Mark 16, 15-16 - Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. HCSB
A couple of years ago I finally gave my life to Jesus. It was the greatest day of my life. The slow process of the Holy Spirit remaking me has not only yielded happiness and contentment for me, but my gradually movement toward a more Christ like attitude and life has impacted all those around me. What I used to see as self-control or self-depredation has turned out to be blessings. Now, with the positive impact I have experienced why would I not proclaim the virtues of Jesus to everyone I see? This is a mystery. It is only in the last year that I have started freely sharing my faith with people other than friends and family. At first it was hard and scary for some reason but when I over came that fear and spoke freely about my relationship with Jesus and all he means to me to an acquaintance I felt a burden lift off of me. I no longer define myself by my job or status but as a Christian. So I challenge everyone if you don't already live with your faith on your sleeve to start off the new year that way. Tell someone you know that you have gave your life to Jesus. It will not only give glory to God but it will also motivate you to think about what you do and say in life since you will be representing our faith. God Bless
From Richard
An eye witness account from New York
City , on a cold day in December,
some years ago: A little boy,
about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the
roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering
With cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said,
'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
'I was asking God to give me a pair of
shoes,’ was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into
the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks
for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water
and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back
part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed
his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with
the socks.. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him
a pair of shoes..
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks
and gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, 'No
doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'
As she turned to go, the astonished kid
caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears
in his eyes, asked her.
'Are you God's wife?'
An eye witness account from New York
City , on a cold day in December,
some years ago: A little boy,
about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the
roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering
With cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said,
'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
'I was asking God to give me a pair of
shoes,’ was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into
the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks
for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water
and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back
part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed
his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with
the socks.. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him
a pair of shoes..
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks
and gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, 'No
doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'
As she turned to go, the astonished kid
caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears
in his eyes, asked her.
'Are you God's wife?'
This weeks Bible study continued our look at Paul's ministry. We discussed his arrest and defense in Jerusalem. We began in ACTS ch. 20-21 as a recap from our last meeting. It was noted that when Paul reported on his trip and all the great miracles that God worked that he took no credit and gave glory to God. Every town he went to the Holy Spirit had warned him of what would happen. When the Spirit warned him of the bad that would happen to him in Jerusalem it was not to discourage him but to prepare him. We discussed personal experiences of being falsely accused of something, like Paul being accused of bringing a gentile into temple. We discussed how Paul quieted the angry mob then spoke to them in their native Hebrew. In ACTS 24 we learned of Paul's captivity and how the Holy Spirit sustained him. In GALATIANS 2, 15-16 and GALATIANS 3, 26-28 we learned of how we are not saved by works or strict adherence to Jewish Law but by faith in Jesus Christ. That salvation is not earned but freely given by grace. We are all the same in Christ.
Next week we will discuss Paul's trip to Rome.
God Bless
Next week we will discuss Paul's trip to Rome.
God Bless
How many wise men visited baby Jesus?
Most of you probably answered three but if you carefully read Mathew 2, 1-12 you will notice that it never mentions how many wise men were there. Our story telling over the years have created this myth. It is true that three gifts were mentioned and this is probable where the number came from. I see no harm in this but it does illuminate a dangerous phenomenon in our christian culture. I have heard people say that they believe something because it is in the bible but they can't tell me where they read it. It is easy to find meanings you want to but difficult to except that a long held stance may be wrong. Let us all strive to become scholars of the bible so that our biblical worldview which should guide us can never be twisted. God Bless
Most of you probably answered three but if you carefully read Mathew 2, 1-12 you will notice that it never mentions how many wise men were there. Our story telling over the years have created this myth. It is true that three gifts were mentioned and this is probable where the number came from. I see no harm in this but it does illuminate a dangerous phenomenon in our christian culture. I have heard people say that they believe something because it is in the bible but they can't tell me where they read it. It is easy to find meanings you want to but difficult to except that a long held stance may be wrong. Let us all strive to become scholars of the bible so that our biblical worldview which should guide us can never be twisted. God Bless
Several miracles surround the birth of Jesus. One in particular that intrigues me is the 80-90 mile trip made by Joseph and a very pregnant Mary on foot to Bethlehem. The only gospel to mention it is Luke 2,1-7scripture quotation taken from the Holman Cristian Standard Bible.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 14; also known as Octavian, he established the peaceful era known as the Pax Romana; Caesar was a title of Roman emperors. that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough-because there was no room for them at the inn.
Luke sort of glosses over it. The only importance seems to be is that the trip happened but I would love to hear the details of such an strenuous trip. I enjoy hiking and have ventured out on some 5-6 day treks. I considered it a success to cover 80-90 miles in that much time. I can't imagine the hardship on Mary or the worry that must of weighed on Joseph. I believe it is another illustration of how all things are possible through God and we can do those difficult things we need to if it is in God's will. God Bless
This Monday instead of small group bible study the CCUMM hosted their families to a screening of "THE NATIVITY STORY" along with potluck dinner. Here is the official description of the movie off its web site
In Nazareth, a town oppressed by the devastating taxation practices of King Herod, a teenage girl, Mary, is told by her parents that they have arranged for her to marry Joseph. Distraught by the idea of marrying a man she hardly knows, Mary takes refuge in a grove to collect her thoughts. There, she is visited by an angel, who tells her that she has been chosen by God to bear his son. Despite the public scorn from an unwed pregnancy, together, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for a census mandated by the King. It is here, with a great celestial event revealing his prophecy, in a history-defining event, that Jesus is born.
It was refreshing to watch a serious movie that attempted to stay true to the Bible. Sometimes I think we see all the media out there in the movie theaters, on T.V., and the radio and we think is there nothing concerning God in our society anymore. But there are a few gems out there to be watched and enriched by. It was nice to see the production value so high on a christian movie and all that attended had a good time. I would encourage all who can to attend any future movie nights we might have. Merry Christmas and God Bless.
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