Bulletin for 8-27-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

8-28 David & Rosibel Mendoza

8-30 Jennifer Mendoza

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Stacey Esner, injured leg, on crutches at the moment.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, some better

Marvin Weeks, surgery on neck Monday.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. PT for knee.

Dewey Prater, heart echo tomorrow.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, kidney disease

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

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Taste and see

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1-3 NIV)

How do we know if something tastes good or not? You would think that the obvious answer would be to take a bite! But often this is not what we do.

I remember how my children reacted when I introduced a new dish to them. First they would look at it. Did it look appealing? Then they would smell it – did it smell good? (There is actually good sense in the smelling because this is part of how we taste.) As they got older they would ask to see the recipe to see what it contained. But the only real way to know if something tastes good is to try it.

The Psalmist (we believe it was David when he was acting insane; at least this is what the preamble states) said this:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalms 34:8).

In this Psalm he gives the reasons why he believes that when we taste the Lord we will find him good. When he prayed God answered him and delivered him from his fears. God helps the poor out of their troubles. God camps around those who follow him and delivers them. God makes sure his people lack no good thing. God rescues his servants and doesn’t condemn those who take refuge in him. In other words, as far as David was concerned, the evidence was in: he had tried God and found him to be good!

But how can we taste God?

“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalms 34:12-14)

Following and serving God requires a person to live their life for God. They needed to live changed lives in what they said, in what they did, and in what they pursued.

Isn’t this what Peter wrote here? We have to get rid of everything in our lives that are evil: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. Those cannot be part of the life of God’s people. Sadly, this seems to be what many around us crave, as can be seen in how they live their lives and what they post on social media.

Instead, we are to “crave pure spiritual milk”. Milk, we realise, is necessary for babies to grow and develop. Spiritual milk is necessary for new Christians to “grow up in your salvation”. But what exactly is this “spiritual milk”? If we check the context by reading the verses before this, we discover that Peter is talking about God’s word (keep in mind that the chapter breaks were not part of Peter’s letter and often break the continuity of thought).

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:22-25)

It is when we spend time in God’s word, see how God interacted and blessed people in the past and see the instructions he has for us and the blessings that are promised, we see that he is, indeed, good.

Maybe the question for us is this: have we tasted God to see that he is good? If we haven’t we need to give him a try.

Image by Ryan McGuire from pixabay.com. Free for use.

Jon Galloway, link to original article

Bulletin for 8-20-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

8-24 Ruben Turcios, Jr

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, some better

Marvin Weeks, surgery on neck next Monday.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. PT for knee.

Dewey Prater, heart echo tomorrow.

Toni Parrish, Dena’s sister, several procedures this week.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, kidney disease

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

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Sarah Ussery, Chris Girvin’s sister, funeral this week. Keep family in your prayers as they travel.

Preparing for eternity

As you read through the books of the Law you discover that the Israelites were introduced to a system of sacrifices. Animals were killed and offered to make restitution for something someone had done. Once each year the high priest entered the inner room of the tabernacle with blood of an animal to deal with his sin as well as the sin of the nation. The problem was that he had to do this each year. Why? Because the blood of animals, the sacrifices they made, were unable to get rid of the sin.

“This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings – external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” (Hebrews 9:9-10 NIV)

What was this ‘new order’? It was Jesus coming to pay the price for our sin. He didn’t do this with the blood of more animals but he came with his own blood, “so obtaining eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). Finally there was a way to deal with sin once and for all. This was not just for people of his time or those who lived afterwards, but his blood took care of the sins of those who offered the sacrifices under the first covenant.

“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15)

Have you thought about that? Jesus not only paid for our sins when he died on the cross, but his blood stretched back to take care of the sins of those who lived before his time. That is powerful cleansing! And he only had to do it once!

“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:24-28)

What is this saying to us? It tells us that Jesus’ one-time sacrifice of himself dealt with the sin of the world. He didn’t have to make an offering over and over again as the high priest did for many centuries. He did it once in order to deal with sin forever. He did this by offering himself as the sacrifice.

The forgiveness Jesus offers is available now. But we only have the present time to take advantage of this. When we die we will face judgment. When Jesus returns it will not be to deal with sin because he has already done that. If we are holding out for a ‘second chance’ this scripture tells us we must use our time here to prepare for eternity.

When Jesus comes the next time it will be “to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him”. Are we ready? Are we waiting for him and looking forward to his coming?

Image by Didgeman from pixabay.com. Free for use.

Jon Galloway, link to original article

Bulletin for 8-13-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez tests on stomach.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, some better

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. PT for knee.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, kidney disease

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

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Sarah Ussery, Chris Girvin’s sister, passed away this week. Keep family in your prayers.

Whatever happened to being good?

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle towards everyone.” (Titus 3:1-2 NIV)

As you read through Paul’s conclusion to his letter to Titus, the description of what Christians are to be stands in stark contrast to the world around us today. In fact, it is quite a contrast to many who call themselves followers of Jesus.

In our politically-polarised world much of this seems to be out the window. Rather than encouraging all to be subject to whoever is in government we instead hear slander and ways to get around the law. As far as being peaceable, considerate, and gentle, many Christians are known for stirring up controversy and being anything but these things. Yet when we read the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ – what we are to be producing in our lives as Christians – we find these front and centre. And the contrast doesn’t stop there.

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9-11)

Christians are not to be involved in quarrels and arguments and are definitely not to be dividing Christians. Yet, sadly, this is what we so often see. It seems the political turmoil around us is spilling over into our lives as Christians. What has gone wrong?

I would suggest that what has happened to Christians today is the same as was happening when Paul wrote to Titus. Christians have forgotten all that Jesus has done for us. Although living full of hate and malice might characterise those living around us, we put that away when we chose to follow Jesus.

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” (Titus 3:3-8)

This is what being a Christian is all about! Getting rid of deception and being enslaved to our passions and pleasures and getting rid of hatred. These were part of the old life we lived in the past before we were born again through the “washing of rebirth” and were renewed by the Holy Spirit. Our lives are now to be different because of what Jesus has done and the relationship we now have with him.

In a nutshell, we need to be devoted “to doing what is good”. It really is that simple. We are to be helpful, encouraging, and live lives of peace and harmony. We are to encourage each other and be gentle to everyone. This is what we are to be like if we are really following Jesus.

“These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

Image by joojoo41 from pixabay.com. Free for use.

Jon Galloway, link to original article

Bulletin for 8-6-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

8-10 Wendi Camacho

8-11 Vanessea Chance

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez tests on stomach.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, some better

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. PT for knee.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, kidney disease

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

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Sarah Ussery, Chris Girvin’s sister, in hospice care after long fight with cancer.

Even them

“Even them I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7 NKJV).

In the Law of Moses there were certain classes of people who were not to be admitted to “the assembly of Israel” or be allowed to participate in its worship in the tabernacle and temple (Leviticus 21:16-23). Isaiah prophesied concerning some of those classes (probably intended to be understood as representing all those previously banned) that, at some point in his future, “even they” would receive God’s blessings and be included as part of his chosen people.

God has never forgotten or rejected the masses of humanity with whom he did not establish a covenant relationship, either through Moses or through Christ. The Bible is filled with references to his being the creator of the entire world, including all of humanity, and of his love and compassion for all of mankind. So the prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, ‘Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him’” (Isaiah 56:8).

It is this conviction, that all mankind lives within the scope of the love of God, that drives mission activity. And not only that, but all of mankind also lives within accountability to God’s laws and will (Romans 3:9, 23). This was the basis for the Great Commission given by Jesus to his apostles (and all Christians) just before his ascension (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).

No land is too remote for the Gospel to reach. No peoples are so poor, or immoral, or idolatrous that it is useless to attempt to proclaim the good news of salvation to them. “God so loved the world” (John 3:16) speaks just as clearly today as it did in the first century.

The greatest barrier to fulfillment of Jesus’ command is not expense or governmental anti-evangelistic interference. Neither is it persecution, though there is much more persecution of Christians today than most American Christians imagine. The greatest barrier to evangelism is the indifference of far too many to the plight of the lost — especially those lost who are not just like us.

John wrote, “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). We are not the sole object of God’s love, nor of Jesus’ sacrifice. John is not teaching universal salvation, but rather universal potential. Jesus’ blood is available to anyone, anywhere, and anytime, who will turn to him in obedient trust.

But they can turn only when they know of Jesus. Paul reminds us,

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent . . . So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:13-15a, 16).

Billions of people whom God brought to life and whom he loves live today without knowledge of Jesus. It is both the burden and the privilege of the Church to reach out to them with God’s saving message. Let us never be indifferent to their plight or blind to our opportunities to help them.

Michael Brooks, link to original article