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

NEWS NOTES December 8, 2024

 

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23 NKJV

 

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

 

Plan ahead: 

 

 

THIS  VERSE  GIVES  US  HOPE!

Adapted from a message by Jay Graham

 

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:13-15 NKJV

 

We can learn a number of lessons from this passage.  It is interesting the writer said of Abraham in regard to his waiting for the Lord to indeed give him a son—“… he had patiently endured…”  The Lord had promised Abraham that his seed would lead to a great many blessings.  Not the least of which was the promise of an heir.  Abraham and Sarah were both relatively old when the Lord made this promise (Genesis 12:1-4).  However, the Lord did not immediately fulfill it.  For various reasons, it was the Lord’s will for Abraham and Sarah to wait 25 years before He granted them the promised child. When he was finally born, they named the child Isaac, and he was the direct answer to the Lord’s promising Abraham and Sarah a seed.  His birth was one of many promises that eventually led to the Christ being born into this world.

 

At times during those 25 intervening years Abraham and Sarah appeared to be impatient.  Abraham questioned the Lord as to when He would fulfill His promise.  Abraham even asked if his valued servant could be his heir (Genesis 15:1-6).  Another time Abraham gave into his wife’s demand that Abraham have a child through her handmaiden Hagar to be their heir (Genesis 16:1-6).  Hagar’s conception immediately caused problems between Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and Hagar’s son Ishmael (Genesis 21:8-21).  The problems continued to affect the generations of Israelites.

 

Apparently impatient, Abraham and Sarah wanted to “help” the Lord fulfill His promise with their own solutions.  The Lord was probably not pleased with these instances of what appeared to be a lack of faith.  There was also the time when Abraham was with Pharaoh when he feared for his life (Genesis 12:10-20).  It is important to note that if the Lord allowed Abraham to be killed before he had a child, that would have made the Lord a liar!  I do not know if Abraham thought of this event in this way, but it would have been the case.  Abraham did not need to be afraid of Pharaoh nor lie about his relationship with Sarah.

 

To me, this verse in Hebrews is a message of hope for us all.  There are times when we fail the Lord in ways such as these. I must disappoint my Lord for my times when I lack faith.  I imagine He shakes His head and wonders-- “Jay why don’t you just have faith in what I have said and what I have promised?”  He may have felt that way each time Abraham expressed a lack of faith.  Just as he probably looks at me when I give into my flesh.  I disappoint Him.

 

Perhaps the Lord made Abraham wait 25 years was to give Abraham time to learn to trust Him more!  Notice it says “after” Abraham “had patiently endured” the Lord fulfilled the promise.  Not before Abraham had learned patience!  We should learn from mistakes that cause us problems and even trials that are not our fault.  The Lord had a plan for Abraham and Sarah.

 

God has a plan for us.  He wants us to live godly and walk in His ways.  He is patient with us, even when we fail to come up to His righteous standards.  He loves us and only wants what is ultimately in our best interests, just as with Abraham and Sarah.

 

God wants us to recognize when we do fail Him, seek forgiveness, and truly repent of our failures by changing the wrongs in our lives.  This should give us Hope!

NEWS NOTES December 1, 2024

 

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:11-12 (NIV 1984)

 

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

 

Plan ahead to attend (more details to follow):  

 

 

Being Prepared

Adapted from a Message by Douglas McKenzie (5/1/2022)

 

 It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' "  So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12 (NIV 1984)

 

When the Japanese launched the attack December 7, 1941 on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the United States truly was surprised and unprepared.  Fearing something similar during the Cold War, the US government constructed the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line of radar stations across the north to be better prepared for the “next time.”  Yet it wasn’t foreign enemy planes that were used in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and again we were unprepared.

 

Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America have had the motto “Be Prepared.”  And in everyday life, a wise man does prepare for “rainy days” (troubles or accidents), the welfare of his family, and retirement from work.

 

God tells us to prepare as well.  But many people who are preparing for life events are too busy to prepare for God.  Why prepare to meet God?  Prepare because God demands it.  Like a river through a valley, the command runs all through His Word, the Bible.  How to prepare is easy to find in His Word: believe in the Lord God and His Son Jesus, leave our sinful ways (repent), be baptized into Christ, and walk in the Lord’s ways ever after.

 

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 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.” Acts 2:36-38 (NIV)

 

The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. I John 2:4-6 (NIV 1984)

 

When should we turn to Jesus Christ as our Savior?  With a sense of urgency, Ananias asked Saul (Paul), “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16).   It’s the same answer for each of us.  Do it now!  Delaying makes it harder to decide for Jesus.  We get callused-over spiritually as we grow older or something unexpected happens at any adult age.  On the upper Niagara River, signs mark a “point of no return.” Going beyond that point means most likely going over Niagara Falls.  Don’t risk passing the “redemption point” on the river of life.  Life is unexpected.  People were getting on a commercial flight, going to work, or responding to a fire alarm on 9/11/2001.  They weren’t thinking about meeting their eternity, but 2,977 people did.  Prepare now and stay prepared to meet God.

NEWS NOTES November 24, 2024

 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100: 4-5 (NKJV)

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  This Thursday November 28 has been designated as the national holiday of Thanksgiving.  In his first term as president, George Washington issued a proclamation for a “Day of Publick Thanksgivin” in 1789 to recognize God’s providence in creating the United States.  In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln officially made an annual day of Thanksgiving each November to recognize God’s blessings in our lives.  The exact day in November moved around until 1941 during the Great Depression when Congress established it to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.  As Christians we can celebrate every day as a blessing from God.

 

 

The Art of Thanksgiving (Adapted)

Author Unknown - shared by Jeanne Wright (11/7/2024)

 

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NKJV)

 

The art of Thanksgiving is Thanks-living.  It is gratitude in action.  It is applying God’s love and instructions as Albert Schweitzer summarized in his personal life philosophy: “In gratitude for your own good fortune you must render in return some sacrifice of your life for other life.”

 

It is thanking God for the gift of life by living it triumphantly.

It is thanking God for your talents and abilities by accepting them as obligations to be invested for the common good.

It is thanking God for opportunities - by accepting them as a challenge to achievement.

It is thanking God for happiness - by striving to make others happy.

It is thanking God for beauty - by helping to make the world more beautiful.

It is thanking God for inspiration - by trying to be an inspiration to others.

It is thanking God for health and strength - by the care and reverence you show your body.

It is thanking God for the creative ideas that enrich life - by adding your own creative contributions to human progress.

It is thanking God for each new day - by living it to the fullest.

It is thanking God - by giving hands, arms, legs and voice to your thankful spirit.

It is adding thanks-living to your prayers of thanksgiving.

 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.  Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.  Hebrews 12:28-13:3 (NKJV)

NEWS NOTES November 17, 2024

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:3-4 NIV1984

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  We welcome Jay Graham as our speaker.  And, La Verne congregation is having a songfest and potluck with Charles Fry as their speaker.  We will broadcast Charles’ message in the afternoon from La Verne at about 4:15 pm. 

 

 

Blessings

Adapted from a message by Michael Manning (1/23/2011)

 

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35 ESV

 

God blesses us in the physical realm.  He is the ultimate source of all of our physical blessings.  God blesses us through creation, with health, with the ability to work and “earn a living,” and with relationships with loved ones and friends.

 

God blesses us in the spiritual realm. God is the ultimate source of all of our spiritual blessings.  He blesses us through Christ and his death on the cross (Ephesians 1:3-4).  God blesses us with the Bible, the church, and a Comfort only available through Him.

 

God wants us to bless Him.  What do you give to the God who has everything?  God wants us to bless him with our mouth (Psalm 34:1-3).  The ability of language and singing meaningful language is unique to man in God’s creation.  It is part of how we are made in His image and He wants us to use it in a godly way (Psalm 34:1-3; James 3:1-12).  Moreover, God wants us to bless him with our obedience to His will: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)

 

God wants us to bless others.  God wants us to bless our family and loved ones.  God wants us to bless those who are our enemies and those who persecute us (Romans 12:14).  How do we bless others?  Say and pray, “May the Lord bless you” and mean what you say and pray.  Do good to others: your fellow Christians (Galatians 6:9-10), your family, your friends, your enemies, and those who persecute you (Romans 12:20).     

 

What can I do to bless?  Bless God with your words and actions.  Bless others with your words and actions. Know your “gifts” and use them for God and others (Romans 12).  Know your “temptations” so you can avoid falling prey to them and causing grief to those around you.  Be like Barnabas, encouraging good actions in others and lovingly rebuking the bad actions.

 

The amazing benefit of blessing and being a blessing to others, is that you are also abundantly blessed: “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”  (Proverbs 11:25)

NEWS NOTES November 10, 2024

 

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him(Jesus) from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 NIV

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  Jay Graham plans to be here next Sunday and speak.  And La Verne congregation is having a songfest and potluck with Charles Fry as their speaker.  We will broadcast Charles’ message in the afternoon from La Verne at about 4:15 pm. 

 

Blessings: The Ladies’ Day Bible Study yesterday was an uplifting time of fellowship, prayer, and God’s Word.  We are grateful for all who attended, presented, and served in bring everything together.  We are wonderfully invigorated spiritually and tired physically. 

 

 

HOW  BIG  IS  THE  LORD’S  CHURCH?

Adapted from a message by Jay Graham

 

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’

 

The ark Noah built has been considered a type of the body of Christ.  It was truly built for the sole purpose of saving mankind, or at least those that chose to be in it.  It perfectly accomplishes this purpose; it protected Noah and his family as well as representatives of the land animal kingdom while the rain came and until after the water receded. 

 

These are similarities the Ark had to the Church Jesus built for mankind’s salvation.  However, there is one very important difference.  The Ark, though massive, was limited in size.   It was approximately 450’ in length, 75’ in width and 45’ in height.  This equals approximately 1,518,750 cubic feet!  It was large enough to do its divine purpose.  But it was limited in size still.  The Genesis 6 account of the Flood doesn’t record how other people might have known to repent of their wickedness and ride out the coming flood.  However, Noah was called a “preacher of righteousness” in 2 Peter 2:5 without exact details of how or what he “preached.”  We know from other scriptures such as Jonah preaching to the people of Nineveh that it is God’s nature to warn people before He sent His wrath upon them so they can repent and be saved from.  It is my thought people in Noah’s time probably had a chance to be saved, but no one heeded God’s call.  So He had Noah make the Ark to those dimensions to be exactly the size needed.

 

In this way the Lord’s church is very different.  It is not limited by size, therefore the prophecy at the beginning of this article was truly real—“Whoever would call upon the name of the Lord could be saved”, and accordingly, added to the Body.  There is no limit to the number of people who can choose to submit to the gospel and be added by the Lord to this great and glorious Body!  There always has been and will continue to be plenty of room, no matter what the number!

 

Its size is like God.  The Church cannot be measured on an earthly scale.  There is no limit to its capacity.  Indications in the New Testament are that the saved will number in the multitudes when the end comes.  When Jesus says few will find the narrow gate that leads to salvation (Matthew 7:13-14), that is a relatively small number when compared to the entirety of mankind, but still a multitude of saints added to the church over time.

 

We need not worry.  There will always be plenty of room for everyone who chooses the Way of the Lord.  Our only concern is to make such a choice to be among the saved in His body.

 

“All things are ready, come to the feast!  Come for the table now is spread.  Ye famishing, ye weary come, and thou shall be richly fed.”

 

We are guaranteed there will always be plenty of room!

NEWS NOTES November 3, 2024

 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:12-13

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service and a return to Standard Time.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  Jay Graham plans to be with us November 17th.  Also La Verne congregation is having a songfest and potluck on November 17th with Charles Fry as their speaker.  Jay will be our speaker in the morning and we will broadcast Charles’ message from La Verne at about 4:15 pm.

 

Last Reminder: Ladies’ Day Bible Study is next Saturday November 9 here at our building.  Topic is “May You Shine: Shining Your Light for Christ When We Live in a Modern Day Corinth” - Lessons from Corinthians.  Continental Breakfast is at 8:30 AM with sessions from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  Lunch will also be provided.  Email comelearnofme5909@gmail.com for more information and registration.

 

 

“Ego & Unity”

Adapted from a message by Emery Wright 1/15/2023

 

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:14-17 NKJV

 

Jimmy Johnson took the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins in the early 1990's, reversing a long downward spiral.  Yet owner Jerry Jones fired him.  Both men had massive egos.  They couldn’t get along even when winning.  Texas wasn’t big enough for the two of them it seemed.

 

God puts a tremendous value on unity or “getting along.”  Just before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prays for unity amongst His disciples then and His disciples in the future (John 17:20-21).

 

We seem to have a natural tendency to not get along, even when young.  My son recently started school and is having some difficulty adjusting because he wants to do things his way.  We have to make an effort to get along.  Our actions are more important than our feelings.

 

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a cold shoulder, what can you do?  If you are giving a cold shoulder to someone, this will help you break the cycle.  Consider, does your life reflect Christ and God’s unity?  Are you being loving as Christ was? How does not talking to someone or yelling at each other fix things?

 

Do you “bear with each other” (Colossians 3:13)?  We all have minor faults and idiosyncrasies.  If we want people to put up with us, we should put up with them.  Make sure you are being loving and forgiving.

 

We need to take the high road in resolving disharmony situations.  We know how dirty our hands were before we were washed in Christ’s blood.  God chose us when we didn’t deserve it.  This alone should make us tone down our ego (insisting on my way) and be more kind and loving.

 

God was so amazingly merciful to His people in the Old Testament and continues that merciful love with us.  In our relationship with God, we must give up arrogance and pride.  It doesn’t matter “who started it.” Be the one who resolves it in peace.

 

God sees our actions and understands our feelings.  We can’t always control our feelings, but we can control our actions.  We must “put on” - meaning to clothe ourselves with positive virtues of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Wearing these on our heart will help us control our emotions and diffuse situations.  And be sure to pray for people you can’t get along with - pray for good things in their lives.

NEWS NOTES October 27, 2024

 

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NKJV

 

Welcome to our in-person worship service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo application.  Jay Graham will not be here November 3rd.  However he still plans to be with us November 17th.  Also La Verne congregation is having a songfest and potluck on November 17th with Charles Fry as their speaker.  Jay will be our speaker in the morning and we will broadcast Charles’ message from La Verne at about 4:15 pm.

 

Prayers for: Many of our brethren in the Philippines have been in harm’s way with recent tropical storms battering the islands.

 

Reminder: The next Ladies’ Day Bible Study is Saturday November 9 here at our building.  Topic is “May You Shine: Shining Your Light for Christ When We Live in a Modern Day Corinth” - Lessons from Corinthians.  Continental Breakfast is at 8:30 AM with the first session starting at 9:30 AM and ending at 3:30 PM.  Lunch will also be provided.

 

 

“If Only” Versus “Next Time”

Adapted from a message by Gerald Crown May 1971

 

And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61-62 NKJV

 

Man comes from dust and eventually returns to dust.  Man’s worth apart from God’s gift of the “breath of life” is as dust.  But even dust has a secret potential.  Death Valley has miles and miles of sun-bleached barren dust.  Yet with God’s gift of water a date farm at Furnace Creek and tropical gardens at Scotty’s Castle flourished when the gift of water transformed the dusty earth.  We might say that God created man with miracle dust.  He gave us a place above all other creations with freedom and ability to rule all creation.  But above all, He made us in His image and likeness to glorify Him (Genesis 1:26-28).

 

Despite this we are prone to make mistakes and have short comings.  Usually we are sorry afterwards.  How we react after these mistakes is what counts.  Reactions can either help a better outcome next time or lead to the same mistake.  How many times have you said, “If only I hadn’t done this, if only I had been early or late, etc.?”  The habit of  “if only” or “I just wished I had”  lead to becoming bitter about the past and the focus to do better in the future is forgotten.

 

Judas Iscariot is an “if only” example.  When he realized he had betrayed his Lord, causing Him to be crucified he could see no future, only the bitter past.  He should have known God is merciful and forgiving if we turn to Him.  Instead Judas hung himself (Matthew 27:3-5).  On the other hand, Peter after he denied his Lord three times was also sorry, weeping bitterly.  His attitude was not “if only I had stood up for Christ,” but “I must do better” and he did.  Peter went on to help carry the Gospel of Jesus to many people, bringing them to salvation.  Eventually Peter, older and wiser and more useful to God was also crucified for Christ (Matthew 26:75, John 20:1-1-10, 21:7-19).

 

In our everyday lives we all have bitter disappointments or losses sometimes that are tragic.  Sometimes you’ve wanted to do something right, but it ended up all wrong, making matters worse.  If we approach them with “if only I had done this, if only I had done that, if only. . .” Then we become so wrapped up in past mistakes, we can’t move on.  We all make mistakes unless we never do anything, which is usually worse.  Do not keep going over, rehashing old mistakes.  View the past long enough to see what you did wrong and say “next time do better, next time I’ll use past experience to make a better outcome.”  Pray to God for help; ask others to pray for you too.

 

As Christians we are to look to the future.  God has prepared a glorious future for us.  Through His Son and washing away of our sins in baptism we can make the desert that was our life into a fruitful field, bearing much for God (Matthew 13:23).