GOD OVER ALL FOREVER REIGNS! - Bulletin 10-19-14

 “GOD OVER ALL FOREVER REIGNS!”

"God is God; He sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, 'mid thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns."

"Fear not death, nor Satan's thrusts,
God defends who in Him trusts;
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns."

"For this life's long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
      God o'er all for ever reigns." (Sturgeon)

This past week we finished reading the Old Testament, all 39 books!  Was there a TRUTH that stood out to you?  Here’s mine: “GOD OVER ALL FOREVER REIGNS!” Now, was there an UN-TRUTH that stood out to you?  Here’s mine: “THE INNOCENT DO NOT SUFFER.” (Job 4:7-8)

Eliphaz, a “friend” of Job, couldn’t have been more wrong when he made the most ridiculous of statements mentioned above.  OF COURSE THE INNOCENT CAN SUFFER, AND MANY DO!  Eliphaz’s spiritual worldview was found wanting when he opened up and disclosed his mind.  “According to what I have seen…(Job 4:7-8).”  Truthfully, Eliphaz hadn’t seen much!  

Most of us have seen more than Eliphaz.  According to the Denison Forum: “These are difficult days.  A second Ebola case transmitted in Dallas has been called “an unprecedented crisis” by a health official.  Islamic militants continue to gain ground in Iraq and Syria.  Record drought continues in Texas and across the west...”  To those who are suffering and in much pain, we encourage, “Hold On!”  God knows our troubles, our fears, our pain; He is sovereign and HE ALONE REIGNS! God is good.  Mr. Steve

                                                                                           

LET US ARISE AND BUILD - Bulletin 10-12-14

“LET US ARISE AND BUILD”

Reading the book of Nehemiah this week reminds me when I was a teenager in Oklahoma. Dad had his sons, and all of the boys at the children’s home, doing “brick work.”  In our spare time, we tore down old church buildings and houses and saved their bricks for building new cottages for the Boy’s Home.  There were instances I found myself walking on wooden planks a couple of stories high, breaking up brick and tossing them down into a net for storage.  

These bricks were cleaned and used to build four different cottages that ended up housing around 15 boys each.  “Let us arise and build” encapsulated building material, a plan, adequate funds, workers, and a leader to lead in the project!  Dad was instrumental in all phases and, in many ways, became my “Nehemiah” growing up.

Nehemiah, who lived about 2,500 years ago, remains one of the best examples of a leader that we have in the Bible!  Nehemiah was more than a brick or stone mason.  He was a Spirit-led stone mason; Spirit-led planner; Spirit-led recruiter of workers; Spirit-led fund-raiser; Spirit-led leader!  

The words, “Let us arise and build” (Nehemiah 2:18) are ironically NOT said by Nehemiah!  Yes.  He first invited the people to join him in rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 2:17), but more importantly he prayed in such a way, demonstrated God’s Spirit in such a way – that those observing were themselves motivated to build! “Let us arise and build” is said by the people to their leader, Nehemiah!  

Speaking of building....I’M SO PROUD OF ALL OF THE MEN WHO PUT A NEW ROOF ON OUR CHURCH BUILDING THIS WEEKEND!  WAY TO RISE UP AND BUILD!!!  God is good all the time!  Mr. Steve

I'M ADOPTED! - Bulletin 10-5-2014

                              “I’M ADOPTED!”                                                      Esther 2:15 (NIV) says that Esther was adopted.  

In a way, Jesus was “adopted” by Joseph.

In the gospel of Matthew, Joseph is not mentioned as the father of Jesus but the husband of Mary.  (“Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.” Matthew 1:16) 

Dr. Luke put it this way: “The angel answered and said to Mary, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.’”1:35 

Wow!  Esther was adopted, Jesus was “adopted” and guess what?  As a baptized believer, YOU’RE ADOPTED!  My Father and Jesus’ Heavenly Father – is also YOUR FATHER!  

Listen to what the Apostle Paul says, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!”  Romans 8:15

What does all of this mean?  Listen to this GOOD NEWS: 

• At one time we were slaves of the flesh and fear was our master!
• Now, we proclaim that God is our Father!
• Jesus Christ is our big brother!
• AND…everyone indwelt by our Father’s Spirit is our brother and sister!

I say all of this because I’M SO THANKFUL I’M ADOPTED!!  “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”  Galatians 3:26-27

Would you like to be adopted?                                                                              God is good all the time!  Mr. Steve

PRIORITIES -- Bulletin 9-28-14

  “PRIORITIES”    

                                        

The book of Haggai is a book on priorities.  God first, followed by everything else.  The following are a list of priority quotes:

“Action expresses priorities.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” 

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“You need to make time for your family no matter what happens in your life” 

― Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.... The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

― Stephen R. Covey

“The will of God is not something you add to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Son of God…or you capitulate to the principle which governs the rest of the world.” 

― Elisabeth Elliot

“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.” 

― Ezra Taft Benson

“The most important thing in life is knowing the most important things in life.” 

― David F. Jakielo

“Begin each day with God. It will change your priorities.” 

― Elizabeth George, A Woman's Daily Walk with God

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

― Jesus the Christ, Son of God

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  Mr. Steve