Freedom Fellowship STL

This morning at Hillside, we studied the story of Peter's restoration as recorded in the book of John.
Peter's threefold denial of his Lord and friend was a spectacular failure, one from which he surely thought he would never recover.
Yet, a few days later, Jesus--instead of firing, demoting, or even criticizing Peter--gently asked him, "Do you love Me?" When Peter said yes, Jesus said something remarkable: "Feed My sheep." In other words, "Peter, I want you to continue My work, because I TRUST YOU."
Several weeks later, Peter delivered a sermon that caused 3,000 people to follow Christ.
If you feel like you have failed God, I think He is saying to you today that He loves you, and He believes that you love Him, too, and He TRUSTS YOU to continue His work. He is the God of restoration.

This morning at Hillside, we studied the end of Elijah's ministry as he passed the baton to Elisha, as recorded in 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2.

Soon after Elijah's spectacular triumph over the prophets of Baal, we find Elijah afraid, running for his life, and depressed. God, in His wisdom, reaches out to Elijah not in a great wind, an earthquake, or a fire, but in a low whisper. May we also listen to His still, small, voice as we seek direction in our loneliest moments.

God then instructs Elijah to anoint new leadership: a new king of Syria, a new king of Israel, and a new prophet--Elisha--to replace Elijah. It is a humbling reminder--yet a great encouragement--that people may come and go, but the work of the Lord will continue unhindered.

Finally, before Elijah is taken to heaven, he asks Elisha what he can do for him. Elisha asks not for advice, favors, influence, or control, but rather, a "double portion of your spirit." Elisha recognizes that everything Elijah accomplished was through the direction and power of God. May we, like Elisha, have an ever-increasing hunger to keep in step with the Spirit of God, and to do His will.

This morning at Hillside, we continued our study of Elijah in 1 Kings 18, when Elijah calls for a "showdown" between God and Baal. Although it was the wicked King Ahab that promoted Baal worship in Israel, Elijah posed this question not to Ahab, but to the people: "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him."

We can't always control the voices that try to keep us from serving God wholeheartedly, but we can control our response.

After God's miraculous demonstration of power, the people confessed, "The Lord, He is God." And after the dust had settled that day, the Bible records in verse 42 that Elijah "went to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees." We don't know exactly why he did this, but I imagine that Elijah was overcome by relief and exhaustion, mixed with worship and gratitude, that the God on whom he called--the God of his forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--came through yet again.

After the Bible study, we sang the song "Same God," which starts much like Elijah's prayer: "I'm calling on the God of Jacob..."

We then did just that, calling in prayer on the God of Jacob and Elijah, believing that the same God that was worthy of worship then is worthy of our worship today.

Not many people were out tonight, but that doesn't make these prayer requests any less significant. 🙂 Would you please join us in praying for these requests from the people God brought our way tonight?
* For D, who asked for prayer for her family, especially for her younger brother, who has been incarcerated for 6 years, but might be released in a year or so. Please pray that D's brother feels the presence of the Holy Spirit in that jail cell, that believers would minister to him there, and that when he is released he would not only be physically free, but also spiritually free.
* For E, who is looking for a job, and also asked for prayer for her children.
* For J, who asked for prayer for "better days" for his family.
* For those that stopped for a cold water bottle but declined prayer. Please pray that they would know that God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them.
* We thank God for our friend Gene that came out and joined us in praying for and talking with those that came by tonight. Gene has his own stories of miracles that God has worked in his life, and he knows that God can do the same for other people, too! ❤️

This FRIDAY, August 21, we will be back at David Hickey Park , 8700 N. Broadway (near the intersection of Harlan), St. Louis, MO 63147 with this tent and banner. From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., we will be available to talk and pray with anyone in the community, and if needed, we will direct them to area resources for needs they might have. If you would like to join us at Hickey Park to pray with people and/or pass out cold water bottles, please message us. 🙂
Please pray that people in the community will be led to stop and talk/pray with us, and that they would be blessed by an encounter with the love of Jesus.

This morning at Hillside, we studied the beginning of Elijah's prophetic ministry in 1 Kings 17.

Most people know Elijah because of the big things he is associated with in later chapters: calling fire from heaven, defeating 450 prophets of Baal, being carried to Heaven in a whirlwind--accompanied by chariots of fire.

But today's stories of Elijah were about small beginnings: a one-sentence prophecy, a time of hiding, a dependence on ravens to supply daily bread, a trip to a foreign land just to minister to a poor, unbelieving widow and her son.

At every turn in these small beginnings, obedience was required, both from Elijah and from the widow. And because they were faithful in the small tasks, God was able to prepare them for greater things.

At the end of our time this morning, we sang Josh Wilson's song "Dream Small," which reminds us that big dreams are fine, but we should never forget that it's the simple moments of obedience in everyday life that change the world. Here is the chorus:

So dream small
Don't buy the lie you've gotta do it all
Just let Jesus use you where you are
One day at a time
Live well
Loving God and others as yourself
Find little ways where only you can help
With His great love
A tiny rock can make a giant fall
So dream small

Hello Prayer Partners! It was so evident tonight that God directed people to our prayer tent tonight! Would you please pray to our big God for these big requests?
* N was driving by, saw our banner, pulled over, and started crying as soon as she got out of her car. She has been through so much pain in her young life, including losing both of her parents. She has some important decisions to make, but feels overwhelmed by so many circumstances working against her. One of the main things she needs right now is simply people to connect with and talk to. We were able to exchange contact information, pray with her, and invite her to our church and its Celebrate Recovery program. N was so grateful, but please pray that the Prince of Peace would give her a lasting peace that passes all understanding, and that she will be surrounded by people that can help her navigate life's challenges.
* A1 and M1 need an apartment, and M1 needs a job, and M1 has a job interview TOMORROW morning (Sunday).
* R pulled over because he thought we were giving away phones 😆, but when we explained that we were there to talk and pray with people, he readily asked for prayer. R is looking for a job and a church home.
* M2 and A2 asked for prayer for protection and peace in their lives.
* A3 is looking for a job. When we asked what kind of work he was looking for, he told us, and we were able to contact a friend in a similar line of work to see if his company had any openings. Please pray that God would open that door for A3.
* E and several others gladly took our cold water bottles that we were offering tonight, but put off asking for prayer. Please pray that these precious souls would remember these simple water bottles as reminders that God loves them, He is reaching out to them, and He wants to offer them life more abundantly through Christ our Savior.
Thank you for praying! Your prayers make a difference in the Kingdom, and we could not do what we do without you!

Come on out to Hickey Park on North Broadway. We will be here until 7:30 loving on people in the name of Jesus!

This SATURDAY, August 8, we will be back at David Hickey Park , 8700 N. Broadway (near the intersection of Harlan), St. Louis, MO 63147 with this tent and banner. From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., we will be available to talk and pray with anyone in the community, and if needed, we will direct them to area resources for needs they might have. If you would like to join us at Hickey Park to pray with people and/or pass out cold water bottles, please message us. 🙂
Please pray that people in the community will be led to stop and talk/pray with us, and that they would be blessed by an encounter with the love of Jesus.

This morning at Hillside, before celebrating my birthday ‼️🎉🎂🎈🧁🎁🎊 😃, we studied Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones from Ezekiel 37. Sometimes, like the Israelites, we think, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost" (v. 11). But when the Author of Life breathes His Spirit into us, dead things come alive!

"If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." - Romans 8:11