Posts

Bulletin for 5-29-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

6-3 Julie Best

6-4 Steven & Michelle Best

Prayer requests:

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

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 Carl Brown. He passed away last Wednesday and services were held Saturday at Laurel Oaks. Please keep April, Christie and family in your prayers.

Article:

by Michael Brooks, link to original article

The value of a soul

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 ESV).

World news is dominated by the invasion of the Ukraine by Russian troops. As I write this article this war is approximately six weeks old and shows no signs of abating soon. World leaders, especially those of Europe and America, are loudly condemning Russia’s actions and calling for them to withdraw and for investigation of possible “War Crimes” to be conducted.

Yet, despite the great outrage, there are clear, definable limits to what those leaders and their nations are willing to do to protect and defend innocent Ukrainians from aggression. Since the Ukraine is not a part of NATO and lacks other treaty commitments with its neighbors, all of those outspoken leaders have made it clear that they will not take up arms against Russia for the sake of Ukraine.

I do not mean this to sound judgmental; I am simply stating the facts as reported frequently by news agencies. But it seems justified to analyze this position by stating, in the eyes of world leaders, one small, unaffiliated nation is not worth risking an outbreak of a World War, with possible deployment of nuclear weapons.

In contrast we are taught in the Bible, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Unlike humans, God gave everything so that even one person might be saved from eternal destruction in Hell because of sin.

The contrast is amazing. God loves so much more, so much better, than do humans. He gave his most precious possession to spare sinners from punishment which they deserve. Alliances with friends, family, or nations may disappoint us. Trust in God will never fail. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2) therefore we believe and depend upon his promises. He knows our needs (Matthew 6:32) and wants what is best for us (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

The caution of world leaders in the face of threat is understandable. Many of us probably agree with their positions and decisions in this regard. God’s level of love doesn’t really make sense to logical people. Why would he do so much for those who have rejected him and defied his authority? Are immoral persons, drug traffickers, thieves, and murderers really worth such concern? Speaking as humans, probably not. But God views them differently.

God is their creator who brought them into the world and “determined . . . allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26). He is their Father, not spiritually so long as they remain in sin, but as the source of their being. He longs for their return to fellowship, for the opportunity to grant them redemption and adoption back into his family. And he has shown the lengths to which he will go to make that happen.

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his only Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).

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 4-17-22

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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 4-3-22

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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, 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:

Jesse Chase, Steve’s cousin’s son, passed away this week. Please keep Lisa & Russell Chase and family in your prayers.

Article:

The Judge

Even when driving the speed limit, nervousness erupts upon seeing a police car in the rearview mirror. The predictable behavior might be to slow down another mile per hour or casually change lanes.

If this is true about being within the gaze of an officer, how much more anxiety would arise beneath the scrutiny of a judge. Shift this to the Judge of all the earth and, well … anxiety can go off the charts. So what about the Judge of the whole earth?

From the very beginning, we have had a sense of what is fair. Righteous people should not be destroyed along with the wicked. Therefore Abraham when speaking to the LORD asserted the principle, “Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” (Genesis 18:25).

Imagine how horrible it would be to live each day seeking to do good, but then in the final judgment be condemned without good reason. Or imagine being condemned for what others chose to do.

Paul affirmed how every nuance of God’s judgment will be fair. Whereas in this life we might face prejudice from others, there will be no favoritism before God (Romans 2:11). Rather, God’s foundational principle in judging involves giving to each person according to what he or she has done (Romans 2:6). At the end of time we won’t be judged based upon what our social or ethnic groups chose to do.

Paul’s mind pressed further into the details. But how can people who do not know God’s ways know the good they should do or the unrighteousness they should avoid?

God will judge everyone based upon what they knew to be right and wrong. Those who possessed God’s Law will be judged by it (Romans 2:12-13). The rest of humanity will be judged by their conscience, that is by their awareness of right and wrong (Romans 2:14-15). This is fair!

Thus no one will be condemned because they were in the wrong place and never heard God’s message. Rather, condemnation will be issued if someone transgressed what he or she knew to be right. However, such fairness creates a huge problem.

Each of us knows we have transgressed what is right. While we may have chosen to do many good things, we are accountable for everything that violated the good.

This brings us to another characteristic of our Judge. Both the Old and New Testaments teach us the same truth about God. God said, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). Likewise, God does not wish for any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Not only is God just, God also seeks our wellbeing.

As we are aware, it was out of love that the Judge of all the earth chose to provide a solution for our sinful ways. While God will not corrupt his righteous judgment by turning a blind eye to sin, God has provided his faithful son as our mercy seat, that is, the place Christ’s sprinkled blood redeems us if we will trust in his death (Romans 3:22-26).

Through Christ’s blood, God redeems us making us holy and blameless in his sight. We can receive Christ’s righteousness as a gift enabling us to inherit eternal life.

What will it be like to stand before the Judge? If we are disciples of Jesus sprinkled by his blood, we can have confidence entering into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19,22). We can stand before the One who loves us and who gave everything in order that we might live.

Our Judge is for us, not against us. Our hearts can be at peace.

Our Judge cares for us. We are OK when God looks at us.

Bulletin for 3-27-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

3-29 Luis 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:

Kay Sweat, Wendi Camacho’s aunt, passed away. Please keep this family in your prayers!

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

Article:

Reasons or excuses?

“But he said to him, ‘A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses” (Luke 14:16-18a, NASB).

Jesus’ parable of the dinner to which no one wanted to come is well known to many of us. When the original guests were summoned, they asked to be excused based on sudden new circumstances. One needed to examine a new property; another wanted to try out teams of oxen; and the third one had just gotten married.

The host was offended and became very angry. He invited the common and poor people of the region to replace those who had treated his invitation with contempt. Jesus’ point is fairly obvious and its application to the Jewish leaders who were rejecting him is very appropriate. Other lessons may also be derived by considering the nature of the offered excuses and similar language in the Law of Moses.

In Moses’ review of the Law given on Mount Sinai to the people of Israel, he identifies those who should not be compelled to go to battle when Israel went to war (Deuteronomy 20:5-9). Those include:

  • the man who has built a house but not yet dedicated it
  • the man who has planted a vineyard and not yet harvested its grapes
  • the man who is engaged but not yet married
  • the man who is faint-hearted and afraid

There is much similarity between the excuses offered by the invited guests, and the reasons for allowing someone to avoid conscription to the army. Both lists include new endeavors and new relationships. But in the parable of Jesus these are unacceptable excuses. In the Law of Moses they were justifiable reasons. What made the difference?

One difference is in the kind of commitment required. A man going to war was asked to risk his life for an unknown, but probably extended period of time. If he had begun a substantial enterprise but not yet completed it nor reaped the benefit of his labors, he was excused until a later time when those things had been finished. In the case of the prospective dinner guests, they were committed only to a single meal, in which there was no danger or cost to them.

I believe that Jesus used the excuses he chose in part because of that very difference. By offering them the guests were indicating their opinion of the host and his dinner. It was not a privilege and pleasure in their opinion, but an onerous duty which they would prefer to avoid. No wonder the host was offended.

Does this attitude not surface today in many people’s reaction to religion? How often do we hear, “I know I should go to church, but …?” Religion is too frequently presented as duty and obligation, which offers little real benefit or pleasure, at least in this material life. Its rewards are delayed — what some have called “pie in the sky by and by” — and therefore less desirable than those pleasures we might enjoy right now.

Jesus rightly identified the Jewish leaderships rejection of Messianic prophecy and the Kingdom of God which it envisioned. They much preferred their own status and success within the system of their time. The invited guests of the parable were saying to their hosts, “leave us alone to do what we like; we are not interested in your dinner.” Jesus applied that same sentiments to his audience and their attitude toward God.

God’s reaction was the same as the parable’s host. “If you don’t want my dinner (or kingdom), I will offer it to those who do.” No matter how many in our day turn away from faith in God and refuse his Word, there will always be those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, who will hear, believe, and obey God’s word and receive his blessings. Let us continue to search for them and invite them to the feast.

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).