“The Man, Behind, The Man In The Mirror”
Brian Reid, August, 2007, Bear River East
How times a day do you look in the mirror?
What is it that you see?
We can see many things, if we really look.
We can see a child, a parent, a friend, a Christian. Perhaps, we see a loving, happy and successful person.
Or, perhaps, you see something different. Perhaps, you see someone who is sad, lonely, and maybe even a failure.
But, I urge you to look closer; look behind that person in the mirror. Have you ever seen or can you see “The Man, Behind, The Man In The Mirror.”
For some, see Jesus. For some, Christ is right behind them. For some, the earthly Father, Lord and God, has always been, and always will be there.
He guides, supports, and encourages. He lifts, steadies, and points the way. He smiles, nods, and frowns.
Yes, sometimes, Jesus, our great encourager, doesn’t like what we do. For some, the man behind the man in the mirror is not pleased with our action, thoughts, or deeds; but, He always is, and always will, be our biggest supporter.
But for some, there is no one standing behind the man in the mirror. Why?
Why isn’t God standing behind those people? Why? Because they have not allowed Him into their lives. They have not called upon His name; and they have not made room in their hearts, or their mirror for Him.
Let me tell you this; with Jesus behind us, we can accomplish anything, we set out to do – in His name. I ask you; “If Jesus is for us, who can be against us?
With Jesus behind us, we have great courage, we have confidence in ourselves, and ‘we will run and not grow weary.”
Jesus encourages us, pushes us (sometimes) beyond, what we feel we could ever achieve. He does this because He knows (full well), what we are truly capable of. For often, we do not know, we sell ourselves short, and we, ourselves, hinder our own progress.
Jesus does all this, simply because we call His name; and commit to living a life, dedicated to the one who is dedicated to us. Not only is Jesus behind us, but also, a great and vast Crowd of Witnesses surrounds us.
Those who have gone on ahead of us, those who, in former ages, times gone by, have run the race (for God), and have been victorious. “They have run the race, and finished well.”
Every person, who looks for, “The Man, Behind, The Man In The Mirror” they are surround by the other Christians who accepted the ‘call to action,’ and “laid aside every ‘weight and sin,’ which clings so closely.” For they have finished and finished well.
You too, can throw off everything that hinders; strip off every weight, which slows you down, and obstructs your progress. For those who surround us, are witnesses to the life of faith, which is found in Jesus Christ.
God has laid out a plan, a life-plan, a race, unique and individual, for us to run. The victory that the others have realized, stirs us to race and to win.
And, it is within us, this inspiring heritage, that we are encouraged to “keep our eyes on the goal, on the prize; to strain every nerve and muscle, to win…” to finish and finish well!
God gives us the freedom to run our race, as we will, as we see fit, and ‘only as we can.’ And, we all participate with limitations and handicaps. But, rest assured, God does not call the equipped, He equips those who He has called.
If you answer God’s call – in your life? If you understand and accept God’s plan of salvation? If you call upon Jesus to be your Lord and savior; then, God will provide for you, watch over, and grant to you, everything you will ever need.
Even though, at times, “we may pet, the sin, that dogs our feet,” with Christ’s help, we can put away such childish games.
There will be days, when everything we do, feels like a failure, but there will be days that we will “lay aside every hindering weight, and shun every distraction, and run the race, for God, with great perseverance.”
“The Man, Behind, The Man In The Mirror,” and the great Crowd of Witnesses, know the initial struggles of a New Christian, and those struggles that return to Mature Christians – that tax and chip away at our faith. Overcoming those struggles, are what makes the victory so sweet.
When we are faced with hardships and discouragements, it’s easy to loose sight of what’s really happening. For God uses our sins and sufferings, to purify us – as fire purifies metal. He allows us (sometimes) to suffer, and sometimes He chastens, and chastises us, as a means to perfect His children; a priesthood of believers, His soon to be saints.
For; “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future;” and suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity. The Christian life involves hard work, and is NOT the easy road to take. It requires us to give up, those things, that we love, that endanger our relationship with God; and those very things that hinder our progress.
Christian Salvation is not just a finished product or transaction; it is not just a past psychological experience; or a claimed prize. Christian Salvation IS a race to be run, a life to be lived, and work to be done.
God has set before us, a unique and personal race, a life-long journey – from which only we can achieve or accomplish success. We are enabled by Him, supported and encouraged by Him, and given the tools, skills and abilities, we need to stay the course, finish the race, and finish well.
Finishing the race, requires that we do not take our eyes off of Jesus; for He is the example and pattern, that everyone looks to. He has shown, through His life, death and resurrection, that eternal life, is the victory to running the race – which not many run.
But be advised and fore-warned, that taking your eyes off Jesus will cause you to loose your concentration in Him; who has redeemed us, and called us, and whom we are to honor and serve – with our lives, and with our running of the race.
“Jesus is our Christian Coach, in the race of life, and the pioneer and originator of our faith.”
Jesus is the author, and architect of our new life, and the one who will perfect, and finish, the good work that He has begun in us all.
Jesus endured the shameful and painful death upon the cross, to rid our lives of sin; and to show us what comes afterwards – eternal life in God.
For death is NOT the end; death is the means, by which the end is realized. That end is eternal life – which is the will of God in our lives.
Jesus Christ, who ran this race first, and foremost, to show us the way, to show us how it was done, to show us that it can be done; now sits at the right hand, of the throne of God. Jesus has already run His special race; He has already finished and finished well – in victory and glory.
For us, to finish, in that same manner, we must commit ourselves 110 %, to the race set before us. We are to consider what Christ did for us, keeping that in mind and keeping Him in sight – making Him the focus of our lives.
Jesus, “who endured, from sinners, such hostility, against Himself, so that you may NOT grow weary or faith hearted.”
For, “Those who hope in the Lord, will find new strength. They will fly (soar) high on wings, like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.”
Jesus, who ran the ultimate race, before us, is the greatest example of patience in the face of opposition. He did NOT grow weary or fainthearted, so we are called upon to endure in our own struggles – and NOT drop out of the race of life.
Winning any race, requires purpose and discipline. The Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation.
How much self-denial did Jesus suffer?
What grueling circumstances, did Jesus endure for us?
How much responsibility, did Jesus assume?
How much preparation are you prepared to take on?
Are you really capable of following through?
Are you accountability, for your actions?
As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. To get there requires great purpose and discipline. Dedication to prayer, bible study and worship, are ways that we are equipped to run this race with vigor and stamina.
With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything that is harmful and distracting; while forsaking anything that may hinder our progress – thus keeping us from becoming effective Christians, and finishing our race well.
Because of our hope in Christ, we can let go of all that past guilt, associated with our sins of yesterday; and look forward to what God will help us to become and achieve.
What is in the past, is in the past, never to be realized or changed. But, right now, we can focus on our relationship with God, living in the here and now.
To live effectively (for God), we must keep our eyes on Jesus; for we will stumble, if we look away. But, remember the great Crowd of Witnesses, that surrounds us, and, Jesus, who encourages us.
For, this race, that we are all part of, requires us to always be looking at “The Man, Behind, The Man In The Mirror.”
Let’s pray;
Monday, August 20, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
"Bread Crumbs"
“Bread-Crumbs ”
Brian Reid - August, 2007
Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30
This story seems very straightforward and easy to understand. A woman comes to Jesus seeking help for her daughter, who is possessed by a demon. The woman asks Jesus to rid the demon from her child; and (in the end) Jesus does. All is well.
Well, not exactly. Things are not as they seem to be – all well and good. Taking a closer look; there are some things in these passages that causes one, to ask some deep and probing questions.
Verse 21
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.”
Whenever we read the word “withdrew,” usually it means that Jesus needed to separate Himself (from those who followed Him) – for whatever reason.
It could mean He simply needed to rest; it could mean that He needed to get away and pray; it could mean that Jesus was seeking refuge from the crowds, from all the people who sought Him out, as well as seeking refuge from those who opposed Him.
Jesus may have left “that place” (Galilee), to escape His challengers, His enemies. Long before, the Scribes, the Pharisees, and King Herod had branded Him as a sinner who broke through the rules and regulations - that everyone else lived by; and regarded Him as a menace. And the people of Nazareth, His own people, His own hometown, had treated Him with scandalized dislike.
So, after Jesus had finished, visiting and teaching on the importance of inner purity, He leaves Galilee, and travels (about 30, 40, 50 miles - north) to the port cites of Tyre and the nearby, Sidon.
Tyre soon became known for its wickedness; and it was into this evil and materialistic culture, that Jesus brought His message.
He comes to one of the most wicked and selfish cities in the region. He has come to teach, to preach and to heal; but He comes quietly, but soon the news travels, and the people come to see Him, to hear Him and to touch Him.
Verse 22
“A Canaanite woman from the vicinity came to Him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.’”
This woman is called ‘a gentile, indicating that she was from the territory, northwest of Galilee – which would be near the cities that Jesus was not traveling in. She is called a Gentile, which meant she was separate, from the Jews.
Why was there such a distinction between the Jews, and the Gentiles, here in this passage?
Verse 23
“Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came to Him and urged Him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’”
The disciples asked Jesus to get rid of her, because she was bothering them with her persistent begging. They showed no compassion for her, or sensitivity to her needs.
Here, Jesus (too) was ignoring her. This doesn’t sound right – for Jesus loved everyone – that was what His whole ministry was based on – love and acceptance. So, why did He pay no attention to her, pay no heed to her, and overlook her? Because she was a Gentile.
In Verse 24, He explains;
“I was sent, only, to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Say what? Pardon me? Can you repeat that?
‘I was sent only, to the lost sheep of Israel,’ meaning the Jewish people – not the Gentiles. Is that what this passage is saying? That’s right! Jesus was sent (only) to the lost Jewish sheep.
But wait a minute;
Isaiah 56:7, says;
“…for my house (the Lord’s house) will be called a house of prayer – for all nations.”
Psalm 22:27;
“All the ends of the earth, will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him…”
Matthew 28:19;
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit…”
Romans 15:10;
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”
Psalm 117:1;
“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.”
These verses, these few passages (altogether) point to “all nations of the world;” not just the Jews – so, what’s Jesus say here? “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Verse 25
“The woman came and knelt before Him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said.”
Again, the woman begged for mercy. Again, the woman asked Jesus for help. Again, the woman reaches across the cultural barrier, and sends a strong message to Jesus.
Verse 26
“He replied, It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’”
Jesus was telling this Gentile woman, ‘what I have to offer, will be offered to the Jews – first.’ For the Jews were the chosen people of God – not the Gentiles – not the Greeks.
Jesus was telling the woman, that the Jews were to have the first opportunity to accept Him, as the Messiah; because God, wanted the Jews, to present the message of salvation to the rest of the world.
Jesus was not really rejecting the woman, maybe testing her faith, maybe testing the disciples to see what they would say or do, or He may have wanted to use this situation as another opportunity to teach that faith is available to all people.
Whatever the reason, she persisted…And maybe that’s what He wanted her to do – for all to hear.
Verse 27
“‘Yes, Lord,’ she said, ‘but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’”
The woman did not take offense to His words, she did not argue with Jesus, she used the very language, which He spoke; her response was rational and reasonable.
She was saying was that some Jews rejected the Messiah; and why waste that salvation, why waste that message on deaf ears – when she, and other Gentiles, were willing to listen.
Many Jews, would lose, and had already lost, God’s blessings and salvation, because they rejected Jesus; and many Gentiles, would, and did, find salvation, because they recognized and accepted Jesus, as God’s Messiah.
Was this what Jesus really wanted her to say?
Was this what Jesus wanted His disciples, other Jews and Gentiles to hear – loud and clear?
Verse 28
“Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
In a round about way, Jesus had drew out of the woman, those words that He wanted others to hear, the words that would make a difference, in so many lives.
So, this seemingly, incident, interaction between Jesus and this Gentile woman, was not really about healing her daughter, but a strong message, to all who chose to hear it;
“…that even though salvation was offered to the Jewish people first, it is also available to the Gentile – to anyone who accepts God’s plan and God’s Messiah, Jesus.”
In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul tell us this;
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God, for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Why did the message go to the Jews first? That’s the question!
Well, they had been God’s special people for more than 2000 years; ever since God chose Abraham and promised great blessings to his descendants (way back in Genesis 12).
God did not choose the Jews because they deserved to be chosen, but because He wanted to show His love and mercy to them; for it would be through the Jewish people, that God’s Messiah would come into the world.
God chose them, not because He was playing favorites, but because He wanted them to bring His message, and tell the world about His plan of salvation.
For centuries, the Jews had been learning about God, by obeying His laws, keeping His festivals, and living according to His moral principles. Often, they would forget God’s promises and laws; often, they would have to be disciplined; but still, they had a precious heritage of belief, in the one true God.
Of all the people on earth, the Jews should have been the most ready to welcome the Messiah, and to understand His mission and message – and some of them did; but most did not.
The Jews rejected the Messiah, Jesus. They expected their deliverer, to be a great warrior, to ride on a white, war-horse and to take back their freedom by force. But, Jesus came, like a whisper, He was a gentle man, who spoke of love; not retaliation.
The Jewish people were to accept Jesus, accept God’s message and plan of salvation; and spread it through-out the world.
That was God’s plan, and this is why Jesus first ignored, and rejected helping this Canaanite woman; for she was not a Jew.
Conclusion
Sometimes, it is possible, that we become so preoccupied with spiritual matters, that we overlook, and become oblivious to, the needs around us, that are right under our noses.
So, was the case of this Gentile woman and the Disciples. When Jesus said that He had come (only) to the lost Jewish people, He was merely echoing and verbalizing, what was in the hearts and minds of His Disciples.
I feel Jesus had every intention of helping her, but want to ‘test’ and ‘teach’ the Disciples, a priceless and important lesson.
I also, feel that the woman knew that Jesus would help her, and she had ‘read between the lines.’
All though this conversation between Jesus and the Gentile woman, the words would have meant one thing, but, if Jesus was saying them in a particular manner of speech, then the meaning would be quite different.
If, Jesus spoke in a question tone, then it was a ‘test’ and an optimal, teachable, moment; for all who were present.
For, it was the woman’s persistence, humility and faith that won her, her request. To the disciples, and the other people (Jews and Gentiles alike), the lesson learned was that faith in Christ would bring salvation. (x2)
Her faith was tested, and her faith was real; and her prayer was answered.
That happens so much to us, today. Our faith is tested, and sometimes it holds true; but often, so very often, our faith fails us.
Symbolically, this woman represents the entire Gentile world; which includes you and I. This woman, and other Gentiles, easily understood God’s message, earnestly accepted Jesus as God’s messiah, and eagerly seized the Bread-Crumbs that the Jews threw away – which was the Bread of Life, the Bread of Heaven…Salvation.
My question to you, today;
If God’s message is so easy to understand;
…faith brings salvation.
Will you earnestly, and eagerly, accept Jesus as your Lord and savior, today, and for ever more?
If you want a personal relationship with Christ, come.
Come to the front, and I will pray for you.
Let’s Pray;
Creator of things, and of all the seasons of our lives, we are thankful for the days that have been – and those that will come. Lord, sometimes we get lost along the way. We are your children, who need your constant guidance.
We pray that we would have faith, hope and courage; till we have become one with You; through Your Son, Jesus. We wait, in anticipation, for the transformation that will change us for ever; as we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Brian Reid - August, 2007
Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30
This story seems very straightforward and easy to understand. A woman comes to Jesus seeking help for her daughter, who is possessed by a demon. The woman asks Jesus to rid the demon from her child; and (in the end) Jesus does. All is well.
Well, not exactly. Things are not as they seem to be – all well and good. Taking a closer look; there are some things in these passages that causes one, to ask some deep and probing questions.
Verse 21
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.”
Whenever we read the word “withdrew,” usually it means that Jesus needed to separate Himself (from those who followed Him) – for whatever reason.
It could mean He simply needed to rest; it could mean that He needed to get away and pray; it could mean that Jesus was seeking refuge from the crowds, from all the people who sought Him out, as well as seeking refuge from those who opposed Him.
Jesus may have left “that place” (Galilee), to escape His challengers, His enemies. Long before, the Scribes, the Pharisees, and King Herod had branded Him as a sinner who broke through the rules and regulations - that everyone else lived by; and regarded Him as a menace. And the people of Nazareth, His own people, His own hometown, had treated Him with scandalized dislike.
So, after Jesus had finished, visiting and teaching on the importance of inner purity, He leaves Galilee, and travels (about 30, 40, 50 miles - north) to the port cites of Tyre and the nearby, Sidon.
Tyre soon became known for its wickedness; and it was into this evil and materialistic culture, that Jesus brought His message.
He comes to one of the most wicked and selfish cities in the region. He has come to teach, to preach and to heal; but He comes quietly, but soon the news travels, and the people come to see Him, to hear Him and to touch Him.
Verse 22
“A Canaanite woman from the vicinity came to Him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.’”
This woman is called ‘a gentile, indicating that she was from the territory, northwest of Galilee – which would be near the cities that Jesus was not traveling in. She is called a Gentile, which meant she was separate, from the Jews.
Why was there such a distinction between the Jews, and the Gentiles, here in this passage?
Verse 23
“Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came to Him and urged Him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’”
The disciples asked Jesus to get rid of her, because she was bothering them with her persistent begging. They showed no compassion for her, or sensitivity to her needs.
Here, Jesus (too) was ignoring her. This doesn’t sound right – for Jesus loved everyone – that was what His whole ministry was based on – love and acceptance. So, why did He pay no attention to her, pay no heed to her, and overlook her? Because she was a Gentile.
In Verse 24, He explains;
“I was sent, only, to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Say what? Pardon me? Can you repeat that?
‘I was sent only, to the lost sheep of Israel,’ meaning the Jewish people – not the Gentiles. Is that what this passage is saying? That’s right! Jesus was sent (only) to the lost Jewish sheep.
But wait a minute;
Isaiah 56:7, says;
“…for my house (the Lord’s house) will be called a house of prayer – for all nations.”
Psalm 22:27;
“All the ends of the earth, will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him…”
Matthew 28:19;
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit…”
Romans 15:10;
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”
Psalm 117:1;
“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.”
These verses, these few passages (altogether) point to “all nations of the world;” not just the Jews – so, what’s Jesus say here? “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Verse 25
“The woman came and knelt before Him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said.”
Again, the woman begged for mercy. Again, the woman asked Jesus for help. Again, the woman reaches across the cultural barrier, and sends a strong message to Jesus.
Verse 26
“He replied, It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’”
Jesus was telling this Gentile woman, ‘what I have to offer, will be offered to the Jews – first.’ For the Jews were the chosen people of God – not the Gentiles – not the Greeks.
Jesus was telling the woman, that the Jews were to have the first opportunity to accept Him, as the Messiah; because God, wanted the Jews, to present the message of salvation to the rest of the world.
Jesus was not really rejecting the woman, maybe testing her faith, maybe testing the disciples to see what they would say or do, or He may have wanted to use this situation as another opportunity to teach that faith is available to all people.
Whatever the reason, she persisted…And maybe that’s what He wanted her to do – for all to hear.
Verse 27
“‘Yes, Lord,’ she said, ‘but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’”
The woman did not take offense to His words, she did not argue with Jesus, she used the very language, which He spoke; her response was rational and reasonable.
She was saying was that some Jews rejected the Messiah; and why waste that salvation, why waste that message on deaf ears – when she, and other Gentiles, were willing to listen.
Many Jews, would lose, and had already lost, God’s blessings and salvation, because they rejected Jesus; and many Gentiles, would, and did, find salvation, because they recognized and accepted Jesus, as God’s Messiah.
Was this what Jesus really wanted her to say?
Was this what Jesus wanted His disciples, other Jews and Gentiles to hear – loud and clear?
Verse 28
“Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
In a round about way, Jesus had drew out of the woman, those words that He wanted others to hear, the words that would make a difference, in so many lives.
So, this seemingly, incident, interaction between Jesus and this Gentile woman, was not really about healing her daughter, but a strong message, to all who chose to hear it;
“…that even though salvation was offered to the Jewish people first, it is also available to the Gentile – to anyone who accepts God’s plan and God’s Messiah, Jesus.”
In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul tell us this;
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God, for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Why did the message go to the Jews first? That’s the question!
Well, they had been God’s special people for more than 2000 years; ever since God chose Abraham and promised great blessings to his descendants (way back in Genesis 12).
God did not choose the Jews because they deserved to be chosen, but because He wanted to show His love and mercy to them; for it would be through the Jewish people, that God’s Messiah would come into the world.
God chose them, not because He was playing favorites, but because He wanted them to bring His message, and tell the world about His plan of salvation.
For centuries, the Jews had been learning about God, by obeying His laws, keeping His festivals, and living according to His moral principles. Often, they would forget God’s promises and laws; often, they would have to be disciplined; but still, they had a precious heritage of belief, in the one true God.
Of all the people on earth, the Jews should have been the most ready to welcome the Messiah, and to understand His mission and message – and some of them did; but most did not.
The Jews rejected the Messiah, Jesus. They expected their deliverer, to be a great warrior, to ride on a white, war-horse and to take back their freedom by force. But, Jesus came, like a whisper, He was a gentle man, who spoke of love; not retaliation.
The Jewish people were to accept Jesus, accept God’s message and plan of salvation; and spread it through-out the world.
That was God’s plan, and this is why Jesus first ignored, and rejected helping this Canaanite woman; for she was not a Jew.
Conclusion
Sometimes, it is possible, that we become so preoccupied with spiritual matters, that we overlook, and become oblivious to, the needs around us, that are right under our noses.
So, was the case of this Gentile woman and the Disciples. When Jesus said that He had come (only) to the lost Jewish people, He was merely echoing and verbalizing, what was in the hearts and minds of His Disciples.
I feel Jesus had every intention of helping her, but want to ‘test’ and ‘teach’ the Disciples, a priceless and important lesson.
I also, feel that the woman knew that Jesus would help her, and she had ‘read between the lines.’
All though this conversation between Jesus and the Gentile woman, the words would have meant one thing, but, if Jesus was saying them in a particular manner of speech, then the meaning would be quite different.
If, Jesus spoke in a question tone, then it was a ‘test’ and an optimal, teachable, moment; for all who were present.
For, it was the woman’s persistence, humility and faith that won her, her request. To the disciples, and the other people (Jews and Gentiles alike), the lesson learned was that faith in Christ would bring salvation. (x2)
Her faith was tested, and her faith was real; and her prayer was answered.
That happens so much to us, today. Our faith is tested, and sometimes it holds true; but often, so very often, our faith fails us.
Symbolically, this woman represents the entire Gentile world; which includes you and I. This woman, and other Gentiles, easily understood God’s message, earnestly accepted Jesus as God’s messiah, and eagerly seized the Bread-Crumbs that the Jews threw away – which was the Bread of Life, the Bread of Heaven…Salvation.
My question to you, today;
If God’s message is so easy to understand;
…faith brings salvation.
Will you earnestly, and eagerly, accept Jesus as your Lord and savior, today, and for ever more?
If you want a personal relationship with Christ, come.
Come to the front, and I will pray for you.
Let’s Pray;
Creator of things, and of all the seasons of our lives, we are thankful for the days that have been – and those that will come. Lord, sometimes we get lost along the way. We are your children, who need your constant guidance.
We pray that we would have faith, hope and courage; till we have become one with You; through Your Son, Jesus. We wait, in anticipation, for the transformation that will change us for ever; as we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
"Self Help"
Self-Help
Self-Help is something you do for yourself, because you love yourself. Self-Help is something you do for yourself – only.
On my blog, a week ago, some wrote anonymously:
“I was wondering if you could preach some Sunday, on God’s grace and peace, when you feel at times you want to give-up?”
I wrote on my Blog, that I would speak about that today.
So, where is God’s grace and peace, when you feel at times you want to give-up?”
Give up!
Give up what?
Give up doing what?
Give up on God’s grace, peace and love?
Give up on God’s awesome power?
Give up making believe its all okay?
Give up always being up (not down)?
Give up on living life (to the fullest)?
Give up on those around you and who love you?
Give up on the Christian way of life
Or
Give up on knowing that God makes a difference in the lives of those who will let him; and, especially, in the lives of those who want to give up.
Life isn’t easy; life can be very hard at times; bills, loneliness, heartache, stress, and overwhelming responsibilities. We all suffer greatly at times, but let me ask you this.
“For those, who are not Christians, those who do not believe, who do these people turn to in times of trouble, suffering, and pain? Who is there for them?”
No one.
But for us, we Christians, in those times of trail, whom do we have? Who can we turn to?
We have Christ to turn to, if we choose!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit surrounds us always. His presence is continuous, and He is there whenever we choose to turn to Him. Comfort from God is a choice. (x2)
In the bible, there are many promises, from God, that comfort us, if you choose to believe them.
He knows what we are going through…
“Come, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
He offers us help…
“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand. Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13
He tells us to call upon him.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
He longs for us to tell him what we need.
“Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find. Knock and the door will opened unto you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him, who knocks the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
He says for us to take it to prayer.
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24
He reassures us…
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15
He is our safety…
“I give my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can ever snatch then from my hand.” John 10:28-29
He promises life.
“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” John 6:47
He tells us, we can do it.
“Everything is possible for him, who believes.” Mark 9:27
He asks us to have faith.
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives, and believes in me, will never die.” John 11:25-26
And he tells us what to do in our times of trial. This is our Self-Help from God!
“Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful, in everything you do.” Joshua 1:7
When you are at the point of giving in or giving up, remember God knows your situation and your fears, and he is ready to help you, if you ask.
In the wilderness time, the Israelites, were continually being reminded that faith and obedience to God brought victory; and we are also reminded:
Life is hard, it is a challenge at the best of times; and without God, it is absolutely frightening. But with God, life can be a great adventure.
“Be strong and courageous.”
If we accept Christ, and believe that He died for our sins, then God is there with us, as we face those challenges. That is not just a promise, but an absolute certainty!
“Obey the laws of Moses, do not turn from them; and you will be successful in everything you do.”
Following Christ, means following some tough rules, but these commandments are what keeps us close to God, and God close to us. If we keep on that path of righteousness, then anything we call upon to do, in the lord’s name, we will be successful.
When we get to the point of giving-up, we must remember it is ourselves, which can help us the greatest amount. We have to realize that help comes from within – that is Self-Help.
Self-Help can be as simple, as telling ourselves, to turn to God. Self-Help starts with The Self, and is realized in The One – The Only One - Holy One.
God’s grace is sufficient for all your troubles.
If you believe He can deliver you, then He can.
And if you ask – He will.
By following God’s plan for your lives, and believing in what Christ did for you on the cross, you are helping yourselves – by turning to God. For, He can be your Self-Help.
Everyday we face tough situations, difficult people, and overwhelming temptations; however, God promises, that he will never leave us, forsake us, or abandon us, or fail to help us, if we believe – if we believe…
…that Christ died for our sins.
Communion is a thoughtful reminder of Christ’s death upon the cross to rid the sins from the lives of those who choose to believe. For God is our Self-Help, and Communion is how we remember, what He gave, to help us.
“For God, so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Self-Help is something you do for yourself, because you love yourself. Self-Help is something you do for yourself – only.
On my blog, a week ago, some wrote anonymously:
“I was wondering if you could preach some Sunday, on God’s grace and peace, when you feel at times you want to give-up?”
I wrote on my Blog, that I would speak about that today.
So, where is God’s grace and peace, when you feel at times you want to give-up?”
Give up!
Give up what?
Give up doing what?
Give up on God’s grace, peace and love?
Give up on God’s awesome power?
Give up making believe its all okay?
Give up always being up (not down)?
Give up on living life (to the fullest)?
Give up on those around you and who love you?
Give up on the Christian way of life
Or
Give up on knowing that God makes a difference in the lives of those who will let him; and, especially, in the lives of those who want to give up.
Life isn’t easy; life can be very hard at times; bills, loneliness, heartache, stress, and overwhelming responsibilities. We all suffer greatly at times, but let me ask you this.
“For those, who are not Christians, those who do not believe, who do these people turn to in times of trouble, suffering, and pain? Who is there for them?”
No one.
But for us, we Christians, in those times of trail, whom do we have? Who can we turn to?
We have Christ to turn to, if we choose!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit surrounds us always. His presence is continuous, and He is there whenever we choose to turn to Him. Comfort from God is a choice. (x2)
In the bible, there are many promises, from God, that comfort us, if you choose to believe them.
He knows what we are going through…
“Come, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
He offers us help…
“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand. Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13
He tells us to call upon him.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
He longs for us to tell him what we need.
“Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find. Knock and the door will opened unto you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him, who knocks the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
He says for us to take it to prayer.
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24
He reassures us…
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15
He is our safety…
“I give my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can ever snatch then from my hand.” John 10:28-29
He promises life.
“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” John 6:47
He tells us, we can do it.
“Everything is possible for him, who believes.” Mark 9:27
He asks us to have faith.
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives, and believes in me, will never die.” John 11:25-26
And he tells us what to do in our times of trial. This is our Self-Help from God!
“Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful, in everything you do.” Joshua 1:7
When you are at the point of giving in or giving up, remember God knows your situation and your fears, and he is ready to help you, if you ask.
In the wilderness time, the Israelites, were continually being reminded that faith and obedience to God brought victory; and we are also reminded:
Life is hard, it is a challenge at the best of times; and without God, it is absolutely frightening. But with God, life can be a great adventure.
“Be strong and courageous.”
If we accept Christ, and believe that He died for our sins, then God is there with us, as we face those challenges. That is not just a promise, but an absolute certainty!
“Obey the laws of Moses, do not turn from them; and you will be successful in everything you do.”
Following Christ, means following some tough rules, but these commandments are what keeps us close to God, and God close to us. If we keep on that path of righteousness, then anything we call upon to do, in the lord’s name, we will be successful.
When we get to the point of giving-up, we must remember it is ourselves, which can help us the greatest amount. We have to realize that help comes from within – that is Self-Help.
Self-Help can be as simple, as telling ourselves, to turn to God. Self-Help starts with The Self, and is realized in The One – The Only One - Holy One.
God’s grace is sufficient for all your troubles.
If you believe He can deliver you, then He can.
And if you ask – He will.
By following God’s plan for your lives, and believing in what Christ did for you on the cross, you are helping yourselves – by turning to God. For, He can be your Self-Help.
Everyday we face tough situations, difficult people, and overwhelming temptations; however, God promises, that he will never leave us, forsake us, or abandon us, or fail to help us, if we believe – if we believe…
…that Christ died for our sins.
Communion is a thoughtful reminder of Christ’s death upon the cross to rid the sins from the lives of those who choose to believe. For God is our Self-Help, and Communion is how we remember, what He gave, to help us.
“For God, so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Thursday, July 26, 2007
"Compared To You...
Compared To You…
Brian F. Reid
July 22, 2007
Psalm 37:3, 4, 5, 23 & 24
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you, your heart’s desire. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.
The steps of the godly, are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them, by the hand.”
Occasionally, I get asked about my spiritual walk.
They asked; “How are you doing?’ or they asked; “How do you do it?”
I think people ask, because they feel that a pastor or minister, should have it all together, know where they’re going, and, should sail through life, like a breeze.
But, I also think that they ask, these answers, as they are searching for, guidance and direction; in their own spiritual walk. What they are really saying is; “I’m not doing so good, and I need some help.”
In February 1999, I was baptized at Kentville Baptist Church; with Peggy and Tanya being baptized the two pervious months. It was a special time in my life, and my walk with Christ. There was such a great feeling of excitement and happiness. People were hugging me, and smiling, and laughing. The air was filled a joyous presence.
“Thus, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven, over one (especially) wicked person who repents - that is – changes his mind, hates his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life – than, over 99 righteous persons, who have no need of repentance.”
My (blood) family, my church family, and my brothers and sisters in Christ, all congratulated me. They encouraged me, and were proud of what I had done and accomplished.
It was such a time, of celebration!
That was then, and this is now.
So, the question remains; “Brian, how are you doing?”
Well, I sailed along, from 1999 to 2003, when I was asked, if I wanted to attend a men’s Cursilo Weekend Retreat. I knew nothing of, or about this word; Cursilo. A few people from Kentville Church had gone and said they had come home changed people. Well, that right there, would scare anyone – change.
I didn’t want to be changed; change is hard, it requires us to look at ourselves, and make some tough decisions about the way we are, and the way we live. I didn’t want to change, I didn’t know how to change, and I didn’t know what I would change into.
I kept hearing this voice, deep inside me, saying; “Get me ‘outa here!”
But, to tell you the truth, the Mountain Top Experience, I had had back in 1999, was fading fast, and I desperately needed to be re-energized. My spiritual walk was not like it once was. Church was OK, but at times, had been reduced to a social event, and my faith was failing.
As they told me more about this ‘Cursilo’ weekend, I started to get cautiously, enthused, carefully interested, mildly excited, and, somewhat, eager to know more. So, I decided to go.
In May, 2003, on a Thursday evening, I walked into a strange church, into the midst of some strange people, about to do something that seem so very strange, to me. In that room were __ men, and most looked as scared as I was, and all had that same ‘deer in the headlight’ look.
We were sequestered, secluded, and concealed in that church, from Thursday evening to Sunday night; with no contact with the outside world. All of us candidates, were very scared. That was Thursday night, but as the weekend wore on, things would get better.
By Sunday evening, we were a cohesive group, a band of brothers, and we seemed to have grown, so very close, in such a short time. During that weekend, we shared many things with each other; we broke bread together, laughed, sung, and cried together.
But, during all this, and, at our very, very, lowest; and most embarrassing moments, we were never judged or condemned; just because our spiritual walk was less than perfect.
We realized that we simply were not the “macho-men,” that we though we were. And, even though we found out, that were not that strong, we found someone, we could call upon in our times of absolute weakness.
“We were afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not discouraged; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”
That weekend had brought me, the closest, I had ever been, to God’s unconditional, absolute, and everlasting love.
(x2)
The leaders of the weekend, showed, through their actions, compassion and caring, that God loved us - period!
God loved us, plain and simple, no strings attached, and no ‘if’, ‘ands’ or ‘buts’! God loved us!
I left that weekend with a renewed sense, of my spiritual walk. I came to realize that everyone’s walk is different, and there will be times that it is so hard, and other times, so exciting and fulfilling. I came to realize, a non-judgmental attitude among these Christians. We came together, and helped each other, all struggling and hurting in some way.
At the close of the weekend, every candidate was presented with a cross, with the inscription; “Christ is counting on you.”
Christ is counting on you! Christ is counting on you to walk your walk with purpose. He wants you to be an example to others. He wants you to help those who stumble, without judgement. He wants you to walk along side of those who seem to wander. He wants you to lift up those who are down-trotted, afflicted, discouraged, persecuted, and forsaken.
He wants you to know, that at times you will lose faith, lose hope, and lose your way. But, He also wants you to know, He is always there for you; And, Christ is counting on you, to call to Him, in those times of trouble.
In 2003, after my Cursilo weekend, I wrote this story; “My Spiritual Journey”
And…like this cross says;
Christ is counting on you! Christ is counting on you to walk your walk, with purpose. He wants you to be an example to others. He wants you to help those who stumble, without judgement. He wants you to walk along side of those who seem to wander. He wants you to lift up those who are down-trotted, afflicted, discouraged, persecuted, and forsaken.
He wants you to know, that at times you will lose faith, lose hope, and lose your way. But, He also wants you to know, He is always there for you;
And, Christ is counting on you, to call to Him, in those times of trouble.
Let us pray;
Brian F. Reid
July 22, 2007
Psalm 37:3, 4, 5, 23 & 24
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you, your heart’s desire. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.
The steps of the godly, are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them, by the hand.”
Occasionally, I get asked about my spiritual walk.
They asked; “How are you doing?’ or they asked; “How do you do it?”
I think people ask, because they feel that a pastor or minister, should have it all together, know where they’re going, and, should sail through life, like a breeze.
But, I also think that they ask, these answers, as they are searching for, guidance and direction; in their own spiritual walk. What they are really saying is; “I’m not doing so good, and I need some help.”
In February 1999, I was baptized at Kentville Baptist Church; with Peggy and Tanya being baptized the two pervious months. It was a special time in my life, and my walk with Christ. There was such a great feeling of excitement and happiness. People were hugging me, and smiling, and laughing. The air was filled a joyous presence.
“Thus, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven, over one (especially) wicked person who repents - that is – changes his mind, hates his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life – than, over 99 righteous persons, who have no need of repentance.”
My (blood) family, my church family, and my brothers and sisters in Christ, all congratulated me. They encouraged me, and were proud of what I had done and accomplished.
It was such a time, of celebration!
That was then, and this is now.
So, the question remains; “Brian, how are you doing?”
Well, I sailed along, from 1999 to 2003, when I was asked, if I wanted to attend a men’s Cursilo Weekend Retreat. I knew nothing of, or about this word; Cursilo. A few people from Kentville Church had gone and said they had come home changed people. Well, that right there, would scare anyone – change.
I didn’t want to be changed; change is hard, it requires us to look at ourselves, and make some tough decisions about the way we are, and the way we live. I didn’t want to change, I didn’t know how to change, and I didn’t know what I would change into.
I kept hearing this voice, deep inside me, saying; “Get me ‘outa here!”
But, to tell you the truth, the Mountain Top Experience, I had had back in 1999, was fading fast, and I desperately needed to be re-energized. My spiritual walk was not like it once was. Church was OK, but at times, had been reduced to a social event, and my faith was failing.
As they told me more about this ‘Cursilo’ weekend, I started to get cautiously, enthused, carefully interested, mildly excited, and, somewhat, eager to know more. So, I decided to go.
In May, 2003, on a Thursday evening, I walked into a strange church, into the midst of some strange people, about to do something that seem so very strange, to me. In that room were __ men, and most looked as scared as I was, and all had that same ‘deer in the headlight’ look.
We were sequestered, secluded, and concealed in that church, from Thursday evening to Sunday night; with no contact with the outside world. All of us candidates, were very scared. That was Thursday night, but as the weekend wore on, things would get better.
By Sunday evening, we were a cohesive group, a band of brothers, and we seemed to have grown, so very close, in such a short time. During that weekend, we shared many things with each other; we broke bread together, laughed, sung, and cried together.
But, during all this, and, at our very, very, lowest; and most embarrassing moments, we were never judged or condemned; just because our spiritual walk was less than perfect.
We realized that we simply were not the “macho-men,” that we though we were. And, even though we found out, that were not that strong, we found someone, we could call upon in our times of absolute weakness.
“We were afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not discouraged; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”
That weekend had brought me, the closest, I had ever been, to God’s unconditional, absolute, and everlasting love.
(x2)
The leaders of the weekend, showed, through their actions, compassion and caring, that God loved us - period!
God loved us, plain and simple, no strings attached, and no ‘if’, ‘ands’ or ‘buts’! God loved us!
I left that weekend with a renewed sense, of my spiritual walk. I came to realize that everyone’s walk is different, and there will be times that it is so hard, and other times, so exciting and fulfilling. I came to realize, a non-judgmental attitude among these Christians. We came together, and helped each other, all struggling and hurting in some way.
At the close of the weekend, every candidate was presented with a cross, with the inscription; “Christ is counting on you.”
Christ is counting on you! Christ is counting on you to walk your walk with purpose. He wants you to be an example to others. He wants you to help those who stumble, without judgement. He wants you to walk along side of those who seem to wander. He wants you to lift up those who are down-trotted, afflicted, discouraged, persecuted, and forsaken.
He wants you to know, that at times you will lose faith, lose hope, and lose your way. But, He also wants you to know, He is always there for you; And, Christ is counting on you, to call to Him, in those times of trouble.
In 2003, after my Cursilo weekend, I wrote this story; “My Spiritual Journey”
And…like this cross says;
Christ is counting on you! Christ is counting on you to walk your walk, with purpose. He wants you to be an example to others. He wants you to help those who stumble, without judgement. He wants you to walk along side of those who seem to wander. He wants you to lift up those who are down-trotted, afflicted, discouraged, persecuted, and forsaken.
He wants you to know, that at times you will lose faith, lose hope, and lose your way. But, He also wants you to know, He is always there for you;
And, Christ is counting on you, to call to Him, in those times of trouble.
Let us pray;
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
“Unexpected Guests”
“Unexpected Guests”
Brian Reid – July 8, 2007
The other night I decide to drop in on one of my neighbors up the street here. The husband and wife had told me numerous times to bring Peggy along and have a visit. These are new friends of ours and we are still getting to know them. Peggy and are a little slow at getting around to everyone, so even though we had had an invitation, we had yet to call and setup a time to visit.
But, the other night I was out doing some running around and I was driving past their place, and I decide, on the spur of the moment, to stop and say, ‘Hi.’
Well, even though they were happy to see me, I was an Unexpected Guest. The wife said something like; “Oh, you should have called, I would have cleaned up the house a bit.”
The husband said something like; “Please excuse the mess, we worked all day.”
After they gave some more excuses about the cleanliness of their house, I finally said; “I didn’t come to see your house, I came here to see you. If I want to come and inspect your house, I will call and make an appointment.”
After a shaking start, I visited for about 45 minutes, we had tea and cookies, talked about a few things – and I left. I told them that I would be back, with my wife, Peggy, for a nice visit, and I assured them that I would call first.
Isn’t strange that we all seem to dislike an Guests, that just drop in, Unexpectedly. We feel we must have the house spick & span. All the laundry has to be folded and put away. All the dishes clean and placed, perfectly, into the cupboard. The floor must be clean enough to eat off of. The kids have to be wearing their Sunday best; their faces and hands all washed up and their hair neatly combed.
The bathroom is always a room that needs cleaning and adjusting; as you hide those things that might be embarrassing.
The kitchen has to be perfect as well; with something great, just cooked, to snack on. The ‘good’ China needs to be used, lots of cold stuff to drink, and a variety of hot beverages.
The entranceway has to be cleared of clutter, such as boots of shoes. There are also many things we remove from sight, because we don’t want the guests to get the wrong idea of who we are, or what kind of people we might be. We worry about what they will think of us, or the things they might say going out the driveway.
These are the things, we all might worry about when people come over; and it is multiplied by 1000, when we have Unexpected Guests.
But, what would you do, what would you think, what worries would you have if one, most, Unexpected Guest, arrived at your door? What would you do if Jesus came knocking?
In our scripture lesson today, we hear about Jesus visiting Martha and Mary; and even though He was an Unexpected Guest, this day, He was not a stranger to this house.
Let me set the scene…
After the Temptation, Jesus returned to Galilee to preach, teach and heal. During this period of time, He began gathering His group of disciples. Later, Jesus commissioned them and reveal to them, His true identity, as the Son of Man and the Son of God, and He also revealed to them His true mission; being the Perfect Lamb of God, the Holiest of all Sacrifices.
Jesus true mission, on this earth, would take Him to Jerusalem, where He would be rejected, tried and crucified. Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him; He knew the great responsibility He had to face up to; and He knew he must die to save many others. The villages of Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, were Jesus’ resting-places during His last days on earth.
After teaching throughout Galilee, He headed towards Jerusalem; and decided to visit His friends.
So, when Jesus arrived at the house of Martha and Mary - what was it He was looking for, and what was it that He needed? Think about it!
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to die. His whole being was taken up with the intensity of the inner battle to bend His will, to change His own will, to alter and adjust His very own will, to that of God’s will – the will of God.
Jesus had journeyed from the Sea of Galilee, along the Jordan River, through the wilderness of Samaria, to the Mount of Olives, to a tiny village at Bethany; to the door of His friends.
But, what was He doing there?
(move to the resting place, on the stairs)
Jesus had come to Martha and Mary’s house; He wanted, what can be found in this Sanctuary, at anytime through the week. He wanted, what I find here, as I sit and listen, as I sit and listen. And, if you sit and listen, you, too, will hear it.
Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s house, and all He wanted was Quiet.
(back to pulpit)
When Jesus came to that home, it was a great day – a day to celebrate. And Martha was eager to celebrate and put on the best the house could offer; but all Jesus wanted was Quiet.
Martha went fretting and fussing; was worried and upset; over-occupied, distracted and troubled. Martha was preparing a big dinner, a feast, fit for a king; a celebration - a party. All Jesus wanted was Quiet.
A big fancy dinner and celebration was not what He sought. But as Martha rushed and fussed and cooked, Mary fell to Jesus feet, and listened.
In verse 38; With the cross before Him, and with the inner tension, deep in His heart, he had turned aside to Bethany, to find an oasis of calm, far from the demanding crowds – if only for an hour or two; and that was what Mary gave Him.
That was what Mary gave Him; a listening eye, a calmness around Him, she gave Him her attention, she gave Him the gift of quality time. Martha was running about, trying to make everything perfect, and never thought to address Him, make Him feel welcome, or listen to Him.
In verse 39, Martha noticed Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, and then in verse 40; “Lord,” she said. “Do you not care that my sister has left me to get on with the work by myself? Tell her to come lend a hand.”
But the Lord rebuked her in verses 41-42, saying; “Martha, Martha, you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary. The part that Mary has chosen is best; and it shall not be taken from her.”
Jesus was saying two things.
First, he was saying that He didn’t need a big meal, He didn’t need a feast or a celebration. He was saying; “I don’t need a big spread; one course, the simplest meal will do.”
Martha was going way over-board on this meal; she was doing too much, having too much, worrying too – she though everything had to be perfect…when all Jesus wanted was a simple and ordinary meal. “…you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary…
The second thing, Jesus was saying, was that Mary had chosen to sit and listen, to talk to, to communicate with, Jesus. To be there for Him and to listen to what He had to say. Mary knew and understood that Jesus had so much to say, and so little time to say it.
Jesus was simply saying that listening to the Word of the Lord is of great importance; and anyone who takes the time to sit and listen – fill find what their looking for and will benefit from it greatly.
Martha and Mary both loved Jesus very much; and on this occasion both were serving Him. But, what Martha failed to understand was that in her hurriedness and her desire to serve Jesus, in the only way she knew – (through hospitality), she was actually neglecting her guest.
Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about such household cores. When He rebuke her, He was asking her to set priorities; for it is possible for our service to Christ to decay into mere busywork - that is totally devoid of devotion to God.
Service for Christ grows out of receiving the Word of Life from Christ. A life of effective service, is a life rooted in prayer, worship, and study of the scriptures. (x2)
Martha served Jesus with gusto, zeal, zest, enthusiasm and vigor - by preparing a grand meal, a celebration, a feast; but that was not what Jesus wanted – He wanted Quiet.
He wanted Martha to come and sit at His feet as well, so He could tell her (also) of the love of God and of salvation, and eternal life.
He wants you to come and sit at His feet as well, so He can tell you (also) of the love of God, and of salvation, and eternal life.
We cannot serve someone, when we do not know what they stand for. We can serve someone when we don’t know what they have promised, said or did. We can’t serve Christ, if we don’t know who God is, and why Jesus had to die.
And we can’t serve Christ, if Christ remains for us, an Unexpected Guest.
(insert Dianne McCullough – story)
Let Us Pray:
Brian Reid – July 8, 2007
The other night I decide to drop in on one of my neighbors up the street here. The husband and wife had told me numerous times to bring Peggy along and have a visit. These are new friends of ours and we are still getting to know them. Peggy and are a little slow at getting around to everyone, so even though we had had an invitation, we had yet to call and setup a time to visit.
But, the other night I was out doing some running around and I was driving past their place, and I decide, on the spur of the moment, to stop and say, ‘Hi.’
Well, even though they were happy to see me, I was an Unexpected Guest. The wife said something like; “Oh, you should have called, I would have cleaned up the house a bit.”
The husband said something like; “Please excuse the mess, we worked all day.”
After they gave some more excuses about the cleanliness of their house, I finally said; “I didn’t come to see your house, I came here to see you. If I want to come and inspect your house, I will call and make an appointment.”
After a shaking start, I visited for about 45 minutes, we had tea and cookies, talked about a few things – and I left. I told them that I would be back, with my wife, Peggy, for a nice visit, and I assured them that I would call first.
Isn’t strange that we all seem to dislike an Guests, that just drop in, Unexpectedly. We feel we must have the house spick & span. All the laundry has to be folded and put away. All the dishes clean and placed, perfectly, into the cupboard. The floor must be clean enough to eat off of. The kids have to be wearing their Sunday best; their faces and hands all washed up and their hair neatly combed.
The bathroom is always a room that needs cleaning and adjusting; as you hide those things that might be embarrassing.
The kitchen has to be perfect as well; with something great, just cooked, to snack on. The ‘good’ China needs to be used, lots of cold stuff to drink, and a variety of hot beverages.
The entranceway has to be cleared of clutter, such as boots of shoes. There are also many things we remove from sight, because we don’t want the guests to get the wrong idea of who we are, or what kind of people we might be. We worry about what they will think of us, or the things they might say going out the driveway.
These are the things, we all might worry about when people come over; and it is multiplied by 1000, when we have Unexpected Guests.
But, what would you do, what would you think, what worries would you have if one, most, Unexpected Guest, arrived at your door? What would you do if Jesus came knocking?
In our scripture lesson today, we hear about Jesus visiting Martha and Mary; and even though He was an Unexpected Guest, this day, He was not a stranger to this house.
Let me set the scene…
After the Temptation, Jesus returned to Galilee to preach, teach and heal. During this period of time, He began gathering His group of disciples. Later, Jesus commissioned them and reveal to them, His true identity, as the Son of Man and the Son of God, and He also revealed to them His true mission; being the Perfect Lamb of God, the Holiest of all Sacrifices.
Jesus true mission, on this earth, would take Him to Jerusalem, where He would be rejected, tried and crucified. Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him; He knew the great responsibility He had to face up to; and He knew he must die to save many others. The villages of Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, were Jesus’ resting-places during His last days on earth.
After teaching throughout Galilee, He headed towards Jerusalem; and decided to visit His friends.
So, when Jesus arrived at the house of Martha and Mary - what was it He was looking for, and what was it that He needed? Think about it!
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to die. His whole being was taken up with the intensity of the inner battle to bend His will, to change His own will, to alter and adjust His very own will, to that of God’s will – the will of God.
Jesus had journeyed from the Sea of Galilee, along the Jordan River, through the wilderness of Samaria, to the Mount of Olives, to a tiny village at Bethany; to the door of His friends.
But, what was He doing there?
(move to the resting place, on the stairs)
Jesus had come to Martha and Mary’s house; He wanted, what can be found in this Sanctuary, at anytime through the week. He wanted, what I find here, as I sit and listen, as I sit and listen. And, if you sit and listen, you, too, will hear it.
Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s house, and all He wanted was Quiet.
(back to pulpit)
When Jesus came to that home, it was a great day – a day to celebrate. And Martha was eager to celebrate and put on the best the house could offer; but all Jesus wanted was Quiet.
Martha went fretting and fussing; was worried and upset; over-occupied, distracted and troubled. Martha was preparing a big dinner, a feast, fit for a king; a celebration - a party. All Jesus wanted was Quiet.
A big fancy dinner and celebration was not what He sought. But as Martha rushed and fussed and cooked, Mary fell to Jesus feet, and listened.
In verse 38; With the cross before Him, and with the inner tension, deep in His heart, he had turned aside to Bethany, to find an oasis of calm, far from the demanding crowds – if only for an hour or two; and that was what Mary gave Him.
That was what Mary gave Him; a listening eye, a calmness around Him, she gave Him her attention, she gave Him the gift of quality time. Martha was running about, trying to make everything perfect, and never thought to address Him, make Him feel welcome, or listen to Him.
In verse 39, Martha noticed Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, and then in verse 40; “Lord,” she said. “Do you not care that my sister has left me to get on with the work by myself? Tell her to come lend a hand.”
But the Lord rebuked her in verses 41-42, saying; “Martha, Martha, you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary. The part that Mary has chosen is best; and it shall not be taken from her.”
Jesus was saying two things.
First, he was saying that He didn’t need a big meal, He didn’t need a feast or a celebration. He was saying; “I don’t need a big spread; one course, the simplest meal will do.”
Martha was going way over-board on this meal; she was doing too much, having too much, worrying too – she though everything had to be perfect…when all Jesus wanted was a simple and ordinary meal. “…you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary…
The second thing, Jesus was saying, was that Mary had chosen to sit and listen, to talk to, to communicate with, Jesus. To be there for Him and to listen to what He had to say. Mary knew and understood that Jesus had so much to say, and so little time to say it.
Jesus was simply saying that listening to the Word of the Lord is of great importance; and anyone who takes the time to sit and listen – fill find what their looking for and will benefit from it greatly.
Martha and Mary both loved Jesus very much; and on this occasion both were serving Him. But, what Martha failed to understand was that in her hurriedness and her desire to serve Jesus, in the only way she knew – (through hospitality), she was actually neglecting her guest.
Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about such household cores. When He rebuke her, He was asking her to set priorities; for it is possible for our service to Christ to decay into mere busywork - that is totally devoid of devotion to God.
Service for Christ grows out of receiving the Word of Life from Christ. A life of effective service, is a life rooted in prayer, worship, and study of the scriptures. (x2)
Martha served Jesus with gusto, zeal, zest, enthusiasm and vigor - by preparing a grand meal, a celebration, a feast; but that was not what Jesus wanted – He wanted Quiet.
He wanted Martha to come and sit at His feet as well, so He could tell her (also) of the love of God and of salvation, and eternal life.
He wants you to come and sit at His feet as well, so He can tell you (also) of the love of God, and of salvation, and eternal life.
We cannot serve someone, when we do not know what they stand for. We can serve someone when we don’t know what they have promised, said or did. We can’t serve Christ, if we don’t know who God is, and why Jesus had to die.
And we can’t serve Christ, if Christ remains for us, an Unexpected Guest.
(insert Dianne McCullough – story)
Let Us Pray:
“Denied, Denied, Enter”
“Denied, Denied, Enter”
by Brian Reid
July 2007
Today, we will be looking at Matthew 20:1-16, with a focus on verse 16, and asking ourselves some important questions”
Why are some last, and some first?
What does it mean to be last?
What is It, that we are standing in line for, anyway?
It kind of interesting to know that this passage;
“And so it is that many who are first now, will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then,” appears in Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31 and Luke 13:30.
I feel, that even though Matthew, Mark and Luke do have some cross-over and repeats, that this passage, none-the-less, must be of importance, to have-mention in all three books.
So what is all this double talk about, anyway?
In Matthew 20:1-16, the passage is in connection with the parable, told by Jesus, of the Vineyard Workers. The vineyard owner went out one morning to hire some workers. He found some workers, early in the morning and agreed to pay them a normal day’s pay.
Later in the morning he found some more workers; telling them he would pay them what was right at the end of the day. At noon, he found others, at 3:00, he found others, and at 5:00, he found even more workers.
That evening, when the day’s work was done, the owner told his foreman to send in the workers for their pay; starting, first, with the workers he had hire, last. Those who were hired last, at 5:00, they were paid a full day’s wage.
When those hired earlier in the day came to receive their wages, they expected more than those workers who were hired at 5:00, but, they too were paid a full day’s wage – and not a penny more. They protested. “Why were those other workers, who labored less than we have, paid just as much? Shouldn’t we receive more?”
The vineyard owner said, “Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or, are you envious because I am generous?”
“So the last will be first and the first will be last.”
In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus tells the parable of the rich, young man. Here we are getting closer to the meaning of our intended passage.
A man, young in years, ran up to Jesus while he was traveling in and around Judea. The man fell to his knees; “Good Teacher,” He asked. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus told him he must follow the 10 Commandments. The young man declared he had kept them since he was a boy.
Then Jesus responded;
“One thing you lack. Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.”
This was too much for the young man to understand or accept, and the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad. Then Jesus addressed His disciples; “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
The disciples were amazed at this and asked each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God; all things are possible with God!”
“I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel, will fail to receive a 100 times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”
“But, many who are first, will be last, and the last, first.”
In Luke 13:22-30, we read the story of the Narrow Door.
As Jesus traveled through the towns and villages of Judea, heading towards Jerusalem, someone asked; “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
The Lord replied, “Make every effort to enter through the Narrow Door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Jesus further explains that many will come knocking; from the east and the west and the north and the south. There will weeping in the streets and gnashing of teeth; but some will not be able to enter – because of the life they have lead.
Finding salvation requires more deliberate and focused effort, than most people are willing to give. Even though salvation is not earned, and we are not saved by our good deeds, but we must work hard to get in through the narrow door; because our actions do have an impact on our final judgment.
By honestly desiring to know Jesus and deliberately, and diligently, striving to follow Him, whatever the cost, we can pass through the narrow door. Sometimes that cost is too great; those people, will find the door of salvation closed.
We may expect to be invited into the Kingdom of God and we may expect to see certain people there, but claiming an allegiance to Jesus and putting that effort forward, are often too very different things.
Jesus explains that many people know something about God, but only a few have acknowledged their sins and accepted His forgiveness. Just reading the Bible, listening hymns or admiring the many miracles of Christ, is not enough; for we must turn from sin and trust in God to save us.
So, who will be denied and who will enter in?
There will be many surprises in the Kingdom of God. Some who are despised now, will be greatly honored then. Those who’s lives seem un-important to most, those who live on the fringes of society, those who are meek – shall inherit the earth – and have a place in God’s Kingdom.
Some influential people here, now, will be left outside the gates. Those people whose lives seem so important now, whose lives are admired and sought after, whose lives seem to hold much promise, will be utterly overlooked.
Many ‘great’ people on this earth, in God’s eyes, are virtually ignored by the rest of today’s society. For, what matter most to God, is not a person’s earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage, or power, but his or her commitment to Christ.
The Kingdom of God consists of eternal life, happiness and peace. Our love of earthly wealth and processions, and pride of accomplishment and self-effort are what keeps us from passing through the Narrow Door.
Jesus reassures us, that if we give up something valuable for His sake, then we will be repaid 100 times over, in this life; just not necessarily the same way. Jesus explained, that in the world to come, the valves of this world, will be reversed. Those who seek status and importance, here, will have none in heaven. Those who are humble, here, will be great in heaven.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
In God’s Kingdom, service to others, shows true love of people. The membership rules of the Kingdom of Heaven are simple; entrance is by God’s grace alone.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
God’s grace can be found in those who give up everything to follow Him. It can be seen in the service we give to others. God’s grace is found in His servants.
Jesus is the example we should follow. He came as a servant. He came as a suffering servant. Jesus simply came to serve us. As a servant, He was a savior. And as a savior, He died a servant.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
Communion…is a thankful remembrance of Christ, His love, and His sacrificial death upon the cross.
by Brian Reid
July 2007
Today, we will be looking at Matthew 20:1-16, with a focus on verse 16, and asking ourselves some important questions”
Why are some last, and some first?
What does it mean to be last?
What is It, that we are standing in line for, anyway?
It kind of interesting to know that this passage;
“And so it is that many who are first now, will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then,” appears in Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31 and Luke 13:30.
I feel, that even though Matthew, Mark and Luke do have some cross-over and repeats, that this passage, none-the-less, must be of importance, to have-mention in all three books.
So what is all this double talk about, anyway?
In Matthew 20:1-16, the passage is in connection with the parable, told by Jesus, of the Vineyard Workers. The vineyard owner went out one morning to hire some workers. He found some workers, early in the morning and agreed to pay them a normal day’s pay.
Later in the morning he found some more workers; telling them he would pay them what was right at the end of the day. At noon, he found others, at 3:00, he found others, and at 5:00, he found even more workers.
That evening, when the day’s work was done, the owner told his foreman to send in the workers for their pay; starting, first, with the workers he had hire, last. Those who were hired last, at 5:00, they were paid a full day’s wage.
When those hired earlier in the day came to receive their wages, they expected more than those workers who were hired at 5:00, but, they too were paid a full day’s wage – and not a penny more. They protested. “Why were those other workers, who labored less than we have, paid just as much? Shouldn’t we receive more?”
The vineyard owner said, “Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or, are you envious because I am generous?”
“So the last will be first and the first will be last.”
In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus tells the parable of the rich, young man. Here we are getting closer to the meaning of our intended passage.
A man, young in years, ran up to Jesus while he was traveling in and around Judea. The man fell to his knees; “Good Teacher,” He asked. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus told him he must follow the 10 Commandments. The young man declared he had kept them since he was a boy.
Then Jesus responded;
“One thing you lack. Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.”
This was too much for the young man to understand or accept, and the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad. Then Jesus addressed His disciples; “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
The disciples were amazed at this and asked each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God; all things are possible with God!”
“I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel, will fail to receive a 100 times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”
“But, many who are first, will be last, and the last, first.”
In Luke 13:22-30, we read the story of the Narrow Door.
As Jesus traveled through the towns and villages of Judea, heading towards Jerusalem, someone asked; “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
The Lord replied, “Make every effort to enter through the Narrow Door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Jesus further explains that many will come knocking; from the east and the west and the north and the south. There will weeping in the streets and gnashing of teeth; but some will not be able to enter – because of the life they have lead.
Finding salvation requires more deliberate and focused effort, than most people are willing to give. Even though salvation is not earned, and we are not saved by our good deeds, but we must work hard to get in through the narrow door; because our actions do have an impact on our final judgment.
By honestly desiring to know Jesus and deliberately, and diligently, striving to follow Him, whatever the cost, we can pass through the narrow door. Sometimes that cost is too great; those people, will find the door of salvation closed.
We may expect to be invited into the Kingdom of God and we may expect to see certain people there, but claiming an allegiance to Jesus and putting that effort forward, are often too very different things.
Jesus explains that many people know something about God, but only a few have acknowledged their sins and accepted His forgiveness. Just reading the Bible, listening hymns or admiring the many miracles of Christ, is not enough; for we must turn from sin and trust in God to save us.
So, who will be denied and who will enter in?
There will be many surprises in the Kingdom of God. Some who are despised now, will be greatly honored then. Those who’s lives seem un-important to most, those who live on the fringes of society, those who are meek – shall inherit the earth – and have a place in God’s Kingdom.
Some influential people here, now, will be left outside the gates. Those people whose lives seem so important now, whose lives are admired and sought after, whose lives seem to hold much promise, will be utterly overlooked.
Many ‘great’ people on this earth, in God’s eyes, are virtually ignored by the rest of today’s society. For, what matter most to God, is not a person’s earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage, or power, but his or her commitment to Christ.
The Kingdom of God consists of eternal life, happiness and peace. Our love of earthly wealth and processions, and pride of accomplishment and self-effort are what keeps us from passing through the Narrow Door.
Jesus reassures us, that if we give up something valuable for His sake, then we will be repaid 100 times over, in this life; just not necessarily the same way. Jesus explained, that in the world to come, the valves of this world, will be reversed. Those who seek status and importance, here, will have none in heaven. Those who are humble, here, will be great in heaven.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
In God’s Kingdom, service to others, shows true love of people. The membership rules of the Kingdom of Heaven are simple; entrance is by God’s grace alone.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
God’s grace can be found in those who give up everything to follow Him. It can be seen in the service we give to others. God’s grace is found in His servants.
Jesus is the example we should follow. He came as a servant. He came as a suffering servant. Jesus simply came to serve us. As a servant, He was a savior. And as a savior, He died a servant.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
Communion…is a thankful remembrance of Christ, His love, and His sacrificial death upon the cross.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Holiday Adventures
Holiday Adventures
Brian Reid
June 24, 2007
Peggy and I went on a short vacation, a few weeks ago. We attended a Pastor’s and spouse’s retreat in Yarmouth for 3 days and 2 nights (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), which was quite interesting. Left there, “sailed’ across on The Cat to Bar Habour, Maine – in very, very rough water, lots of fog and wind. Not a nice trip at all. Many people, including myself, were sick. I took some Gravol, and had a sleep, while Peggy spent a lot of her time, out the back of the ship, soaking in the fresh air.
We got into Bar Harbour at 9 pm, after a 4-hour tour (normal crossing is 2 – 2.5 hours). Lots of motels right after we got off the boat, but we decided to drive for a while, and get something to eat. So we did that.
The next motel we found was after we crossed the boarder to Canada, NB, in St. Stephens, at 2:30am.
Got up the next morning (Wednesday) and drove to Saint John. Went to the City Market and few other places. After we were finished, we tried to find the road to Moncton and got lost. The streets and roads in and out of the City are not marked very well at all. I went over that big bridge and paid my toll, to the same man twice, before I finally found a way out. I think the city of Saint John does that so people can easily find their way into the City, but not easily find their way out.
Well, we had to take the road to Fredericton/Sussex, to get to Moncton – who would have thought - that! Well got into Moncton at 4:30 and went straight to First Baptist Church to find a friend of ours and, past youth pastor – Rev Colin Cook.
Colin was the youth pastor at Kentville Baptist and Joy was the choir director there, while Colin attended Acadia Divinity College.
Sure enough, we found him – and, eventually, got invited back to his house for supper, and to visit with his wife Joy, and their 2 young daughters.
After supper and a short visit, we left Colin and Joy’s and drove to Sackville, NB and got a motel for the night. Not much in Sackville, a motel, gas station, the University (Mount A, I think), Oh, most important a Timmies.
Got up Thursday morning, had the continental breakfast. Ya’ know I ain’t much on this continental breakfast thing.
I think they should change the name of ‘the continental breakfast” to;
“We’re too busy to cook for you, breakfast”
“The, we’re lazy, get your own breakfast, breakfast”
“The, all the dry cereal and toast you can eat, breakfast.”
None-the-less, we ate and left – stopped off at Timmies, first though.
Drove to Shubanacie (spelling?) Wildlife Park. Peggy is so fascinated by wildlife. I often wonder if that’s what drew her to me in the first place? We spent almost 2 hours observing, the always sleeping, animals. Every time I have ever gone to a wildlife park, the animals seem to be always sleeping. Don’t they know that their main purpose in life, is to show off and entertain us? They are to be the exhibitionists, and we the voyeurs?
Seems very sad to me. I once spent 23 days as an exhibit, for a fundraiser for Canadian Mental Health Association; talking with people and answering questions about Mental Health and the importance of seeking help. So, I can relate to the animals being on display.
After visiting with the animals, Peg and I left for Lower Sackville; I wanted to check out a few motorbike shops.
I took a short-cut to get to Lower Sackville, which turned out – not to be a short-cut at all. Yes, we got lost.
From there we drove to the valley to our daughter’s place. It was so nice to see her. We rested for a while, got something to eat; and then I took Peggy and Tanya to the movies. We saw Shriek-3. Now, I’m not a big Shriek fan, I have watched the first movie, but skipped the second one, and was not interested, in the third, at all; but I knew they wanted to see it – so we went. And low and behold, I enjoyed myself and even laughed (some – OK – alot).
Came back to Tanya’s house and crashed for the night. I must say, of all the beds I have slept in, in my 47 years, Tanya’s bed is the most uncomfortable-ist.
Got up Friday morning, did some running around and around 6pm, we meet up with our friends, Betty and Bob Keddy; and followed them to their camp on Black Duck Lake, in East Dalhousie. We had a great weekend visiting with them and catching up with all the happenings from Kentville Baptist.
Friday night we had chili for supper. It was good, not too spicy, but spicy enough (as we found out the next day). We sat out on the deck (Friday night) and enjoyed the lake, until the black flies drove me inside. For some reason, black lies, mosquitoes and the such, just love me. Went inside and went to bed.
Now, I have to retract my previous statement about Tanya’s bed being the worst, well I have changed my mind. The mattress that Betty and Bob gave us to sleep on was the most, worst. It was lumpy and hard; and both Peggy and I, got a spring jabbed into us, in the middle of the night. I think maybe Betty and Bob had it set so that when Peggy and I decided to snuggle, then the springs were activated as a safety feature.
Got up Saturday morning, ate a huge breakfast. Unlike that continental breakfast, a few days ago, we had our choice of; coffee/tea, apple/orange juice, blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs (any style) and toast (white or whole-wheat). Now, that’s a breakfast!
After breakfast, we got out the canoes, and hit the lake. Peggy and I soaked ourselves with Sun Block, but by the time we got back to shore, the fronts of our legs were red-hot (and burning).
The canoeing was wonderful –so relaxing. The water was like glass – so calm, smooth and cool. Unlike our legs, which were, by now, bright red and very hot to the touch.
After our canoeing, we decided to go to Mahone Bay, for the afternoon. It was only an hour’s drive and the weather was great. Once there, we parked the car and walked the small streets, and ‘peroused’ the shops.
Left for home/back to the camp, for it was getting late (7pm) and our steaks had been marinating for close to 6 hours. So, we got home at 8, cooked the steaks and ate at 9:00 pm. The steaks were wonderful; I had mine medium-rare. Bob did an excellent job BBQing those steaks on the BBQ, he found at the side of the road, during clean-up week. Well-done, Bob.
Went to bed – oh, I told Bob of our concerns for our sleeping arrangements, and even though he would not give up his soft and comfy bed, he did cut off the 2 protruding springs and turned our mattress over. “There,” he said. “That should make all the difference in the world!”
Well it did!!! That night’s sleep was 10 times worse than the night before. We had laid on the good side, the previous night. When I woke up Sunday morning, I could hardly move or straighten out my back; and Peggy and I, still got speared by the springs.
We then rushed around, had a cup of tea and a piece of toast, because we wanted to catch the 9:30 service at the East Dalhousie Baptist Church.
Well, we did make it on time for the service, but we were either a week late or a week early. Apparently, services at this church are every-other Sunday, and we were there on the wrong Sunday; and as Betty puts it, it was Bob’s fault for not checking with someone, the night before.
Back to the camp we went, cooked the second half of our breakfast, while Bob (then) called around to see where the services were being held. At the breakfast table, Bob explained that we had indeed just missed the weekly service, by a week.
You see, the church was part of a field of three.
Pastor Robert Gates preaches in East Dalhousie every other Sunday at 9:30 am, then preaches at Springfield United Baptist Church every Sunday at 11:00; and on the other Sundays, that he is not at East Dalhousie, he is at the third church at 9:30. I never did find out where that third church was.
“Well,” Bob said. “I know where the church in Springfield is; it only takes about 30 minutes to get there from here.”
“Well,” Betty said. “We’ll leave 45 minutes early – just in case.”
We got ready, and at about 10 or so, decided to leave for church at Springfield.
Bob said, “Brian, you and Peggy can lead and Betty and I will follow. You go here, then here and turn here. No problem. And if you turn in the wrong direction, I will simply blow my horn.”
Betty said, “Bob, you can lead and Brian can follow us.”
Bob said, “That will work too.”
So, off we went, with Bob (and Betty) in the lead and Peggy and I following behind – quickly. We went there, and went there, and turned there. No problem. Peggy was keeping a watchful eye on the time.
Now, as the time was getting closer and closer to 11, Peggy and I were getting worried about being late – with no church on the horizon for miles.
Suddenly Bob does a u-turn and he pulls up beside us.
“Well,” Bob said. “I took a wrong turn back there.”
“Well,” Betty said. “Next time, Brian, you can lead.”
Off we go again, high-tailing it (that means going really fast), and 5 minutes later we pulled into the parking lot at Springfield Baptist Church – with 5 minutes to spear!
Pastor Gates met us at the door, welcomed us and invited us in.
The first thing I noticed about the church, is there is only one way in; which means, there is only one way out. The door opens and you come in, right by the pulpit; which also means the pastor can see who’s coming and who’s going – and he can keep a watchful eye on everyone.
Another thing I notice was that the floor, of the sanctuary, was not level; it’s slated, much like our loaf here. I think this is another safety feature that people like to ‘spring’ on others.
So, let me set the scene. The pulpit is at the front of the church, beside the only door, and the floor is slated TOWARDS the pulpit. I think that this was done on purpose, and was a true design element.
I think the reason it was done, was for those who like to sneak-out early, and they would get thrown off balance (by the floor being slated or tilted), and maybe fall, then, because the floor is slated, that person would start to roll, right down the centre of the church – for all to see; and roll right down front, stopping only when they hit the pulpit – as the pastor watches everything.
I think we could use something like that here.
The service and the music was good; even though the pastor was a bit long-winded. I’m sure glad that never happens here.
After the service, we said our goodbyes to our friends, Betty and Bob, and drove home. Our vacation was not really what we expected and we were so very glad to be home.
Now, don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed our vacation, we are glad we got away, for a few days, and nothing that happened Quenched the Spirit of our vacation.
In life, sometimes things happen, not as we expect.
In life, sometimes things happen, that we don’t foresee.
In life, sometimes things happen, that we sooner not experience.
But, in life, it is our attitude that determines our outcomes. We only get out of life, what we put into it. For some, their self-fulfilling prophecies create for themselves a life of pain, suffering and negativity.
Peggy and I didn’t let all those bad things, that happen on our vacation, to deter from the vacation itself. We took everything in stride, and made the best of every situation – for our Spirit was not quenched, not stifled, not reduced, extinguished, doused, smothered, suffocated, suppressed or repressed.
We had a terrible vacation, and we enjoyed it. We may have looked forward to getting home, but the focal point of our vacation was alive and well, for we did not Quench the Spirit.
For it is the Spirit, God’s Holy Spirit, that leads the way, that watches over us, that creates in us, that sense of happiness and peace. Nothing could have taken that away from us.
As you travel the roads of life, as you experience things that you sooner avoid, as you are tossed about by the storms of life, as you live the life that God gave you; remember Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians:
“Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you, who belong to Christ Jesus.
Keep away from every kind of evil. Hold on to what is good. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said.
And…and…do not Quench the Spirit!”
Let’s Pray.
Dear God,
Life is hard sometimes and we get discouraged. We experience pain and suffering, and we are perplexed. What should we do, where should we go, how should we proceed?
Help us, Dear Lord, find our way.
Help us, Dear Lord, to see the good in everything and everyone.
Help us, Dear Lord, to appreciate what you do in our lives.
Help us, Dear Lord, not to Quench the Spirit.
Amen.
Brian Reid
June 24, 2007
Peggy and I went on a short vacation, a few weeks ago. We attended a Pastor’s and spouse’s retreat in Yarmouth for 3 days and 2 nights (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), which was quite interesting. Left there, “sailed’ across on The Cat to Bar Habour, Maine – in very, very rough water, lots of fog and wind. Not a nice trip at all. Many people, including myself, were sick. I took some Gravol, and had a sleep, while Peggy spent a lot of her time, out the back of the ship, soaking in the fresh air.
We got into Bar Harbour at 9 pm, after a 4-hour tour (normal crossing is 2 – 2.5 hours). Lots of motels right after we got off the boat, but we decided to drive for a while, and get something to eat. So we did that.
The next motel we found was after we crossed the boarder to Canada, NB, in St. Stephens, at 2:30am.
Got up the next morning (Wednesday) and drove to Saint John. Went to the City Market and few other places. After we were finished, we tried to find the road to Moncton and got lost. The streets and roads in and out of the City are not marked very well at all. I went over that big bridge and paid my toll, to the same man twice, before I finally found a way out. I think the city of Saint John does that so people can easily find their way into the City, but not easily find their way out.
Well, we had to take the road to Fredericton/Sussex, to get to Moncton – who would have thought - that! Well got into Moncton at 4:30 and went straight to First Baptist Church to find a friend of ours and, past youth pastor – Rev Colin Cook.
Colin was the youth pastor at Kentville Baptist and Joy was the choir director there, while Colin attended Acadia Divinity College.
Sure enough, we found him – and, eventually, got invited back to his house for supper, and to visit with his wife Joy, and their 2 young daughters.
After supper and a short visit, we left Colin and Joy’s and drove to Sackville, NB and got a motel for the night. Not much in Sackville, a motel, gas station, the University (Mount A, I think), Oh, most important a Timmies.
Got up Thursday morning, had the continental breakfast. Ya’ know I ain’t much on this continental breakfast thing.
I think they should change the name of ‘the continental breakfast” to;
“We’re too busy to cook for you, breakfast”
“The, we’re lazy, get your own breakfast, breakfast”
“The, all the dry cereal and toast you can eat, breakfast.”
None-the-less, we ate and left – stopped off at Timmies, first though.
Drove to Shubanacie (spelling?) Wildlife Park. Peggy is so fascinated by wildlife. I often wonder if that’s what drew her to me in the first place? We spent almost 2 hours observing, the always sleeping, animals. Every time I have ever gone to a wildlife park, the animals seem to be always sleeping. Don’t they know that their main purpose in life, is to show off and entertain us? They are to be the exhibitionists, and we the voyeurs?
Seems very sad to me. I once spent 23 days as an exhibit, for a fundraiser for Canadian Mental Health Association; talking with people and answering questions about Mental Health and the importance of seeking help. So, I can relate to the animals being on display.
After visiting with the animals, Peg and I left for Lower Sackville; I wanted to check out a few motorbike shops.
I took a short-cut to get to Lower Sackville, which turned out – not to be a short-cut at all. Yes, we got lost.
From there we drove to the valley to our daughter’s place. It was so nice to see her. We rested for a while, got something to eat; and then I took Peggy and Tanya to the movies. We saw Shriek-3. Now, I’m not a big Shriek fan, I have watched the first movie, but skipped the second one, and was not interested, in the third, at all; but I knew they wanted to see it – so we went. And low and behold, I enjoyed myself and even laughed (some – OK – alot).
Came back to Tanya’s house and crashed for the night. I must say, of all the beds I have slept in, in my 47 years, Tanya’s bed is the most uncomfortable-ist.
Got up Friday morning, did some running around and around 6pm, we meet up with our friends, Betty and Bob Keddy; and followed them to their camp on Black Duck Lake, in East Dalhousie. We had a great weekend visiting with them and catching up with all the happenings from Kentville Baptist.
Friday night we had chili for supper. It was good, not too spicy, but spicy enough (as we found out the next day). We sat out on the deck (Friday night) and enjoyed the lake, until the black flies drove me inside. For some reason, black lies, mosquitoes and the such, just love me. Went inside and went to bed.
Now, I have to retract my previous statement about Tanya’s bed being the worst, well I have changed my mind. The mattress that Betty and Bob gave us to sleep on was the most, worst. It was lumpy and hard; and both Peggy and I, got a spring jabbed into us, in the middle of the night. I think maybe Betty and Bob had it set so that when Peggy and I decided to snuggle, then the springs were activated as a safety feature.
Got up Saturday morning, ate a huge breakfast. Unlike that continental breakfast, a few days ago, we had our choice of; coffee/tea, apple/orange juice, blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs (any style) and toast (white or whole-wheat). Now, that’s a breakfast!
After breakfast, we got out the canoes, and hit the lake. Peggy and I soaked ourselves with Sun Block, but by the time we got back to shore, the fronts of our legs were red-hot (and burning).
The canoeing was wonderful –so relaxing. The water was like glass – so calm, smooth and cool. Unlike our legs, which were, by now, bright red and very hot to the touch.
After our canoeing, we decided to go to Mahone Bay, for the afternoon. It was only an hour’s drive and the weather was great. Once there, we parked the car and walked the small streets, and ‘peroused’ the shops.
Left for home/back to the camp, for it was getting late (7pm) and our steaks had been marinating for close to 6 hours. So, we got home at 8, cooked the steaks and ate at 9:00 pm. The steaks were wonderful; I had mine medium-rare. Bob did an excellent job BBQing those steaks on the BBQ, he found at the side of the road, during clean-up week. Well-done, Bob.
Went to bed – oh, I told Bob of our concerns for our sleeping arrangements, and even though he would not give up his soft and comfy bed, he did cut off the 2 protruding springs and turned our mattress over. “There,” he said. “That should make all the difference in the world!”
Well it did!!! That night’s sleep was 10 times worse than the night before. We had laid on the good side, the previous night. When I woke up Sunday morning, I could hardly move or straighten out my back; and Peggy and I, still got speared by the springs.
We then rushed around, had a cup of tea and a piece of toast, because we wanted to catch the 9:30 service at the East Dalhousie Baptist Church.
Well, we did make it on time for the service, but we were either a week late or a week early. Apparently, services at this church are every-other Sunday, and we were there on the wrong Sunday; and as Betty puts it, it was Bob’s fault for not checking with someone, the night before.
Back to the camp we went, cooked the second half of our breakfast, while Bob (then) called around to see where the services were being held. At the breakfast table, Bob explained that we had indeed just missed the weekly service, by a week.
You see, the church was part of a field of three.
Pastor Robert Gates preaches in East Dalhousie every other Sunday at 9:30 am, then preaches at Springfield United Baptist Church every Sunday at 11:00; and on the other Sundays, that he is not at East Dalhousie, he is at the third church at 9:30. I never did find out where that third church was.
“Well,” Bob said. “I know where the church in Springfield is; it only takes about 30 minutes to get there from here.”
“Well,” Betty said. “We’ll leave 45 minutes early – just in case.”
We got ready, and at about 10 or so, decided to leave for church at Springfield.
Bob said, “Brian, you and Peggy can lead and Betty and I will follow. You go here, then here and turn here. No problem. And if you turn in the wrong direction, I will simply blow my horn.”
Betty said, “Bob, you can lead and Brian can follow us.”
Bob said, “That will work too.”
So, off we went, with Bob (and Betty) in the lead and Peggy and I following behind – quickly. We went there, and went there, and turned there. No problem. Peggy was keeping a watchful eye on the time.
Now, as the time was getting closer and closer to 11, Peggy and I were getting worried about being late – with no church on the horizon for miles.
Suddenly Bob does a u-turn and he pulls up beside us.
“Well,” Bob said. “I took a wrong turn back there.”
“Well,” Betty said. “Next time, Brian, you can lead.”
Off we go again, high-tailing it (that means going really fast), and 5 minutes later we pulled into the parking lot at Springfield Baptist Church – with 5 minutes to spear!
Pastor Gates met us at the door, welcomed us and invited us in.
The first thing I noticed about the church, is there is only one way in; which means, there is only one way out. The door opens and you come in, right by the pulpit; which also means the pastor can see who’s coming and who’s going – and he can keep a watchful eye on everyone.
Another thing I notice was that the floor, of the sanctuary, was not level; it’s slated, much like our loaf here. I think this is another safety feature that people like to ‘spring’ on others.
So, let me set the scene. The pulpit is at the front of the church, beside the only door, and the floor is slated TOWARDS the pulpit. I think that this was done on purpose, and was a true design element.
I think the reason it was done, was for those who like to sneak-out early, and they would get thrown off balance (by the floor being slated or tilted), and maybe fall, then, because the floor is slated, that person would start to roll, right down the centre of the church – for all to see; and roll right down front, stopping only when they hit the pulpit – as the pastor watches everything.
I think we could use something like that here.
The service and the music was good; even though the pastor was a bit long-winded. I’m sure glad that never happens here.
After the service, we said our goodbyes to our friends, Betty and Bob, and drove home. Our vacation was not really what we expected and we were so very glad to be home.
Now, don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed our vacation, we are glad we got away, for a few days, and nothing that happened Quenched the Spirit of our vacation.
In life, sometimes things happen, not as we expect.
In life, sometimes things happen, that we don’t foresee.
In life, sometimes things happen, that we sooner not experience.
But, in life, it is our attitude that determines our outcomes. We only get out of life, what we put into it. For some, their self-fulfilling prophecies create for themselves a life of pain, suffering and negativity.
Peggy and I didn’t let all those bad things, that happen on our vacation, to deter from the vacation itself. We took everything in stride, and made the best of every situation – for our Spirit was not quenched, not stifled, not reduced, extinguished, doused, smothered, suffocated, suppressed or repressed.
We had a terrible vacation, and we enjoyed it. We may have looked forward to getting home, but the focal point of our vacation was alive and well, for we did not Quench the Spirit.
For it is the Spirit, God’s Holy Spirit, that leads the way, that watches over us, that creates in us, that sense of happiness and peace. Nothing could have taken that away from us.
As you travel the roads of life, as you experience things that you sooner avoid, as you are tossed about by the storms of life, as you live the life that God gave you; remember Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians:
“Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you, who belong to Christ Jesus.
Keep away from every kind of evil. Hold on to what is good. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said.
And…and…do not Quench the Spirit!”
Let’s Pray.
Dear God,
Life is hard sometimes and we get discouraged. We experience pain and suffering, and we are perplexed. What should we do, where should we go, how should we proceed?
Help us, Dear Lord, find our way.
Help us, Dear Lord, to see the good in everything and everyone.
Help us, Dear Lord, to appreciate what you do in our lives.
Help us, Dear Lord, not to Quench the Spirit.
Amen.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
“Answer That Phone”
“Answer That Phone”
by Brian Reid – June 17, 2007
Have you ever phoned someone, numerous times in one day or over a couple of days, and not gotten an answer?
You’ve called and called and called – but there just wasn’t any response. You wonder why.
You wonder where they are.
Have they gone away, suddenly?
Is the phone broke?
Has something happened to them?
Are they hurt, maybe lying on the floor unconscious?
Many things race through your mind, and the more you call, the more you get concerned – so you finally decide to go over and check on them.
You hurry over, expecting the worst; you rush in, and there they are, sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea.
Are you all right?
Are you hurt?
Where have you been?
Is everything OK?
They calmly say; “Everything is fine. Why, what’s up?”
You say something like; “What’s up? What’s up? I’ve been trying to call you for days, and you didn’t answer! That’s what’s up!”
“Oh,” they say. “I saw it was you on the phone, but I didn’t feel like talking, so I didn’t answer.”
‘Call Display’ is a wonderful, and very convenient tool to have on your phone. The phone rings, you walk over to it, and peer down to see who it is.
Then! Then, you decide whether you want to talk to that person or not. You might say to yourself;
“Oh, that’s the Pastor. I wonder what he wants.”
“Well, that’s 3 times today that she has called me. She really must want me to do something.”
“That’s him again. Why does he always call me, and tell me about his problems. I’ve told him a 100 times what to do.”
“Um, she phones me every, single, day; and yaks and yaks about nothing. I really don’t like her that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
Now, on this phone, let me tell you who called Peggy and I, over the last few days…
(cordless black phone)
‘Call Display is good and bad, at the same time. Screening your calls can make people mad and frustrate others trying to get through. Screening your calls does have its good points. For example, we don’t have to bother with the telemarketers, or other annoying people.
Let me ask you this. How many times has God, your Father called you, and you have looked down at the ‘Call Display’ and said;
“There He is again, I wonder what he wants; really must want me to do something; why does he always call me; phones me every, single, day; I really don’t like Him that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
From our scriptures, we know that…
Samuel was a Judge, a Prophet and a Priest. Samuel was called by Father God, and Samuel’s life is a true testimony, of what God can do in our lives, and what we can do in our lives, for God.
And we also know that…Hannah was a barren woman, unable to bear children. In Old Testament times, a childless woman was considered a failure, to her husband and to society. Children were a very important part of the economic structure of that time – for children were a source of labor for the family.
Hannah had good reason to be discouraged and bitter towards life, and towards God; but instead of retaliating or giving up hope, Hannah brought her problem before her Heavenly Father.
She prayed:
“O lord Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer, and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”
Upon her request, and in due time, Hannah gave birth to a son, and she named him Samuel. Because of what she had promised, when Samuel was weaned from his mother (about 3 years old), she presented him to Eli the Priest, at the Tabernacle in Shiloh, to serve in the House of the Lord.
In dedicating her only son, this once - barren woman, was dedicating her entire life and future to God. Because Samuel’s life was a gift from God, Hannah was not really giving him up; rather, she was returning him to God. For God had given Samuel to Hannah in the first place.
In his years with Eli, Samuel grew in faith with his Father God, and his mother visited him often and brought robes and other necessities for him. Samuel stayed with Eli the Priest, and served the Lord. And as he grew taller, he also continued to gain favor with the Lord – and with the people.
1 Samuel 3:1;
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel was serving the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.”
Although God had spoken directly and audibly with Moses and Joshua (and others), His word became rare during the 3 centuries of rule by the judges. By Samuel and Eli’s time, no prophets were speaking God’s messages to Israel. The people, including Eli’s own sons, either refused to listen to God, or allowed greed to get in the way of any communication with God at all.
Verses 2 & 3;
“One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had just gone to bed. The Lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle, near The Ark of God.”
Eli the Priest would have been about 88 years old. He stayed in a room adjacent to the sanctuary, with Samuel actually sleeping in the Temple itself. The Lamp of God had not gone out yet, which may indicate that the time of day was early morning. The burning of the Lamp, indicates the Devine Presence.
The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary (a tent), that served as a place of worship for the Israelites (during the wilderness period - of the Exodus0. It was a temporary meeting-place for our Father, God and His children. Also called ‘the Tabernacle of the Congregation’ or ‘the Tent of Meeting.’
‘The Ark of God’, ‘The Ark of the Covenant’, ‘The Ark of Yahweh’, ‘The Ark of Testimony’ was the scared object; where the Presence of the Lord was believed to dwell, as He communicated with, and led His people through the wilderness, to the Promised Land.
The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, the inner-most room of the Tabernacle; where only the High Priest could enter once a year. In front of the Most Holy Place was the Holy Place, a small room where the scared furniture of the Tabernacle was kept. Just outside the Holy Place was a courtyard, with small rooms where the priests stayed.
Samuel most likely slept here with the other priest, only a few yards away from the Ark of God.
Verses 4 – 8;
“Suddenly, the Lord called out, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
‘Yes,’ Samuel replied. ‘What is it?’ He jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am. What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you,’ Eli replied. ‘Go back to bed.’
So he did.
Then the Lord called out again, ‘Samuel!’
Again, Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you, my son,’ Eli said. ‘Go on back to bed.’
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because he had never had a message from the Lord before.”
“So now the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. ‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’”
“Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.”
It would have been customary for an audible message from the Lord to be given to the Priest Eli, and not to the child Samuel. For, Eli was older and more experienced, and Eli held the proper position, but God decided on Samuel. God choose Samuel. God choose a boy over a Priest – why?
God’s chain of command is based on faith, not on age or position. God’s chain of command is based on faith.
Verse 9;
“So Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again say: Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.’
So, Samuel went back to bed.”
Eli recognized God’s calling to Samuel, and he knew that God often uses unexpected channels to get His messages across to His people. For God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
God chooses those whose faith is strong. God could choose you and could ask you to do something for him. Something great and noble, such as David or Moses. He could ask you, to simply follow His ways, and tell others about His saving grace; such as the boy, Samuel.
Sometimes we question our faith and we wonder if it will last or stay alive. But, just asking those questions, without giving in, or giving up, shows you still have some faith in your faith. God also has faith in your faith, and He calls to those who He knows will do a great job.
Verse 10;
“And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
And Samuel replied;
‘Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Samuel took the advice of his friend Eli, and listened for the sound of God’s voice. He actually listened for God. He cleared everything else out of his mind, lay there, silently, in the darkness, waiting. And God did not disappoint him, and God called to Samuel; and Samuel heard the voice of His Heavenly Father - Samuel heard the voice of Father God.
Listening and responding is vital, in a relationship with God. Although our Father, does not always use the sound of a human voice, He always speaks clearly through His Word. To receive His messages, we must be ready to listen, and to act upon what He tells us. Like Samuel, we must be ready to say “Here I am Lord,” when God calls us into action.
For Samuel, he had never heard or received a message or revelation from God before, so when it came, he didn’t recognize it. We are much the same. We pray and ask for a miracle or a sign, but when it comes, we fail to identify it and miss it. For Samuel, God called him 3 times and 3 times Samuel knew not it was God. Only after Eli had brought it to his attention, did Samuel recognize God’s forth calling.
Sometimes in life, there are signs that we are unaware of, until someone points them out. Today, God’s small voice is often not heard because of everything that’s going on around us. As the Grinch points it; “All the noise, noise, noise!”
TV, radio, video games, chat rooms, MSN; hatred, war and violence. All these things, and so much more distract us from hearing God’s audible, small voice. But if we find a place of solitude, open our minds, and read the Bible; then the Lord’s voice, through His Word can be heard.
God’s voice is be heard by reading and understanding the Bible; through sincere prayer, by recognizing the many miracles and gifts He gives us daily, by acknowledging the wonder around us as His work, and by the feeling deep within us of peace.
On this Father’s day, as we listen to the interaction of Fathers and Children, remember that our Heavenly Father is calling to us;
“Come, be part of the Family of God, hear me when I speak, respond to my Word, cherish the love I offer; and Answer That Phone.”
Let us pray;
Blessings upon you!
Happy Father’s Day; one and all.
by Brian Reid – June 17, 2007
Have you ever phoned someone, numerous times in one day or over a couple of days, and not gotten an answer?
You’ve called and called and called – but there just wasn’t any response. You wonder why.
You wonder where they are.
Have they gone away, suddenly?
Is the phone broke?
Has something happened to them?
Are they hurt, maybe lying on the floor unconscious?
Many things race through your mind, and the more you call, the more you get concerned – so you finally decide to go over and check on them.
You hurry over, expecting the worst; you rush in, and there they are, sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea.
Are you all right?
Are you hurt?
Where have you been?
Is everything OK?
They calmly say; “Everything is fine. Why, what’s up?”
You say something like; “What’s up? What’s up? I’ve been trying to call you for days, and you didn’t answer! That’s what’s up!”
“Oh,” they say. “I saw it was you on the phone, but I didn’t feel like talking, so I didn’t answer.”
‘Call Display’ is a wonderful, and very convenient tool to have on your phone. The phone rings, you walk over to it, and peer down to see who it is.
Then! Then, you decide whether you want to talk to that person or not. You might say to yourself;
“Oh, that’s the Pastor. I wonder what he wants.”
“Well, that’s 3 times today that she has called me. She really must want me to do something.”
“That’s him again. Why does he always call me, and tell me about his problems. I’ve told him a 100 times what to do.”
“Um, she phones me every, single, day; and yaks and yaks about nothing. I really don’t like her that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
Now, on this phone, let me tell you who called Peggy and I, over the last few days…
(cordless black phone)
‘Call Display is good and bad, at the same time. Screening your calls can make people mad and frustrate others trying to get through. Screening your calls does have its good points. For example, we don’t have to bother with the telemarketers, or other annoying people.
Let me ask you this. How many times has God, your Father called you, and you have looked down at the ‘Call Display’ and said;
“There He is again, I wonder what he wants; really must want me to do something; why does he always call me; phones me every, single, day; I really don’t like Him that much.”
Does that sound familiar?
From our scriptures, we know that…
Samuel was a Judge, a Prophet and a Priest. Samuel was called by Father God, and Samuel’s life is a true testimony, of what God can do in our lives, and what we can do in our lives, for God.
And we also know that…Hannah was a barren woman, unable to bear children. In Old Testament times, a childless woman was considered a failure, to her husband and to society. Children were a very important part of the economic structure of that time – for children were a source of labor for the family.
Hannah had good reason to be discouraged and bitter towards life, and towards God; but instead of retaliating or giving up hope, Hannah brought her problem before her Heavenly Father.
She prayed:
“O lord Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer, and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”
Upon her request, and in due time, Hannah gave birth to a son, and she named him Samuel. Because of what she had promised, when Samuel was weaned from his mother (about 3 years old), she presented him to Eli the Priest, at the Tabernacle in Shiloh, to serve in the House of the Lord.
In dedicating her only son, this once - barren woman, was dedicating her entire life and future to God. Because Samuel’s life was a gift from God, Hannah was not really giving him up; rather, she was returning him to God. For God had given Samuel to Hannah in the first place.
In his years with Eli, Samuel grew in faith with his Father God, and his mother visited him often and brought robes and other necessities for him. Samuel stayed with Eli the Priest, and served the Lord. And as he grew taller, he also continued to gain favor with the Lord – and with the people.
1 Samuel 3:1;
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel was serving the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.”
Although God had spoken directly and audibly with Moses and Joshua (and others), His word became rare during the 3 centuries of rule by the judges. By Samuel and Eli’s time, no prophets were speaking God’s messages to Israel. The people, including Eli’s own sons, either refused to listen to God, or allowed greed to get in the way of any communication with God at all.
Verses 2 & 3;
“One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had just gone to bed. The Lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle, near The Ark of God.”
Eli the Priest would have been about 88 years old. He stayed in a room adjacent to the sanctuary, with Samuel actually sleeping in the Temple itself. The Lamp of God had not gone out yet, which may indicate that the time of day was early morning. The burning of the Lamp, indicates the Devine Presence.
The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary (a tent), that served as a place of worship for the Israelites (during the wilderness period - of the Exodus0. It was a temporary meeting-place for our Father, God and His children. Also called ‘the Tabernacle of the Congregation’ or ‘the Tent of Meeting.’
‘The Ark of God’, ‘The Ark of the Covenant’, ‘The Ark of Yahweh’, ‘The Ark of Testimony’ was the scared object; where the Presence of the Lord was believed to dwell, as He communicated with, and led His people through the wilderness, to the Promised Land.
The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, the inner-most room of the Tabernacle; where only the High Priest could enter once a year. In front of the Most Holy Place was the Holy Place, a small room where the scared furniture of the Tabernacle was kept. Just outside the Holy Place was a courtyard, with small rooms where the priests stayed.
Samuel most likely slept here with the other priest, only a few yards away from the Ark of God.
Verses 4 – 8;
“Suddenly, the Lord called out, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
‘Yes,’ Samuel replied. ‘What is it?’ He jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am. What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you,’ Eli replied. ‘Go back to bed.’
So he did.
Then the Lord called out again, ‘Samuel!’
Again, Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli.
‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’
‘I didn’t call you, my son,’ Eli said. ‘Go on back to bed.’
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because he had never had a message from the Lord before.”
“So now the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. ‘Here I am,’ he said. ‘What do you need?’”
“Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.”
It would have been customary for an audible message from the Lord to be given to the Priest Eli, and not to the child Samuel. For, Eli was older and more experienced, and Eli held the proper position, but God decided on Samuel. God choose Samuel. God choose a boy over a Priest – why?
God’s chain of command is based on faith, not on age or position. God’s chain of command is based on faith.
Verse 9;
“So Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again say: Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.’
So, Samuel went back to bed.”
Eli recognized God’s calling to Samuel, and he knew that God often uses unexpected channels to get His messages across to His people. For God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
God chooses those whose faith is strong. God could choose you and could ask you to do something for him. Something great and noble, such as David or Moses. He could ask you, to simply follow His ways, and tell others about His saving grace; such as the boy, Samuel.
Sometimes we question our faith and we wonder if it will last or stay alive. But, just asking those questions, without giving in, or giving up, shows you still have some faith in your faith. God also has faith in your faith, and He calls to those who He knows will do a great job.
Verse 10;
“And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
And Samuel replied;
‘Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Samuel took the advice of his friend Eli, and listened for the sound of God’s voice. He actually listened for God. He cleared everything else out of his mind, lay there, silently, in the darkness, waiting. And God did not disappoint him, and God called to Samuel; and Samuel heard the voice of His Heavenly Father - Samuel heard the voice of Father God.
Listening and responding is vital, in a relationship with God. Although our Father, does not always use the sound of a human voice, He always speaks clearly through His Word. To receive His messages, we must be ready to listen, and to act upon what He tells us. Like Samuel, we must be ready to say “Here I am Lord,” when God calls us into action.
For Samuel, he had never heard or received a message or revelation from God before, so when it came, he didn’t recognize it. We are much the same. We pray and ask for a miracle or a sign, but when it comes, we fail to identify it and miss it. For Samuel, God called him 3 times and 3 times Samuel knew not it was God. Only after Eli had brought it to his attention, did Samuel recognize God’s forth calling.
Sometimes in life, there are signs that we are unaware of, until someone points them out. Today, God’s small voice is often not heard because of everything that’s going on around us. As the Grinch points it; “All the noise, noise, noise!”
TV, radio, video games, chat rooms, MSN; hatred, war and violence. All these things, and so much more distract us from hearing God’s audible, small voice. But if we find a place of solitude, open our minds, and read the Bible; then the Lord’s voice, through His Word can be heard.
God’s voice is be heard by reading and understanding the Bible; through sincere prayer, by recognizing the many miracles and gifts He gives us daily, by acknowledging the wonder around us as His work, and by the feeling deep within us of peace.
On this Father’s day, as we listen to the interaction of Fathers and Children, remember that our Heavenly Father is calling to us;
“Come, be part of the Family of God, hear me when I speak, respond to my Word, cherish the love I offer; and Answer That Phone.”
Let us pray;
Blessings upon you!
Happy Father’s Day; one and all.
“The Best Is Yet To Come”
“The Best Is Yet To Come”
By Brian Reid
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come, and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69).
Mankind was created with a Holy and godly nature, in fellowship with the Lord. But, by means of free-will, suspicion and unbelief, that covenant was broken by ‘mankind.’ Sin was the result.
Sin is that lack of conformity to God’s moral covenant; which is moral evil. Sin is also defined as anything in ‘mankind,’ which does not express, or is contrary to, the Holy Character of God - the Creator; it is a transgression of, or rebellion against God’s laws.
And it was because of Adam and Eve, and the original fall, in the Garden of Eden, that all who are ancestors of them, shall also Sin.
Salvation is the saving of something from harm, destruction, or difficulty. In Christianity, salvation is deliverance from sin, or the consequences of sin; by the intervention of God. For God saw the problems and knew the consequences of sin, but He also provided the solution to sin; for God uses own His son as an atonement for the sins of all “mankind.”
Sin and evil keep us from the enjoyment of God’s blessings, either by commission or omission, intentional or accidental. But, through, trust in, and dependence on, God, we are saved. It is only by this trust, that we allow, and accept Christ to be that instrument (of salvation).
Salvation comes (only) through repentance and whole-hearted commitment to Christ, as Lord and Savoir of our lives.
As a person lives their life, and does not follow God commandments (and struggles); they feel the pain of sin: guilt, shame, isolation, feeling unfulfilled. Along their journey they will hear ‘bits & pieces’ about God, Jesus Christ and salvation. Once that person’s interest is ‘peaked,’ they may start to listen more closely, do their own research, attend church (occasionally), and start asking questions.
During that discovery process, they learn the deeper meaning of being delivered from sin, separated from evil, set free, released, rescued, and saved from the influences of Satan. Once the person has some understanding, they are encouraged to look to the Bible to answer more of their questions, such as: Why do I need to be saved? How will I be saved? Who will save me?
Sin acts as that separation that keeps us from having fullness of life – in Christ; as outlined in John 10:10. “I have come that you would have life and have it abundantly.”
God loves us and wants us to live in peace, and have a life, abundant with joy.
How?
Romans 5:1; “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God wants us to live guilt-free, without shame and not in isolation. For when we are still ‘living in sin,’ we are isolated from God; there is a separation between us, and the Lord. Because God gave us free-will, some of us choose to disobey Him.
Romans 3:23 tells us; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
By following God’s law, His commandments, instructions; we strive to live a life Christ-like. This brings us closer to God and bridges that gap of isolation.
God’s link between us, the sinners, and salvation, that connection, that union, that bond, that tie, that bridge… is the Cross.
Jesus died on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God for all those who did not, and do not, follow His law. Jesus died once, and for all.
He did this to cover all the sins that anyone ever committed and for those sins we have not committed yet. He did this all on one day, with one single act of compassion.
By a personal invitation from God, we make a decision to trust in Jesus and give our life to him; then something wonderful happens.
Romans 10:9; “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 1:12; “Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…”
It is our response, through free-will, that we accept Christ to be our saviour and leader in life; and we become Children of God.
This known as Conversion, and happens when we turn away from what we know is wrong (evil and sin), and turn to God, through Christ.
Ezekiel 33:11; “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.”
It is in this Repentance that we admit our wrongdoings and sins (confession), and ask God to forgive us. In our hearts we must be willing to make that turn. For, conversion is, and should result in, a change of behaviour, in the believer.
In the process of salvation, Conversion is the first step in our transition from evil to good, from sin to God. Once the Holy Spirit enters us, we are changed - forever.
2 Corinthians 5:17; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
With Christ’s spirit working upon our hearts, the course of our life (and our actions), are changed, & they are forever.
By means of this acceptance of Christ (as our saviour), and Lord of our lives, we receive Justification; which is an act whereby God says that we are no longer guilty of our wrongdoings (forgiveness). A change-of-state occurs. We were once condemned; now through the work of Jesus Christ (and nothing else), we are saved; and through the mercy and grace of God, we are justified (forgiven).
Regeneration is being ‘born again’ or ‘to be restored.’ It is a spiritual change brought about in the heart of someone, by an act of God; in which their sinful nature is altered, and by which they able to respond to God in faith.
John 1:13; “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God; children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”
1 John 3:9; “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
Another phase in the process of salvation is Sanctification: a process of becoming clean. To sanctify something is to make it holy, pure, clean; and to set aside for God. It may refer to a person, place or anything used to worship or glorify God.
The Israelites were set apart, from the rest of the nations of the world.
Exodus 19:5 & 6; “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations, you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
We, too, are set apart to be Holy; and a treasured possession.
In a person, it is the gracious and continuous process of God’s Holy Spirit, in which he purifies the sinner. Sanctification is an inner work; and we need to cooperate with it. We are made more useful for God’s work, by being sanctified. It is a process and we are all works in progress; for Sanctification does take time.
Salvation is not so much a convincing of a sinner, to turn away from his/her wrongdoings and sin, than it is, a convincing of a sinner to turn to Jesus Christ. The Christian is simply admitting that they are helpless over sin, and hands it over to God. God then eliminates it from our lives, through Christ’s death upon the cross.
Finally, salvation is a gift from God, freely offered, without any conditions. You cannot earn salvation through your good works, for salvation has no stipulation.
In Philippians 1:27-28, Paul is encouraging the people – and he tells us also;
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you, or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending, as one man, for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way, by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
The path of salvation, starts with knowing that everyone sins and falls short of the glory of God. Next, is a realization that the penalty for sin is death; a separation from God, and an inability to gain eternal life.
Finally, salvation comes (only) through having a personal relationship with Christ. To be forgiven of our sins, we must confess them, and believe that Jesus died to cover our sins, and that He is Lord.
As a pastor, and a Christian, I know that God sent his son into this world, not to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). I know that Jesus died for our sins, and He rose triumphantly, again in life, and, I know He will come again to call his children home (that’s us).
I know that God sent Jesus, to be our one and only saviour (John 3:16), and I know that we are saved, not by following any law or deeds (that we may do), but, by God’s grace and mercy; combined with our belief and acceptance in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-10; “For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by your works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance, for us to do.”
Also, I know that only through God’s grace, that our lives are filled with His peace. Because of God’s mercy towards our sins, and because of Christ, taking our place, and paying the debt, that we could never pay, that we can live eternally.
For me personally, forgiveness is the most important aspect of salvation. I know that God forgiving me, has had the greatest impact on my life. To be able to start fresh, with a clean slate, that is very humbling.
For, I know that when I slip and fall, I still have God’s forgiveness through repentance – you can too. I confess my wrong-doings and turn away from my actions, and continue on my walk; knowing that Christ walks with me – He walks with you as well.
It is only through God, that we can succeed in what we do; what we were called to do. It is only through our weaknesses, that we find God’s true strength.
And, in all this, through all God’s promises, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and because of the many miracles of Christ, I know, and I want you to know, that “The Best Is Yet To Come!”
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
Our Communion Hymn, will be sung by the Choir. And as they gather in the front, I ask you to listen to the words, listen to the feelings expressed in this song, listen for God’s touch: “When Love Is Found.”
By Brian Reid
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come, and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69).
Mankind was created with a Holy and godly nature, in fellowship with the Lord. But, by means of free-will, suspicion and unbelief, that covenant was broken by ‘mankind.’ Sin was the result.
Sin is that lack of conformity to God’s moral covenant; which is moral evil. Sin is also defined as anything in ‘mankind,’ which does not express, or is contrary to, the Holy Character of God - the Creator; it is a transgression of, or rebellion against God’s laws.
And it was because of Adam and Eve, and the original fall, in the Garden of Eden, that all who are ancestors of them, shall also Sin.
Salvation is the saving of something from harm, destruction, or difficulty. In Christianity, salvation is deliverance from sin, or the consequences of sin; by the intervention of God. For God saw the problems and knew the consequences of sin, but He also provided the solution to sin; for God uses own His son as an atonement for the sins of all “mankind.”
Sin and evil keep us from the enjoyment of God’s blessings, either by commission or omission, intentional or accidental. But, through, trust in, and dependence on, God, we are saved. It is only by this trust, that we allow, and accept Christ to be that instrument (of salvation).
Salvation comes (only) through repentance and whole-hearted commitment to Christ, as Lord and Savoir of our lives.
As a person lives their life, and does not follow God commandments (and struggles); they feel the pain of sin: guilt, shame, isolation, feeling unfulfilled. Along their journey they will hear ‘bits & pieces’ about God, Jesus Christ and salvation. Once that person’s interest is ‘peaked,’ they may start to listen more closely, do their own research, attend church (occasionally), and start asking questions.
During that discovery process, they learn the deeper meaning of being delivered from sin, separated from evil, set free, released, rescued, and saved from the influences of Satan. Once the person has some understanding, they are encouraged to look to the Bible to answer more of their questions, such as: Why do I need to be saved? How will I be saved? Who will save me?
Sin acts as that separation that keeps us from having fullness of life – in Christ; as outlined in John 10:10. “I have come that you would have life and have it abundantly.”
God loves us and wants us to live in peace, and have a life, abundant with joy.
How?
Romans 5:1; “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God wants us to live guilt-free, without shame and not in isolation. For when we are still ‘living in sin,’ we are isolated from God; there is a separation between us, and the Lord. Because God gave us free-will, some of us choose to disobey Him.
Romans 3:23 tells us; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
By following God’s law, His commandments, instructions; we strive to live a life Christ-like. This brings us closer to God and bridges that gap of isolation.
God’s link between us, the sinners, and salvation, that connection, that union, that bond, that tie, that bridge… is the Cross.
Jesus died on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God for all those who did not, and do not, follow His law. Jesus died once, and for all.
He did this to cover all the sins that anyone ever committed and for those sins we have not committed yet. He did this all on one day, with one single act of compassion.
By a personal invitation from God, we make a decision to trust in Jesus and give our life to him; then something wonderful happens.
Romans 10:9; “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 1:12; “Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…”
It is our response, through free-will, that we accept Christ to be our saviour and leader in life; and we become Children of God.
This known as Conversion, and happens when we turn away from what we know is wrong (evil and sin), and turn to God, through Christ.
Ezekiel 33:11; “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.”
It is in this Repentance that we admit our wrongdoings and sins (confession), and ask God to forgive us. In our hearts we must be willing to make that turn. For, conversion is, and should result in, a change of behaviour, in the believer.
In the process of salvation, Conversion is the first step in our transition from evil to good, from sin to God. Once the Holy Spirit enters us, we are changed - forever.
2 Corinthians 5:17; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
With Christ’s spirit working upon our hearts, the course of our life (and our actions), are changed, & they are forever.
By means of this acceptance of Christ (as our saviour), and Lord of our lives, we receive Justification; which is an act whereby God says that we are no longer guilty of our wrongdoings (forgiveness). A change-of-state occurs. We were once condemned; now through the work of Jesus Christ (and nothing else), we are saved; and through the mercy and grace of God, we are justified (forgiven).
Regeneration is being ‘born again’ or ‘to be restored.’ It is a spiritual change brought about in the heart of someone, by an act of God; in which their sinful nature is altered, and by which they able to respond to God in faith.
John 1:13; “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God; children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”
1 John 3:9; “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
Another phase in the process of salvation is Sanctification: a process of becoming clean. To sanctify something is to make it holy, pure, clean; and to set aside for God. It may refer to a person, place or anything used to worship or glorify God.
The Israelites were set apart, from the rest of the nations of the world.
Exodus 19:5 & 6; “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations, you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
We, too, are set apart to be Holy; and a treasured possession.
In a person, it is the gracious and continuous process of God’s Holy Spirit, in which he purifies the sinner. Sanctification is an inner work; and we need to cooperate with it. We are made more useful for God’s work, by being sanctified. It is a process and we are all works in progress; for Sanctification does take time.
Salvation is not so much a convincing of a sinner, to turn away from his/her wrongdoings and sin, than it is, a convincing of a sinner to turn to Jesus Christ. The Christian is simply admitting that they are helpless over sin, and hands it over to God. God then eliminates it from our lives, through Christ’s death upon the cross.
Finally, salvation is a gift from God, freely offered, without any conditions. You cannot earn salvation through your good works, for salvation has no stipulation.
In Philippians 1:27-28, Paul is encouraging the people – and he tells us also;
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you, or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending, as one man, for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way, by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
The path of salvation, starts with knowing that everyone sins and falls short of the glory of God. Next, is a realization that the penalty for sin is death; a separation from God, and an inability to gain eternal life.
Finally, salvation comes (only) through having a personal relationship with Christ. To be forgiven of our sins, we must confess them, and believe that Jesus died to cover our sins, and that He is Lord.
As a pastor, and a Christian, I know that God sent his son into this world, not to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). I know that Jesus died for our sins, and He rose triumphantly, again in life, and, I know He will come again to call his children home (that’s us).
I know that God sent Jesus, to be our one and only saviour (John 3:16), and I know that we are saved, not by following any law or deeds (that we may do), but, by God’s grace and mercy; combined with our belief and acceptance in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-10; “For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by your works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance, for us to do.”
Also, I know that only through God’s grace, that our lives are filled with His peace. Because of God’s mercy towards our sins, and because of Christ, taking our place, and paying the debt, that we could never pay, that we can live eternally.
For me personally, forgiveness is the most important aspect of salvation. I know that God forgiving me, has had the greatest impact on my life. To be able to start fresh, with a clean slate, that is very humbling.
For, I know that when I slip and fall, I still have God’s forgiveness through repentance – you can too. I confess my wrong-doings and turn away from my actions, and continue on my walk; knowing that Christ walks with me – He walks with you as well.
It is only through God, that we can succeed in what we do; what we were called to do. It is only through our weaknesses, that we find God’s true strength.
And, in all this, through all God’s promises, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and because of the many miracles of Christ, I know, and I want you to know, that “The Best Is Yet To Come!”
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
Our Communion Hymn, will be sung by the Choir. And as they gather in the front, I ask you to listen to the words, listen to the feelings expressed in this song, listen for God’s touch: “When Love Is Found.”
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
“Is It Suppose To Hurt?”
“Is It Suppose To Hurt?”
by Brian Reid
May 27, 2007
I have always had this ‘thing’ about Sunday morning offerings, the Collection; and giving to the church, in general. It’s not that I am against it, for I know it’s how the church survives, and how the church works in the community. I just feel that tithing is a very touchy subject.
How much do I give?
Did I give enough?
Have I given as much as the others?
Every Sunday morning, we are asking regular, common folk (like yourselves) to give up their hard earned money (to help the church operate). I feel, that in today’s world, a lot of people don’t have a lot to give. I feel, with the prices of food, gas and heating, there are a lot of working poor; those who work all week, making good money, but have so many bills and other responsibilities, taking, their take-home pay – that they are work all week, just to end up poor on Friday.
I have always had an offering introduction as part of my service; today this message is my offering introduction. I feel it’s quite important to try to show and tell, of the good your money is doing. I don’t think we need to be greedy, and it’s not the wants, but the needs, that we are trying to fill.
So for me, to ask you, to give, is not an easy thing. I respect all those who do give, and I know that some give more than others; and some weeks, we cannot give as much, as we would like to give; the important thing is that we give.
Even though the offering is suppose to be a sacrifice to God, it is a sensitive subject, none-the-less; so with my offering introduction, I do try and highlight the benefits, that our offerings and gifts make.
I feel people know that the church can’t survive or do things in the community, without that offering. You know that, and no matter how much is put into the collection plate, God provides, and somehow there is always enough.
The sermon, today, is not a message on titling your 10%, it is some practical advice on giving; it is a message on responsibility and practically.
In 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, we hear as Paul addresses the young church in Greece; he is writing this letter from Macedonia.
During his third missionary journey, which began in Antioch (on the north-eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea), he traveled along the bottom of Galatia, into and up along the coast of Asia.
Then he traveled by sea along the coast of Thrace, into Macedonia - stopping at various points along the way; and finally down the coast (again) into the region of Greece, stopping to meet with the Corinthian believers.
In his travels, Paul collected money for the impoverished Christian believers in Jerusalem. And many had given money, and they had even given more than Paul had expected. Although these churches (and their congregations) were poor themselves, they simply wanted to help – so they gave, and they gave generously.
As for the Corinthians, they excelled in everything; they could have been looked at, as leaders (in that region) - and examples to follow. They had strong faith, gifted speakers, had a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and love. But, Paul wanted them to become leaders…in giving. Paul did not order them to give; he simply encouraged them to prove that their love was real.
Giving is a natural response to love. When you love someone you want to give them your time and attention, and provide for their needs – if and when they are hurting. A lack of giving or helping, may suggest that your love is not as genuine as you say. Thus, was the case with the Corinthians. Paul wanted them to show the love they had for others – through giving.
The Corinthian church did have money, and they had planned to take up an offering for the church at Jerusalem, a year previous. Paul challenged them to act on their plan, and to show their love.
As Paul made contact with many churches; some were poor, and some had more. So, to those churches, whose finances were limited, or to those churches who didn’t know how to give, the Apostle Paul offers these 4 principles of responsible giving:
1. Paul states that; Your willingness to give enthusiastically, is more important than the amount you give.
If you give a large amount, which might put a financial strain on your family; and then you worry and wonder if you have done the right thing – then the very act of giving is diminished.
Your children should not go ‘without,’ because you have given too much to the church. God wants you to look after your children, God wants your family to be warm, God wants you to give the amount that you can give, and only that amount, but with much enthusiasm.
Paul says we should give according to our means, by what we have, not by what we don’t have. Sacrificial giving must be responsible giving. (x2) Paul is suggesting that believers should give generously, but not to the extent, that those who give must go without having their own basic needs met. The givers and their families should not have to suffer major hardships because of their giving. Give until it hurts, but don’t give so that your family is hurting all the time.
2. Paul then suggests; You should strive to fulfill your financial commitments.
God does not want you to give so much that you will not be able to meet your other responsibilities; that is not the way God wants you to give. Pay your bills, and make sure you have heat and lights for your family, make sure you have enough food in your house. God wants you to live life to the fullest and without suffering.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
3. Paul goes on to say; If you give to others in need, they, in turn, will help you, when you are in need.
Some times you may have “extra,” and can give more. Sometimes, God has blessed you with abundance. Some, Sundays, you know you can give, just a little bit more – and you should.
For, on that Sunday, you give so that the needy will have, and then - if and when, you fall on hard times; if and when, you find it difficult to meet your financial commitments; if and when, your family may need a helping hand - then those you have helped, those who see your need, those who have an abundance, will help you.
4. Lastly, Paul suggests; Give as a response to Christ, and not for anything you can get out of it.
If God blesses you, then show your thankfulness by giving generously, but giving in anticipation of getting something, is nothing more than manipulation. You should give in proportion to what has been given to you. Don’t ever give, thinking of your reward.
How do we decide how much to give?
Paul gives the Corinthian church these guidelines for giving:
Each person should follow through on any previous promises. Verses 10 & 11; “I suggest you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something amount it. Now you should carry this project through to completion – just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give what ever you can according to what you have.”
Paul was telling them to finish what they had started; collect the offering they suggested the previous year, and give that gift to the church at Jerusalem.
If you have made a commitment to give something– no matter how long that takes- you should live up to your responsibilities; then, consider other giving and commitments.
Paul then suggests that each person should give as much as he or she is able.
Verse 12; “If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have.”
Paul was suggesting that the Corinthians, give within their means, and not to stretch themselves too thin. He was saying to the people of the Corinthian church; “It’s not how much you give, but how you give – what is in your heart. The Lord loves a cheerful giver.
The Lord seeks a gift that is accompanied with the right attitude.”
The same goes for you, as well.
But, is it OK for us to give large amounts? Yes, it’s OK to do that. God (and the church) appreciate what you give, and if you give so much that it hurts, and it is a sacrifice or a hardship to you, God will acknowledge your gift and reward you for it. But, we should not give large amounts in, expectation, of that reward; for we are saved, not by our good works, but by the grace and mercy of God.
Give eagerly, but give a responsible gift, without any anticipation or incentive.
Next, in verse 13, Paul advises that each person must make up his or her own mind of how much to give;
“Of course, I don’t mean you should give, that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality.”
Paul was suggesting that the Corinthians follow through on their pledge, and give all they could. Then, he added that they need not short-change themselves, but there should be equality between churches; and the church at Jerusalem was hurting and suffering.
Today, some of our churches and congregations suffer financially – and they must close their doors.
As Christians, as members of the Family of God, we should try and help those churches – without creating for ourselves economic danger.
Also, Paul is suggesting there should be a balance between what you have and what you give. You should give enough to make a difference, but not too much that you bring poverty upon you and your family.
Finally, Paul recommends that each person should give in proportion to what God has given them.
Verse 14; “Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met.”
Here, Paul is reminding the Corinthians, that, right now, they have plenty and the church at Jerusalem does not. He is encouraging them to share what they have, and assuring them that the same would be done in their time of need.
God gives to us, so that we can give to others. Those who receive your gifts will be helped; they in turn will praise God and pray for you. As you bless others (by giving), you will also be blessed (by God).
If we share when we have much, then, when we do not have, much is shared with us. (x2)
The value of the gift is not determined by it’s amount, but by the spirit in which it is given.
A gift given reluctantly, or for recognition, loses its value. When you give, remember that gifts of any size are pleasing to God, when they are given out of gratitude, and with a spirit of generosity
Jesus told His disciples this, about the poor widow in Mark 12:43-44; “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Simply put, our attitude is more important than the amount we give. We don’t have to be embarrassed if we can only give a small gift; for it is a gift, a show of generosity, a show of love, none-the-less. God is concerned about how we give, from the recourses that we have. (x2)
The very last verse of our scriptures for today, verse 15, is a flask-back to Exodus 16:18, where God provided Manna to the Israelites. Paul says this:
“Do you remember what the scriptures say about this? Those who gather much, did not have too much, and those who gathered little, did not have too little. Each gathered as much as they needed.”
Need should never be about greed. If we are in need, we should only gather to supply that need.
Conclusion
I challenge you to think about this; Giving is all about need. (x2)
Sometimes we give, so those in need will have. Sometimes, we are given, for we need. We should give what we think is right; knowing that there are others in need, always. We should never give too much, so that our giving, causes great strain and financial hardships upon our selves.
Stewardship is all about responsible giving; even though it can include giving beyond your means. But, sacrificial giving has to be responsible, rational, and sensible as well. God wants your commitment, He wants you to help build His church, but He also wants you to have adequate means, to meet all your financial obligations.
Putting titling aside; all God really wants from us, is our hearts. He wants us to love Him as He loves us. Money or earthly processions are not important to God. Commitment, devotion, adoration, praise, appreciation, thankfulness, gratefulness, purity of heart and service to Him; is what He seeks.
And, part of that service to Him, is giving to those who are less fortunate than you.
Giving is saying thank you – to God. (x2)
Stewardship also includes giving in other ways. We can supplement our giving, by doing. Our titles and offerings, also include the giving of our time and talents. Therefore, we can give back in so many ways; monetarily, but also in what we do – for the church, and in the name of the Lord; giving of our time and talents.
Your offering is representative of your sacrifice and your thanks, to God. And, after exploring the letter from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, and after hearing these suggestions, God wants you to answer this question for yourself;
“Is giving suppose to hurt.”
As you make up your mind, as you ponder God’s word, through Paul’s teachings, I ask the ushers to come forward; as you can now, cheerfully, enthusiastically, and with much confidence, present your offerings, before God, this morning.
Let’s Pray;
Dear Lord,
All we are and all we have are because of You. We have heard what Paul says about responsible, sacrificial giving; and now we offer these gifts, to symbolize and signify, our love for you, and our thankfulness – for all you do in our lives.
May these gifts be pleasing to you; Amen.
by Brian Reid
May 27, 2007
I have always had this ‘thing’ about Sunday morning offerings, the Collection; and giving to the church, in general. It’s not that I am against it, for I know it’s how the church survives, and how the church works in the community. I just feel that tithing is a very touchy subject.
How much do I give?
Did I give enough?
Have I given as much as the others?
Every Sunday morning, we are asking regular, common folk (like yourselves) to give up their hard earned money (to help the church operate). I feel, that in today’s world, a lot of people don’t have a lot to give. I feel, with the prices of food, gas and heating, there are a lot of working poor; those who work all week, making good money, but have so many bills and other responsibilities, taking, their take-home pay – that they are work all week, just to end up poor on Friday.
I have always had an offering introduction as part of my service; today this message is my offering introduction. I feel it’s quite important to try to show and tell, of the good your money is doing. I don’t think we need to be greedy, and it’s not the wants, but the needs, that we are trying to fill.
So for me, to ask you, to give, is not an easy thing. I respect all those who do give, and I know that some give more than others; and some weeks, we cannot give as much, as we would like to give; the important thing is that we give.
Even though the offering is suppose to be a sacrifice to God, it is a sensitive subject, none-the-less; so with my offering introduction, I do try and highlight the benefits, that our offerings and gifts make.
I feel people know that the church can’t survive or do things in the community, without that offering. You know that, and no matter how much is put into the collection plate, God provides, and somehow there is always enough.
The sermon, today, is not a message on titling your 10%, it is some practical advice on giving; it is a message on responsibility and practically.
In 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, we hear as Paul addresses the young church in Greece; he is writing this letter from Macedonia.
During his third missionary journey, which began in Antioch (on the north-eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea), he traveled along the bottom of Galatia, into and up along the coast of Asia.
Then he traveled by sea along the coast of Thrace, into Macedonia - stopping at various points along the way; and finally down the coast (again) into the region of Greece, stopping to meet with the Corinthian believers.
In his travels, Paul collected money for the impoverished Christian believers in Jerusalem. And many had given money, and they had even given more than Paul had expected. Although these churches (and their congregations) were poor themselves, they simply wanted to help – so they gave, and they gave generously.
As for the Corinthians, they excelled in everything; they could have been looked at, as leaders (in that region) - and examples to follow. They had strong faith, gifted speakers, had a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and love. But, Paul wanted them to become leaders…in giving. Paul did not order them to give; he simply encouraged them to prove that their love was real.
Giving is a natural response to love. When you love someone you want to give them your time and attention, and provide for their needs – if and when they are hurting. A lack of giving or helping, may suggest that your love is not as genuine as you say. Thus, was the case with the Corinthians. Paul wanted them to show the love they had for others – through giving.
The Corinthian church did have money, and they had planned to take up an offering for the church at Jerusalem, a year previous. Paul challenged them to act on their plan, and to show their love.
As Paul made contact with many churches; some were poor, and some had more. So, to those churches, whose finances were limited, or to those churches who didn’t know how to give, the Apostle Paul offers these 4 principles of responsible giving:
1. Paul states that; Your willingness to give enthusiastically, is more important than the amount you give.
If you give a large amount, which might put a financial strain on your family; and then you worry and wonder if you have done the right thing – then the very act of giving is diminished.
Your children should not go ‘without,’ because you have given too much to the church. God wants you to look after your children, God wants your family to be warm, God wants you to give the amount that you can give, and only that amount, but with much enthusiasm.
Paul says we should give according to our means, by what we have, not by what we don’t have. Sacrificial giving must be responsible giving. (x2) Paul is suggesting that believers should give generously, but not to the extent, that those who give must go without having their own basic needs met. The givers and their families should not have to suffer major hardships because of their giving. Give until it hurts, but don’t give so that your family is hurting all the time.
2. Paul then suggests; You should strive to fulfill your financial commitments.
God does not want you to give so much that you will not be able to meet your other responsibilities; that is not the way God wants you to give. Pay your bills, and make sure you have heat and lights for your family, make sure you have enough food in your house. God wants you to live life to the fullest and without suffering.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
3. Paul goes on to say; If you give to others in need, they, in turn, will help you, when you are in need.
Some times you may have “extra,” and can give more. Sometimes, God has blessed you with abundance. Some, Sundays, you know you can give, just a little bit more – and you should.
For, on that Sunday, you give so that the needy will have, and then - if and when, you fall on hard times; if and when, you find it difficult to meet your financial commitments; if and when, your family may need a helping hand - then those you have helped, those who see your need, those who have an abundance, will help you.
4. Lastly, Paul suggests; Give as a response to Christ, and not for anything you can get out of it.
If God blesses you, then show your thankfulness by giving generously, but giving in anticipation of getting something, is nothing more than manipulation. You should give in proportion to what has been given to you. Don’t ever give, thinking of your reward.
How do we decide how much to give?
Paul gives the Corinthian church these guidelines for giving:
Each person should follow through on any previous promises. Verses 10 & 11; “I suggest you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something amount it. Now you should carry this project through to completion – just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give what ever you can according to what you have.”
Paul was telling them to finish what they had started; collect the offering they suggested the previous year, and give that gift to the church at Jerusalem.
If you have made a commitment to give something– no matter how long that takes- you should live up to your responsibilities; then, consider other giving and commitments.
Paul then suggests that each person should give as much as he or she is able.
Verse 12; “If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have.”
Paul was suggesting that the Corinthians, give within their means, and not to stretch themselves too thin. He was saying to the people of the Corinthian church; “It’s not how much you give, but how you give – what is in your heart. The Lord loves a cheerful giver.
The Lord seeks a gift that is accompanied with the right attitude.”
The same goes for you, as well.
But, is it OK for us to give large amounts? Yes, it’s OK to do that. God (and the church) appreciate what you give, and if you give so much that it hurts, and it is a sacrifice or a hardship to you, God will acknowledge your gift and reward you for it. But, we should not give large amounts in, expectation, of that reward; for we are saved, not by our good works, but by the grace and mercy of God.
Give eagerly, but give a responsible gift, without any anticipation or incentive.
Next, in verse 13, Paul advises that each person must make up his or her own mind of how much to give;
“Of course, I don’t mean you should give, that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality.”
Paul was suggesting that the Corinthians follow through on their pledge, and give all they could. Then, he added that they need not short-change themselves, but there should be equality between churches; and the church at Jerusalem was hurting and suffering.
Today, some of our churches and congregations suffer financially – and they must close their doors.
As Christians, as members of the Family of God, we should try and help those churches – without creating for ourselves economic danger.
Also, Paul is suggesting there should be a balance between what you have and what you give. You should give enough to make a difference, but not too much that you bring poverty upon you and your family.
Finally, Paul recommends that each person should give in proportion to what God has given them.
Verse 14; “Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met.”
Here, Paul is reminding the Corinthians, that, right now, they have plenty and the church at Jerusalem does not. He is encouraging them to share what they have, and assuring them that the same would be done in their time of need.
God gives to us, so that we can give to others. Those who receive your gifts will be helped; they in turn will praise God and pray for you. As you bless others (by giving), you will also be blessed (by God).
If we share when we have much, then, when we do not have, much is shared with us. (x2)
The value of the gift is not determined by it’s amount, but by the spirit in which it is given.
A gift given reluctantly, or for recognition, loses its value. When you give, remember that gifts of any size are pleasing to God, when they are given out of gratitude, and with a spirit of generosity
Jesus told His disciples this, about the poor widow in Mark 12:43-44; “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Simply put, our attitude is more important than the amount we give. We don’t have to be embarrassed if we can only give a small gift; for it is a gift, a show of generosity, a show of love, none-the-less. God is concerned about how we give, from the recourses that we have. (x2)
The very last verse of our scriptures for today, verse 15, is a flask-back to Exodus 16:18, where God provided Manna to the Israelites. Paul says this:
“Do you remember what the scriptures say about this? Those who gather much, did not have too much, and those who gathered little, did not have too little. Each gathered as much as they needed.”
Need should never be about greed. If we are in need, we should only gather to supply that need.
Conclusion
I challenge you to think about this; Giving is all about need. (x2)
Sometimes we give, so those in need will have. Sometimes, we are given, for we need. We should give what we think is right; knowing that there are others in need, always. We should never give too much, so that our giving, causes great strain and financial hardships upon our selves.
Stewardship is all about responsible giving; even though it can include giving beyond your means. But, sacrificial giving has to be responsible, rational, and sensible as well. God wants your commitment, He wants you to help build His church, but He also wants you to have adequate means, to meet all your financial obligations.
Putting titling aside; all God really wants from us, is our hearts. He wants us to love Him as He loves us. Money or earthly processions are not important to God. Commitment, devotion, adoration, praise, appreciation, thankfulness, gratefulness, purity of heart and service to Him; is what He seeks.
And, part of that service to Him, is giving to those who are less fortunate than you.
Giving is saying thank you – to God. (x2)
Stewardship also includes giving in other ways. We can supplement our giving, by doing. Our titles and offerings, also include the giving of our time and talents. Therefore, we can give back in so many ways; monetarily, but also in what we do – for the church, and in the name of the Lord; giving of our time and talents.
Your offering is representative of your sacrifice and your thanks, to God. And, after exploring the letter from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, and after hearing these suggestions, God wants you to answer this question for yourself;
“Is giving suppose to hurt.”
As you make up your mind, as you ponder God’s word, through Paul’s teachings, I ask the ushers to come forward; as you can now, cheerfully, enthusiastically, and with much confidence, present your offerings, before God, this morning.
Let’s Pray;
Dear Lord,
All we are and all we have are because of You. We have heard what Paul says about responsible, sacrificial giving; and now we offer these gifts, to symbolize and signify, our love for you, and our thankfulness – for all you do in our lives.
May these gifts be pleasing to you; Amen.
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