Bulleting for 6-26-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

6-24 Giovanni Mendoza

6-28 Mauricio & Gladys Ramirez

6-30 Regena Reames

Prayer requests:

Sam & Alice Pirozzo have been fighting the covid virus.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him. His granddaughter, Michelle, scheduled for surgery

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, having some breathing problems due to treatments.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, had a fall this week.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, finished chemo, declared in remission.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, doing fairly well

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

And he delivered them

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble” (Psalm 107:2).

The history of God and his people is one of faithfulness and fickleness. God is faithful to his promises, to himself, and to truth. His people are fickle with regard to their commitments, to their relationships, and to intellectual consistency.

God is not us, and that is why he is worthy to be praised. He is always good. His steadfast love endures forever. Therefore, we should give thanks to Jehovah!

The 107th Psalm calls the wise to “consider the steadfast love of the LORD” (Psalm 107:43). It beautifully demonstrates God’s goodness and power as he delivers men from weariness to rest (vv. 4-9), from darkness to light (vv. 10-16), from sickness to health (vv. 17-22), and from danger to safety (vv. 22-31).

The structure of this Psalm shows the condition of some of God’s people, their petition to Jehovah, their salvation by his mighty hand, and an invitation to praise him. Let’s examine the structure in two of these sections.

From weariness to rest (Psalm 107:4-9)

Their condition: “Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.”

Their petition: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble”

Their salvation: “and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.”

Their invitation: “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

From darkness to light (Psalm 107:10-16)

Their condition: “Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.”

Their petition: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble”

Their salvation: “and he delivered them from their distress.”

Their invitation: “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.”

In the first case, the people were weary from wandering. Despite their best efforts they could find no rest, no permanent dwelling. They were without food and water, and their souls fainted within them.

Without God we are all lost and without direction. We might know we are lost, but we lack the vision to find rest. As the great shepherd, God gives direction to his people. His laws hem them in, his mercy leads them to nourishment and rest.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:9-11).

In the second case, the people were punished because of their rebellion. They rejected the words of God and spurned his counsel. Their disobedience led to darkness, their defiance to the doorway of death.

Sin binds and blinds us. Sin enslaves us and darkens our understanding of the freedom in Christ. The path of wickedness is darkness, “but the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn” (Proverbs 4:18).

God has, “delivered us out of the domain of darkness” (Colossians 1:13), and called us “into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Psalm 107 is instructive to the Christian. It may be ignorance, rebellion, foolishness, or weakness that has caused you to be in distress. Whatever the cause, the solution is the same. In humility cry out to the LORD, he is faithful to deliver you.

Let us all thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the children of man!

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 6-19-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him. His granddaughter, Michelle, scheduled for surgery

Abby Garza recovering from her surgery

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, having some breathing problems due to treatments.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, finished chemo, declared in remission.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, doing fairly well

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

The power of perspective

“LORD, you have always been fair whenever I have complained to you. However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice. Why are wicked people successful? Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives? You plant them like trees and they put down their roots. They grow prosperous and are very fruitful. They always talk about you, but they really care nothing about you.” (Jeremiah 12:1, 2 NET).

Perhaps you have asked the same questions as Jeremiah. Why are the wicked successful? Why do liars have such easy lives? These people speak of God but care nothing for him. Why does it appear that justice eludes them?

Habakkuk had similar concerns:

“Why do you force me to witness injustice? Why do you put up with wrongdoing? Destruction and violence confront me; conflict is present and one must endure strife. For this reason the law lacks power, and justice is never carried out. Indeed, the wicked intimidate the innocent. For this reason justice is perverted” (Habakkuk 1:3, 4).

Do your eyes visit the same images as Habakkuk? Do you see violence, wrongdoing, conflict, and strife, but not justice?

God answered his beloved prophets, but the answer was not a pleasant one. He gave his servants divine perspective that those who transgressed God would be punished.

The Psalmist admits that, as he looked upon the wicked, he was tempted.

“But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. For In envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked. For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do” (Psalm 73:2-5).

Asaph views the path of the wicked  as a smooth and prosperous one. They are arrogant and violent, their thoughts are sinful, they mock and threaten violence, they speak as though they own heaven and earth, yet they flourish.

These thoughts would make anyone ponder why they have devoted themselves to Jehovah. As Jeremiah suffered for the Most High, so Asaph claims to “suffer all day long” (Psalm 73:14). His pure lifestyle was lived “in vain,” he reasoned (Psalm 73:13). He was understandably troubled.

While God spoke to his prophets and gave them insight into his plans for his wicked people, Asaph finds perspective in another more relatable way. Asaph “entered the precincts of God’s temple” (Psalm 73:17). In other words, Asaph went to worship. His mind was focused on the physical, but when he drew near to God, his perspective changed. Now he “understood the destiny of the wicked,” or as the ESV translates it, “I discerned their end” (Psalm 73:17).

In the present we are only viewing a sliver of reality. God, who dwells in eternity, and who discerns the beginning from the end, reminds us that eternal judgment awaits all. The wicked may prosper in this life, but they live in a spiritual wasteland.

Asaph admits to being “ignorant,” lacking “insight,” and being “senseless” (Psalm 73:22). It is not easy to admit to ignorance, but when we are reminded of God’s greatness, his goodness, and his glory, we can confess to our sin of shortsightedness.

Worship was spiritually centering for Asaph. It reminded him of what was eternally important. When we praise God, we take our minds off of the physical and focus our hearts on the spiritual.

“Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth. My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability. Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you. But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done” (Psalm 73:25-28).

When life has you confused, when your faith is being tested, when you are at the end of your rope, go to God. Worship him in humility, pray to him with honesty, read his Word with discernment, remind yourself of who he is and what he wants you to become. In worship your heart can be settled and your perspective refined.

Lee Parish, link to original article

 

Bulletin for 6-12-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

6-12 David Weeks

Prayer requests:

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him.

Abby Garza recovering from her surgery

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, having some breathing problems due to treatments.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, finished chemo, declared in remission.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke. New living situation!

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Agency, autonomy, and unity

The New Testament pattern calls for congregational autonomy, Christian agency, and unity in truth.

Autonomy refers to “the quality or state of being self-governing.” Agency broadly means the “ability to take action or to choose what action to take.” One might define unity as “oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement.”

Each congregation is subject to Jesus who is head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22), and has all authority (Matthew 28:18). Each congregation submits to the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21; James 2:8). No authority in scripture can be found for an overarching human institution that gives direction to the local body.

Elders shepherd the flock which is among them (1 Peter 5:2). No eldership may demand submission from outside congregations, either near or far.

Each individual is responsible for his or her own behavior. Sin is attributed to the sinner, not to the friends or family of the person. The principle of the soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20) has always been true.

Each person is given agency to make decisions in his life. Every person has the freedom to choose to obey or reject Christ. Every Christian has the ability to walk in the light or in darkness (see 1 John 1:5-10).

Each congregation has autonomy and each Christian has agency; however, that does not mean that congregations and Christians have no role to play in the work and lives of others.

Congregations should expect help from other congregations. The local body has a responsibility to help those of its number financially (see Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 5:16, 18). But moments may arise when everyone is overburdened. It is then that help from the outside should be given (1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5). If a congregation needs help with evangelism or with defense of the truth, other congregations should step up (2 Corinthians 11:8; see also Acts 13:1-3).

Individuals should expect help from other Christians. We are joined together in a family. Note carefully the instructions that Paul gives Timothy, “Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters – with complete purity” (1 Timothy 5:1, 2). Over and again Christians are referred to as brother or sister (Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2:13; Philemon 1:1, et al.). This is natural because we are God’s children (1 John 3:1), and members of his household (Ephesians 2:19).

Each Christian must carry his own load (Galatians 6:5), but we are to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). The help we should expect is not just financial or emotional support but spiritual guidance and correction.

“Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too” (Galatians 6:1).

Kindly confronting the sin of others is a responsibility of Christians, and something to which all Christians should submit (Ephesians 5:21). Paul said that “there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections, who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught” (Titus 1:10, 11) The solution is that Titus was to “rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith” (Titus 1:13). Our goal is never to win an argument but to win souls to Christ (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

Likewise, when congregations begin to head down a wrong path, and elders and preachers proclaim that which is not in accord with sound doctrine, other congregations have an obligation to help. Out of love for each Christian and for the purity of the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33), we must act with caution, humility, and love.

While each congregation is autonomous, and every Christian has agency, we are united in Christ. Let us all do our best to walk according to the rule and to promote peace and truth among God’s people.

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 6-5-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

6-7 Steve & Dena Weeks

Prayer requests:

Paul Tyler has Parkinson’s. Please pray for him.

Abby Garza had her surgery Wed. should return home tomorrow.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, her cancer seems to be under control for the moment.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still taking treatments for her pancreatic cancer.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo recovering from knee replacement surgery

Doris Coley, regular listener, also recovering from knee surgery.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke. New living situation!

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Skills, heroes and role models

“Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right” (Isaiah 5:22-23).

In the frontier days of America there was a rather notorious “river-man” named Mike Fink who frequently boasted, “I can outrun, out fight, and out drink anyone here!” Maybe he could, but are those skills of which one should be proud?

The prophet Isaiah pronounced woes upon those whose greatest exploits involved alcohol, bribes, and injustice. It is desirable to develop our abilities, but only if those abilities involve doing good, not evil.

The hero word is tossed about carelessly in our culture today. Athletes, singers, actors, and many other celebrities are held before us as role models, experts on what is good for us, and heroic figures. Is one really a hero because he can pass for 4,000 yards in an NFL season? Or because she can handle a soccer ball with her feet more deftly than most? Does making a platinum album qualify someone to serve as an example of character for our children? Or does beauty and acting skill prepare them for advising us on the proper philosophy of life?

A key part of the definition of “hero” is: “[someone] admired for his achievements and noble qualities.” Accomplishments alone do not create a hero. Character is a necessary component. We admire the great athlete or beautiful actress, but their physical gifts do not qualify them as examples for our lives. Even less should we seek to follow those whose “great” deeds are unwholesome or evil.

I am often amused at the list of world records maintained by Guinness. Who really cares how long the biggest strawberry shortcake was? Or who had the most pairs of shoes in their closets? I get it that there is a fascination with such facts, and that those records allow otherwise “ordinary” people to get their name in a book. But does that make their accomplishment heroic? Of course not.

When it comes to admiring someone to the point of making them our primary example and guide, there is only one best choice. That, of course, is Jesus.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Paul urged, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Human role models qualify for that honor by setting their eyes on Jesus and molding their character after his.

“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).

Some skills are to be avoided. Living according to the pattern set by Jesus is to be praised and imitated. Let us select our heroes carefully.

Michael Brooks, link to original article