Matthew 22:36: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?
37: And He said to him,"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."
38: This is the greatest and foremost commandment.
39:The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
It has been a difficult summer for me to minister and share the word with my neighbors and friends. Many of the people I have been sharing with have had difficulties themselves or with family members who have been using alcohol. There has been many anger issues in these families, and divorces and people fighting depression and many of them have financial problems and they have problems keeping a job. I have been showing care and concern and tried to reach out to these people. Often they realize that they have a problem, but it has such a stronghold in their lives that they can't give it up.
I have spent the last couple of weeks praying about what to do about the situation. One of the prayers has been for Christ to somehow show me why people are drawn to the bar even though it is causing so much hardship in their families lives.
A couple of weeks ago two people gave me part of the answer and both shared an example of a TV show called Cheers. Paul Cobb wrote on Facebook that the bar was called Cheers and that real joy could only be found in fellowship with Christians and is only found through Christ who strengthens us and we all have a desire to belong to a fellowship, but those who seek it in a tavern will only find a counterfeit fellowship. Later that week, I went to the bank and Robin Groll handed me a printout from Christianity.com which was talking about the same thing. It also mentioned the show Cheers and that people like the fellowship they receive their, and that they can talk about anything they are doing, even if it is shocking because there it will be acceptable to most.
Later in the article it shared a testimony about a marine who accepted Christ. He used to curse severely, got drunk frequently, got into fights, was sexually active with several women, and he hated going to chapel.After he surrendered his life to Christ, he admitted that he missed that fellowship with those friends because in the church he had no one to admit his faults and struggles with, because people would judge him.
Christ wants to give that fellowship to his church. The tavern is a counterfeit or imitation, It dispenses liquor and not grace, escape from your problems and not reality. The bar becomes busy not because people enjoy alcohol and its effects, but because God put into the human heart the desire to know others and be known, to love and be loved. The church needs to become that place where people can come as they are and share their faults and still feel loved by others.
It also explains about the church in Philadelphia in Revelation which is the church of brotherly love. It explained that we need to show affectionate love to each other and it reminded us that we who have been born again have all come from the same spiritual womb. And we all have God as our heavenly Father.
Romans12:13: contributing to the needs of the saints, practising hospitality.
14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15: Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
In the phrase contribute to the needs of others, it doesn't necessarily mean just whatever we give Sunday morning in the offering plate. There are many needs in the family of God that never get met, because we don't really get close enough to get to know each other so we don't see the needs of others. It may not always be a financial need. It may be a need of supporting others or giving of your time.
Genuine hospitality. In the article it says we should pursue hospitality. This word in Greek means kindness to strangers. Two things that are explained in the article are that hospitality should not be thought of as entertaining others. It is a good thing to invite friends or family or those who you feel comfortable with over for a party or a meal, but what Paul is challenging people to do is to come up with ways to reach out to people who are strange or unknown to us. God wants us to think about new unreached people and how we can reach out to them. We somehow need to get out of our comfort zone. I recently read a blog that Pastor Cliff's sister Kim wrote about a new church she has been going to and in the first couple of weeks she has been invited to two homes for meals and also another person invited her to their home for coffee. This is an example of the impact we can have on others by reaching out to strangers with hospitality.
Gracious Forgiveness. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. It is sometimes hard to forgive those who trespass against us, but it is required of God to do it. One of the things I exercise when I am angry at others, is that I begin to pray verses that will cause them to grow in the Lord and as I begin to do that, the focus goes to Jesus and not toward the bitterness I have towards others. I pray positive verses for them such as the ones found in the books written by the apostle Paul, that people will grow in knowledge and they would keep their thoughts on Christ, then I also pray those prayers for me. I can then watch Christ do the work of reconciliation in them and me.
Rejoice when others rejoice and weep when they weep. We need to rejoice when others are happy about things that are going on in life. I know this older person and every time someone tells her something she should be happy about with them, she almost always ends the time with a negative thought. When people cry, we should cry or feelsorrow with them. Many times as Christians we hide our sorrow or crying as though we are ashamed that we are showing weakness to others, but I am always reminded of the shortest verse in the Bible right after Lazarus died. It consists of two simple words. Jesus wept. If our shepherd cried , why are we to hide our tears and sorrow from brothers and sisters in Christ. In order to follow this example to the fullest, we need to get to know others better, especially our fellow neighbors. We can not get to know their joys or sorrows by just waving to them when we go to the mailbox. We all need someone to share these truths with and our faith should begin to move us in pursuing them. If we do not reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ in these ways, they will look outside the church to feel the void of loneliness they are experiencing, and many will choose that Cheers atmosphere which is the counterfeit fellowship to fill that hole in their hearts.
Now we our stuck with a challenge. Where do we begin to make the difference. Let us begin right here in the church. Let it begin with us. As new people come through our doors let us not become comfortable with just us, but let us pray how we can get out of our comfort zones, and get to know the people who God has drawn to Himself. I am grateful to the Cambridge Springs Christian Missionary Alliance church family that they have made great progress in all these areas that were mentioned in this article, and I am continuing to pray how God can use me to share the good news with my community so the taverns will not have all this negative control over all these hurting families.
The article ended with this prayer that I would like to echo:
Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family. Teach us what it means to truly love each other. We pray that your love would continue to unite us and that your Spirit would continue to break any barriers that might separate us. May we be your people with a loving purpose, Quick to reach needs, eager to reach out to strangers, help us to bless those who our enemies, rejoice with those who rejoice and help us to weep with those who weep. Fill us to overflowing with your love so the world will see Jesus in us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Praise the Lord in all Things
Psalm 100:1: Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
2: Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.
3:Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5: For the Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
We just received our new computer at the church yesterday and it is set up, so I am so thankful to be back writing on my blog once again. I tried doing it at other places, but sometimes their our many distractions. I feel more comfortable in a relaxed environment where it is quiet and peaceful, and people are not talking and dogs are not jumping on you while you are thinking about what to write.
This week is our annual Fireman's carnival, and true to tradition, we are having several bouts of heavy rains and stormy weather, I am planning to go down later this evening, as it is the once a year time that you can have a reunion with friends and family to catch up on things and spend time with those who plan their vacations so they can be here during this 4 day festival. One of the highlights of the event is the 18 hot-air balloons that they launch at various times in the evening and also the big parade on Saturday. I work at the Pharmacy for two hours on the evening of the parade to sell snacks and beverages. I enjoy that time to talk to people. Last year we sold almost 125 bottles of pop in that small period of time.
I chose this section of scripture about remembering to give praise and thanksgiving to God for the great things He has done. We just finished off a week with an event that was managed by various churches in our community who sent many of their members who were volunteers for the annual Vacation Bible School. It was well attended this year with over 180 young people coming on at least two of the 5-day program. There were several who made decisions to accept the salvation message. We will be having another marriage ceremony this coming Saturday morning for a couple who are sort of new to our church in the past year or so. I am so thankful for them bringing honor to Christ in making that decision. Soon we will be meeting to make plans for restarting the Team Kid's club again and also planning to get the children's bell choir along with singing and other activities, so we can once again begin allowing these young students become a part in the worship services. On the first Sunday in August we will be having a concert from the Needhams during the morning worship service. They came last year and provided us with some really great music. If you are reading this blog, and like great gospel music, plan to attend. Last week, we were blessed to here an encouraging message from Tom and Betsy Henning's son Aaron. He was encouraging us to get involved in church ministries, and he used several Biblical examples of ordinary people who God had chosen to fulfill His purposes and they were insecure and had fear, but because they believed and stepped out in faith, they were able to accomplish and fulfill the mission they were chosen for. He read a letter to us from a young man who Aaron preached the gospel to and this young man heard several of his messages, but it wasn't until about four years later that the man received and believed the free gift of salvation in Christ. He shared some other examples such as another student who came from a farming community and he was working towards a degree in architecture and how the young person went on a short term missions trip to help build simple homes for families. The young man was later given a burden to use what he had learned in his architecture classes and was able to design a beautiful orphanage overseas and he was able to go and help build it, and now he and his wife have moved there to help it operate. Aaron will soon be going there to visit his friend and see how the project is going. Isn't it great when we can see how Christ is able to select someone for a specific task and place them in the right circumstances and the right encourage rs and those who are able to equip and they end up doing great and mighty things to help build His kingdom. I thank Aaron and Amy for answering the call that Christ placed on their lives to pastor this unique college setting so this person would find and discover the mission he fulfilled. Let us also as the body of Christ continue to spur and encourage one another to perform good deeds that Christ had prepared in advance so in due time we also may be prepared to walk in them.
Continue to give praise and thanksgiving to Christ for the great things He has done and things He is doing and things He will accomplish in the future. Keep your eyes focused on Him, do not turn away to the right or the left. Let us keep our eyes on Him until He shows us His vision and purpose for us, both individually and corporately.
Well, until next week, I will be back, but for now I am off to the fair.
2: Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.
3:Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5: For the Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
We just received our new computer at the church yesterday and it is set up, so I am so thankful to be back writing on my blog once again. I tried doing it at other places, but sometimes their our many distractions. I feel more comfortable in a relaxed environment where it is quiet and peaceful, and people are not talking and dogs are not jumping on you while you are thinking about what to write.
This week is our annual Fireman's carnival, and true to tradition, we are having several bouts of heavy rains and stormy weather, I am planning to go down later this evening, as it is the once a year time that you can have a reunion with friends and family to catch up on things and spend time with those who plan their vacations so they can be here during this 4 day festival. One of the highlights of the event is the 18 hot-air balloons that they launch at various times in the evening and also the big parade on Saturday. I work at the Pharmacy for two hours on the evening of the parade to sell snacks and beverages. I enjoy that time to talk to people. Last year we sold almost 125 bottles of pop in that small period of time.
I chose this section of scripture about remembering to give praise and thanksgiving to God for the great things He has done. We just finished off a week with an event that was managed by various churches in our community who sent many of their members who were volunteers for the annual Vacation Bible School. It was well attended this year with over 180 young people coming on at least two of the 5-day program. There were several who made decisions to accept the salvation message. We will be having another marriage ceremony this coming Saturday morning for a couple who are sort of new to our church in the past year or so. I am so thankful for them bringing honor to Christ in making that decision. Soon we will be meeting to make plans for restarting the Team Kid's club again and also planning to get the children's bell choir along with singing and other activities, so we can once again begin allowing these young students become a part in the worship services. On the first Sunday in August we will be having a concert from the Needhams during the morning worship service. They came last year and provided us with some really great music. If you are reading this blog, and like great gospel music, plan to attend. Last week, we were blessed to here an encouraging message from Tom and Betsy Henning's son Aaron. He was encouraging us to get involved in church ministries, and he used several Biblical examples of ordinary people who God had chosen to fulfill His purposes and they were insecure and had fear, but because they believed and stepped out in faith, they were able to accomplish and fulfill the mission they were chosen for. He read a letter to us from a young man who Aaron preached the gospel to and this young man heard several of his messages, but it wasn't until about four years later that the man received and believed the free gift of salvation in Christ. He shared some other examples such as another student who came from a farming community and he was working towards a degree in architecture and how the young person went on a short term missions trip to help build simple homes for families. The young man was later given a burden to use what he had learned in his architecture classes and was able to design a beautiful orphanage overseas and he was able to go and help build it, and now he and his wife have moved there to help it operate. Aaron will soon be going there to visit his friend and see how the project is going. Isn't it great when we can see how Christ is able to select someone for a specific task and place them in the right circumstances and the right encourage rs and those who are able to equip and they end up doing great and mighty things to help build His kingdom. I thank Aaron and Amy for answering the call that Christ placed on their lives to pastor this unique college setting so this person would find and discover the mission he fulfilled. Let us also as the body of Christ continue to spur and encourage one another to perform good deeds that Christ had prepared in advance so in due time we also may be prepared to walk in them.
Continue to give praise and thanksgiving to Christ for the great things He has done and things He is doing and things He will accomplish in the future. Keep your eyes focused on Him, do not turn away to the right or the left. Let us keep our eyes on Him until He shows us His vision and purpose for us, both individually and corporately.
Well, until next week, I will be back, but for now I am off to the fair.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Faith is the Substance that Keeps us Strong to the End
Saturday was July 4th. It reminded me of the times when my mother used to prepare a recipe using cherry flavored jello and she would put diced up fresh fruit and shredded carrots and cabbage in it. It doesn't sound good, but it tasted good. She had this special pan that had a molded pattern in it. She would flip it over on a large serving tray, and the pattern would stay in the jello until the last of it was served. The secret to this happening without the jello loosing its form was a type of jello called Knox jello which you would mix with the flavored jello. It was the substance that you needed to keep it standing strong until the end.
Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient (from the heart) to that form of doctrine which you were committed
18: and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
I thought about that dish mom used to make, and I began thinking about my walk with Christ. If we want to become molded and changed to the likeness of Christ, we must be committed to His form of doctrine.
2Timothy 3:2:For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy
3:unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4:treacherous, wreck less, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5:holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.
This suggests that with my free will, I can choose one way or the other, and both ways our the exact opposite of each other. I need something that I cannot produce on my own. It must come through Christ. I need to possess something that has substance. One time mom made this dessert, and she poured it out, and shortly afterward she noticed that it lost its shape and became a pitiful pile of goo in the middle of the tray. She later realized, she forgot to mix it with the Knox gelatin.
Hebrews 11:1; Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
If faith is what I need to stand strong in Jesus, where do I find it?
Romans 10:17: So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.
I need to activate and apply what I learn out of the Word so I can stand firm in the faith.
My prayer for my brothers and sisters in Christ is this:
Hebrews 6:11: and my desire is that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end
12: so that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.
One of the things that has greatly blessed me and others in the church was the Team Kids Club and when we first started planning it, there was a big emphasis on that whatever the plans were for each evening that the main focus would be to remind these young people about the scripture lesson. In the beginning , we were not seeing much progress, but now many of those same children have accepted Christ, and several have acknowledged their faith by publicly being baptized. Let us continue to look at the importance of the Word and keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. May we continue to see people transformed to the image of Christ as we walk into newness of life as we live out the abundant life of faith and exercise and use what we learn in the scriptures.
Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient (from the heart) to that form of doctrine which you were committed
18: and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
I thought about that dish mom used to make, and I began thinking about my walk with Christ. If we want to become molded and changed to the likeness of Christ, we must be committed to His form of doctrine.
2Timothy 3:2:For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy
3:unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4:treacherous, wreck less, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5:holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.
This suggests that with my free will, I can choose one way or the other, and both ways our the exact opposite of each other. I need something that I cannot produce on my own. It must come through Christ. I need to possess something that has substance. One time mom made this dessert, and she poured it out, and shortly afterward she noticed that it lost its shape and became a pitiful pile of goo in the middle of the tray. She later realized, she forgot to mix it with the Knox gelatin.
Hebrews 11:1; Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
If faith is what I need to stand strong in Jesus, where do I find it?
Romans 10:17: So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.
I need to activate and apply what I learn out of the Word so I can stand firm in the faith.
My prayer for my brothers and sisters in Christ is this:
Hebrews 6:11: and my desire is that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end
12: so that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.
One of the things that has greatly blessed me and others in the church was the Team Kids Club and when we first started planning it, there was a big emphasis on that whatever the plans were for each evening that the main focus would be to remind these young people about the scripture lesson. In the beginning , we were not seeing much progress, but now many of those same children have accepted Christ, and several have acknowledged their faith by publicly being baptized. Let us continue to look at the importance of the Word and keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. May we continue to see people transformed to the image of Christ as we walk into newness of life as we live out the abundant life of faith and exercise and use what we learn in the scriptures.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Taking a Walk With my Heavenly Father
Romans 8:14:For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.
15:For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we call out, "Abba! Father!"
16:The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
17:and if children, heirs also, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified in Him.
Sunday was a beautiful and warm sunny day. I wondered how I could celebrate Father's Day, since my father passed away when I was only ten years old. I don't remember much about my earthly father, except that he was a hard worker and he provided for the material needs of our family. He spent most of his evenings hanging around with his friends from work and he wouldn't come home until late evening. He did spend Sundays with us and we usually went on picnics, but honestly that is all I can remember.
After I got home from church, I began praying about how I could use the rest of the day. I remembered this verse out of Romans, and it gave me great joy to know that I have another Father and He chose to adopt me and I am now his. I was also reflecting on Him as being the Creator of all things. As I continued to spend time in devotions, I was also thinking about some of the comments some people at church shared with me, because I said I missed that part of being a Godly man,being a father and they encouraged me by saying that I was being a father-like figure to the five children that I have been bringing with me to the Kid's club, and also to church. God does want believers to be fathers to the fatherless. These children do have their own parents, but their parents are not interested in the things concerning God. I have adopted them in a spiritual way, just as God, who is not a respecter of persons has drawn me to follow Him.
I ended up deciding to spend the afternoon going on a hike with my Father who adopted me long ago. I enjoyed sharing with Him the things that His hands have created. I went to Land of Lakes. I was able to see a few turtles, and hear fish jump out of the water as they caught insects. I could hear the different sounds of birds singing to one another. It was neat to hear and see the breezes of the gentle wind as it passed by through the trees. I saw a field of white daisies with the fluttering of hundreds of monarch butterflies as they spread their wings to land from blossom to blossom. I came at just the ideal time of the summer, so I could view the acres of golden and bright pink water lilies floating on the many ponds. You could also smell the sweet aroma of the wild white roses that hide their vines in the tallest branches of the trees. People pass them by all year, and suddenly just at the right season of year they surprise you with their pure white color. I was also able to notice my favorite kind of wild lilies that are over six feet tall. They are red and they look like upside down bells. I usually ride my bike in the summertime, but I have decided to walk this summer, so I could enjoy those tiny glimpses of creation, that you miss as you rush by on a bike. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father and that I could share this special day with Him. All praise goes to Him. I am so glad to be a part of the family of God. I will share more next week. Until then God's grace and peace are with you my brothers and sisters in Christ. Praise Him that you have also been adopted and that you can also shout Abba! Father!
15:For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we call out, "Abba! Father!"
16:The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
17:and if children, heirs also, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified in Him.
Sunday was a beautiful and warm sunny day. I wondered how I could celebrate Father's Day, since my father passed away when I was only ten years old. I don't remember much about my earthly father, except that he was a hard worker and he provided for the material needs of our family. He spent most of his evenings hanging around with his friends from work and he wouldn't come home until late evening. He did spend Sundays with us and we usually went on picnics, but honestly that is all I can remember.
After I got home from church, I began praying about how I could use the rest of the day. I remembered this verse out of Romans, and it gave me great joy to know that I have another Father and He chose to adopt me and I am now his. I was also reflecting on Him as being the Creator of all things. As I continued to spend time in devotions, I was also thinking about some of the comments some people at church shared with me, because I said I missed that part of being a Godly man,being a father and they encouraged me by saying that I was being a father-like figure to the five children that I have been bringing with me to the Kid's club, and also to church. God does want believers to be fathers to the fatherless. These children do have their own parents, but their parents are not interested in the things concerning God. I have adopted them in a spiritual way, just as God, who is not a respecter of persons has drawn me to follow Him.
I ended up deciding to spend the afternoon going on a hike with my Father who adopted me long ago. I enjoyed sharing with Him the things that His hands have created. I went to Land of Lakes. I was able to see a few turtles, and hear fish jump out of the water as they caught insects. I could hear the different sounds of birds singing to one another. It was neat to hear and see the breezes of the gentle wind as it passed by through the trees. I saw a field of white daisies with the fluttering of hundreds of monarch butterflies as they spread their wings to land from blossom to blossom. I came at just the ideal time of the summer, so I could view the acres of golden and bright pink water lilies floating on the many ponds. You could also smell the sweet aroma of the wild white roses that hide their vines in the tallest branches of the trees. People pass them by all year, and suddenly just at the right season of year they surprise you with their pure white color. I was also able to notice my favorite kind of wild lilies that are over six feet tall. They are red and they look like upside down bells. I usually ride my bike in the summertime, but I have decided to walk this summer, so I could enjoy those tiny glimpses of creation, that you miss as you rush by on a bike. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father and that I could share this special day with Him. All praise goes to Him. I am so glad to be a part of the family of God. I will share more next week. Until then God's grace and peace are with you my brothers and sisters in Christ. Praise Him that you have also been adopted and that you can also shout Abba! Father!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Pouring Yourself out for the Sake of Others
Philippians2:1:Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
2:make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit intent on one purpose.
3:Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4:do not merely look out for your own interests, but also the interest of others.
14:Do all things without grumbling and complaining;
15:so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
16:holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain or toil in vain.
17:But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
18: You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
In many of the apostle Paul's writings he urges and challenges people to follow after his example. In this passage he is showing us that we should at times be willing to set aside our agenda and interests, so we can pour out ourselves for the sakes of others. He uses Christ dieing on the cross as the example of sacrificing His life for the sake of others. I am also reminded of the verse Pastor Cliff refers us to. I think it is found in Galations. It explains that we should die to ourselves, so we can live for Christ.
I am still working on the landscaping project here at the church. It is still not completed yet, but yesterday, I made good progress as I finished the round flower bed in front of the parking lot. As I have been working on this project, I have five people who come and speak to me regularly. At first when they would show up, I was becoming quite irritated, thinking to myself, I have all this work to do, and these people are such a nuisance and a bother to me. I sometimes would put my tools away and end up going home and trying another day. In early April I came across this portion of scripture and realized that my hobby could turn into a ministry to these people. As they continued to come, I asked them if they minded if I worked while we talked. I have become friends with them and I have learned some things about them, and ways I could minister to them and some other citizens in the community. One of them mentioned that he enjoys talking to me, because he doesn't have many friends he can talk to, so he usually ends up going to the bar, where he can speak to others ,but he always ends up getting drunk. He hates doing that and he is on a fixed income, and spends most of his money buying beer. He also has a hand that is deformed and he shared with me that last year he went fishing by himself and he fell over a steep bank and fell into French Creek and he almost drowned, because of his deformed hand he had a hard time pulling himself out of the water. He also likes to go hiking, but has trouble finding people who are willing to go with him. Another person who the community thinks and has labeled him as being useless because he is mentally retarded surprised me by letting me go to his house and seeing a large shed he built out of scrap wood and materials that he has collected from leftover materials from projects at contractor sites. He would see someone building something and they would have a pile of unusable wood and he would ask if he could take them. He also put siding and two large doors on the front of it. He also can fix lawn mower engines and repairs things. He is 50 years old now and because of people putting this label on him and the government labeling him, he has spent his life collecting disability. Could you imagine if someone who was a contractor would have poured themselves out for his interest, he could have been useful and had a good paying job. There is also an older couple who used to go to our church that I found out from another person, that they had to give up their drivers license and they may at times want to come to church, but are unable because of transportation needs. I am not sure how they feel about it, but it would be nice if someone was willing to look at their interests and offer them a ride so they can worship with us. It was a sacrifice for me to set aside my agenda, but I realize now that I really didn't have to give it up completely, but that I could reach unbelievers if I could allow them to be a part of what I was doing. I know a lot of lonely citizens in our small town who could be reached with the gospel, if we had people who were willing to give themselves to others and share those gifts and hobbies that you enjoy so much. Gardening, hunting, fishing, hiking, craft projects, etc. I wish there was a way we could connect Christians to be disciples to unreached people groups. I am not sure how to accomplish this. One thing I am thinking about is to get my fishing license, because most of these five friends would go fishing if they had someone to go with. So as for me that would be a good start. You too, I urge you in the same way, do what Paul has taught me, look at others who are lost, look at meeting their interests. Share in the joy.
2:make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit intent on one purpose.
3:Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4:do not merely look out for your own interests, but also the interest of others.
14:Do all things without grumbling and complaining;
15:so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
16:holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain or toil in vain.
17:But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
18: You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
In many of the apostle Paul's writings he urges and challenges people to follow after his example. In this passage he is showing us that we should at times be willing to set aside our agenda and interests, so we can pour out ourselves for the sakes of others. He uses Christ dieing on the cross as the example of sacrificing His life for the sake of others. I am also reminded of the verse Pastor Cliff refers us to. I think it is found in Galations. It explains that we should die to ourselves, so we can live for Christ.
I am still working on the landscaping project here at the church. It is still not completed yet, but yesterday, I made good progress as I finished the round flower bed in front of the parking lot. As I have been working on this project, I have five people who come and speak to me regularly. At first when they would show up, I was becoming quite irritated, thinking to myself, I have all this work to do, and these people are such a nuisance and a bother to me. I sometimes would put my tools away and end up going home and trying another day. In early April I came across this portion of scripture and realized that my hobby could turn into a ministry to these people. As they continued to come, I asked them if they minded if I worked while we talked. I have become friends with them and I have learned some things about them, and ways I could minister to them and some other citizens in the community. One of them mentioned that he enjoys talking to me, because he doesn't have many friends he can talk to, so he usually ends up going to the bar, where he can speak to others ,but he always ends up getting drunk. He hates doing that and he is on a fixed income, and spends most of his money buying beer. He also has a hand that is deformed and he shared with me that last year he went fishing by himself and he fell over a steep bank and fell into French Creek and he almost drowned, because of his deformed hand he had a hard time pulling himself out of the water. He also likes to go hiking, but has trouble finding people who are willing to go with him. Another person who the community thinks and has labeled him as being useless because he is mentally retarded surprised me by letting me go to his house and seeing a large shed he built out of scrap wood and materials that he has collected from leftover materials from projects at contractor sites. He would see someone building something and they would have a pile of unusable wood and he would ask if he could take them. He also put siding and two large doors on the front of it. He also can fix lawn mower engines and repairs things. He is 50 years old now and because of people putting this label on him and the government labeling him, he has spent his life collecting disability. Could you imagine if someone who was a contractor would have poured themselves out for his interest, he could have been useful and had a good paying job. There is also an older couple who used to go to our church that I found out from another person, that they had to give up their drivers license and they may at times want to come to church, but are unable because of transportation needs. I am not sure how they feel about it, but it would be nice if someone was willing to look at their interests and offer them a ride so they can worship with us. It was a sacrifice for me to set aside my agenda, but I realize now that I really didn't have to give it up completely, but that I could reach unbelievers if I could allow them to be a part of what I was doing. I know a lot of lonely citizens in our small town who could be reached with the gospel, if we had people who were willing to give themselves to others and share those gifts and hobbies that you enjoy so much. Gardening, hunting, fishing, hiking, craft projects, etc. I wish there was a way we could connect Christians to be disciples to unreached people groups. I am not sure how to accomplish this. One thing I am thinking about is to get my fishing license, because most of these five friends would go fishing if they had someone to go with. So as for me that would be a good start. You too, I urge you in the same way, do what Paul has taught me, look at others who are lost, look at meeting their interests. Share in the joy.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Jesus Anointed as High Priest?
Matthew 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper,
7: a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table.
8:But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, "Why this waste?
9:For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."
10:But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you bother this woman? For she has done a good deed to me.
12:For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.
13:"Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."
Last night we finished our June special event with the team Kid's club. It was a very successful endeavor, as new kids came to be taught how to make bowls out of clay. Our artist was Tom Casper and he has done an excellent job and showed great patience with the young people. I could tell he really enjoyed his time sharing his gift with them. They were all excited at the end of the evening when the old-fashioned ice cream truck rolled into the parking lot playing the old-time music on the special machine. We are planning another special art class in August hopefully using some sort of painting classes.
We are going to have a very busy schedule this summer at the Alliance church. We are beginning to send some of our youth to summer camp starting this weekend and for the next several weeks. Some of those going are new to the church and they are able to go for free. I am very thankful to the board for allowing this to happen, because without their support it would not be possible for them to go. In a couple of weeks, there will be a yard sale and also we are going to have free lunches in the front yard for those who are passing by the church and going to various homes for the annual community yard sales. We had a great time last year with this project. People could not believe that a church would just give out free food and not do it as a fundraiser. We also are scheduling another baptism at the end of June. Then another couple being married in July. These events are all opportunities for Christ to continue transforming lives.
I had an opportunity to teach again last night, and we were using biblical examples of people who became vessels of honor after they were washed by the word of God. One of them was that woman who anointed Jesus' head with the expensive perfume. In the Old Testament, there was a ceremony that was to be performed when a new High Priest began his position in which the person was anointed with oil. It is referenced in Psalm 133:2: Where Aaron was anointed with precious oil that ran down his head and beard and continued to flow down his robe. I haven't thought much about this lady who came to Jesus. It was the very last act of love that Jesus received before He faced His death on the cross. He thought greatly about this act of kindness, for He wanted people to always mention this persons testimony whenever the gospel is preached. It reminds me of the scripture where the disciples were trying to figure out which one of them was the greatest, and Jesus told them "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." She was the last to serve are Savior, and she has become first, for she shall be the one talked about when the gospel is proclaimed throughout the world. After Jesus left the earth, we know that He became the King of Kings, the Prophet and our High Priest. As the High Priest, was this women's sacrifice, to pour out and give up this treasure, an illustration to us that Jesus received His anointing, just as all His predecessors had?
AS I was thinking about her story, I was going back through my life, and wondering about anyone who gave that special touch of caring to me. I might have already shared this, but I will share it again. I was just finishing the first grade in elementary school, and I was walking home and I was very upset, because there was a very great possibility that I was going to fail first grade and I was going to have to repeat it. Why? Because I had not learned to read yet. I was in a class of about 30 students, and if you couldn't understand something, the teacher could not spend extra time with one on one teaching. As I was crossing the bridge over French Creek, there was a young lady who attended the Alliance college, which now has been since turned into a state prison. She began a discussion with me, and she shared with me how she was from the other end of Ohio and she missed being with her family and she had a brother who was my age. She was studying elementary education, so she sort of adopted me and every Saturday she would spend afternoons coming to my home and taking me to the library and tutoring me. In the time of just one summer, I was able to read and also was learning comprehension, but she continued tutoring me for four years. About four years ago, I was able to see her for about a half hour. She was the person who encouraged me also as an adult, to begin writing my thoughts down and sharing it with other people. This week I received a special blessing, because one of the posts, I recently wrote about, affected many family members of a young boy named Sammy,and I want to give all the thanks and praise to Christ, because of that special day long ago when I met that woman on the bridge, who was sent by God for such a time as this.
7: a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table.
8:But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, "Why this waste?
9:For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."
10:But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you bother this woman? For she has done a good deed to me.
12:For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.
13:"Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."
Last night we finished our June special event with the team Kid's club. It was a very successful endeavor, as new kids came to be taught how to make bowls out of clay. Our artist was Tom Casper and he has done an excellent job and showed great patience with the young people. I could tell he really enjoyed his time sharing his gift with them. They were all excited at the end of the evening when the old-fashioned ice cream truck rolled into the parking lot playing the old-time music on the special machine. We are planning another special art class in August hopefully using some sort of painting classes.
We are going to have a very busy schedule this summer at the Alliance church. We are beginning to send some of our youth to summer camp starting this weekend and for the next several weeks. Some of those going are new to the church and they are able to go for free. I am very thankful to the board for allowing this to happen, because without their support it would not be possible for them to go. In a couple of weeks, there will be a yard sale and also we are going to have free lunches in the front yard for those who are passing by the church and going to various homes for the annual community yard sales. We had a great time last year with this project. People could not believe that a church would just give out free food and not do it as a fundraiser. We also are scheduling another baptism at the end of June. Then another couple being married in July. These events are all opportunities for Christ to continue transforming lives.
I had an opportunity to teach again last night, and we were using biblical examples of people who became vessels of honor after they were washed by the word of God. One of them was that woman who anointed Jesus' head with the expensive perfume. In the Old Testament, there was a ceremony that was to be performed when a new High Priest began his position in which the person was anointed with oil. It is referenced in Psalm 133:2: Where Aaron was anointed with precious oil that ran down his head and beard and continued to flow down his robe. I haven't thought much about this lady who came to Jesus. It was the very last act of love that Jesus received before He faced His death on the cross. He thought greatly about this act of kindness, for He wanted people to always mention this persons testimony whenever the gospel is preached. It reminds me of the scripture where the disciples were trying to figure out which one of them was the greatest, and Jesus told them "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." She was the last to serve are Savior, and she has become first, for she shall be the one talked about when the gospel is proclaimed throughout the world. After Jesus left the earth, we know that He became the King of Kings, the Prophet and our High Priest. As the High Priest, was this women's sacrifice, to pour out and give up this treasure, an illustration to us that Jesus received His anointing, just as all His predecessors had?
AS I was thinking about her story, I was going back through my life, and wondering about anyone who gave that special touch of caring to me. I might have already shared this, but I will share it again. I was just finishing the first grade in elementary school, and I was walking home and I was very upset, because there was a very great possibility that I was going to fail first grade and I was going to have to repeat it. Why? Because I had not learned to read yet. I was in a class of about 30 students, and if you couldn't understand something, the teacher could not spend extra time with one on one teaching. As I was crossing the bridge over French Creek, there was a young lady who attended the Alliance college, which now has been since turned into a state prison. She began a discussion with me, and she shared with me how she was from the other end of Ohio and she missed being with her family and she had a brother who was my age. She was studying elementary education, so she sort of adopted me and every Saturday she would spend afternoons coming to my home and taking me to the library and tutoring me. In the time of just one summer, I was able to read and also was learning comprehension, but she continued tutoring me for four years. About four years ago, I was able to see her for about a half hour. She was the person who encouraged me also as an adult, to begin writing my thoughts down and sharing it with other people. This week I received a special blessing, because one of the posts, I recently wrote about, affected many family members of a young boy named Sammy,and I want to give all the thanks and praise to Christ, because of that special day long ago when I met that woman on the bridge, who was sent by God for such a time as this.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Are You Getting Prepared for the Wedding
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
26:so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27:that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
2Timothy 2:20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21: therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
We had an exciting week at the Cambridge Springs Alliance Church. On Saturday afternoon we had a wedding and last night we had a special summer art class and Bible lesson on pottery.
On Saturday Nancy Mealey got married to Jeff (sorry, I forgot the last name). It was a very beautiful wedding. About a week before the wedding, I was talking to Cal, Nancy's father. He was telling me about the schedule on the day of the wedding, that the ladies were going to begin getting prepared at 8 A.M. at the church for the wedding which started at 3P.M. Being typical of a man, I was thinking, wow that is a long time for preparation, but I arrived at 2:30 and the room where they were getting ready in was still closed, so they ended up using every minute of the time.
This reminded me of the first scripture passage in Ephesians. My time on earth is my preparation time as I belong to the body of Christ and we are His bride, and He may return before I perish, or He may not, but in the meantime, as I read the scriptures, or here the Word being spoken, I have an anticipation to worship Christ. What will you teach me today. What lessons can I learn that will cause me to become more Christlike as I unite myself to others who are willing to submit themselves to the washing of water, which comes from applying what we have been taught by Jesus. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to guide, lead and teach us new truths, the more we will become united to the cause of Christ, and we will continue to lose our stains and wrinkles and we will become holy and blameless on that day when he returns to receive His bride. Then we will celebrate at the wedding feast with Him, who is our redeemer.
On Tuesday night we had Tom Casper who is a pottery artist help several children and adults make items, mostly bowls that each participant could take home, after the items are fired in a couple of weeks. There were about 30 people who attended. My job was to teach the lesson. God is the potter and we are the clay. A couple of the highlights of the lesson included the story about Jesus healing the blind man when He reached into the ground and grabbed dirt and spit in it and made clay and rubbed it in the blind man's eye. The man was not healed right then, but Jesus told him first he must go to the pool and wash the dirt off His eyes. He believed the words of Jesus and was obedient to that truth and was immediately healed. That is how Christ wants to work in our lives. We hear the Word, but if we do not apply what we heard, we will not receive or be cleansed by what we were taught.
Do you want to be used by the Master? I do! In a large house there are many vessels. Some for honor, and some for dishonor. If we allow ourselves to be cleansed by the Word, we will become Sanctified, and useful, and we will be ready for every good work, which Christ has prepared in advance that we would be able to walk into the purpose He has for us.
So next time you come to church or read your Bible come prepared with an expectation that you would love to be changed this day by what you have learned by the great teacher and continue to get ready for that beautiful day when you and I will see the bridegroom face to face.
26:so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27:that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
2Timothy 2:20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21: therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
We had an exciting week at the Cambridge Springs Alliance Church. On Saturday afternoon we had a wedding and last night we had a special summer art class and Bible lesson on pottery.
On Saturday Nancy Mealey got married to Jeff (sorry, I forgot the last name). It was a very beautiful wedding. About a week before the wedding, I was talking to Cal, Nancy's father. He was telling me about the schedule on the day of the wedding, that the ladies were going to begin getting prepared at 8 A.M. at the church for the wedding which started at 3P.M. Being typical of a man, I was thinking, wow that is a long time for preparation, but I arrived at 2:30 and the room where they were getting ready in was still closed, so they ended up using every minute of the time.
This reminded me of the first scripture passage in Ephesians. My time on earth is my preparation time as I belong to the body of Christ and we are His bride, and He may return before I perish, or He may not, but in the meantime, as I read the scriptures, or here the Word being spoken, I have an anticipation to worship Christ. What will you teach me today. What lessons can I learn that will cause me to become more Christlike as I unite myself to others who are willing to submit themselves to the washing of water, which comes from applying what we have been taught by Jesus. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to guide, lead and teach us new truths, the more we will become united to the cause of Christ, and we will continue to lose our stains and wrinkles and we will become holy and blameless on that day when he returns to receive His bride. Then we will celebrate at the wedding feast with Him, who is our redeemer.
On Tuesday night we had Tom Casper who is a pottery artist help several children and adults make items, mostly bowls that each participant could take home, after the items are fired in a couple of weeks. There were about 30 people who attended. My job was to teach the lesson. God is the potter and we are the clay. A couple of the highlights of the lesson included the story about Jesus healing the blind man when He reached into the ground and grabbed dirt and spit in it and made clay and rubbed it in the blind man's eye. The man was not healed right then, but Jesus told him first he must go to the pool and wash the dirt off His eyes. He believed the words of Jesus and was obedient to that truth and was immediately healed. That is how Christ wants to work in our lives. We hear the Word, but if we do not apply what we heard, we will not receive or be cleansed by what we were taught.
Do you want to be used by the Master? I do! In a large house there are many vessels. Some for honor, and some for dishonor. If we allow ourselves to be cleansed by the Word, we will become Sanctified, and useful, and we will be ready for every good work, which Christ has prepared in advance that we would be able to walk into the purpose He has for us.
So next time you come to church or read your Bible come prepared with an expectation that you would love to be changed this day by what you have learned by the great teacher and continue to get ready for that beautiful day when you and I will see the bridegroom face to face.
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