receive revelation of who He is and hear the calling/purpose that only be fulfilled by you!

Moses received an invitation to holiness - the same kind of invitation we also received at the beginning of Lent
Every invitation to holiness is an invitation to repentance.
Every invitation to holiness is an invitation to an encounter with God.

Exodus 3:1-4
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”​
]]><![CDATA[Holy Lent]]>Wed, 06 Mar 2019 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/holy-lent
Fr. Jack has reflected on how the world, the flesh, and the devil make false promises. Let's follow God's instructions and Jesus' example to keep a Holy Lent through:
  • self examination and repentance
  • reading and meditation
  • prayer
  • fasting
  • almsgiving
]]><![CDATA[Christ revealed]]>Sun, 06 Jan 2019 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/christ-revealedEpiphany scripture readings remind us of the many ways Christ was revealed as the light of the world. As you read scripture and as you move through your days, look for all the ways Jesus is shining out. To get in the groove, consider the magi following the star; Jesus changing water to wine at the wedding; and Jesus reading and fulfilling prophecy when he read Isaiah from the scroll in the synagogue. And ask yourself:
  1. How does it happen?
  2. What's being revealed?
  3. What are the effects?
]]><![CDATA[Advent Devotions]]>Sun, 02 Dec 2018 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/advent-devotionsAdvent Devotions: Participate in the daily Advent devotions written by the clergy of our Kern Deanery. Access them below as a PDF or receive them daily on our Facebook page. ​
advent_2018_devotions.pdf
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]]><![CDATA[Stewardship Pledges and Requests]]>Sat, 10 Nov 2018 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/stewardship-pledges-and-requestsFor the month of November: Stewardship Pledges
Prayerfully make your pledge to God alone in each substantial category of your life: Time, Talent, and Treasure. Correspondingly, make your requests known to Him, pledging in faith and asking in faith. In this manner we will engage with God and the principle of stewardship. We will "put Him to the test" and find Him faithful in return. To that end, complete the Pledge/Request form you received in the mail from Fr. Jack and seal them in the self-addressed envelope he provided. Return them and Fr. Jack will be blessing them monthly.
]]><![CDATA[20 Minutes with the Lord]]>Sun, 14 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.ascensionanglican.com/spiritual-assignments/20-minutes-with-the-lordFind 20 minutes and a place away from the phone to sit in quiet and be with the Lord. Let go of all the striving and say, "I trust you, Lord."
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