Bulletins

NEWS NOTES September 14, 2025

 

I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. Hear my voice according to Your loving kindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice. Psalm 119:147-149 NKJV

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

What Is Your Private Place?

Adapted from a message from Jay Graham 9/4/24

 

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6 NKJV

 

Several years ago, I drove from Long Beach, CA to Kansas City, MO. Wow! That was a hard 4-day drive fighting extremely high winds EVERY DAY! The sky kept threatening to coat the roads with snow, though, fortunately, the temperatures were just high enough to keep the roads snow-free. I anticipated the interstates would close any minute due to the high winds and the number of trucks on the highway. Either the storm front was following me, or I was following it. I was very relieved to finally pull into my destination safely. I was worn out.

 

However, this relief was nothing compared to the relief I felt the next morning when I walked into a local mall. You see, when I am home in Arizona, I walk in our mall every morning except the Lord’s Day.  The mall staff know me by name, and they allow me to come in as early as 7am even though the mall does not officially open until 11am.  This allows me to get my normal 2-hour walk done well before the stores open. I like that early time, for with few there, I can walk in peaceful solitude.  That’s why I felt so relieved to walk in the Kansas City mall.  You see, walking in the mall is my “secret” or private place that Jesus was speaking about in Matthew 6:6.

 

In Matthew 6:6, Jesus was specifically directing people to pray to God in private rather than praying loudly and long in public places to show off how religious they were.  While Jesus did pray in public (Matthew 19:13; Luke 3:21, 11:1), for his private prayers we see him going alone to solitary places (Matthew 14:23, 26:36; Mark 1:35, 6:46; Luke 5:16, 6:12; 9:18).

 

I have been walking in the mall regularly for many years. I have found this to be the best way for me to begin my day. While I am walking, I can easily think of and plan my upcoming day, meditate, pray silently, and work on upcoming lessons and assignments. This solitude allows me to do many spiritually healthy things.

 

The Bible has lots of examples of having times set apart for just such activities.  Daniel regularly prayed three times a day at home (Daniel 6:10).  David meditated on the help God provided to him (Psalm 63:6) as he lay in bed at night.  Psalm 119 speaks of rising before dawn to prayer for help and meditating through the watches of the night on God’s word.  The Ethiopian read the scriptures as he rode in his chariot (Acts 8:26-39).

 

So, the question I have for you is, “What is your private place?” If you do not yet have some time set aside for such, I urge you to try it. You might find it is indeed very helpful to your spirit and your life in general. Jesus urged such a time. It does not have to be at a mall, nor even while walking. This just fits me. I also understand the difficulty parents of younger children may have to set aside such time. But I think the vast majority of us are able to set at least some time aside for our “private time”. Give it a try. You might be surprised at the benefits your spirit receives.

NEWS NOTES September 7, 2025

 

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service. Other services are virtual via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Forgiveness - Letting Go

Reflections from a 2020 Wednesday Evening Study on Forgiveness

 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

 

Longtime member of the church of Christ in Reedley, CA, Ralph Shearer (1895-1987) only rarely spoke of his World War I experience - the horrific conditions in the muddy trenches near Ypres, Belgium, the fighting and killing, and the dead left to rot in no-man’s land.  The area around Ypres, Belguim was the site of intense, continuous fighting from Oct 1914 to Nov 1918.  In the 3rd battle of Ypres alone, also called Passchendaele, which lasted over 100 days in 1917,  the Allies lost over 250,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing.  The Germans lost about 200,000. The name Passchendaele has become synonymous with mud, blood, and futility.

 

After recovering from battle wounds that left him temporarily paralyzed, he and his army company were on their way back to the Ypres front line on November 11, 1918 when word reached them that Germany had signed an armistice agreement at 5 AM to take affect at 11:11AM.  At that hour, the German and Ally soldiers put down their guns, climbed out of the trenches, and met each other in embraces in the middle of no-man’s land.  They were so relieved the killing was over.  The men Ralph remembered weren’t fighting because of hate, but because of duty.  The absence of hate allowed forgiveness to flow naturally.

 

Holding on to emotions of resentment, anger, or vengeance precludes forgiveness because forgiveness involves a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.  We can trust that God ultimately will render to everyone a righteous judgment not within our clouded abilities, “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” (Hebrews 10:30 NKJV)

 

Being hurt, particularly by someone you love and trust, can cause anger, sadness and confusion. If you dwell on hurtful events or situations, grudges filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility can take root.  This is the “bitter root” the Hebrew writer talks of: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” (Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV)

 

Memory of the hurtful or offensive act might always be with you, but forgiveness can lessen its grip and help free you from the control of those who harmed you. Forgiveness means that we no longer hold the actions of the offender against them.  With love in our hearts, forgiveness can lead to feelings of understanding, even empathy and pity for the one who hurt you.  We realize God and Jesus love us and have forgiven us so much more than we deserve.

 

If the offender desires to be forgiven, we should help them repent, forgive them, and work toward reconciliation.  If they are not seeking to be forgiven, we still can forgive them in our hearts, but reconciliation might not be possible.  In either case, forgiveness involves a letting go of emotions that are toxic and destructive to us personally.  Forgiveness brings peace that allows a loving, God-filled life.

NEWS NOTES August 31, 2025

 

In Him [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Ephesians 1:7-8

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo App.  Tomorrow is Labor Day.  In1894 our federal government set aside the first Monday in September each year to celebrate those who work for a living. Many still have to work, especially first responders, hospital staff, and people in retail/food services.  Still, lots do get the long weekend. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Christ’s Blood

Adapted from a Lord’s Supper message by Chris Oakes - 6/8/2025

 

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, Hebrews 12:22-25 NKJV

 

Jesus mentions the Old Testament scriptures a lot in His teachings.  By example, this shows that we should study them as well.  In Luke 11:46-51, Jesus harshly rebuked the Jewish religious leaders saying that God would hold them accountable for the martyrdom of prophets beginning with the blood of Abel [Genesis 4:1-11 ]to the blood of Zechariah [II Chronicles 24:20-22] who perished between the altar and the temple.  Huh, did you know that?  Abel was not just bringing a sacrifice to God, he was a prophet.

 

A reference to the blood of Abel shows up again in Hebrews 12:24 in comparison to Christ’s shed blood.  Abel’s blood (Genesis 4:10) cried out to God from the ground for justice against Cain for murdering him.  Abel’s blood represents the cry for vengeance and the consequences of sin.  In contrast, Jesus’ blood speaks a “better word” because it cries out for mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  This better word is the message of the gospel, which offers redemption and peace with God.  The comparison highlights the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice over any previous offerings and underscores the theme of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, types and shadows.  Unlike Abel’s blood, which cried out for vengeance, Jesus’ blood is the answer of reconciliation of His Church to God.  We have been made clean by His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross.

 

We gather around the table each Sunday to remember His wounded body, represented by the bread, and His shed blood, represented by the fruit of the vine.  It’s always fresh on our minds -- Christ’s ultimate, purposeful sacrifice to mediate a new relationship between God and those who seek Him.

 

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;this is My body.”  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29 NKJV

NEWS NOTES August 24, 2025

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV

 

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

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Make No Excuses - get to work

Adapted from a lesson by Emery Wright - 7/25/2021

 

But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them [Israelites] everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:17-19ESV

 

When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, he made excuses as to why he couldn’t take on the role - he was too young, too inexperienced (Jeremiah 1: 4-10).

 

Excuses are still common today: I don’t know how. . . It’s too hard for me. . .  I don’t have time. . .  It’s someone else’s job. . .  I’m too old. . . I’m too young.  Excuses to “not try” are the tools leading to incompetence and the user of them seldom goes far.

 

Maybe Jeremiah envisioned himself as a priest like his father and grandfather.  The Jewish priest’s role was well defined with repetitive responsibilities and predictable outcomes.

 

Prophets had a lot of “x’s” (unknowns) in their equations.  They had a responsibility to take God’s word to people who were more interested in doing whatever they felt like rather than following God’s commandments.  Yet God’s prophets had to try to change the people in the present so there would be a future for them.

 

God knows the future and had a plan for Jeremiah before he was born (Jeremiah 1:4-5).  We need to let go of our own plans for God’s plan.

 

Jeremiah felt inadequate, not ready.  These feelings should make us rely more on God for strength.  The more we are aware of our inadequacy, the more we can rely on God.

 

God didn’t accept Jeremiah’s excuses nor did he tell him the job of prophet would be easy.  God told Jeremiah to “dress for work”, literally “gird up his loins.”  Physically this was rolling up the loose tunic and tucking it under a belt or tying it in a knot so a person could move freely to work, fight, or run.  Figuratively it means to be mentally and spiritually prepared to promptly answer God’s call to action in serving Him.  God promised He would be with Jeremiah and see him through the hard times ahead - like a fortified city, and iron pillar, or a bronze wall.  In God we will prevail.

 

Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[literally - girding up the loins of your minds] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, I Peter 1:13-15 ESV

NEWS NOTES August 17, 2025

 

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:9-11 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo App.  Contact us at comelearnofme5909@gmail.com for GoTo codes and instructions. 

 

Charles Fry speaks at LaVerne congregation today with a basket dinner and singing as well.  We will broadcast Charles' message for our afternoon study - about 4:15 PM. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Gratitude & Obedience - Not Complaining

Adapted from a lesson by Jay Graham  - 8/27/2023

 

And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. 3 . . .4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” Numbers 11:1-6 ESV

 

Complaining is expressing unhappiness, dissatisfaction, or annoyance about something.  Chronic complainers focus on perceived problems and miss seeing and appreciating their blessings. 

 

Chronic complaining is also a serious sin.  The Israelites were always complaining to Moses.  They didn’t like the food, they didn’t think they had enough water, and on and on.  They were ungrateful that God had rescued them from oppressive slavery, provided daily bread from heaven, and made their clothing and shoes not wear out for 40 years.  They were untrusting that He would continue to care for them.

 

In Numbers 21 when they were again complaining, God send poisonous snakes that bit them and many died.  When they acknowledged their sin, God had Moses make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole.  If anyone bitten by a snake looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.  It required both faith and obedience to look.

 

Jesus Christ is the ultimate antidote and sin is the ultimate killing disease.  We live in a world of sin and death.  No one can spend enough money to escape death.  But when we are with Christ we have spiritual life abundantly.  Christ as the ultimate, final cure for sin was God’s plan from the beginning: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV

 

Just like the bronze serpent, we look up to Christ in faith, obey his commandments, and trust that God is faithful in keeping his promises (II Peter 3:9-10).  As we live here on earth as living sacrifices to Him, we do our best to live for Him and trust He will forgive when we fall short.

 

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV

NEWS NOTES August 10, 2025

 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 NIV

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Jay Graham is our speaker and we will have a meal after services.  Some from Anaheim congregation plan to join us.  Other meetings are online via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Trying Times

Adapted from a lesson by Michael Manning - 7/19/2020

 

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8 NIV

 

I gain encouragement from reading about Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in the book of Daniel. Probably still teen-agers, they were taken into exile in Babylon when Jerusalem was sacked and burned.  The Babylonians did everything they could to “re-program” these young men for their purposes:

 

Loss of family.  Their families were either killed or left behind.  They had no hope of reuniting nor could they talk about or outwardly grieve their loss.  They were surrounded by people who worshipped false gods and lived for the pleasure of the day.

 

Loss of identity.  The endings of their Hebrew names “el” and “ah” are associated with the name of the LORD God (Yahweh).  The Babylonians took away their birth names and gave them new ones that invoked the help of Babylonian gods.  To Daniel (God is my judge), the name Belteshazzar (wife of god Bel protect the king); to Hananiah (Yahweh is gracious), Shadrach (command of Aku- moon god); to Mishael (Who is what God is?), Meshach (Who is like Aku?); and to Azariah (Yahweh is a helper), Abednego (servant of the shining one - Nebo).  They were schooled in the language, literature, and customs of the Babylonians.

 

Loss of religious institutions.  They had no access to the Law of Moses, God’s Temple, offering sacrifices, or kosher (meaning clean) food.  Even worse the other exiled young Jewish men were eating the unclean royal food, peer pressure for them to also conform.

 

Despite this the four remained constant in worshipping the LORD God and following His laws while also being faithful in service to their Babylonian masters.  Daniel was persistent in asking permission to keep kosher.  He asked Ashpenaz, he asked the steward, he talked them into a 10 day test (Daniel 1:8-16).  The four resisted worshipping idols even if it meant a horrific death (Daniel 3).  They remained faithful in prayer and study (Daniel 6).  And God helped them.

 

To a certain extent we are also in times that challenge us.  God still speaks and instructs us in His word:

 

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. I Thessalonians 4:7-12 NIV 1984

 

And God will help us too.

NEWS NOTES August 3, 2025

 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.Therefore be zealous and repent.Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:19-20 NKJV

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other meetings are online via the GoTo App.  We missed several last Sunday.  Feel free to invite a friend to attend.  Next week Jay Graham will be our speaker and we will have a potluck meal.

 

Upcoming events:  

 

 

Doors of Choice

Adapted from a lesson by Jay Graham 9/15/2019

 

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-69

 

Choice is the ability or opportunity to select something from two or more options.  Choice makes life worthwhile.  We are free to choose Christ and righteousness with God or Satan.  Christian parents can profoundly influence their children to choose the narrow way, but each ultimately makes their own choice. 

 

We are free to choose our words.  Our choice shows what is in our heart.  Words come from inside us.  Habits are the result of repetitive choices and can be either good or bad.  How we spend our time is also a choice.  We must overtly choose God, it doesn’t just happen.  However, our environment does impact our choices.  A good environment makes good choices easier. 

 

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits. I Corinthians 15:33 NKJV

 

The most important choice a person makes in their life is deciding to be a Christian.  Fearing God is a good motivator to choose God.  The second most important is choosing a godly spouse who will help us walk closer to God as we help them in the same way.  Friends do matter as well.

 

We will be judged by our choices.  Some false doctrines claim that God has already decided who is saved so we don’t really make that choice.  With a “not my fault” doctrine you can always blame your bad choices on someone else.  Free will started with Adam and Eve, God wants us to choose Him, but he does not make us.  Romans 12 is a good summary of choices God wants us to make.

 

We may have a choice of 31 flavors of ice cream, but we have only one choice for inheriting eternal life and is through Jesus Christ.

 

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 NJKV

NEWS NOTES July 27, 2025

 

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other meetings are online via the GoTo App.

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

“God’s Love Letter”

Lee Wright’s description of what the Bible is to the world

 

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:10-17

 

The U.S. Postal Service turned 250 years old yesterday.  It started a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed.  The reliable service - “undeterred by rain, sleet, snow or even gloom of night” - helped unify the colonies by spreading ideas of liberty and independence through letters, newspapers, and pamphlets.

 

Lee Wright often refers to the Bible as God’s Love Letter to man.  Between the availability of paper Bibles, phone apps, audio books, and internet access, we don’t have to wait for a delivery from the postal carrier for us to be able to read our love letter from God.  The Bible, originally written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, has been translated into more than 700 languages in full, with the New Testament alone in nearly triple that number.  This is good news.

 

But the most important place for God’s Word is inside of us (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16) - in our minds (meaning we know and understand it) and in our hearts (meaning we want to do everything possible to live it out in our lives).  God has always been consistent in His expectations, promises, and steadfast love.  And He has written it down for us so we can have the ultimate liberty with Him in heaven.

 

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:7-9 ESV

NEWS NOTES July 13, 2025

 

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.   Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Hebrews 13:1-3 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other meetings are online via the GoTo App.

 

Upcoming events:

 

 

“No More Twain But One”

 

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mark 10:6-9 KJV [Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who questioned him about divorce in the Law of Moses.]

 

Think about married couples you have known where it is difficult to say the name of one without mentioning the other.  Some couples seem like a unit rather than two separate individuals.  That’s the case with two New Testament Christian couples: Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10), and Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18: 1-4, 18-28; Romans 16: 3-4; I Corinthians 16:19; and II Timothy 4:19).

 

Ananias and Sapphira agreed on important things: being Christians, being regulars at church, being financially responsible (they owned property), and in selling property so they could gift proceeds to the church.  They backed each other up to their dying breath.  What a great couple!  Sadly, they also agreed together to lie about the gift’s value - “all” was actually “part.”  Giving only part of the sale proceeds was fine, but trying to get the glory for giving all is described as lying to God.  Greed and desiring self-glory are fatal. Husband and then wife died suddenly; each to face God with their last words a collaborating lie.

 

The scriptures mentioning Priscilla and Aquila span much of the early Church days.  Impressive aspects of their marriage partnership were their spiritual influence on others and their generous gifts of hospitality.  Deported from Rome because they were Jews, they opened their new home in Corinth to Paul and welcomed him to join their tentmaking business.  From Corinth, they uprooted again and travelled with Paul to Ephesus where they helped Apollos understand the “way of God more accurately.”  Paul calls them out as “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” who risked their lives for him, and sponsored a church in their home.  Besides receiving greetings from others, they and the church in their home sent “hearty” greetings to the Corinthian brothers. Though far away they still cared deeply about those in Corinth.  Aquila and Priscilla weren’t just good and true to each other, they were good and true to others in general, and specifically to God.  Everyone benefited from Priscilla and Aquila - very different from the narcissistic behavior of Ananias and Sapphira.

 

As Paul and Philip’s daughters demonstrate, you don’t have to be married (I Corinthians 7:8; Acts 21:8-10) to have a wide spiritual influence nor to be hospitable.  It’s a matter of focusing upward (to God and our Lord Jesus) and outward (to others):

 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

NEWS NOTES July 13, 2025

 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. I Timothy 6:17-19 NIV 1984

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Others are virtual via the GoTo App.

 

Upcoming events:

 

 

Jesus At the Door - A look at the Church in Laodicea

Adapted from a message by Michael Manning 5/30/2021

 

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth”. Revelation 3:15- 16 NIV 1984

 

Christ, The Amen, knew the deeds of the Laodicean Christians and he knows ours too.  John 2:24-25 says Jesus did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.  Jesus sternly warned the Laodiceans against being “lukewarm.”  At the crossroads of trading routes, it was one of the triad cities in the fertile Lycus River Valley, between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae in what is now Turkey.  Hierapolis was famous for its hot springs that are similar to the Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. These hot springs were valued for medical bathing and dying fabric.  Colossae was just the opposite with very cold, refreshing water from deep springs.  Laodicea’s water was piped in from a distance, drinkable but bad tasting because of its high mineral content and lukewarm temperature.

 

Laodicea was a wealthy city thanks to the trade routes, manufacturing, and specialty wool growing.  We live in an equally wealthy society where the deception of riches - that they bring happiness, power, and security - is prevalent.  Wealth is not evil in itself, but makes us vulnerable to pride, idolatry and selfishness. On the other hand, wealth can be used for great good, as the apostle Paul instructs in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. 

 

The Laodiceans struggled spiritually because of trusting in their wealth instead of God.  They needed to make critical changes.  Already baptized Christians, they needed to renew themselves by putting God first again in their hearts and actions. Failure to get rid of impurities in our life has eternal consequences.

 

Jesus describes Himself as standing at the door and knocking.  We have the power of choice to “pull the string” and let Him in.  He will not force Himself in.

 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:19-22 NIV 1984