EL ROI: “THE GOD WHO SEES ME” - Bulletin 01-12-14

EL ROI: “THE GOD WHO SEES ME”

One of the gold mines of reading through the Bible is the discovery of the numerous names of God.  One of my favorite names of God is “EL ROI” (pronounced: EL raw EE, “the God who sees me”).    

God sees everything; He always has!  His eyes were on Abraham and Sarai’s maid, Hagar (Genesis 16:13), and His eyes are on you and me.  I love the following story and the song that it inspired!

Over a century ago, Mr. and Mrs. Martin traveled to Elmira, New York to visit some good friends who had experienced their share of life’s difficulties.  Mr. Doolittle was an incurable cripple and his wife had been bedridden for almost twenty years. 

During their visit, Mr. Martin commented on the Doolittle’s inspiring attitude of bright hopefulness and asked for their secret.  Mrs. Doolittle replied, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.”  This simple statement of faith by Mrs. Doolittle inspired Mrs. Civilla Martin to write the following poem, put to music by Charles Gabriel:

1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home, when Jesus is my portion?  My constant Friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
2. “Let not your heart be troubled,”  His tender word I hear, and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, for His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.      

  EL ROI, You are good!  Mr. Steve

SOMETHING’S FIRST - Bulletin 01-05-14

SOMETHING’S FIRST        

   

Something’s FIRST in your life.  What is it?  My “FIRST” has changed over the years:

I remember my “first-FIRST” was horses.  Riding horses – I loved it!  At a young age, I can remember riding Shetland ponies through the tall grass, weaving in and out of imaginary traps and battlegrounds.  I loved the wind blowing in my face and the feel of a fast steed under me, from Shetlands to Appaloosas to Quarter Horses.

My “second-FIRST” was basketball.  As a teen, basketball was indeed my true love.  After all my chores and homework were done, I remember playing basketball daily in the children’s home gym – pretending to make the winning shot over and over again.

My “third-FIRST” was school.  I poured myself into my studies.  I took classes just to take them because I found them interesting.  Reading and learning have always been a joy.

My “fourth-FIRST” was family.  Oh how I love my extended and immediate Sikes’ family!  Years ago, Patti became my best friend, and over the last 40 years of marriage, God has blessed us with 4 children and 5 grandchildren. 

Somewhere along the line, however, and I can’t tell you when or where – I fell in love with Jesus and my “FINAL FIRST!”  "But seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (M 6:33).” 

Today is the FIRST SUNDAY of 2014.  Let me encourage you to seek FIRST HIS KINGDOM and join us in committing to reading through the Bible this year, and even more importantly, becoming what we read; an obedient people in love with the LORD!  Something’s FIRST in your life.  What is it?

God is good.  Mr. Steve

NAME THAT BABY! - Bulletin 12-22-13

 NAME THAT BABY!

     I remember congregating in our “soon to arrive” baby’s room with my wife, Patti, my sister, Shawna, and sister-in-law, Pam, – trying to come up with a name for our future daughter!  Patti was scheduled to deliver the next day and we were playing, “NAME THAT BABY!”  O the names we came up with over 30 years ago!  We ended up naming our beautiful baby girl, Jessica Janette Sikes.   

     Previously, Patti and I had studied with and baptized a young lady named Janette Clark; a young woman in her early twenties, full of joy and the Holy Spirit!  Several years after her conversion, she died of leukemia, so faithful - so strong, that we decided to name our first baby girl after her – Janette.

     Many years ago, the prophet Isaiah was invited into a “soon to arrive” baby’s room along with the Father, the Spirit and the Word of God!  Isaiah’s only required ticket at the door was to have a seraphim touch his mouth with a burning coal (Isaiah 6).                                                      “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.”                            Part of his message?   “NAME THAT BABY!”      

                                

     Names are important.  If you don’t believe me, ask someone who was in the Messiah’s “soon to arrive” baby room!                                                              “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6)   

                 

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

Mystery of the White Formal Dress - Bulletin 12-15-13

 Mystery of the White Formal Dress

My Dad and Mom worked in children’s homes for 35 years;18 of those years, Dad was the Superintendent of Westview Boys’ Home outside of Hollis, Oklahoma.  Westview was completely supported by the generous donations of individuals and the Christian brotherhood.  Clothes, food and other items were given to Westview on a regular basis to help take care of the 65 boys.

My family grew up on a cotton farm a mile from Westview.  I have seven sisters and five brothers and almost all of us attended a small country school, along with all of the boys at the children’s home.

The following story takes place in the mid-60‘s when Sharla, a sister one year younger than me, was told by the school she would need a white formal dress to wear for the 8^th grade graduation ceremony. All of the rest of the girls in the 8^th grade class had a white formal dress – except Sharla!  Mom said that we couldn’t afford to buy one, but we could sure pray.  I remember us praying for Sharla to get a white graduation dress, but day after day nothing happened.

Two days before the school’s graduation ceremony, a big box came in the mail addressed to Westview Boys’ Home.  It was filled with second-hand jeans, shirts and even some sneakers.  (Clothes and shoes were regularly marked and put in the storage room for any boy who needed them in the future.)  After emptying the box and marking and putting away the clothes, it was discovered that the box wasn’t quite empty.  At the bottom was a brown sack with a note attached which read, “I know this is a “Boys’ Home” but if there is anyone who can use this, please take it.”

The sack was quickly opened; found enclosed was (you guessed it!) a white formal dress – just Sharla’s size!  Amazing!!  I am sure you can imagine the screams and the “Thank you, God” exclamations made that day!

To many, a girl’s white formal dress (just the right size) being sent to a boys’ home (at just the right time) is indeed a mystery!  But to us who are being saved, it is another unveiling and revealing of the power of prayer and how great and merciful a God we serve.  Plus, if God chooses to send a white formal dress to a “Boys’ Home” at just the right time – He can address our every need!  

Yet, the mystery of this dress goes much deeper than this article.  Ask me about it sometime.  God is good!  Mr. Steve

UBUNTU! - Bulletin 12-08-13

 UBUNTU!

“An anthropologist proposed a game to children in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that whoever got there first won the sweet fruits.

When he told them to run they all took each other’s hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself, they said: “UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad”?  UBUNTU in the Xhosa culture means: “I am because we are.”

Message:  we are one ... we are all connected.  A simple gesture carried out by one person creates a ripple effect through the fabric of mankind.  Something I do will somehow affect you someday so it is of utmost importance that we are mindful of what we say and how we behave.” (Steven Langley/FB)
______________________

The Apostle Paul takes this “Ubuntu” concept even deeper.  Not only is our humanity caught up and bound together, but so is our mental and spiritual connectedness in Christ!  We are ONE and are to be Jesus to each other and the world!

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (Romans 12:4-5)”

UBUNTU!  Becoming closer and more connected with one another is part of God’s grand plan in presenting Jesus’ Body to the world!  Running together, hand in hand, is only part of the sweet fruit Christians enjoy!  God is good all the time!  Mr. Steve 

I Almost Slipped - Bulletin 12-01-13

 “I ALMOST SLIPPED!”

“But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped.  For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat.  They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind…. always at ease, they have increased in wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence....” (Psalm 73:2-5; 10-14)

David almost slipped!  How?  Envy.  Not counting his blessings!  David began to compare his life with those around him; others who seemed to have it much better than he did.  Why do they have it so good?  Why are they not troubled and broken like me?  And that’s not all....David entertained the unimaginable: his quest for purity of heart being pointless.  

Have you ever done this?  Have you ever compared your life, your bank account, your concerns, your problems with those who seem to have it much better than you – financially, emotionally, relationally…?   And then speculated your pursuit for purity as futile?   

Yes.  David came ever so close to slipping!  So, what truth kept David from going under?  Read Psalm 73:16-20!  David perceived the end of all who live lives separate and apart from a holy God!  Eternal destruction!

Dear Rochester family, let us learn from David’s experience.  We don’t have time to waste by envying and comparing our lives with others – good or bad.  Jesus’ life reveals all our sin.  

Thank You, Jesus, for the greatest of blessings --redeeming us, forgiving us, and giving us the ministry of reconciliation!  AND FOR CATCHING US WHEN WE ALMOST SLIP!    

                                                                                                God is good.  Mr. Steve 

Tasty! - Bulletin 11-24-13

TASTY!

     I miss Patti’s grandmother; what a spiritual giant!  “Granny” passed away ten years ago, at the age of 95, but I still think of her often.  Right up until she went on to be with the Lord, Granny was leading Bible studies in the nursing home with other residents.  She brought several men and women to the Lord in her 90’s! 

    Yesterday I happened across Granny’s infamous pie crust & homemade cracker recipe: (2 and 1/4 cups unbleached flour; salt to taste; 1/3 cup of cold water; 2/3 cup canola oil; mix, knead, roll and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes).  If you’re making a pie, just add filling and bake. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  Tasty!

      Granny’s recipe reminds me of God’s blueprint for a growing, loving church: Holy Spirit-led sheep; Bible-based teaching and preaching; compassionate care-giving; mission -minded focus; marriage and family support; THANKFUL HEARTS FOR ALL GOD’S BLESSINGS; James 1:27 authenticity – all mixed, kneaded, rolled and baked with 24/7 prayer!  Tasty! 

      I thank God for bringing the Sikes’ to ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA!  Like Granny, may we all continue to … “grow up in our salvation, if we have tasted that the Lord    is good” (1Peter 2:2b-3).  TASTY!  

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!

Mr. Steve