Posts

Bulletin for 5-22-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

5-22 Sam Pirozzo

5-25 Eleuterio & Lidia Oviedo

Prayer requests:

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

Jessie Phillips, friend of the Weeks’, heart attack, one stint

Sympathy: Our condolences to the family of Sandy Pryor. She passed away last Sunday and services were held Friday at Laurel Oaks. Please keep Buddy and family in your prayers.

Article:

Acceptable to God through Christ

If we compare man-made religions with Christianity, a stark contrast emerges. Christianity exhibits non-human characteristics. People did not dream this up.

 

For starters, let’s roll the clock back to the ancient Mesopotamian religions. At that time humans thought they sustained the gods by offering sacrifices. The Sumerians even believed their purpose involved saving the gods from having to work.

Reflecting a similar theme, the Akkadians claimed that the gods discovered just how dependent they were upon humanity after having decimated the human population with plagues and flood. The Mesopotamians were not unique.

Fast forward to the Greco-Roman culture of Paul’s day. Standing on the Aeropagus, Paul contrasted prevalent Roman notions regarding gods with the Creator of heaven and earth. “He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives life and breath and everything to everyone” (Acts 17:25).

Contrary to human thinking requiring humanity to first establish moral or spiritual merit before the divine acts, God is the initiator and provider.

  • God sends sunshine and rain upon all. Matthew 5:45
  • God provides for our physical needs and well being. Matthew 6:31-33; 1 Timothy 6:17
  • God has provided everything we need to be spiritually blessed. Ephesians 2:4-7; 2 Peter 1:3
  • God even provides these spiritual blessings to the worst of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15-16
  • God assembles Christians into a community that serves as his temple in which he dwells. Ephesians 2:21-22
  • And when we offer to God spiritual sacrifices, God has even provided the means for our sacrifices to be acceptable to him!

You yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

When people create a religious system, people don’t envision God graciously providing for all of our needs. Nor do they suggest that all of God’s provisions are offered to even the worst examples of humanity. Regardless of one’s past, the riches of God’s love remain available to those outside of Christ until they die.

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 5-8-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

5-10 Mark Grubbs

Prayer requests:

Sandy Pryor is in Hospice Care at Cheyenne Medical Lodge in Mesquite.

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 recovering from surgery.

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

Jessie Phillips, friend of the Weeks’, heart attack, one stint

Article:

Lose the world, win your soul

BY GARY C. HAMPTON — Every year someone makes a list of the world’s richest people. Some get on the list through years of hard work. Others make it because of dad’s money. Most consider everyone on the list to be among life’s winners. Jesus disagreed. He told his disciples,

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16.26 ESV.

The word “gains” simply means “wins.” That is how Paul uses it to describe his reason for preaching. “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them” 1 Corinthians 9.19. He went on to write,

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” 1 Corinthians 9.22-23.

The Lord is saying each of us has a choice. You and I can choose to win the world and lose our souls. Or, we can lose the world and win our souls. That is why the apostle declared,

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3.5-6.

Everyone likes to win, but Paul was willing to lose if it meant he could gain heaven. He could have bragged about his fleshly achievements. They included:

“circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” Philippians 3.5-6.

He gave up that substantial list of life achievements. He did it because he wanted to know Christ

“and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” Philippians 3.10-11.

I urge you to consider losing the world. It will lead to winning your soul in eternity.

link to original article

Bulletin for 5-1-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

5-3 Sandy Pryor

Prayer requests:

Sandy Pryor is in Hospice Care at Cheyenne Medical Lodge in Mesquite.

Dewey Prater, Dena’s father, had a pacemaker replacement Tuesday. All went well.

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 recovering from surgery.

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

Jessie Phillips, friend of the Weeks’, heart attack, one stint

Article:

The things that make for peace

“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!” (Luke 19:41-42, ESV).

As the world watches the carnage and devastation which has enveloped much of Ukraine, this heartfelt prayer of Jesus is especially relevant. He was approaching Jerusalem, probably cresting the Mount of Olives, and as the city appeared before him, he broke into tears, uttering the words cited above.

Jesus’ tears were motivated by several factors.

First there was his love for the city. This was the home of the Temple of God, built by Solomon based on plans revealed to his father David. It was the place which God had chosen in which his people could draw near to his presence and worship (Deuteronomy 12:5-7). Righteous kings had ruled from the city, prophets had proclaimed God’s messages to the people there, and many other wonderful events were associated with Israel’s historic capital.

That love, however, was complicated by his foreknowledge of the disaster which would soon come upon Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-24:28). In about 40 years from Jesus’ triumphant entry (Matthew 21:1-10) the Roman army would invade Judea, besiege and destroy Jerusalem, and destroy the Temple. After that invasion the Temple would never again stand on its site. Jesus knew that the Jews would rebel against Rome with disastrous results. That foreknowledge undoubtedly contributed to his sorrowful tears.

A third motive for Jesus’ grief was probably the fact that this destruction was avoidable. It did not have to happen. He lamented that the city’s inhabitants did not know “the things that make for peace.”

So often we humans experience suffering when it could have been avoided. “If” is one of the saddest words in the English language, especially when it is part of a phrase like, “If only I had …”

Jerusalem was the home of God; His word had been spoken there over more than 1000 years. God’s own Son was entering the city where he would teach for a week, after which he would be betrayed and executed. There was abundant opportunity for the Jewish people to have learned the things which would have given them peace. But they refused that knowledge, thereby sealing their destiny.

What are the things that make for peace? When Moses addressed the people of Israel before they crossed the Jordan to receive the land God was giving them, he commanded them:

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statues of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?”

If the people would simply honor God, love him, and obey his commands, God promised that they would inherit the land and “live long in it” (Deuteronomy 11:8-9). Failure to do all of those things would result in disaster (Deuteronomy 11:17).

This discussion of Jerusalem’s fate is obviously an Old Testament subject (Jesus lived under the Law of Moses), but it has relevance to our world today. God is still God — the creator and sustainer of the universe (Acts 17:24-28).

He has shown his love for humanity by sending his Son to provide salvation from sin (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). He continues to call believers to become his people and promises to be their God (1 Peter 2:9). And he continues to require of us that we love him, honor him, and obey his commandments.

Those who obey will be at peace (Philippians 4:4-7).

Michael Brooks, link to original article

Bulletin for 4-24-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Dewey Prater, Dena’s father, pacemaker replacement Tuesday

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 recovering from surgery.

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:

Two nameless prophets. One disturbing encounter. One powerful lesson.

Biblical narratives tell us what happened. They do not limit themselves to conveying what should have occurred.

As a result, it is not surprising to discover troubling details within some of these narratives. We can find ourselves asking, “why would he do that?” 1 Kings 13 contains such a story.

A nameless prophet from Judah, simply identified as “a man of God,” denounced the false worship at Bethel in Israel. After delivering God’s prophetic message he left Bethel to return to his home in Judah.

An old prophet who lived in Bethel chased after him. This old prophet invited the man of God to enter his house and eat with him.

The man of God responded that God had instructed him to neither eat nor drink in Israel. It is a good thing that Bethel was located just a handful of miles from Judah’s border!

The old prophet persisted by lying to the man of God.  He claimed that the LORD had told him to invite the man of God to eat bread and drink water with him in his house.

Why would a prophet lie? Does this upset you as much as me? Yet he did.

The man of God faced a decision. Would he obey what he had heard from God or would he obey this new message delivered by an old prophet?

As we know the man of God chose to disobey the instructions he had received from God. He entered the house to eat and drink. Then, because he disobeyed what God had commanded him, a lion killed him on his way home. Rough ending!

When I reflect on this story, a deep realization and resolve grows within. What matters is what God has actually said. It does not matter what others might claim God has said. Likewise their opinions are not a reliable standard.

We would do ourselves a great disservice if we dismiss the value of examining the Scriptures for ourselves. Like the Bereans we need to ensure we are following God voice (Acts 17:11).

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 4-17-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

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 recovering from surgery.

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.

David Shaffer, has been declared free of leukemia! Going back to work. Praise God!

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:

The desire to tell others about Jesus

“Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.” (Mark 7:31-32 NIV)

Trying to imagine what it was like to be in Israel in the first century when Jesus was there is difficult for us at the best of times. Here was a man, from outward appearance, but he was like the prophets of old. As he travelled he healed people as well as taught them the word of God. When Jesus would enter an area people who had heard about him would flock to see and hear him. Because he was known for healing people, they would bring those with them who were in need of healing.

When he was in the region of the Decapolis a man who was deaf and could hardly talk was brought to Jesus to be healed. Being deaf would make speech very difficult on its own, but it would seem that this man also had some type of speech impediment and was regarded as ‘mute’.

The Decapolis, literally ‘the ten cities’, was an area that was heavily influenced by Greek and Roman culture and was inhabited largely by Gentiles, but also had a Jewish population. Located primarily in modern Jordan, it was the area east of the Sea of Galilee, extending north and south, with the exception of Scythopolis (Beit She’an) in Israel.

“After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spat and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (which means ‘Be opened!’ ). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosed and he began to speak plainly.” (Mark 7:33-35 NIV)

Jesus healed people in a variety of ways. This time it was a bit unique, putting his fingers in the man’s ears, spitting and touching the man’s tongue, then looking up to heaven and saying, “Be opened!” Immediately the man could hear and “his tongue was loosened”, enabling him to speak properly (which lets us know that there was some type of speech impediment).

“Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. ‘He has done everything well,’ they said. ‘He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’” (Mark 7:36-37 NIV)

This is the amazing point of this incident. Although Jesus commanded those who saw this miracle to not tell anyone, they couldn’t help but to tell others! They couldn’t keep it to themselves!

What about us? We are the recipients of God’s love and great blessings. As Christians we have experienced forgiveness of our sins through the death of Jesus. We have the hope of living eternally with him because of his resurrection from the dead. All of these should cause us to be “overwhelmed with amazement”. But what do we do? Are we so amazed at what God has done for us through Jesus that we can’t help but tell others? Or are we afraid to tell others about Jesus?

This is a needed lesson for all Christians today. As disciples of Jesus we’ve been told to tell others the good news (Matthew 28:19-20). Maybe we’ve lost the amazement at all that Jesus has done for us. Although the pressure from many around us is to keep quiet about our faith, we need to be like the people of the Decapolis and tell all that we can about our Teacher and Saviour, Jesus the Messiah. The more they try to keep us quiet, the more we should keep talking about him!

Jon Galloway link to original article

Photo of Scythopolis, Israel, by Jon Galloway.

Bulletin for 4-10-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

4-16 Maksim Camacho

Prayer requests:

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 recovering from surgery.

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.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia.

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

Condolences and Sympathy:

Camille Crossen, friend of the Reames’, passed away this week. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Article:

God most high

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand’” (Genesis 14:18-20, NASB).

When Abram returned to the plains of the Jordon River after rescuing his nephew Lot and other citizens of the cities of the plains from the Mesopotamian armies who had captured them, he was met by the King of Sodom and by Melchizedek. This second man is identified as both the King of Salem and a priest of “God Most High”. The Hebrew for this title is “El Elyon.“

This title for God conveys various meanings including priority of position (“highest”), and therefore of order (“first”), and ultimately, supreme authority. Technically it may not demand a monotheistic view of God, but practically speaking it at least led to such faith. If God is the highest and most powerful of all beings, he is of course the only one to whom the title “God” may be logically attributed. “Most High” implies “only” just as does the description “Lord of Lords and King of Kings” (1 Timothy 6:15).

Abram accepted the blessing which Melchizedek bestowed from God Most High, but he also amended the priest’s identification of the one true God slightly, by adding the personal name of God, Yahweh, which is translated in our English Bibles by the word “LORD” spelled with all capital letters. Lest there be any doubt as to who exactly this supreme God is, the patriarch identified him by name (Exodus 3:13-14).

One is reminded of Paul’s sermon in Athens (Acts 17:22-31) in which he identified the “unknown god” to whom they had erected an altar as the creator and giver of all life. Their worship of such a deity without recognition of his identity, nature, or will, was unacceptable and unprofitable.

Many today argue that faith in any god, regardless of who it may be or how he or it may be perceived is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of salvation. Both Abram and Paul stand in opposition to such a view. God must be known (2 Thessalonians 1:8), he must be submitted to (Matthew 4:10), and his will must be obeyed (Matthew 7:21).

We worship whom we know (John 4:22). The God whom we worship and serve is the Creator (Genesis 1:1), the Father of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:30-32), the God of the Bible, and the only living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Our God is “eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Timothy 1:17). He is “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). God is love (1 John 4:8) and has given his Son so that sinful mankind might have the hope of salvation (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).

Abram’s meeting with Melchizedek reminds us of the importance of properly recognizing and identifying exactly who God is. Our faith is not simply an impulse to plea for help from “whoever might be out there” whether person or force. Rather, “He who comes to God must blieve that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Image to this article is courtesy of Jan van ‘t Hoff of GospelImages.com.

Michael Brooks, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-20-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

 

Prayer requests:

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 recovering from surgery.

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.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke.

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

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Condolences and Sympathy:

Marilyn Jones services were held yesterday, keep Karl in your prayers.

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Expectation of judgment

What kind of a judgment do you expect?

In some lands people can expect injustice. They know that the state is corrupt and the judicial system is a farce. In other places the judicial system is built on noble ideas, but local corruption or animosity may sway judgment. In most countries the quality of judgment has varied by area and time throughout that nation’s history.

The quality of earthly judgments is determined, in part, by the quality of the written law, the quality of those applying and enforcing the laws, and the quality of those involved in the determining of guilt. (No doubt there are more variables than these.) Easily we can see that an unjust law, or an incompetent official, or a biased judge or jury, can greatly impact the quality of the judgments rendered.

We should strive for the ideal, but we must still grapple with the practical reality that we are flawed human beings.

While many of us will never appear before a judge or a magistrate, or be tried by a panel of our peers, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV). There will come a day when when every knee will bow and every tongue will praise God and each of us will give an account of himself to God (see Romans 14:11, 12).

The Hebrews writer states that if Christians continue walking in sin, they cannot look forward to another sacrifice to save them. What they can expect — and fearfully so — is judgment (Hebrews 10:27). What type of judgment should we expect?

Do we expect a flawed judgment where either by ignorance, incompetence, or intentional action we are misjudged? Will we cry foul and seek appeals? No! And let us thank God for that.

While either the appearance of misjustice, or the actuality of it, is far too common in the world, neither will be present in the judgment that comes at the end of the world.

That judgment will be without controversy, for the sitting judge is also the very author of life, the creator and sustainer of it, and the one sent to save it. His righteousness has been on display since creation in every century of human existence, and in every corner of nature.

Abraham’s piercing question, “Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25), demonstrates the necessity of this great Judge to be just, to be righteous. As important as it is for a judge over temporal matters to be right it is infinitely more imperative that the Judge over eternal matters is righteous.

Paul argues for God’s righteousness in Romans 3, in light of the Gentiles being welcomed and some Jews condemned. If God is unrighteous in a temporal judgment, as some might allege, Paul states that would disqualify him from judging the world (Romans 3:6). Praise God that he is a “righteous judge” (Psalm 7:11), who judges the world with righteousness (Psalm 9:8).

He who loves all, sees all, and can discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). That should be a comfort to us that our fleeting thoughts are looked upon differently than those we ponder and wish to realize. The Lord will “bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Perhaps this is terrifying. Let us also realize that the judge on that day will be the Son of Man (2 Corinthians 5:10; Acts 17:31). While he will judge righteously, he also wishes to be merciful. We can be “justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). For God is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26).

Who can stand confidently before the judgment of God? Those who are justified in Jesus.

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

The standard is clear, the Judge is just. A righteous judgment awaits us all.

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-13-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

3-16 Karl & Marilyn Jones

Prayer requests:

Marilyn Jones went to her reward Saturday morning about 5:35. Services pending. Keep Karl in your prayers!

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 recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo recovering from knee replacement surgery

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

Gary & Sally Nelson, Gary’s dental surgery went well.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke.

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

Condolences and Sympathy:

Marilyn Jones, keep Karl in your prayers.

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Judges with evil motives

“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,’ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?” (James 2:1-4 NASB).

When we consider the Biblical teaching about judging others, we often fail to consider what one could call inadvertent or unconscious judgment. Our fundamental attitudes, which we base our behavior upon, frequently include pre-judging, or as we most often term it, “prejudice.” Etymologically, prejudice is the act of making a decision before considering all of the facts. More practically, as used in our society, it is the set of convictions which we hold which determines our interactions with others. Racial and social prejudices are only some of those.

James’ condemnation of prejudice against certain social classes is a practical application of Jesus’ command, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1). To practice favoritism on the basis of social class, economics, or race (among many other distinguishing features) is to judge unjustly.

Some such prejudices are obvious and widely disapproved in modern society. Others may be more subtle. One’s accent, style of dress, occupation, or almost any other distinctive feature may mark him as less acceptable or of lower “quality” in the eyes of some. We remember the ethnic jokes so popular a few decades ago, and the “Irish need not apply” signs that were said to be prevalent in parts of the U.S. in the nineteenth century.

The pervasive danger of such judgments is the ease with which they can become ingrained in a person, group, or entire culture. For example, people of Jewish heritage have suffered persecution including genocidal pogroms over much of the world for centuries. During the Spanish Inquisition many faithful Christians were imprisoned and killed because they were Jewish, even when their conversion was obviously sincere. Anti-Semitism has flourished almost without thought or intention on the part of millions. It simply seems to be the way things are.

But whatever the prejudice, it is wrong, anti-Christian, and ungodly. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is not limited to those in the same town or region, or to those who look like ourselves.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, told to apply the command to love one’s neighbor, the one who was a good neighbor was of different ethnicity and of a despised social order. But he was the neighbor, not the religious officials of the same ethnic group and nationality who ignored the needs of the man who was beaten and robbed (Luke 10:30-37).

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the lesson taught by Paul in his sermon in Athens:

“He (that is, God) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:26).

All humans are God’s children, made after his image. To practice favoritism or discrimination is to challenge God’s love for his whole creation. It is to judge by a standard which we could not bear to have applied to ourselves. James declared that those who do this dishonor those whom they judge, and, even worse, they blaspheme Jesus Christ (James 2:6-7).

Bulletin for 3-6-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

3-6 Gladys Ramirez

3-8 Dena Weeks

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, recovering from thyroid surgery.

Marilyn Jones is at Lakepointe Hospital. Brain tumors are causing breathing issues. Pray hard.

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 recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo recovering from knee replacement surgery

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

Gary & Sally Nelson, Gary’s dental surgery Thursday.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke.

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

Condolences and Sympathy:

Charles Couch passed away last week. Also, another classmate of Steve’s, Benny Garner, passed away.

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

The pilgrim’s place

The founder of Forthright has lived in Brazil since 1984. Current regular contributors to this publication live and work in countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Though published in English, one might say that this is an international affair.

Yet in a very real way that is a misnomer. While the writers — and readers — of Forthright live in various places all over this globe, as Christians we are all citizens of the same country.

There have been many good articles written about our pilgrimage on this earth. You can see some of them here

In one very real sense, Christians are all wanderers, exiles, pilgrims. We are strangers in a strange land (see 1 Peter 2:11). God’s people have a history of being strangers.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in tents in a foreign land.

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

David claimed the mantle of a sojourner or “foreign resident” (Psalm 39:12; Psalm 119:19).

Perhaps the best preparation for the Christian exile is that of the Babylonian captivity. All those carried away lived in exile in a foreign land (see Jeremiah 29:1).

While the New Testament makes clear that Christians are strangers on earth, we are not hopelessly homeless.

Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus who were once connected with the kingdoms of this world but disconnected from the kingdom of God.

“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11, 12).

Those who are not a part of God’s kingdom today share the same designation as those in Ephesus before they came to Christ. They are citizens of the kingdoms of men, but aliens to the eternal kingdom.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

What happened?

They have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13), who gave them access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). They were delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of the Father’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).

Those who were once at home on earth, have found a new home. Note the contrast in Colossians 1:13 (ESV, LEB), between the “domain of darkness” and the “kingdom” of his beloved son.

From an earthly perspective, Christians are sojourners, pilgrims, exiles, and aliens. But from a heavenly perspective, we are fellow citizens with the saints, part of the everlasting kingdom of the Most High (see Daniel 7:13, 14, 27).

Contemplate for a moment the implications of this phrase, “fellow citizens with the saints.”

This means that I am connected to the fellow saints who contribute to Forthright, not in some nebulous or tenuous way, but we are fellow citizens of the same kingdom!

Christians all over the world, in every country where they may be found, are joined into one everlasting kingdom.

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever” (Micah 4:1-5).

The prophet’s vision of this great kingdom is a reality.  May it press upon our minds and sink deep within our hearts.

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 2-27-22

/in /by

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

3-1 Mauricio Ramirez

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, recovering from thyroid surgery.

Marilyn Jones is not doing well. Some new developments in her brain scans… keep praying.

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 recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo recovering from knee replacement surgery

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

Gary & Sally Nelson, Gary’s dental surgery rescheduled due to icy weather.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke.

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

Condolences and Sympathy:

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Loving the brotherhood

“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17 ESV).

What is “the brotherhood”? It is the “family of believers” (NET), “God’s people” (CEV), who have become brothers and sisters in the Lord (see Philemon 1:16).

Loving the brotherhood is not an option, but a command. It is essential that we love God’s people. God loved us, and “anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). Loving God is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37), and love of neighbor as self is second (Matthew 22:38), upon these two depend all the law and prophets (Matthew 22:39).

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20).

Loving the brotherhood includes liking it.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:9, 10).

Our selfless love (agape), must be authentic. It leads us to hate sin (Jude 1:23), and cling to what is good (1 Peter 3:10-11). But that selfless love also includes affection, which drives us to be “devoted to one another” (NET). Instead of desiring places of honor for ourselves, we urge them for others. Instead of pushing for recognition, we push to recognize others.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).

Loving the brotherhood requires sacrifice.

God demonstrates his love for us through his sacrifice (John 3:16; Romans 5:8, 9; John 15:13). If we love God we will sacrifice (Luke 9:23, 24). If we love the brothers we will sacrifice.

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).

Love compels us to sacrifice our time (Hebrews 10:22-25), our comforts (1 John 3:17, 18; James 2:16), and our rights (Romans 14:15).

Love impels us to speak when the body of Christ is in peril. The Scriptures detail many different approaches to dealing with error (e.g., 2 John 9; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; 1 Timothy 5:19-20). Restoring the fallen comes with risks. Yes, we risk the anger of those in sin. We risk accusations from those without and within. But love will gladly bear that burden time and again.

Love seeks unity in truth.

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

When we are baptized into Christ, we are added to the church that he purchased (Acts 2:47; 20:28). Christ established the brotherhood. He establishes fellowship.

Our task is not to make or break the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” but to maintain it (Ephesians 4:3). This takes work. Left to our own, we might “bite and devour one another,” and like the Pac-Man game, we will consume each other (Galatians 5:15). Yet it is the power of love that directs us away from such destruction (Galatians 5:14).

Our influence in our community is tied to our unity in truth. In his prayer to the Father, Jesus asked the Father to “sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). He sent those who were sanctified in truth into the world. Their unity — based upon the unity of the Father and the Son — would determine how the world recognized them (John 17:21-23). But Jesus also prayed this very thing for you (John 17:20).

When brothers abuse and malign us, we are called to peace (Romans 12:18). We are to love those who hate us; and to those who give to us evil, we return good (Romans 12:17-21).

Truth is the foundation of love.

A man of God must not insist on his own way (1 Corinthians 13:5), but he must insist on truth. If love is the foundation of unity, truth is the foundation of love. Unity is just an illusion if it is not based upon truth.

Love the brotherhood by cherishing it, sacrificing for it, and being united in it in truth.

Lee Parish, link to original article