FREEDOM TO HONOR THE LORD!

Good day dear friends. We praise God for His faithfulness in our lives and we continue to study on how to best honor and serve Him.

Here is today's study guide:

Thursday: Read John 4:1-39. We find someone, who after a life of not honoring and serving God, repents of her lifestyle, finds “living water” and commits her life to following Jesus. As a result of her testimony, many came to faith in Christ because of her. This story shows that no one can ever say they cannot lead a good life after having been away (separated) from God. How does this story speak to You?

Here is that passage in NRSV: John 4:1 Now when Jesus learned that the Phar'isees had heard, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John" 2 --although it was not Jesus himself but his disciples who baptized-- 3 he left Judea and started back to Galilee. 4 But he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sy'char, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" 13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." 17 The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, "I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you {The Greek word for [you] here and in verses 21 and 22 is plural} say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you." 27 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?" 28 Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" 30 They left the city and were on their way to him. 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35 Do you not say, "Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36 The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." 39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I have ever done."

This is an awesome story. In it, Jesus speaks to a woman, beginning with His asking for a drink of water from the woman (Sunday night classmembers, remember we studied this as a passage where the humanity of Jesus comes through in his being thirsty, fully human, fully God). The woman, of Samaritan descent, is surprised that Jesus, a Jew is asking water of her. As the passage notes, "Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans." That was a nice way of saying there was hard feelings between the two cultural groups. But the woman enters into a discussion about water and "living water" with Jesus. Jesus reveals to her that He is the living water from which we can drink and be satisfied. Jesus is revealing an eternal spiritual truth. She desires that water and Jesus calls her to repentance in asking for her to go and get her husband. The woman replies that she has no husband, then Jesus confronts her with the truth about her life and then she understands that Jesus is a prophet, meaning she realizes that Jesus is a spiritual authority. It's at that moment that she honors the Lord though she does try to change the subject and the Lord continues to lovingly minister to her. As a result of her faith and testimony many of the Samaritans in her village came to faith in Jesus.

Is there a sin in your life that keeps you from honoring the Lord? Could you not confess it right now to Him and receive from Him that which sets you free to honor and serve Him? It's as simple as saying, "Lord free me from my sin and deliver me to obedience and service to You."

PRAYER: Lord, free me from my sin, and deliver me to that place where I can faithfully serve you and be faithful and obedient to You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

OUR DAY OF PRAYER

Good day dear friends. Thanks to all of you who went out and made the
Strawberry sale a big success and blessing for our medical container
that we're sending to our hospital in Mozambique.

Here is our prayer guide for today:

Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, reflect again on the
passage from yesterday. How could you pray that God would use you to
bless Him by teaming up with someone to do this? Ask God to build up
teams in our church to better honor and serve Him in all things. Ask
God to make you an encourager of people and not an obstacle.

TEAM MINISTRY TO HONOR AND SERVE THE LORD

Good day dear friends. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all. May this be indeed a day of true love for us all as we bask in the love of God.

Tuesday: Read Judges 4:1-10. In this passage we find a woman who honored and served the Lord. Her life was one that inspired others to honor and serve but in these verses we find some who are afraid to honor and serve on their own. Sometimes we can honor and serve the Lord better by doing it with someone else. Re-read the passage and identify with either the woman or the man. Pray that God would help you team up to honor and serve Him!

Here is that text: 4:1 The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, after E'hud died. 2 So the LORD sold them into the hand of King Ja'bin of Ca'naan, who reigned in Ha'zor; the commander of his army was Sis'era, who lived in Haro'sheth-ha-goi'im. 3 Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years. 4 At that time Deb'orah, a prophetess, wife of Lap'pidoth, was judging Israel. 5 She used to sit under the palm of Deb'orah between Ra'mah and Beth'el in the hill country of E'phraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and summoned Bar'ak son of Abin'oam from Ke'desh in Naph'tali, and said to him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you, "Go, take position at Mount Ta'bor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naph'tali and the tribe of Zeb'ulun. 7 I will draw out Sis'era, the general of Ja'bin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Ki'shon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.'" 8 Bar'ak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go." 9 And she said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sis'era into the hand of a woman." Then Deb'orah got up and went with Bar'ak to Ke'desh. 10 Bar'ak summoned Zeb'ulun and Naph'tali to Ke'desh; and ten thousand warriors went up behind him; and Deb'orah went up with him.

What a team! A daring, obedient, trusting servant of the Lord and a military leader reluctant to fight. The daring, obedient, trusting one was Deborah, the female judge of Israel, and the reluctant military leader was Barak (no, they didn't name the place where soliders sleep after him, though it might not be a bad idea!). As the judge, Deborah could and did give the order for them to honor God in fighting this battle. Barak said he would go, but only if she would go with him. Keep in mind the order had come from God and with that order had come the promise of victory. How many times have we been assured in our spirits of a victory for the Lord yet we are reluctant or unwilling to go and do as God has asked? The honor belongs to God and God will be honored in our responses to His call to serve. And sometimes we do have to go as a team or in partnership with others, and this was also modeled by Jesus when He sent out disciples two by two.

If you read carefully this entire chapter you will see where God gave the victory to the army but to Barak God gave the opposing general to "the hand of a woman." The work was still done and God won the entire victory and God was honored. Yet the fullness of the honor would have been greater had Barak trusted God like he should.

What has God asked of you? Are there things "pending" that could honor God? Are you reluctant to obey? Are you limiting God's ability to work through you in whatever you believe needs to be done? This is a great story to inspire us to honor and serve God. Notice no one limited the ability to serve God based on preconceived notions of what one sex can do or can't do; those who obey God can achieve all things. To honor and serve the Lord means to take God at His word and do all that is asked of us.

PRAYER: Lord, let me honor you today. Speak lovingly to my heart as You reveal to me where I should serve You. Give me the courage and obedience of Deborah. If I feel scared or shy, give me a "Deborah" that can be a part of a team to honor and serve You. I pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

TO HONOR AND SERVE OUR LORD!

Good day dear friends.

We started a three sermon series covering our Mission Statement or Purpose Statements as others call it. Our statement is "To Honor and Serve Our Lord by preparing God’s people for works of service so that the Body of Christ be built up." It took almost a year and a half to come up with the statement through the hard work of our Goals committee, a subcommittee of our church council. We're in a growth mode and we want our growth to reflect our faithfulness to God. As I mentioned yesterday using the kite as an illustration, we seek to be grounded through this statement in the things of God. Our sermon yesterday focused on last year's statement which was the first part, "To honor and serve our Lord."

Here is our study guide for today: Monday: Yesterday we covered the words “honor” and “serve” as it relates to God. If we were to apply this to our relationships would there be much of a difference? In Exodus 36 we find the story of Bezalel and Oholiab, two skilled men who were in charge of receiving the offerings brought to carry on the work of God. The people responded so well to this that in verse 6-7 we find something we should find in every church. Please read that passage and see how this speaks to your life.

To honor means to place someone in high respect in our lives. Part of the wedding vows married people take includes the word "honor," and I mentioned that to honor God means to put God first in our lives. The passage selected for today is an interesting one. It is found in Exodus 36.

Here is that passage:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab, along with everyone whom God has given the skill and know-how for making everything involved in the worship of the Sanctuary as commanded by God, are to start to work." 2 Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab along with all whom God had gifted with the ability to work skillfully with their hands. The men were eager to get started and engage in the work. 3 They took from Moses all the offerings that the Israelites had brought for the work of constructing the Sanctuary. The people kept on bringing in their freewill offerings, morning after morning. 4 All the artisans who were at work making everything involved in constructing the Sanctuary came, one after another, 5 to Moses, saying, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing this work that God has commanded us to do!" 6 So Moses sent out orders through the camp: "Men! Women! No more offerings for the building of the Sanctuary!" 7 There was plenty of material for all the work to be done. Enough and more than enough." (The Message)

This passage speaks of the great honor with which the people treated God as they built their Sanctuary. Moses asked people to bring freewill offerings and the incredible thing is that the two men in charge of receiving the offerings, Bezalel and Oholiab, soon discovered that they had "enough and more than enough." Moses had to order the people to stop bringing their offerings!

To honor God involves all aspects of our daily life. We seek to be in God's presence, as we covered in the earlier Exodus passage yesterday, Exodus 34:29-35, the passage where Moses was in God's presence in such a way that his face was radiant and people could tell that Moses had been in God's presence. The more time we spend honoring God the more we will "radiate" and people will know we've been in God's presence, and the more people will want to seek what we have. To honor God also means to walk and trust God and to give to God as we should.

To honor God means that we place ourselves and others aside and seek God. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Mt. 6:33). What are you seeking?

PRAYER: Loving God, help us to seek you first. Let our aim in our life seek to be to honor and serve You. We pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

TO HONOR AND SERVE OUR LORD!

Good day dear friends.

We started a three sermon series covering our Mission Statement or Purpose Statements as others call it. Our statement is "To Honor and Serve Our Lord by preparing God’s people for works of service so that the Body of Christ be built up." It took almost a year and a half to come up with the statement through the hard work of our Goals committee, a subcommittee of our church council. We're in a growth mode and we want our growth to reflect our faithfulness to God. As I mentioned yesterday using the kite as an illustration, we seek to be grounded through this statement in the things of God. Our sermon yesterday focused on last year's statement which was the first part, "To honor and serve our Lord."

Here is our study guide for today: Monday: Yesterday we covered the words “honor” and “serve” as it relates to God. If we were to apply this to our relationships would there be much of a difference? In Exodus 36 we find the story of Bezalel and Oholiab, two skilled men who were in charge of receiving the offerings brought to carry on the work of God. The people responded so well to this that in verse 6-7 we find something we should find in every church. Please read that passage and see how this speaks to your life.

To honor means to place someone in high respect in our lives. Part of the wedding vows married people take includes the word "honor," and I mentioned that to honor God means to put God first in our lives. The passage selected for today is an interesting one. It is found in Exodus 36.

Here is that passage:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab, along with everyone whom God has given the skill and know-how for making everything involved in the worship of the Sanctuary as commanded by God, are to start to work." 2 Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab along with all whom God had gifted with the ability to work skillfully with their hands. The men were eager to get started and engage in the work. 3 They took from Moses all the offerings that the Israelites had brought for the work of constructing the Sanctuary. The people kept on bringing in their freewill offerings, morning after morning. 4 All the artisans who were at work making everything involved in constructing the Sanctuary came, one after another, 5 to Moses, saying, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing this work that God has commanded us to do!" 6 So Moses sent out orders through the camp: "Men! Women! No more offerings for the building of the Sanctuary!" 7 There was plenty of material for all the work to be done. Enough and more than enough." (The Message)

This passage speaks of the great honor with which the people treated God as they built their Sanctuary. Moses asked people to bring freewill offerings and the incredible thing is that the two men in charge of receiving the offerings, Bezalel and Oholiab, soon discovered that they had "enough and more than enough." Moses had to order the people to stop bringing their offerings!

To honor God involves all aspects of our daily life. We seek to be in God's presence, as we covered in the earlier Exodus passage yesterday, Exodus 34:29-35, the passage where Moses was in God's presence in such a way that his face was radiant and people could tell that Moses had been in God's presence. The more time we spend honoring God the more we will "radiate" and people will know we've been in God's presence, and the more people will want to seek what we have. To honor God also means to walk and trust God and to give to God as we should.

To honor God means that we place ourselves and others aside and seek God. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Mt. 6:33). What are you seeking?

PRAYER: Loving God, help us to seek you first. Let our aim in our life seek to be to honor and serve You. We pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

WINNING AT THE VERY END

Good day dear friends.

I shared with you sad news about Kit Tomlinson's uncle dying unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. He was in his 50s and in good health, Friday he felt the flu coming on and thought that's what he had. The family had to call EMT to take him to the hospital and he died Wednesday. Please pray for the family of Jay Ribble. Also, continued prayers for the missionary hospitalized in San Antonio battling a brain tumor. And for Darrell Patillo, who is fighting cancer.

Our study guide on winning seems a bit long today, at least the recommended texts, but they take us to the Final Battle. I've shared the recommended texts below in The Message, a very easy to understand version of the Bible. What should be our hope in reading these passages is the knowledge of the Victor at the final battle. Think about it, how can the Creator of all things possibly lose to one of His own creatures? John's vision included this final battle and while it may mean many things to many others, for us it should mean whatever battle we may fight, with God on our side, we cannot lose. And when the days do come to an end, our God of life will be still alive, giving life to those who in Him trusted. A word of caution, any time we read the Word of God we must begin with prayer, so please say your own prayer, then read the passages. Let God speak to you today.

Here's our study guide:

Thursday: Read Revelation 19 and 20. This may be a lengthy reading, but it’s an apocalyptic reading about the final battle. The main message of the passage for us today is the victory that is God’s when it’s all said and done. This is an eternal victory. Compare the struggles of today versus the ultimate victory. How does your faith allow you to read this passage?

Here are those two chapters in The Message format of the Bible:

1 I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing, Hallelujah! The salvation and glory and power are God's - 2 his judgments true, his judgments just. He judged the great Whore who corrupted the earth with her lust. He avenged on her the blood of his servants. 3 Then, more singing: Hallelujah! The smoke from her burning billows up to high Heaven forever and ever and ever. 4 The Twenty-four Elders and the Four Animals fell to their knees and worshiped God on his Throne, praising, Amen! Yes! Hallelujah! 5 From the Throne came a shout, a command: Praise our God, all you his servants, All you who fear him, small and great! 6 Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-Strong! 7 Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give him the glory! The Marriage of the Lamb has come; his Wife has made herself ready. 8 She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. The linen is the righteousness of the saints. 9 The Angel said to me, "Write this: 'Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.'" He added, "These are the true words of God!" 10 I fell at his feet to worship him, but he wouldn't let me. "Don't do that," he said. "I'm a servant just like you, and like your brothers and sisters who hold to the witness of Jesus. The witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 11 Then I saw Heaven open wide - and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. 12 His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that's known only to himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as "Word of God." 14 The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. 15 A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. 16 On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords. 17 I saw an Angel standing in the sun, shouting to all flying birds in Middle-Heaven, "Come to the Great Supper of God! 18 Feast on the flesh of kings and captains and champions, horses and their riders. Eat your fill of them all - free and slave, small and great!" 19 I saw the Beast and, assembled with him, earth's kings and their armies, ready to make war against the One on the horse and his army. 20 The Beast was taken, and with him, his puppet, the False Prophet, who used signs to dazzle and deceive those who had taken the mark of the Beast and worshiped his image. They were thrown alive, those two, into Lake Fire and Brimstone. 21 The rest were killed by the sword of the One on the horse, the sword that comes from his mouth. All the birds held a feast on their flesh.

Chapter 20:1 I saw an Angel descending out of Heaven. He carried the key to the Abyss and a chain - a huge chain. 2 He grabbed the Dragon, that old Snake - the very Devil, Satan himself! - chained him up for a thousand years, 3 dumped him into the Abyss, slammed it shut and sealed it tight. No more trouble out of him, deceiving the nations - until the thousand years are up. After that he has to be let loose briefly. 4 I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand - they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! 5 The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection - 6 and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They're priests of God and Christ; they'll reign with him a thousand years. 7 When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, 8 and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He'll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. 9 They'll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God's holy people, the Beloved City. They'll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. 10 The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end. 11 I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. 12 And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there - before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. 13 Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. 14 Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death - Lake Fire. 15 Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire.

PRAYER: Come Lord of life to my life today and speak words of victory in all I face. Speak Your word of comfort and love to those mentioned above especially those who have lost loved ones. Remind us over and over again that there is no death for those who die in You. And we pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day.

e.v.

KEEP A STRONG GRIP ON YOUR FAITH!

Good day dear friends.

Please hold Mr. Robert Storey in your prayers. He has been been feeling well lately and given his age, the family is concerned about him. Prayers for those of us at Minister's Week 2006 on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

We continue our study on winning and here is today's study guide:

Tuesday: Read 1 Peter 5:1-11. In this passage you will find the victory that we aim for as believers in Christ Jesus. Read the list as a word of encouragement from the Lord through Peter. Let it speak to you about life and how to win at life!

Here is that text in The Message:

1 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. 2 Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.[ 3 Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. 4 When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. 5 And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for - God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. 6 So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. 7 Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 8 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. 9 Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. 10 The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ - eternal and glorious plans they are! - will have you put together and on your feet for good. 11 He gets the last word; yes, he does.

Pleasing God is all about serving God. And as we read the words found above in 1 Peter, Peter is urging us to please God by caring for one another. And that my friends is teamwork, and winning people are part of winning teams.

One of my former associates when he led prayer would say, "Now church, remember to pray for one another, because if you pray for each other, you can rest assured that someone is praying for you!" And that always spoke to me. What a feeling to know that as we live life and face whatever we face, someone is praying for us. That doesn't mean we don't watch what we do, Peter says, "Keep your guard up" and later, "keep a firm grip on the faith." Winners never give up.

What a victory is ours through Christ Jesus. Yesterday's lecturer, Rev. Tyrone Gordon of Dallas, Texas, revealed a time in his ministry when he reached a point where he was burned out and went to his office and just sobbed. The secretary heard the crying and called Rev. Gordon's wife, who called his best friend. At the time Rev. Gordon and family were living in Wichita, Kansas, and his best friend was in Dallas. The friend got in his car and drove six hours to reach Rev. Gordon. By the time Rev. Gordon got home, his wife had packed his bags so that he could return to Dallas with his friend and receive ministry from his friend. "Afflicted but not crushed," said yesterday's text. And today's text speaks to us about caring for one another.

PRAYER: Loving God, help us to care for one another. As thoughts and images of folks we know come to our minds, let those people be in our prayers. Lift up those who are down. Strengthen those who are weak. Fill up those who have poured out much. Comfort those who mourn. We pray in He will fills us all, Jesus the Lord. Amen.

THE VICTORY IS OURS!

Good day dear friends. We lift up Shirley Austin to your prayers. Right before going in to our worship service at 11, she slipped and fell, cut the back of her head and required seven stitches. She was taken to the ER and is now home and doing fine.

We had great fun in worship with the souper bowl offering. Thanks to all of you who supported our bishop's call to fight hunger. It was clear to see in both of the traditional services the Seahawks "won." We also were blessed by the over forty or so Scouts that we had in uniform for Scouting Sunday! If you had a chance to go to the Activity Center to see the pine wood derby you know there were over 100 people there for pizza and the race.

What's the Truth About Winning and should that be a concern for Christians? We studied how a believer possesses the promises of being "more than a conqueror" through Jesus Christ in whatever s/he faces in their life. We used two passages that we'll study today to see the checklists Paul used to show that even facing death, a believer does not despair or ever feel abandoned by God. "Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus."

Here is our study guide for today:

Monday: We had two powerful passages about winning during yesterday’s sermon. They’re found on the reverse side of this sermon guide. Read those two out loud. Let each word speak to you about who you are and in Whom you believe. Ours is a faith of hope and neverending life! Let this day serve as a day that helps you claim that for yourself.

Here are those passages:

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.

Romans 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

During the 11 o'clock service I used the story of Ruth to show how God didn't abandon her and used her as one of Jesus' ancestors, even though she was not Hebrew. A famine forced her future father-in-law to leave Judah to come to her country. While there Ruth marries one of his sons only to lose him ten years later. Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law urges Ruth and Orpah to stay behind with their families while she returns home to Judah, but Ruth's new faith in Naomi's God allows her to make the decision to follow her and to make the declaration, "for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God;" (Ruth 1:16). All the situations mentioned in that first chapter of Ruth could have made so many say, "I give up!" And that would put them in the "loser" category, but all had faith in God's leading. Their faith allowed a nonbeliever to make that declaration above, "your God (will be) my God." Are you living your faith in a way that calls others to believe? Are you "winning" at life in spite of all you've faced?

Look again at the verses and all that Paul mentions as a checklist of things he's faced.

Afflicted?______ Crushed? ______
Perplexed?______ Despair? ______
Persecuted______ Forsaken?______
Struck Down?______ Destroyed?______

In the above, even if you checked the first column you don't have to check the second one. For example, Paul says, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;"

And in the second list, even if you check both columns you can still walk away saying, "Nothing separates me from Christ's love!"

Hardship?______ Distress? ______
Persecution?______ Famine?______
Nakedness?______ Peril? ______
Sword?______

And more importantly we say, with Paul's faith, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

Go out and win!

PRAYER: Dear God, we thank you for the victory that is ours in life, through Jesus Christ. May your blessing be upon those who feel unusually afflicted or oppressed or weak as they go through some struggles in their life. Comfort those who are feeling near despair. Speak lovingly to us so that we can share that with others. In Christ Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

IT'S OUR CHOICE! BALL AND CHAIN OR FREEDOM?

Good day dear friends.

We continue our study on forgiveness. Here is our study guide for today:


Thursday: Read Colossians 3:5-13. This is Paul’s understanding of what makes up the right relationship between the believer. Use Paul’s list as a checklist for your own life. Does the list seem possible or impossible? Are you answering that from a faith perspective? Or is your faith not yet sufficient enough to be a forgiving person?

Here is that text: Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things--anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive {Or [filthy]} language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth'ian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all! 12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Christ has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Just yesterday a church member was sharing how my sermon on Sunday had allowed her to forgive her now deceased mother for a lifetime of neglect and no affection. I know it was very difficult for her to forgive a woman who never said she loved or was proud of her daughter or who never showed up for any of her daughter's graduations. But now this remarkable woman is free to enjoy the life Christ meant for us when he said we must forgive. You see, too many times we forget that when someone does something against us, they've placed the burden on us. Often the other person goes on with her/his life not even bothered with what they may have done against us. We're the ones who have been burdened with a heavy weight to bear. Sunday, my secretary and her son made the props for my sermon which were two ball and chains (afterwards a couple of church members said they had the real thing at home!). The illustration is that when we don't forgive, the ball and chain stays on our ankles and we are not free to enjoy life or to move on with our life. We are shackled to an ever growing and ever increasing weight of this restrictive device. Forgiveness is that key that unlocks the ball and chain from our spirits, emotions, and bodies.

The above passage speaks of what can be ours in a joyful Christian life: "compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (v. 12). And once we have these indwelling in us we can "Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Christ has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (v. 13)

The choice is ours. Do we want to live a stressed out life ruled by restrictions imposed by someone else? Or do we have to enjoy the freedom that is ours through Jesus Christ? Jesus said He had come to bring us life in abundance (Jn. 10:10) and it's ours for the taking.

PRAYER: Come, God of abundance and bless me today. Set in my heart the wisdom and courage to break free from all that is weighing me down. I pray in the name of He who sets us free, Jesus the Christ, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

LIVING THE UNEXPECTED

Good day dear friends. We received great news from a couple of folks yesterday in church: biopsies negative! We thank the Lord with these our brothers and sisters. Don't forget the men of our church are invited to the monthly men's breakfast tomorrow morning.

We continue our study of forgiveness. Here is our study guide for today:

Tuesday: Read Luke 6:37-47 and discover that forgiveness is a foundational part of the Christian life. What, in addition to forgiveness, matters to God? What do you suppose happens if we don’t forgive as we should?

Here is that text:

Matthew 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." 39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, "Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. 43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call me "Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them.

The Sermon on the Mount was the first motivational seminar. In it Jesus shares the secrets to abundant living. The best thing was that He didn't have to sell movitational tapes or books. Jesus in effect said, "God expects you to do the unexpected!" Jesus taught the people how to pray and then after the prayer emphasized the parts of the prayer that we sometimes take for granted and then in this passage goes into talking about relational living. We are told not to judge. We do that all the time and find it easy. We're living in expected ways. The unexpected lifestyle says we do not judge. And for those that may be wondering what it means to judge, it means to place people in pre-determined categories or to place labels on persons and then treat them accordingly. It also means to judge some people as less than us or of little worth. To NOT judge means to accept folks as they are. Notice right after this comes, "Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned." This is easy too. I find it very easy to condemn as I watch the television news. Sometimes a story comes out that is so hideous that I find myself condemning the person doing or accused of having done the malicious deed. Just last night a news report showed a garbage bag dragged out of a river containing a live baby girl. Thank God the child had not drowned as perhaps was the intention, but the child was still alive. This occured in Brazil. I found myself condemning the mother or whomever was doing this. But Jesus says, that's expected. Do the unexpected. I did ask why would a mother or someone do this? And I silently prayed for the Lord to touch that person's heart to realize the error of his/her ways. Then comes, "Forgive, and you will be forgiven." This is the foundational basis of a good life. Letting go and letting God, as the simple saying says. Letting go of the weight that grudges cause comes when we forgive. And being free of that weight helps us to enjoy life to the fullest.

The rest of the passage deals with right living. We must realize we need God to help us live our lives filled with grace. We must be positive towards others and towards life. We must continually share hope with others. We must love others. Resolve to be a person that is known as being good. One who lives a life that does the unexpected!

PRAYER: God of the unexpected life, come to me today and help me overcome all this is evil in me. Let me show, because You live in me, that I am good. Let my actions shine the Light of Jesus. In Whose name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

FORGIVENESS

Good day dear friends. We shared a sermon on Forgiveness yesterday based on the scripture from Matthew 6:14-15, which comes after the Lord's Prayer. “For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sin, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This was our primary text. Another Matthew passage from Matthew 18:23-35 on forgiveness between servants that owed different amounts towards the king.

Here is today's study guide:

Monday: Re-read yesterday’s text. Let the text speak to you again about forgiveness. Remember this passage comes from Jesus’ post-Sermon on the Mount where Jesus has taught the disciples’ how to pray. It is in the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus has taught us to pray, “Forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Given the sacredness of prayer and the seriousness of our praying to God, we should realize how powerful this passage is in the prayer. How can we face God in this prayer saying we are a forgiving person AND ask for forgiveness if we haven’t forgiven?

We sometimes approach prayer with the speed of our lives. Usually a rapid-fire declaration of needs lifted out, instead of up, with the hope that it gets heard. Biblically, prayer is a sacred time meant to be enjoyed. Jesus' prayer to the Father was meant to share a foundation of structure on which we could build a worship time with God. And right towards the end, He shares a line about forgiveness that says "we forgive." Yesterday, I shared with the church, it doesn't include the word "should" or "if we feel like it" or "if we get to it" or even "maybe." The implication is that we DO forgive others. And notice that our forgiveness is dependent on whether we DO forgive others or not. And remember, this is while we pray so it might not be a good idea to lie.

To not forgive is not to love. Sometimes we find ourselves loving gthe idea of revenge more than the other person, and that is a sin. We sometimes love ourselves more than others and turn that love inward and we don't forgive, and that is a sin. Forgiveness is putting the love of others before the love of self.

Forgiveness is the surrender of pride to humility and service. Forgiveness is the embracing of God’s vision for peace and rejecting our selfish vision of comfort.

Forgiveness is, as we demonstrated with the ball and chain, taking the key to abundant living and setting free the weight that could keep us down.

PRAYER: Dear God, make this a day that our eyes are open to the need to forgive. Let us put ourselves aside and look towards the needs of others as we need to forgive them. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

A FATHER/MOTHER'S PRAYERS...

Good day dear friends.

As we pray this morning please lift up Mrs. Joy Moose of San Antonio. She just underwent bladder surgery and received a first round of chemo therapy during the surgery. Please pray for her healing.

We continue to study The Truth About Successful Families. At a
retreat I attended last week I heard Dr. Maxie Dunnam former
president of Asbury Seminary, say again what is true, "As goes the
seminary so goes the church; as goes the church so goes the
family." I just read a summation of a book called "Family and
Civilization" by Carl Zimmerman whose study of 3,000 years of family
structure says, "As goes the children, so goes the culture, as goes
the family, so goes society." Which brings us to an important
question, are you praying for your children? I believe there is
nothing more powerful and eternal than a parent showering his/her
children with prayer. I grew up in a home where prayer was
important. I was the first to leave for college and the looming
fear of the academic world and exams frightened me but I would time
my weekly call home to the night before exams. And as I would talk
with my mom and dad, usually dad had little to say, I would tell my
mom that I had an exam the next day and she would say I am praying
for you. Just hearing that may me know there was no way I could
fail. Yes, I studied and I was ready, but knowing that God's hand
was upon mine helped me calm my spirit and sooth my fears. Do your
children know the same feeling? Have you said to them, "I am
praying for you." Do they understand how prayer works and the
awesomeness of God behind our prayers?

A family that prays together, stays together, someone wrote. I
believe that. Life tosses too many storm clouds and rough seas
towards the home and we need the lifeline of prayer helping us
through. In the same way your children face sometimes greater
obstacles and temptations than we ever did, and it would bless them
to know that you are praying for them.

PRAYER: Loving God, cover my children with Your love and grace.
May the calm presence of Your Holy Spirit bless my children today.
May I know to say the words to them that I am praying, because I
believe in You and I trust You, for them. I pray this prayer in
Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

IS YOUR HOME A HAVEN?

Good day dear friends.

We continue our discussion on successful families.

There is a billboard that says, "The bus driver knows who your child has a crush on. Do you?" What a thing to read as you're driving along a busy interstate freeway! And it speaks about the importance of trust and communication within families. A lot of that depends on conversations you may have had about your family situation and how you view different parts of growing up and maturing. Have your views reflected an openness and love towards all or have you given yourself away in terms of what is accepted or isn't?

In the marriage ceremony there is a section on allowing your home to become a "haven." This is a place of refuge and rest. Is your home such a place to your family? Do family members look forward to coming home and for those who may live away is there a reluctance to leave? Of course, there may be other factors involved in that, such as the fully equipped room for your teenagers that allow them to spend countless hours in there without have to come up for air! It used to be that kids could be punished by being sent to their room. Today that is usally a great thing not a punishment. "Go to my room? The one with the home entertainment center, cell phone, internet access, Game Boy, microwave, telephone, mini-fridge, DVD player, CD burner? That room? Why, sure!" Does your home invite conversation and time together? Do you make time to watch programs together and discuss what you've seen? I confess I'm not a fan of Trading Spaces or other shows that my daughters watch. I'm not totatlly a fan of competition involving food, such as building an Elvis cake between teams (though they do get creative!), but watching such shows does allow me time to at least see my girls and what they're watching.

Sunday night in my God In Three Persons class, we talked about the Shema from Deut. 6:4, "4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD;" The rest deals with how the Shema was to be used: "5 and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; 7 and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

For the Jew, family time meant worship time as well. God was the center of their time together and home worship was key to their identity and their purpose. Somehow, we've gotten away from that and we're relying on Sunday schools and Vacation Bible schools to do that. And they do do their job, but the entire work depends on the home nurturing the child in the Lord as well.

Is it too late to start? No. Show your children and your children's children the center of your life that God possesses. Show them how important God is and how His presence has allowed you to be different and loving. Allow that atmosphere of trust and communication start with how you pray together. Then sharing can take place. You may not know who is the focus of your child's crush but your child will know that when more meaningful relationships develop they can talk to you about it.

PRAYER: Bless my home today, O God. I know there are flaws in me and as a result flaws in my home, but help me to overcome these and help me to be more trusting and open to those around me. Bless my home to be that what You want it to be. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Dear friends, those that were there know exactly what I'm talking about! We had a packed house and a packed gym for Gospel night. Next year we might just have to move to Strahan Auditorium for the event! A special thank you to all who bought tickets, came to worship; to the Wesley UMC Intergenerational Choir, Pastor Sylvester E. Chase, Jr. for his leadership and devotional message (You'll Never Find Another Love Like Christian Love!), to the Stewart Family for making the delicious real New Orleans gumbo (the Stewarts are evacuees from NO, but who have since joined us as real San Marcos Texans! and they made the gumbo for the evening), and the Mozambique team who coordinated everything. God was blessed as was God's family!

A special thank you to Pastor Leslie Tomlinson who preached at our worship services. She spoke on The Truth About Successful Families and I've not yet heard the tape nor have I seen a sermon insert but I'll follow the theme.

I did ask in the brochure about this series about how many of our dads came home from work wearing a suit and then changed into a cardigan sweater to be more comfortable, sat at a nice comfy chair, read the evening paper while Mom, dressed for church, prepared supper? The image I'm sharing, of course, was Ward and June Cleaver, the parents to Wally and Beaver, real name Teodore. The answer I know would be very few. The reality was and is a bit different. What was then more a table-centered family existence is now a clearing house for all sorts of things. I've heard many moms, mine included saying, I'm running a hotel, a cafe, a taxi service, a bank, a laundry, etc. Family time is almost nonexistent.

The truth about successful families in my opinion are those centered on Christ's love for each member and each member trying in his/her own way to share that same love towards each other. The great parable about families was the one Jesus shared about two brothers who didn't get along, were suspicious of each other, tried to play each other off the father and finally the younger of the two left. And he didn't leave poor. He took his share of the inheritance and spent it, according to the older brother "in a squanderous way of living." I'm sure the younger one made sure to email him about what he was up to and how he was spending dad's money. The story has the younger brother coming to his senses only after finding himself so poor he was hungry enough to eat the scraps of undesireable food fed to the hogs on the hog farm at which he now worked. The dad's compassionate love was the key to the story and Jesus used it to demonstrate God's compassionate love for us. The story ends with the older brother not wanting to be a part of the celebration for the young son's return, but the father says to the young man that he had never lost anything, in fact the dad tells him, "all that I have is yours," but understand the need to celebrate that this your brother who was dead is now alive.

How is it in your "family?" How do you want it to be? It may not be too late to try and make your family a "successful" one. It may require a lot of pain, work, tears, sweat and forgiveness, but with God's help and God's presence in your midst, it could happen. The place to start is with you and your heart. Do you have compassionate, forgiving love in your heart towards yourself and the other members of your family? How can you best show it?

PRAYER: God of compassionate love, begin Your good work in me. Help me to have that same sort of unconditional love toward myself so that I can begin to share it with those who matter most to me, my family. I thank you for each member and like me, I know they may not be perfect, but they are mine and they are Yours. Let me love them and begin to work towards having a family that reflects Your presence with us. I pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

DISCOURAGEMENT OR DISAPPOINTMENT? GOD IS STILL WITH US!

Thursday: Read Ephesians 5:21-33. This is some would say a “harsh” passage about marriage. How do you view it? What is the writer trying to get to you as you read this passage? Is there a single or double standard in this for husbands and wives? Why or why not? What is God using this passage to share with us?

From the NSRV:

21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. 24 Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. 33 Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

From The Message version: 21 Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. 22 Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. 23 The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. 24 So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. 25 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church - a love marked by giving, not getting. 26 Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, 27 dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. 28 And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor - since they're already "one" in marriage. 29 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church, 30 since we are part of his body. 31 And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." 32 This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. 33 And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.

This passage is about obedience and the faithful fulfillment of Christ's ministry. Paul is urging both members of the marriage to work together in a mutual understanding and support relationship, so that their work for Christ might be complete. Paul knew that trying to serve Christ is difficult. Any time anyone or any family seeks to serve the Lord, it seems almost deliberate that things come along that could easily discourage or disappoint us.

Here at a retreat I'm attending for the Board of Trustees of Asbury Seminary, we heard yesterday in two worship mediations, of two families and what they've suffered in recent years. One, the pastor of a church here in Florida, shared how he and his wife received word that their daughter was in a very serious traffic accident. It was touch and go for a long time. Their daughter had been married only a year and a half, had just started a teaching career, and on the first day of school someone plowed into her and left her almost dead. When she regained the ability to talk she told her husband he could leave if he wanted, and he said no, he had committed to her in sickness and in health. He quit his job and the two moved into the pastor's home so she could be helped by all members of the family. After a year, the two moved out on their own and they've since had a son. To this day she receives therapy. The pastor said, through it all, the most wonderful thing is God is with us.

The second pastor, an elderly retired college president and professor, shared his story of the last year of his married life. And he had traveled extensively thorughout his career and never imagined he wouldn't. Yet for one solid year, the last in his wife's life, the most exciting trip was to their mailbox out front near the street. And he said he couldn't have been happier during his life. All his wife expected from him, he said, was "to be." He also gave testimony to the power of knowing, God is with us.

Whatever your situation, whatever the trial or temptation, God is with you. Are you with God? Are you seeking, first as an individual, secondly as a couple or as a family, to serve Him? Again, there should be no double standard or difficulty in your own setting to discourage or disappoint you. Seek God in your midst to carry on with what God has expected of you.

PRAYER: God of all love, come and visit all marriages today. Come in a sweet, loving way to those who are struggling in either their commitment to each other or their commitment to You. Speak words of hope and presence, and may your Spirit guide each to fulfillment. We pray in Christ Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Have a great and glorious day.

e.v.

THE LOVE CHAPTER

Good day dear friends.

We continue our study of successful marriages. Here is our study guide for today:

Tuesday: Read the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, verses 4-8a. Why do you suppose this passage is read at so many weddings? What sort of checklist could you develop from this passage that would bless your marriage or the marriage of someone you know?

Here is that text:

1 Corinthians 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.

The Bible contains many references to love and this is the one that has a foundational checklist for all relationships. The writer is Paul and he is stressing his need to love God and God's people and for his readers to love in the same way. This passage came after a lengthy discourse on spiritual gifts and the way speaking in tongues had threatened to divide the early church and so Paul stresses that of all the gifts one could have and use for the glory of God, none matched the gift of love, and the importance to love one another as taught by Jesus.

However, in a marriage relationship these verses do serve a purpose. It shows how love works at getting along: One should posses Patience, kindness, support, humility, generosity, thoughtfulness, compassion, honesty, strength, forebearance, trust, hope and commitment. Could there be a better checklist?

PRAYER: God of love, speak lovingly to me today. Help the words of this verse speak new life to me and to with whom I am in relationship. Let me share the glory of Your love in my life. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGES

Good day dear friends.

Please remember to keep Kim Burke and family in your prayers. Tomorrow at our church we will host the funeral for Juanita Ladish. Juanita in recent days had joined Buda UMC and Pastor Mark Porterfield will be officiating in this funeral. The funeral is at 1 p.m.

We talked about "successful marriages" not perfect marriages yesterday. We stressed very clearly and some of you loudly, "There is NO such thing as a perfect marriage" unless you want to agree with Pastor Leslie's dad in his assessment that the perfect marriage is cake and ice cream, which made for an excellent prop. A successful marriage is one which is guided by God and the couples truly take seriously that the marriage covenant includes three parties especially the "party of the first part" who is God.

Here is our study guide for today.

Monday: Yesterday’s text is the basis for what many call the plan of God for marriage. What could you use to support or refute that claim? The passage also has God creating woman out of the man’s rib. What symbolism could you draw from that part of the body being the source of woman? What could be said about the words, “helpmeet,” or “companion” or “partner” in the different versions of the Bible? (v. 18)

Here is that text from yesterday, Genesis 2:22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken." 24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.

There was a poster from the 60s or 70s that had something to the effect of "God did not make woman from the foot to be stepped on or from ... etc... God made woman from the rib so that she could walk alongside the man..." I don't remember the exact wording but I do remember the point. From the rib, part of the rib cage that protects the most important organs in the body, comes this fair creature to walk alongside the man. Those who enjoy successful marriages will testifiy to the blessings that are ours in being married. We hear more of the jokers and critics that say marriage is an institution with no chance of parole or escape or that the leading cause of divorce is marriage; but if you truly seek to glorify God in your marriage you are blessed, your spouse is blessed, your children are blessed, your church is blessed, and society is blessed. We tend to joke about what a pain it is to be married or that we should discourage others from "making the same mistake," but truth be told, a successful, God-guided, God-powered marriage is the best thing for life.

Much can be said about the role of woman in a marriage through what we read earlier in the chapter about the rationale for having woman even created, but in truth God was setting forth the need for both the man and the woman to enter into this union to care for each other and to carry on the human race.

As long as parents are modeling in their own marriages the blessing that can be a successful marriage and love, shared by God and by both the husband and the wife, the future of marriage is secure. The children of such marriages will want that for themselves.

PRAYER: Visit, o God, the marriages of those we know and love. Visit the hearts, minds and spirits of those who are struggling in their relationships and bring to them Your presence of grace and love. We thank you for Your willingness to be involved in all aspects of our lives, including our marriages. So, come Lord Jesus, come. In Thy name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

THE SHEPHERD

Good day dear friends.

We continue to hold Juanita Ladish in our prayers. She is in the final stages of life and we pray for God's comfort be hers and her family in these days.

I ask prayers for two examination procedures that Nellie, my wife, is undergoing this afternoon.

As we continue to examine the Truth About Being a Christian here is today's study guide:

Thursday: Read Revelation 7:17. If the concept of what a shepherd does and is hasn’t become clear to you, realize that in this glimpse of Heaven there is a promise from God about what a shepherd will do and be. Read that passage with the knowledge of you’re wanting to be in that crowd when the shepherd does what he does. Ask God for faithfulness in your life towards God’s leading.

Here is that passage:

17 "for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

In the last book of the Bible it all ties together. The paradise relationship desired by God with us is completed. The image of He who would guide us during our time here is completed as we read in the above passage, with the awesomeness of He who was the Lamb is now the shepherd, "guiding us to springs of the water of life" and wiping "away every tear from (our) eyes."

The finality of all things, according to God's Word, is but the beginning of eternity. And from what is promised in the picture of eternity it's not a scary thing at all, in fact, it is the opposite; a desired presence with God where all our needs will be met. As the shepherd desire to guide and protect his flock to green pastures and springs of water, the book of Revelation closes it out by sharing this image.

While visiting with Juanita and her family present, we talked about grieving and mourning. While it is a very natural part of the healing process it is still a difficult one. We who have lost our moms talked about the places where it still hits us and we can't help but cry about the earthly loss we've suffered. The hurt is still real and with time becomes bearable, but does one ever truly on earth forget the presence of a dear loved one? The answer is no, but what bring healing and calm are the promises we find in our faith book, that God is a God of life and not of death. That in God we find eternal life lived in Him. Death is a part of a life lived in Christ that brings no end but passage into the realm of eternity. The shepherd who guides us here will guide us there. And as the Bible promises, that guidance will take us to springs of living water and a place where tears are no more.

PRAYER: Come, God of life to my life. Let me be guided by you even today into that path of life. Let me share words of life with those all around me. Help me to see all. Help me to love all. And when the day comes when I get invited home, guide me to the fullness of life without end. Be with those who are mourning and grieving even today. May the precious memories of those in Your presence stay with us and comfort us. We pray in the name of The Shepherd, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

ONLY SIX VERSES!

Good day dear friends.

We continue our study of The Truth About Being a Christian. Our text for Sunday was from John 10 where Jesus makes His declaration about being the good shepherd. And in keeping with that we have today's study guide:

Tuesday: Read the 23rd Psalm. Notice the faith the wrter places in God as his shepherd. Let each verse speak to you about how we should be trusting God more. Remember this psalm has shared quiet, strong faith in the lives of US Presidents, Generals, soldiers, sailors, doctors, nurses, teachers, workers, laborers, etc. How can this psalm come alive to you to speak to your life?

Here is this passage in both one of the oldest English versions, the King James, and one of the newest, The Message. And for educational fun, I also share it in the language in which I first learned it, Espanol, Reina Valera Version (Antiqua version)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (King James Version)

1 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. 2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. 3 True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (The Message Version)

Salmo 23 1JEHOVA es mi pastor; nada me faltará. 2 En lugares de delicados pastos me hará yacer: Junto á aguas de reposo me pastoreará. 3 Confortará mi alma; Guiárame por sendas de justicia por amor de su nombre. 4 Aunque ande en valle de sombra de muerte, No temeré mal alguno; porque tú estarás conmigo: Tu vara y tu cayado me infundirán aliento. 5 Aderezarás mesa delante de mí, en presencia de mis angustiadores: Ungiste mi cabeza con aceite: mi copa está rebosando. 6 Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida: Y en la casa de Jehová moraré por largos días.

Countless have been the times this passage has been read at besides in hospitals, hospices, emergency rooms, homes, etc. in the hope that it would bring comfort and peace to those hearing it. I would say that in every one of those cases it has brought comfort and peace to every single person who read it or requested it. The 23rd Psalm has only six verses, yet it is very easy to mix up the verses or to forget a key verse when trying to remember it from memory. A dear friend and mentor in ministry lay dying from cancer in a hospital and he never lost his sense of humor and thankfulness to God. He joked with Nellie and I that earlier his family had gathered to pray with him and to close one of his daughters said, "Let's say the 23rd Psalm together in Spanish," and you know what he asked, "They couldn't remember it all in the right order and I just had to laugh and we all laughed." Tht moment of laughter accomplished the same thing: Life is more precious when we realize just Who is in charge and what God can do. From the first verse until the last, like the Lord's Prayer, it is a prayer of dependence on God. It is also an affirmation of faith:

In God we believe Who can supply all things.
It is God with Whom we walk through all places, both good and bad, yet not even in the worst of places should we be afraid for God is with us.
And we affirm that God has all power and strength to see us through even through the darkest of places and situations.
And when our journey here is over, we shall rejoice and celebrate, and I'll be happy at home with God. Amen.

What more could we ask?

PRAYER: God, I affirm You in my life today. Let my thoughts, words and actions reflect an alive faith. Let others ask about what makes me so confident and happy. And drive shyness and fear away as I say, "The Lord is my shepherd." Amen.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Try memorizing the 23rd Psalm today. Only six verses.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

FROM THE PASTURE TO THE PALACE

Good day dear friends.

Yesterday we started a new sermon series on "The Truth About..." And the first one was the Truth About Being a Christian. We talked about the origin of the word "Christian" and how it comes from the city of Antioch from Acts 11:26. Those in Antioch were amazed at how believers lived and so called them "litte Christs," which is what the word literally means. We also talked about maturing our faith to living with sacredness, service, and sacrifice.

Here is today's study guide:

Monday: Please read again the passage from yesterday (John 10:7-14) and see there the common day reference Jesus used to compare people’s trust of Him. What little we know of shepherds and sheep, does this passage instruct you to know how Jesus really wants us to live? Keep in mind the complete trust that was placed on those who served as shepherds. They were expected to give their lives to protect the sheep. And the sheep once they knew the shepherd and his/her voice, knew to trust and follow him anywhere.

Here is that passage:
John 10:7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go 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. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away--and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."

We know so little of about our rural roots anymore. It used to be we could say most of us had some ties to someone in our family who had lived on a farm or ranch. Nellie's mom and my mom both worked as farm workers, and both of us had relatives that either owned or lived on farms and ranches. My grandfather ended his working days working on a huge ranch south of Kingsville, But we had no shepherds in our background. My friends who have served in the San Angelo District have stories about shepherds out there. Our study of shepherds show that a good shepherd makes him/herself known to the sheep. His voice is what helps them know who's taking care of them. And they know to trust him for he is the one who can lead them to the place where they can eat, drink, and rest. He is the one, especially in Jesus' day who would fight off any predator. King David when he would recount his story in the Psalms would remember how God had blessed him with victory over fierce animals and it was those pasture experiences that led him to the battleground with Goliath and later into the palace.

Jesus used this illustration of sheep to describe the care and protection that is ours if we turn ourselves over to God. Jesus' life was a life completely surrendered to God and God's will. Jesus knew He could trust God and instructs us to do the same. Come to know The Shepherd's voice. Let the shepherd speak lovingly and tenderly to you so that you may follow Him. Know, that like David, our "pasture" experiences will one day lead us to the "palace."

PRAYER: Loving Shepherd, speak to us with love today. Let us know where and how we can best serve You. We seek Your face and we want to know your voice. Let it be today that this happens. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

WHAT GREATER GIFT?

Good day dear friends.

Let us be in prayer for the families of the miners in Tallmansville, W. Virginia who tragically lost fathers, husbands, sons, friends in that mining accident. What a sad day for them all as first they heard good news about those believed to be alive then to be told three hours later that all but one of those was dead. May the Lord bring them comfort during this difficult time is our prayer.

Personal prayer of gratitude for the birthday of our son-in-law, Eric Cortez of Galveston, TX. May the Lord bless him with many more and continue to bring him protection in his daily life as a police officer in the city of Galveston. Happy Birthday, Eric!

We continue to celebrate the long awaited national title that the Longhorns bring back to the great state of Texas. We also continue our study of the gifts brought to us by God and the visit of the Magi to the Lord.

Thursday: Read Isaiah 53:4-9. This is a passage that references the prophecy concerning Jesus’ being offered as OUR sacrifice for OUR sins. Pray before reading this passage and let each of the verses sink into your soul as you read all that was expected of Jesus on that cross for you and me. How do you suppose the last gift touched Mary’s heart as she received this as a gift for a child? According to Matthew, she may not have had time to ponder much as they were warned to leave their country and to flee for Egypt. Matthew would later say this was a fulfillment of prophecy for God’s work through Jesus for the sake of all humanity. What are your thoughts?

Here is that passage from Isaiah:

4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 From arrest and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. {[8] Or away. Yet who of his generation considered that he was cut off from the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the blow was due?} 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

That the magi brought myrrh must have confused Mary on that visit. But as she realized the way Jesus was touching lives, he was also upsetting others. She also had one occasion when she and her family (Jesus' brothers and sisters) felt it necessary to go and bring Jesus home. Jesus refused for He knew his purpose. Soon, Mary would know that purpose but as a loving mother she knew the difficulty in giving away her son to a mission that included that son's death. But in that death we came out the winners. We came out blessed. For our sins and infirmities, Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's words. Jesus came to redeem us! What greater gift could we want?

PRAYER: Lord, for the many and wonderful gifts that are ours we thank You. We thank you for the gift of redemption, of having our sins removed and our infirmities cured in the life and ministry of Your Son, Jesus our Lord. May today be but the start of a life lived in gratitude and thanksgiving for all You do. May we do more for You is our prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

PS Members of the charge conference, please don't forget that tonight at 7, Dr. Robert Hall will be with us to celebrate our year of ministry. Come with a joyful heart and ready for planning for a New Year! See you tonight!

WE'LL TAKE IT!

It wasn't the score I predicted and that score is registered in the
district office, but we'll take it. I'll admit there was a time when
UT was down 12 and there was under six minutes to play that for half a
second, if that long, I thought it was perhaps over. But then I
remembered that six minutes is a lot of time for a good football
team. And it came true. So, our thanks to God for a great game, for
an exciting game and we celebrate the end result!

So, our congratulations to the Longhorns and to the state of Texas for
our National Championship!

Sadly, I'm not even sleepy now, I'll sleep through the Charge
Conference later tonight!

Blessings!

e.v.

OUR DAY OF PRAYER

Good day dear friends. This is THE day! This is the day unlike any other days. The crime rates of two of the biggest states in the union will drop tonight. Would be muggers and burglars will drop what they planned to do to make their way to the television. This is the day there is NO major meeting scheduled in any rational church or synagogue. Even our choir met last night to rehearse for Sunday instead of tonight. Charge Conferences scheduled for tonight have caused death threats to persons in authority. This is the day years from now little Longhorns will ask, "Why is this night different from all the rest?" And mommies and daddys will answer (O Lord, hear our prayer!) "Because tonight the overrated USC Trojans got spanked by Texas, that's why!" For those of you living in smaller states I believe you have deduced what I am referring to. The number one and number two teams in the country meet tonight. With apologies to President Greenway and others from Pennsylvania, last night's game was impressive. Triple overtime and Penn pulled it out, that was good. It was a great battle for third place. Tonight is the deciding night for number one. Okay, enough for now. (More later?)

Here is our study guide for today:

Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, let’s consider all we hope to accomplish for ourselves, our God, and our loved ones during this New Year. Many of us have made resolutions to ourselves about what it is we need to do better. Make this a part of your prayer life. If we involve God in our efforts and ask God’s help we will better accomplish our goals. Be in prayer for God’s church that we may strive to reach more people for the Kingdom of God in 2006!

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

A KINGLY HIGH PRIEST

A reconstruction of the garments worn by the high priest in Israel.

Good day dear friends.

We continue to visit with the gift from God through Jesus. Who received the greater gift? Jesus or the Magi?

Here is our study guide for today:

Tuesday: Read Acts 2:29-30 about the references to Jesus’ place on the throne of Israel. Peter, as he preaches this first Christian sermon, is covering all the bases for those present to hear about what God has done in and through Jesus Christ. Compare this to Hebrews 7:26-27 and Jesus’ role mentioned there. Are the first two gifts given by the Magi in accordance to these references?

Here are those two passages from Acts 2 and Hebrews 7:

29 "Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne

26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself.

The first gift was gold, that which is the required gift fit for a king. Peter in this sermon shares that even David knew that God would keep His promise of putting one of David's descendants on the throne, whom Peter believed was Jesus, king of the Jews. In the second passage, the writer of Hebrews is calling Jesus our high priest, but unlike other high priests whose duty it was to offer sacrifices daily, Jesus has paid them all. The second gift was the gift of frankincense.

In Jesus we find our king and our high priest. Jesus came to rule over our lives if we surrender to Him. In Jesus we also find He who gave Himself as our high priest, he who is the "bridge" between God and humanity. (Keep in mind the root word of priest is ponte, similar to the Spanish "puente" - bridge). Jesus is the high priest, but as the Hebrews writer said has paid our sins and does not need to offer any other sacrifice for He has offered Himself as our sacrifice.

PRAYER: Thank you dear God for Jesus and the great gift You've shared with us through Him. Let us surrender to Jesus so that He truly becomes our King. Let us pray in His name knowing Jesus intercedes for us. Make us more like Jesus this year is our prayer. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

WHO RECEIVED THE GREATER GIFT?

Good day dear friends and a Happy New Year to you all!

Those in worship yesterday will remember we studied the visit of the wise men to the Christ child. This was an early celebration of Epiphany before Friday's actual day. We talked about the wonder and awe that should be ours as we start a New Year. We will receive 364 new gifts of life and how we choose to receive them is up to us.

Here is our study guide for today:

Monday: Please read Numbers 24:17. What does this passage reference in relation to Sunday’s text? Now find Isaiah 60:3. What reference is this? Read please now Psalm 72:10-14. Again, what reference to these visitors can we find there? Finally, find Psalm 69:29 and read what it says there about Jesus’ visitors.

To continue our study of this visit from the East, I thought it would be interesting to see what Old Testament scriptures would speak to us about the coming birth of this special child. The first comes from Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near— a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Of all the OT books, most people count (pun intended!) Numbers as perhaps the least favorite for it contains more of a census than anything else, yet from it we find this first reference to a star coming out of Jacob. The magi followed the Christmas star from their land to Bethlehem and as Matthew tells us it led them right to where the child was.

Matthew, as the author of what some call the Gospel for the Jews, emphasizes this visit as one by royalty thus our also calling the magi "The Three Kings." We find in this Isaiah passage this prophecy: "3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." This passage speaks of nations, and in keeping with the tradition of these magi being kings, it was believed each was from a different nation, and the "kings" reference further says what Matthew believed, to the side of where the child was came the kings.

The Psalmist in the 72nd Psalm verses 10-14 writes these words: "10 May the kings of Tar'shish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of She'ba and Se'ba bring gifts. 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. 12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight." This prophecy goes beyond just sharing about the visit by kings, this reference says they will bring gifts and also talks about what the child would offer the world, in this case a concern and salvation of the needy and the redemption of those who are being oppressed and treated violently.

The last reference in the Psalms comes from the 68th Psalm verse 29 this reference: "29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts." Again a reference to kings coming bearing gift to the Messiah.

I asked the children during children's time who received the greater gift? The child Jesus in the three gifts the magi brought to him or the magi in having experienced the child and the fulfillment of prophecy in this birth. I couldn't convince the children that the magi got the greater gift. Even after I started preaching to the adults I heard the voice answer me as I posed the questions to the adults, "Jesus!" We could argue the point but we won't. I still believe we received the greatest gift in God sharing His only Son with us during this time. And each day of this new year God will continue to offer His son to us as He who can walk and comfort us with the surprise that may come to us with each day. Life is lived better knowing that regardless of what tomorrow holds we know Who holds tomorrow. Let God hold you!

PRAYER: We thank you again loving God for the gift of this New Year and more importantly for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Let He be who walks with us each day so that whatever today may bring we can enjoy and/or face it together. We don't know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow and that is You so please hold on to us tightly. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

**FOR MEMBERS OF FIRST UMC-SAN MARCOS: This coming Sunday we will be having a fellowship covered dish luncheon immediately after eleven o'clock worship sponsored by the Festival committee. This will be to help familiarize all of us to the second annual Festival for Christ in which we will raise money for our church bus. Please make plans to be present for this meal.

WHO RECEIVED THE GREATER GIFT?

Good day dear friends and a Happy New Year to you all!

Those in worship yesterday will remember we studied the visit of the wise men to the Christ child. This was an early celebration of Epiphany before Friday's actual day. We talked about the wonder and awe that should be ours as we start a New Year. We will receive 364 new gifts of life and how we choose to receive them is up to us.

Here is our study guide for today:

Monday: Please read Numbers 24:17. What does this passage reference in relation to Sunday’s text? Now find Isaiah 60:3. What reference is this? Read please now Psalm 72:10-14. Again, what reference to these visitors can we find there? Finally, find Psalm 69:29 and read what it says there about Jesus’ visitors.

To continue our study of this visit from the East, I thought it would be interesting to see what Old Testament scriptures would speak to us about the coming birth of this special child. The first comes from Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near— a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Of all the OT books, most people count (pun intended!) Numbers as perhaps the least favorite for it contains more of a census than anything else, yet from it we find this first reference to a star coming out of Jacob. The magi followed the Christmas star from their land to Bethlehem and as Matthew tells us it led them right to where the child was.

Matthew, as the author of what some call the Gospel for the Jews, emphasizes this visit as one by royalty thus our also calling the magi "The Three Kings." We find in this Isaiah passage this prophecy: "3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." This passage speaks of nations, and in keeping with the tradition of these magi being kings, it was believed each was from a different nation, and the "kings" reference further says what Matthew believed, to the side of where the child was came the kings.

The Psalmist in the 72nd Psalm verses 10-14 writes these words: "10 May the kings of Tar'shish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of She'ba and Se'ba bring gifts. 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. 12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight." This prophecy goes beyond just sharing about the visit by kings, this reference says they will bring gifts and also talks about what the child would offer the world, in this case a concern and salvation of the needy and the redemption of those who are being oppressed and treated violently.

The last reference in the Psalms comes from the 68th Psalm verse 29 this reference: "29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts." Again a reference to kings coming bearing gift to the Messiah.

I asked the children during children's time who received the greater gift? The child Jesus in the three gifts the magi brought to him or the magi in having experienced the child and the fulfillment of prophecy in this birth. I couldn't convince the children that the magi got the greater gift. Even after I started preaching to the adults I heard the voice answer me as I posed the questions to the adults, "Jesus!" We could argue the point but we won't. I still believe we received the greatest gift in God sharing His only Son with us during this time. And each day of this new year God will continue to offer His son to us as He who can walk and comfort us with the surprise that may come to us with each day. Life is lived better knowing that regardless of what tomorrow holds we know Who holds tomorrow. Let God hold you!

PRAYER: We thank you again loving God for the gift of this New Year and more importantly for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Let He be who walks with us each day so that whatever today may bring we can enjoy and/or face it together. We don't know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow and that is You so please hold on to us tightly. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

**FOR MEMBERS OF FIRST UMC-SAN MARCOS: This coming Sunday we will be having a fellowship covered dish luncheon immediately after eleven o'clock worship sponsored by the Festival committee. This will be to help familiarize all of us to the second annual Festival for Christ in which we will raise money for our church bus. Please make plans to be present for this meal.