Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

6/12/2025, 5:59:43 PM

🙏 Prayer for Struggling Newborn Babies Heavenly Father, You are the Giver of life and the Sustainer of every breath. We lift up these precious newborns who are fighting to survive. Lord, You know them even in their frailty, for Your Word says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5). Stretch forth Your healing hand upon them, O Lord. Let Your breath of life flow through their lungs, and let every cell in their tiny bodies respond to Your divine touch. We trust in Your Word that says, “He sent out His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave” (Psalm 107:20). Father, comfort the hearts of their parents. Fill them with peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), and assure them that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Lord Jesus, You said, “Let the little children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14). Embrace these babies with Your love. Preserve their lives as a testimony of Your mercy, and raise them up to serve You in joy and strength. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen. MSStephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

6/12/2025, 2:08:36 AM

Prayer for today - June 12, 2025 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:7 (ESV) Heavenly Father, on this day, June 12, 2025, we come before You with humble hearts, thanking You for the gift of life and the fellowship of the brethren. In a world full of unrest and uncertainty, we anchor ourselves in Your promises. Lord, guard our hearts with Your peace—peace that transcends every storm, fear, and worry. May Your Spirit calm the turbulence within us and keep our minds fixed on Christ Jesus. Help us to rest in Your presence today, trusting that no matter what comes our way, You are our refuge and strength. Let our lives be testimonies of divine calm and unwavering faith. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. MSStephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

6/11/2025, 9:51:44 PM

Number 31 Topic: Foolish Curiosity By M. S. Stephens Focal Text: 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (NIV) “When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.” Introduction: Dear brethren, in these challenging times, it is crucial for us to guard our hearts and actions against foolish curiosity that can lead us away from God’s will. Instead, let us focus on helping and supporting one another, rooted in obedience and reverence to God. 1. The Danger of Foolish Curiosity (2 Samuel 6:6-7) - Context: Uzzah’s action of touching the Ark of the Covenant, despite good intentions, was a violation of God’s command. This act of irreverent curiosity led to his immediate death. - Application: Just as Uzzah’s curiosity and disregard for God’s command led to dire consequences, we must be cautious about actions and decisions driven by curiosity rather than faith and obedience. In these trying times, our focus should be on following God’s will and supporting each other in accordance with His commands. 2. Eve’s Curiosity in the Garden (Genesis 3:6) - Text: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” - Application: Eve’s curiosity led her to disobey God’s direct command, bringing sin into the world. Like Eve, we can be tempted to explore what is forbidden, leading to negative consequences. Instead, let us seek God’s wisdom and encourage one another to stay on the path of righteousness. 3. The Curiosity of Lot’s Wife (Genesis 19:26) - Text: “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” - Application: Lot’s wife was curious about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and disobeyed the angels’ command not to look back. Her curiosity and disobedience resulted in her becoming a pillar of salt. This serves as a warning against allowing curiosity to lead us away from God’s instructions. In our community, let us encourage each other to move forward in faith, without looking back to past temptations or regrets. 4. Seeking Wisdom over Curiosity (Proverbs 3:5-6) - Text: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Application: Instead of giving in to foolish curiosity, we are called to trust in the Lord and seek His wisdom. As a community, we should support each other in making wise decisions that honor God and promote collective well-being. 5. Encouraging Each Other in Righteousness (Hebrews 10:24-25) - Text: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Application: During these trying times, our focus should be on encouraging one another toward love and good deeds. By doing so, we help each other avoid the pitfalls of foolish curiosity and stay committed to God’s purposes. Conclusion: Foolish curiosity can lead us away from God’s will and bring unnecessary trouble into our lives. Let us learn from the examples of Uzzah, Eve, and Lot’s wife, and instead seek God’s wisdom and support one another in obedience and love. By focusing on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our care for one another—we can navigate these difficult times with faith and integrity. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that guides and instructs us. Help us to avoid foolish curiosity and to seek Your wisdom in all things. Strengthen us to support and encourage one another, especially in these challenging times. May our actions reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

6/11/2025, 4:11:29 AM

Prayer for Today – June 11, 2025 Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of this new day, June 11, 2025. As Your Word says in James 1:5 – "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Today, Lord, we ask for Your grace and wisdom to deal kindly, justly, and wisely with others — in our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities. Guide our hands and minds in every task, business, and labour. Let all we do be filled with integrity, excellence, and love. May our efforts bear fruit — not just success, but productive and profitable outcomes that honour You and bless others. Keep us from wasteful decisions and lead us by Your Spirit into paths of righteousness and purpose. Let today be filled with divine favour and clarity. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, amen. MSStephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

6/10/2025, 4:01:04 AM

Prayer for today – June 10, 2025 Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Heavenly Father, we thank You for this new day, June 10, 2025—a day filled with the promise of Your presence and the working of Your Spirit. Lord, we come before You as brethren in Christ, desiring to reflect Your nature in a world that so desperately needs Your light. Gracious God, cultivate Your holy character in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Strip us of every fruitless way, and fill us with the fruit that pleases You—love that is sacrificial, joy that transcends trials, peace that passes understanding, patience that endures, kindness that draws others to Christ, goodness that reflects Your heart, faithfulness that stands firm, gentleness that comforts the weary, and self-control that honors Your will. May our lives today be living testimonies of Your Spirit at work in us. Shape us into vessels of grace, and let us serve one another in the beauty of holiness. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. MSStephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

5/14/2025, 4:32:17 AM

Prayer for Today – May 14, 2025 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5 (KJV) Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of life and the blessing of a new day—May 14, 2025. Lord, we come before You as brethren united in faith, seeking Your divine wisdom in all areas of our lives. Guide our thoughts, decisions, and actions today. Let Your wisdom lead us in our homes, work, relationships, and service to others. Teach us to walk in Your understanding and to reflect Your will in all we do. Fill us with discernment and peace, and help us to be a light in this world. We trust in Your promise that when we ask, You give generously. We receive Your wisdom today with grateful hearts. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, amen. MSStephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

5/14/2025, 4:32:46 AM

Number 27 Topic: Embracing Newness in Christ By M. S. Stephens Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Introduction: Good morning/afternoon, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I want to speak to you about a concept foundational to our Christian faith: newness. We often hear about new beginnings, life, and transformation, but what does embracing the newness of our relationship with Jesus Christ mean? Scripture Reading Let’s begin by reading from 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 1. The Promise of Newness In this verse, Paul tells us that anyone in Christ is a new creation. This promise of newness is not just a superficial change but a profound transformation of our very being. Illustration: Think of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. The caterpillar doesn't change its appearance; it becomes a new creature. Similarly, when we come to Christ, we undergo a spiritual metamorphosis. 2. Letting Go of the Old To embrace the new, we must be willing to let go of the old. This involves repentance and turning away from our past sins and failures. Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “You were taught, about your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Application: Letting go of the old might mean forgiving someone who has wronged you, giving up a harmful habit, or simply changing your mindset from defeat to hope. 3. Living in Newness Once we have let go of the old, we are called to live in the newness of life that Christ offers. This new life is characterised by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—what the Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Illustration: Imagine receiving a brand-new car. You wouldn’t continue to walk everywhere; you would use that new car to its full potential. In the same way, we must fully embrace and live out the new life we have been given in Christ. 4. Newness in Community Our newness in Christ also calls us to build new relationships and community. The church is where we support and encourage each other in our walk with Christ. Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Application: Being part of a community means actively participating in the church's life, serving others, and building each other up in faith. 5. The Hope of Eternal Newness Finally, the newness we experience now is just a foretaste of the eternal newness we will experience in heaven. Revelation 21:5 tells us, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” This is our ultimate hope in Christ—eternal life with Him in a new heaven and a new earth. Conclusion As we conclude, let us remember that newness in Christ is not a one-time event but a continual process of growth and transformation. Let us embrace this newness with joy and live out our faith boldly and lovingly. Prayer Let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for our new life in Christ. Help us to let go of our old ways and fully embrace the newness You offer. May we live each day in the light of Your love and grace, and may our lives reflect the transformation You have worked within us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Go forth this week and embrace the newness that God has given you. God bless you all.

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

5/10/2025, 5:38:13 AM

Prayer for Today – May 10, 2025 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of a new day — May 10, 2025. As we rise to serve and minister in Your name, we ask for Your grace to be effective in all we do. May our words and actions reflect Your love and truth. Empower us with wisdom, strength, and compassion. Let every task we undertake today be done wholeheartedly, as unto You, bringing glory to Your name. Help us to remain faithful stewards of the calling You have given us. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen. MSStephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

5/15/2025, 4:17:04 AM

Prayer for Today – May 15, 2025 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27 (NIV) Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of a new day—May 15, 2025. We stand upon Your Word in John 14:27 and receive Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord, calm every storm in our hearts and silence the voice of fear and anxiety. Grant us confidence in Your power, knowing that You are always near, mighty to save and strong to deliver. Let Your presence be our refuge and Your promises our anchor. We declare victory over every worry, and we embrace today with boldness, joy, and unwavering trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. MSStephens

Gospel Series with M. S. Stephens

5/13/2025, 1:03:23 AM

*SPECIAL EDITION TO MARK MY BIRTHDAY* Message: "Be Grateful in All Situations" By M. S. Stephens Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Introduction: In the journey of life, we all face seasons of abundance and times of adversity. Gratitude often flows easily when all is well, but when trials arise, giving thanks can feel like an impossible task. Yet, the Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, commands believers to give thanks in everything. This is not a suggestion but a revelation of God’s will for His people. Gratitude is not based on our circumstances but on the unchanging nature and goodness of God. "Be Grateful in All Situations" is a message that calls the brethren to recognize the spiritual strength and maturity that comes from a grateful heart. Gratitude is not denial of pain; rather, it is faith in the sovereignty of God despite the pain. Gratitude shifts our focus from problems to the Provider, from hardships to hope, and from self-pity to spiritual purpose. Basics of the Message: 1. Gratitude is God’s Will – (1 Thess. 5:18) 2. Gratitude is a lifestyle, not a seasonal activity – (Psalm 34:1) 3. Gratitude brings peace and guards our hearts – (Philippians 4:6–7) 4. Gratitude honors God and keeps us humble – (Psalm 50:23) Challenges to Being Grateful in All Situations: Pain and Suffering – Trials can cloud our perspective. Unanswered Prayers – Waiting on God may lead to frustration. Envy and Comparison – Looking at others’ successes can fuel ingratitude. Spiritual Weakness – Lack of trust in God’s plan weakens our gratitude. Materialism – Desiring more can diminish appreciation for what we have. Biblical Concepts Associated with the Topic: 1. Sovereignty of God – God is in control, even in hard times (Romans 8:28). 2. Faith and Trust – Being grateful is an act of trust in God's goodness. 3. Sacrifice of Praise – (Hebrews 13:15) Sometimes gratitude is a sacrifice. 4. Contentment – (1 Timothy 6:6) Godliness with contentment is great gain. 5. Transformation of the Mind – (Romans 12:2) Gratitude renews our thinking. Application: Begin each day with a thankful heart regardless of circumstances. Keep a gratitude journal to record God’s goodness daily. Practice gratitude in prayers even before receiving answers. Encourage others by sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Replace complaints with praise and thanksgiving. Implications and Lessons to Be Learnt: A grateful heart is spiritually resilient and emotionally healthy. Gratitude in trials strengthens faith and spiritual maturity. Gratitude influences how we treat others—with kindness and compassion. Grateful believers shine as witnesses of God’s goodness. Ingratitude leads to spiritual stagnation and can open doors to bitterness. Call to Action: Today, choose gratitude. Reflect on God's blessings, even in difficulties. Acknowledge His sovereignty, and trust His timing. Let thanksgiving become your anthem, not only when things are going well but especially when you feel like giving up. Gratitude is a weapon—it silences the enemy and strengthens the soul. Conclusion: Gratitude in all situations doesn’t mean we enjoy every trial, but that we trust God through every trial. Our thanksgiving should not be rooted in temporal things but in eternal truths. God is good, faithful, loving, and wise. He works all things for our good. Let us, therefore, be a grateful people—living testimonies of His grace in every circumstance. Matching Baptist Hymn: Baptist Hymnal 385 – “Count Your Blessings” “Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your unfailing love and mercy. Today, we ask for the grace to be grateful in all situations. Teach our hearts to trust You more, even when we don’t understand. Remove the spirit of complaining and replace it with praise. May our lives reflect Your faithfulness through our consistent gratitude. Help us to remember Your blessings and to encourage others through thankful living. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Take Home Questions: 1. What are some situations where you have found it difficult to be grateful? 2. How can remembering God’s sovereignty help you practice gratitude during trials? 3. What does it mean to offer a “sacrifice of praise” in your personal life? 4. In what ways can gratitude transform your relationships with others? 5. How can you build a daily habit of thanksgiving in your walk with God?