Posts

Bulletin for 6-12-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

6-12 David Weeks

Prayer requests:

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

Abby Garza recovering from her surgery

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

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

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

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

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

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

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Agency, autonomy, and unity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 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 4-24-22

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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 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

/in /by

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