NEWS NOTES February 16, 2025

 

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:1-4)

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual.  

 

Blessings: Christian sisters filled our back hall yesterday, deepening their knowledge of growing in Christ Jesus.  We thank our presenters and all those of our congregation who worked on class materials, food preparation, and clean-up.  We are grateful and our hearts refreshed by everyone who came. 

 

Reminder: Jay Graham will be our speaker next week and we will have a potluck after morning services. 

 

 

Repent and be Baptized

 

The New Testament Book of Acts is also called “Acts of the Apostles.”  But more than anything it records how people came in contact with the good news of Jesus Christ (Gospel) and the effect it had on their lives.  Those who believed that Jesus was God’s Son and wanted to change their lives, followed through with three actions: confessed their belief, were baptized, and began living a God-filled life: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:37-41)

 

“Baptism/baptize/baptized” are transliterated forms of the Greek word “baptizo.”  These three words are used about 70 times in the most commonly used English Bible rather than their translation “to immerse” or “submerge.”  Even without translating it, we comprehend the meaning in the account of Philip teaching and then baptizing the Ethiopian:  “The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.  As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away . . .” (Acts 8:34-39)

 

Peter and Paul confirm the importance of baptism in their subsequent writings: “to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”  (I Peter 3:20-22)

NEWS NOTES February 9, 2025

 

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. I Thessalonians 5:1-4 NIV 1984

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  Many regulars still had various ailments last Sunday and were missing. 

 

Reminders:

 

 

The Three Biggest Sundays of the Year

Adapted & updated from a lesson by David LaRue 4/17/2011

 

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter.  First celebrated about 300 A.D. it commemorates Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1–9) in A.D 29 before his arrest and crucifixion.  The name comes from the palm branches the welcoming crowds placed in his path.  These would have been like the branches on the Date Palms around our building - a branch is more than six feet long.  For many Christian denominations it marks the beginning of  the “Holy Week.”

 

Easter Sunday focuses on Jesus resurrection from the dead and has been standardized as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox.  This means Easter moves around from March 22 to April 25.  New Testament Christians commemorated Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection each Sunday (Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 11:23-34).  However, the Emperor Constantine wanted an annual celebration not tied to the Jewish Passover (Jesus died just before Passover and arose from the dead the Sunday after it – John 19:28-34).  The Easter name and formula were established by his Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.  According to a March 2019 post, Easter is the Super Bowl of church attendance with many churches expecting twice the usual number of churchgoers on that day.

 

Super Bowl Sunday is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), now played each February.  The game was part of the agreement that merged the NFL and rival American Football league in 1966 with the first game played in 1967.  This year Super Bowl 59 pits the Kansas City Chiefs (again) against the Philadelphia Eagles.  Non-football fans also like to watch because of the star-studded commercials and halftime shows.  For the last 12 years it has been the top single telecast TV program each year with more and more people also streaming the game.  Between TV and streaming, an estimated 120.25 million people watched the game in 2024. 

 

By comparison, on the ultimate Lord’s Day and final “time-out”, when Jesus comes again, the entire population of the earth (currently estimated at over 8 billion people) will see Him with their own eyes.  Plus all who have lived before will rise to judgment.  That will be The Super Day.

 

“8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, (II Peter 3:8-11 ESV)

NEWS NOTES February 2, 2025

 

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:12-17(ESV)

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  

 

Jay Graham will be our speaker February 23 and we will have a potluck afterwards to honor those with birthdays and anniversaries in February. 

 

Reminder: Ladies Day Bible Study is February 15 - “Refresh My Soul” - Lessons from Philemon.  Breakfast is at 8:30 AM with the meeting from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM.  Lunch will be provided.  Email us to register.

 

 

Waiting on the Lord

Adapted from a lesson by Emery Wright 1/21/2018

 

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34)

 

Both Matthew and Luke record Jesus’ words describing his concern for and sorrow over the hard hearts of the Jews, especially in Jerusalem.  Jesus knew these people He loved so much would soon form the final plot to kill Him, using the Romans to torture Him to death on a cross.

 

The behavior of a mother hen presents a strong image of our Savior’s love for the rebellious people of Jerusalem and us as well.

 

Chickens are not known for being very smart, but a hen makes an excellent mother.  A hen who has decided to brood will at the expense of regular food and water sit on a clutch of up to 14 eggs until they hatch.  After they hatch she will not abandon her chicks even when confronted with a predator.  She clucks to have them gather round her and lets them snuggle under her outspread wings when they are cold, sleep on top of them to protect them at night, and shows them food and water.

 

In the same way Christ called to the Jews of Jerusalem, and he calls to us.  To first hear him and then to follow him such as the chicks gather round the mother hen.

 

Part of the mark of a Christian is changing – changing whatever and all of what made us captive to sin before we were baptized:  “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

 

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17-24)

 

Like Peter, who in weakness denied his beloved Savior (Matthew 14:66-72), we can do terrible things to our Lord and those around us.  Still our resurrected Savior is loving and forgiving.  As He told a repentant Peter, so He tells us, “Follow Me” (John 21:19).   Change, be like Jesus; God and the Holy Spirit will help you (Romans 8:12-16).

NEWS NOTES January 26 , 2024

 

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 NIV 1984

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  We have on our hearts and in our prayers those affected by the wild fires. 

 

Blessings: Last Wednesday Lee Wright was the featured guest on the Military Broadcast Radio podcast “Uncover with Dale.”  It was another opportunity to encourage military active duty and veterans to open their Bible and see all God can do to change them in creature they were created to be.  The interview online at this URL:

https://podcasts.apple.com/hk/podcast/uncoverwithdale-lee-from-love-letters-to-god/id1715114516?i=1000685065386&l=en-GB

 

Reminder:Ladies Day Bible Study is February 15 - “Refresh My Soul” - Lessons from Philemon.  Breakfast is at 8:30 AM with the meeting from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM.  Lunch will be provided.  Email us if you plan to attend at comelearnofme5909@gmail.com

 

 

Perspectives of the Cross

Adapted from undated communion comments by Kirby Whitrock

 

Perspective has a Latin root meaning "look through" or "perceive;" all the meanings of perspective have something to do with looking.  Through those who witnessed (lookers) it, the Bible shows us nine perspectives of Christ’s Cross. For some it changed their lives forever.  Others only paused uncomfortably.

 

NEWS NOTES January 19, 2024

 

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:37-40 NKJV

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  We have on our hearts and in our prayers those affected by the wild fires. 

 

Reminder: Ladies Day Bible Study is February 15 - “Refresh My Soul” - Lessons from Philemon.  Breakfast is at 8:30 AM with the meeting from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM.  Lunch will be provided. 

 

 

Faith Over Fear

Adapted from a message from Emery Wright 5/16/2021

 

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him,  The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11 NKJV

 

Most Americans survived the pandemic yet continue to feel fearful about every day living and especially the future. Fear of corrupt government officials, loved ones becoming ill and dying, foreign governments using nuclear weapons, not having enough money for the future, terrorist attacks, the “I’m Afraid Of List” goes on and on.

 

Stretching our Faith decreases our fear.  How can we do this? 

 

A good beginning is deepening our knowledge of God’s Word (Romans 10:17).  Our faith grows when we broaden our understanding of who God is and what He wants and applying it to our lives.  Fear can be paralyzing, but faith is energizing when we put God’s Word into action in our lives. The more we step out in faith, the more our faith will grow and we will have less fear of the unknown (James 2:22). 

 

Speak the Word (Deuteronomy 30:14).  After putting God’s Word in our hearts, speaking about it out-loud to others further fortifies our faith.  Fear feeds on our doubts keep in the silence of our thoughts. 

 

Pray as in His Word.  The Bible has many examples of people praying and samples of their prayers.  Moses, David, Daniel, Jesus, and Paul all have recorded prayers.  The best prayers are simple and simply from the heart.  It’s okay to express our fears to God, he will help us not give into them.  Many prayerful Psalms start out in despair.  Moses and David knew what it was like to be pushed to the breaking point.  But their prayers did not end in despair. The promise of better ahead lifts the soul.  Reading their prayers builds our faith too when we are feeling low.

 

When we focus on living the Word (Matthew 4:4), the choice of faith becomes easier as we becoming more comfortable that God will do what He says and He has the long view that we don’t always see.  The apostle John reminds us that fearful living is torment.  God’s love and faith within us gives hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). Long for the Word of God more than physical food (Psalm 42:1).  Grow your faith based on reading, teaching, and living the Words of life (John 6:60-69).

 

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. I John 4:17-19 NKJV

NEWS NOTES January 12, 2024

 

Jesus answered [the woman], "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14 NIV 1984

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  

 

Prayers for: an end to the fires ravaging Southern California, and comfort and help for those who have lost their homes, schools, church buildings, and businesses. 

Reminder: the next Ladies Day Bible Study is February 15 - “Refresh My Soul” - Lessons from Philemon.

 

 

The Power of Five Words

Adapted from a message from Douglas McKenzie 3/20/2022

 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV 1984

 

Words have power and it doesn’t take many to have a big impact.  Consider these five words that would throw cold water on the best hopes, “It won’t make any difference.”  True anguish: whatever is said or done, no matter what we do in our lives, “It won’t make any difference.”  This is ultimate discouragement:  “How can you believe in a loving God in a world like ours?  Did Christ coming to earth make a difference?”

 

The five most powerful words unleash hope and confidence, “Christ himself is the difference.” Christ is for the world.  Christ is the Word, for you, not against you (Romans 8:38-39).

 

It must have been a dreary life for the woman.  Just another day she thought as she went by herself to the well.  But a seemingly chance encounter with Jesus changed her and those around Him forever.  Jesus handled her so tenderly.  She was astonished that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan woman. 

 

He knew what she was really seeking even though until the encounter with Him she had not thought it through.  But before He could give her what she wanted, He had to give her what she needed.  “Go get your husband” He told her.  Jesus started with her moral life that had to be healed.  Jesus knows all our secret places, indiscretions, hoards, and thoughts.  We have no place to hide from Him (Psalm 139:1-5). 

 

The woman tried to divert His attention from her sins with a theology debate of where to worship God.  Christ wouldn’t debate - “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24

 

Christ gets to us where we hurt and hope.  In the world’s reign of unbelievers beating us down, we don’t believe what we do can make a difference.  But Jesus Christ is the compelling difference.

 

The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming.  When he comes, he will explain everything to us."  Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am He." John 4:25-26 NIV 1984

 

The woman knew it to be true.  Bubbling over with the urge to share, she left her water jar to tell all in her village about Christ’s healing - "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ ?"

 

Things don’t have to be the way they have always been - Christ can change us and Christ in us spills over to others. 

 

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42 NIV 1984

NEWS NOTES January 5, 2024

 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Jay Graham is our speaker.  We will have a potluck lunch after services.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  

 

Plan ahead: the next Ladies Day Bible Study is February 15 - “Refresh My Soul” - Lessons from Philemon.  Activities are at our building.  More details to follow.

 

 

“… BUT ONE THING I DO…”

Message by Jay Graham

 

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

 

I like the Karate Kid movies, especially the first two.  One highlight is the wise counsel Mr. Miyagi gives his young student, Daniel, to help him learn about not just the martial art, but life in general.  In Karate Kid 2, Mr. Miyagi tells him, “When you feel out of focus, always return to the basics in life.”  What a great thought that reflects Biblical wisdom, especially for Christians in this 21st century!

 

Satan is a master of distraction.  This is one of his best tools: cause the Lord’s people to take their spiritual eyes off the Lord and look at other things.  He distracts Christians with the world and its priorities.  When we put our focus on worldly things and concerns we take our focus off the Lord.  In the above quote, young Daniel is losing sight of his objective.  Mr. Miyagi urges his student to return to the basics in his life, and that will help him focus on what is important.   Wise words for all of us.

 

The Scriptures have many examples of what happened when the Lord’s people were distracted and it caused them to sin, even rebel, and sometimes it probably cost their very souls.  God promised the Israelites a home in a land of their own.  However, when the 12 spies were sent in to spy out the land, they were distracted by the imposing size of the Canaanite people.  This caused them to be so afraid that the majority rebelled against the Lord and His appointed leaders.  Because of that distraction that generation lost what the Lord had promised to them. (Numbers 13-14)

 

In the book of Judges, the Lord’s people repeatedly took their eyes off the Lord and followed the Canaanite gods.  The consequences were terrible. And Who did they cry out to for help?  The God they had forsaken!

 

Even David, a man after God’s own heart, looked and lusted after another woman who was someone else’s wife.  He committed adultery which led to murder which led to the death of his child in addition to others in his lineage.  Why?  Because he was distracted from his faith and his God for a time.  (II Samuel 11- 12)

 

Many things tempt our focus today, whether it is the lawlessness in our society, the changing climate, the political divide, or the downward moral spiral we are in.  We should take Mr. Miyagi’s advice and focus on the basics in our life, which is the Lord Jesus.  Most importantly, we should do as the apostle Paul did and “press on” to what Christ has promised and provided to us.  We should forget the things that are behind and reach for what the Lord has ahead for us.  These are the basics.  Keep the Lord’s promises as our focus.  By keeping our eyes upon the prize, we can more easily walk with the Lord.  Let us not allow Satan to distract us!

NEWS NOTES December 29, 2024

 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 NIV 1984

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  

 

Plan ahead: 

 

 

Blessing of Family

 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them[Adam and Eve]. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number;” Genesis 1:27-28

 

For many families the year-end holidays are a time to reconnect with old friends and visit with family.  Extended families with close bonds go out of their way to get together and enjoy each other’s company.  From the beginning, God created marriage as an exclusive, life-long relationship between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24).  Jesus reaffirmed this in Matthew 19:1-9.  God then blessed and encouraged families, commanding Adam and Eve to “be fruitful, and multiply.”  Through the prophet Malachi, God explained why a stable marriage between a man and a woman was so critical to the family:  “Because He was seeking godly offspring” (Malachi 2:13-16).

 

The father and mother have the primary responsibility of creating a loving, God centric home, and raising their children in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4 and Deuteronomy 6:1-7).

 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NIV 1984

 

Grandparents are expected to hold firm to God’s commands and also do their part to encourage godly grandchildren (Deuteronomy 6:1-2).  Naomi (Ruth 4: 16) and Lois (II Timothy 1:5) are examples of grandmothers who were active participants in raising grandchildren.

 

When the early death of a parent(s) or other family tragedy strikes a connected family, an uncle/aunt or cousin can step in.  Mordecai adopted his much younger cousin Esther when her parents died (Esther 2). This was the case also for Lot when his father Haran died at a young age.  His uncle Abram (Abraham) took Lot with him to Canaan, rescued Lot when he was kidnapped, entreated God to spare Lot from the evil of Sodom and Gomorrah, and demonstrated to Lot how families are to lovingly work out any differences (Genesis 11: 27-28, 12:1-4, 13:1-9, 14:11-16,  18:20-32)

 

So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Genesis 13:8

 

The blessing of extended family is truly magnified in Christ’s Church.  The New Testament writers referred to their fellow Christians as “brothers” and “sisters.”  More than just words, Christians loved each other as “dear brothers and sisters.”  When someone is “dear” to you, you regard them with deep affection and treat them as precious.

 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10 NIV

NEWS NOTES December 22, 2024

 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 3: 8-9 NIV 1984

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  As far as we know, everyone is well again.  

 

 

Plan ahead: 

 

 

Why Shepherds and Wise Men?

 

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  Luke 3: 10-11 NIV 1984

 

In the cold months, the Jew kept their flocks of sheep close to home for shelter and warmth.  Then from mid-spring until early fall, shepherds took them out to graze on the hillsides.  When they had to go long distances to find adequate pasture, the shepherds and flocks stayed one or many nights out in the open.  Shepherds were used to the beauty of the dark skies around them declaring the glory of the LORD.  But on the pleasant night that Luke describes, the  shepherds had the view and visit that changed everything. 

 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 3:12-14

 

Why would God pick shepherds to be the first to learn of the Messiah’s arrival?  Shepherding was a lowly, hard, and at times dangerous job.  Shepherding fell to David (I Samuel 16:1-13) and Rachel (Genesis 29: 9-18) because they were the youngest in the family.  The fugitive Moses was a shepherd because there weren’t other choices (Exodus 3:1). 

 

God used shepherding to develop Jacob, Moses, David, and others into the type of leader He wanted - someone aware of His awesome power, with compassion for the weak and vulnerable, and who relied on God for help.  God criticized many of the Jewish leaders for being poor shepherds, taking advantage of their flock, rather than caring for them (Ezekiel 34).  God’s son come to earth would be the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18) to lead the people back to God and protect them from the evil one. 

 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  Luke 3:15-18 NIV 1984

 

The shepherds who hurried to Bethlehem didn’t just satisfy their curiosity.  They shared the Good News to everyone they met. 

 

The magi or wise men (Matthew 2:1-12) were the last of the visitors before Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape King Herod’s efforts to kill baby Jesus.  Joseph and Mary weren’t camp out in a stable, but living in a house in Bethlehem when the wise men arrived.  The wise men studied the sky and were also in tune to God’s awesome creation.  Poles apart from the lowly shepherds, we see that God is for everyone, no matter your station or education in life. 

 

The wise men show us how to be rich in sharing our earthly wealth and knowledge.  Their small portable, but very expensive gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) provided the capital for the trip to and extended stay in Egypt.  And their “delaying tactic” of going home by a route that bypassed King Herod, gave Mary and Joseph a head start to get out of Bethlehem. 

 

God has uses for all of us in his kingdom.

NEWS NOTES December 15, 2024

 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:17-19 NIV 1984

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  We missed a number of regulars last week.  Those who were sick have recovered, but others are now sick, especially eat,exercise, and sleep well during this season of "bugs.". 

 

Plan ahead:  

 

 

“You Haven’t A Prayer!”

Adapted from a message by Douglas McKenzie 4/25/2021

 

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” I Peter 3:12 ESV

 

Sometimes when one sports opponent is deemed much stronger, their fans (short for fanatics) will tell the team, “ You haven’t a prayer of winning.”

 

About 10 years after the Church was established, Acts 12:1-19 records for us the real event of someone who didn’t seem to have a prayer of surviving.

 

King Herod had already executed the Apostle James, John’s brother.  That went over so well that he imprisoned Peter and planned to execute him after Passover.  The Church members were praying fervently for Peter.  We don’t know exactly they asked God for regarding Peter’s situation.  Were the Christians praying for Peter’s release?  Seems likely, but you wonder after what comes next.

 

Even Peter seemed resigned that like James he was going to die.  Perhaps he was eager to see Jesus and James again, not worried about this outcome.  Nonetheless, God had other plans for Peter, sending an angel to miraculously release him.  Even Peter doubted he was really free.  He had had visions before, maybe it was just another vision (Acts 10:9-16).  He was out of the prison and on the street before he “came to himself” and realized an angel truly had rescued him.  Peter went straight to the house where he knew people would be praying for him and knocked.  The servant girl Rhoda was overjoyed when she saw Peter, so overjoyed she forgot to let him in.  Funniest of all, in an ironic way, was the Christians inside earnestly praying for Peter wouldn’t believe Rhoda.  They argued with her, leaving the fugitive Peter banging at the door.  When they finally opened the door, they were amazed that it was really Peter.

 

Do we forget to prayer, caught up in our busy world?  Private prayer has ceased to be “credible” for many Christians and collective prayer deemed worthless.  Is it true “we haven’t a prayer?”

 

While some Christians may be praying less, its value and need is more important than ever to combat the incessant verbal noise of the world.  If we believe in God we must desire and increase our thirst for prayer.  Otherwise we are at the mercy of the world’s burdens, like a terrorist victim.  In prayer, God invites us to live with Him.  We are tempted to go our own way, just drifting with the current.  No effort is needed, but the consequences are terrible when we are carried out with the tide and too weak to come back. 

 

Instead follow Paul’s admonition, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

 

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV 1984