Good day dear friends. We thank the Lord for the safe arrival of our team from Mozambique! They arrived on schedule to San Antonio where a group of family and church family awaited their return. Only Sherry DeMarcy had her luggage! The rest of the team lost theirs in Johannesburg in their rush to to make their connection to the one flight out per day out of Africa. Once their luggage gets to Washington DC within 48 hours it will be delivered to their homes. (I will try to post some photos on my blog page http://theuniversityoftheway.blogspot.com). We also had a wonderful time with the monthly fellowship luncheon and the Bubba Crocker pie cookoff. We raised $724 in the auction the pies. Congratulations to Howard Yeargan, JD Welch, Paul Mayhew for prizes on their pies, and David Gish on his presentation prize.
Let us be in prayer for Kenneth Thompson, in his final stages of life at CTMC. For peace in the Middle East and those families who lost 34 children overnight in the latest battles.
We looked at myth number 5, Christianity is just a crutch for the weak. And we agreed that in a sense it is and we thank God for it. But the real problem is those who don't understand God enough to know God offers comfort, strength, help, etc. when we need God most. Many seek not to make a commitment to something they don't understand. Our prayers are with them
Here is our study guide for today:Monday: The Corinth church wasn’t that much different from the original people of God as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. For today let’s read Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Quite a choice given the people by this passage, but it was still a choice. Of course, the option of choosing against God doesn’t seem very appealing, but given the topic for this week, how would the “strong” choose? How would you choose?
Here is that passage: Deut. 30:15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The "strong" pride themselves in making their "own" decisions as they make their own way. Given the choice in this pre-Promised Land passage, Joshua offers the truth: It's your choice, life and prosperity, death or destruction? If you love God, walk in His ways, keeps His commands, you will live and increase and you will be blessed by God. But if you choose to live away from God and not acknowledge your need for God, you will "certainly be destroyed." You won't live long in the new land. Joshua goes on to call on heaven and earth to be witnesses against the people who choose to be against God, so choose lilfe so that you and your children may live. "Hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." (v. 20).
Christianity never denies our freedom of will. We always have the choice in how we will live and whether we will believe in God or not. The beauty of our faith is that God does love, bless, and protect those who call upon Him. God does provide what others may see as a "crutch." I will be the first to admit I need that. I need that every day. I pray for those who think they can do it on their own.
How do you choose?
PRAYER: Come, strong, loving God to my life. Share with me that which I need to love You and serve You. Help me today to walk with You in the ways You have shown me. Let my life give witness to a living faith. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
OUR DAY OF PRAYER
Good day dear friends.
Today is our day of prayer. Let us pray for the safe travel of our team from Mozambique. It is a long journey home and they will arrive here Sunday afternoon.
Our secretary Lydia was to return home last night and all went well on this unexpected trip. She travels to her home town to attend a wedding. Our prayers for her continued safe travel.
Our prayers for all who travel today.
Here is our prayer guide:
Friday: This is our day of prayer.. Pray that God would allow us the wisdom, courage and boldness of Paul as we seek to be Christ’s ambassadors in all things. Pray that God would speak to our hearts about how God can use us to share His word to all. Pray for all who preach, teach, and live the word of God in all churches. Pray for the harvest that is ours that needs our blessing and strength.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Today is our day of prayer. Let us pray for the safe travel of our team from Mozambique. It is a long journey home and they will arrive here Sunday afternoon.
Our secretary Lydia was to return home last night and all went well on this unexpected trip. She travels to her home town to attend a wedding. Our prayers for her continued safe travel.
Our prayers for all who travel today.
Here is our prayer guide:
Friday: This is our day of prayer.. Pray that God would allow us the wisdom, courage and boldness of Paul as we seek to be Christ’s ambassadors in all things. Pray that God would speak to our hearts about how God can use us to share His word to all. Pray for all who preach, teach, and live the word of God in all churches. Pray for the harvest that is ours that needs our blessing and strength.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
GOD USES EVEN ME!
Good day dear friends.
We continue our study of the myth that all religions are basically the same. Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: Acts 17:16-34 shares an interesting story about Paul and his visit to Athens. Read this passage to find out more about what the Lord may be telling you about your faith. Paul never backed down from sharing the good news of Jesus and he learned how to utilize all sorts of ways to make the word of the Lord relevent to all.
Here is that passage (NIV): Acts 17:16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 `For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, `We are his offspring.' 29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Oh for the boldness of Paul! This passage is powerful for it shows how God used Paul to share the good news even among those who considered themselves knowledgable in all things religious and spiritual. This visit to Athens takes Paul to the heart of place where people liked to argue and discuss about all matters. His initial visit to the synagogue isn't what he would have liked and so he goes to the marketplace to share there the gospel of Jesus. Some philosophers began to argue with him and notice their argument, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods!" If all religions are basically the same, why would this uproar have started? Paul goes on to share with them that he has seen an altar dedicated TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. The Athenians tried to cover all the bases by even putting, among the multitude of other idols to their gods, this altar to whichever god they might have overlooked. Paul took that as an opportunity to share our God. Read again the case Paul makes for God. This made some scoff at the idea of resurrection, but some wanted to know more again later. Yet, out of that sharing of his testimony about God, Paul walks away with some new believers, "Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others."
In our lives we come across situations and opportunities such as this. Someone may say a word about need or a situation they are facing and it's up to us to rely on God to have the words to share with those around us. All this week we've been affirming our faith as the faith that has given us new life and that is leading us to fullness of life here and one day to the eternal fullness of life eternal. If God has shared it with us, it's up to us to share it with others. This past Sunday Nellie and I tried a new place for lunch. It seems to be family-run and we found the food quite good. I still had on my pastor's name badge, and as I was paying the young man behind the counter said, "You're a pastor, so I have a question. What's going to happen to those people who die without knowing about Jesus, like the ones in say, Africa." Well, that was all I needed to share with him about God using us and I shared how we had a team of witnesses in Mozambique going about that very business this week and last. I told him it was up to us to take every opportunity to share Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the world. I also said we leave it to God's mercy for those who live and die not knowing.
What are you doing for the sake of God's kingdom?
PRAYER: Use me today loving God, even me. I sometimes am a person of limited words and shyness or fear to speak, but let me live a life that shares and if needed, give me the words to give witness to the mercy that You showed to me so that others may also believe. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
We continue our study of the myth that all religions are basically the same. Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: Acts 17:16-34 shares an interesting story about Paul and his visit to Athens. Read this passage to find out more about what the Lord may be telling you about your faith. Paul never backed down from sharing the good news of Jesus and he learned how to utilize all sorts of ways to make the word of the Lord relevent to all.
Here is that passage (NIV): Acts 17:16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 `For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, `We are his offspring.' 29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Oh for the boldness of Paul! This passage is powerful for it shows how God used Paul to share the good news even among those who considered themselves knowledgable in all things religious and spiritual. This visit to Athens takes Paul to the heart of place where people liked to argue and discuss about all matters. His initial visit to the synagogue isn't what he would have liked and so he goes to the marketplace to share there the gospel of Jesus. Some philosophers began to argue with him and notice their argument, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods!" If all religions are basically the same, why would this uproar have started? Paul goes on to share with them that he has seen an altar dedicated TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. The Athenians tried to cover all the bases by even putting, among the multitude of other idols to their gods, this altar to whichever god they might have overlooked. Paul took that as an opportunity to share our God. Read again the case Paul makes for God. This made some scoff at the idea of resurrection, but some wanted to know more again later. Yet, out of that sharing of his testimony about God, Paul walks away with some new believers, "Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others."
In our lives we come across situations and opportunities such as this. Someone may say a word about need or a situation they are facing and it's up to us to rely on God to have the words to share with those around us. All this week we've been affirming our faith as the faith that has given us new life and that is leading us to fullness of life here and one day to the eternal fullness of life eternal. If God has shared it with us, it's up to us to share it with others. This past Sunday Nellie and I tried a new place for lunch. It seems to be family-run and we found the food quite good. I still had on my pastor's name badge, and as I was paying the young man behind the counter said, "You're a pastor, so I have a question. What's going to happen to those people who die without knowing about Jesus, like the ones in say, Africa." Well, that was all I needed to share with him about God using us and I shared how we had a team of witnesses in Mozambique going about that very business this week and last. I told him it was up to us to take every opportunity to share Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the world. I also said we leave it to God's mercy for those who live and die not knowing.
What are you doing for the sake of God's kingdom?
PRAYER: Use me today loving God, even me. I sometimes am a person of limited words and shyness or fear to speak, but let me live a life that shares and if needed, give me the words to give witness to the mercy that You showed to me so that others may also believe. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Good day dear friends. We continue to ask prayers for Karim Aziz and Ruben Garza's father. We also ask for prayers for the family of Nolan Bradford Hays, the grandfather of Rev. Tommy Hays of our conference. Rev. Hays leads Messiah Ministries out of Kentucky and will be preaching today at his grandfather's funeral in Lamesa, Texas. Please also remember Dee Dee Murdoch.
Here is our prayer guide for today:
Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, please be in prayer for the people of the world who care nothing about religion. Pray that their souls might be stirred into birthing a faith in the one, true God. Pray that God would use you and this church to further the cause of Christ so that the true light of the world might be known in all hearts.
Have a great and blessed day.
e.v.
Here is our prayer guide for today:
Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, please be in prayer for the people of the world who care nothing about religion. Pray that their souls might be stirred into birthing a faith in the one, true God. Pray that God would use you and this church to further the cause of Christ so that the true light of the world might be known in all hearts.
Have a great and blessed day.
e.v.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
SHOWDOWN FOR FAITH
Good day dear friends.
We continue to affirm our faith that ours is a unique faith and dispels the myth that all religions are basically the same. Here is our study guide for today:
Tuesday: Please read 1Kings 18:17-40. This is a lengthy passage but it is one that speaks of a showdown between God and the prophets of Baal, a false god from the region Israel was inhabiting. Read about how this “contest” ends. What does it tell you?
Here is that passage from 1 Kings 18:17 When he (King Ahab) saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" 18 "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. 22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire--he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good." 25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which was in ruins. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." 34 "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The Lord--he is God! The Lord--he is God!" 40 Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
If all religions are basically the same, there would not have been this showdown between the prophets of Baal and the one true to God, Elijah. There would have been no conflict of mandates, in terms of what Ahab and Jezebel were doing, because even in this evil that they were doing, they were still pleasing God, right? Wrong. Elijah spoke for Yahweh and against what Ahab and Jezebel stood for and believed. Elijah knew of the futility of the faith these rulers and most of their subjects placed in the god Baal. The showdown takes place on Mount Carmel, where the 400 prophets of Baal meet to see what their god could do against the God of Elijah.
The result was they not only lost the contest, they lost their lives. There was only one God who could show His power on that day and it was God who showed them who is the one, true living God.
What will it take for you to truly believe in our God's power? Do we need a showdown in our lives between the "gods" we have chosen to follow against God and His love for us?
PRAYER: Living, loving God, speak to my heart today and let me receive and believe. I do not want to continue following other things or persons that I have placed in my life as gods. Let me be the person You need me to be, to give witness of Your love and presence here. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
PS The folks of FUMCSM are reminded that tonight is Chicken Foot night in our gym. Come and learn to play this fun game and be involved in fellowship with one another. For more information or child care, please call the church office, 392-6001.
We continue to affirm our faith that ours is a unique faith and dispels the myth that all religions are basically the same. Here is our study guide for today:
Tuesday: Please read 1Kings 18:17-40. This is a lengthy passage but it is one that speaks of a showdown between God and the prophets of Baal, a false god from the region Israel was inhabiting. Read about how this “contest” ends. What does it tell you?
Here is that passage from 1 Kings 18:17 When he (King Ahab) saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" 18 "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. 22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire--he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good." 25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which was in ruins. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." 34 "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The Lord--he is God! The Lord--he is God!" 40 Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
If all religions are basically the same, there would not have been this showdown between the prophets of Baal and the one true to God, Elijah. There would have been no conflict of mandates, in terms of what Ahab and Jezebel were doing, because even in this evil that they were doing, they were still pleasing God, right? Wrong. Elijah spoke for Yahweh and against what Ahab and Jezebel stood for and believed. Elijah knew of the futility of the faith these rulers and most of their subjects placed in the god Baal. The showdown takes place on Mount Carmel, where the 400 prophets of Baal meet to see what their god could do against the God of Elijah.
The result was they not only lost the contest, they lost their lives. There was only one God who could show His power on that day and it was God who showed them who is the one, true living God.
What will it take for you to truly believe in our God's power? Do we need a showdown in our lives between the "gods" we have chosen to follow against God and His love for us?
PRAYER: Living, loving God, speak to my heart today and let me receive and believe. I do not want to continue following other things or persons that I have placed in my life as gods. Let me be the person You need me to be, to give witness of Your love and presence here. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
PS The folks of FUMCSM are reminded that tonight is Chicken Foot night in our gym. Come and learn to play this fun game and be involved in fellowship with one another. For more information or child care, please call the church office, 392-6001.
Monday, July 24, 2006
THE REVELATION OF GOD FOR US
Good day dear friends.
We entered Myth No. 4, "It Doesn't Matter What You Believe, Because Basically All Religions Are The Same." This is a myth of convenience for one does not have to make a decision or to make a commitment to a particular faith. It is also a weak myth given the political unrest in so many regions of the world based mainly on religious differences. If all religions were "basically the same" you'd think they would all get along?
Here is our study guide for Monday: Monday: As Moses prepared the people of God (Israel) to enter into the Promised Land, he shared with them teachings from God Himself about Who God was and is. Please find Deuteronomy 6:4-9. What does this tell you about God? Compare that to Exodus 20:2-5a. Would the notion that the promised land was inhabited by other people who had other gods influence God into sharing these teachings? How do you feel about this?
Here is Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.(NIV)
If all religions were the same, the first commandment would not have stressed that God is a jealous God. And this passage from Deuteronomy would not have had Moses sharing with them the basis of their faith: We have one God, who wants us to love Him! This was good preparation for the people of God were about to enter the land where the people had many gods and strange worship compared with theirs. This passage stresses that the knowledge of God had to be written in their hearts, impressed upon their children, spoken about at home and on journeys, when resting about to sleep, and first thing in the morning. They were to have symbols on their hands and on their foreheads, written on doorframes of their homes and gates. (Remember at this point they were mostly in tents!)
Here is the commandment from Exodus 20:2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God (NRSV).
The main comparision? They're the same. God is a loving God, but God is a jealous God. And in the commandment God is more specific about what other people were doing in their worship of false gods and God did not want His people to be involved in the same thing.
When you think about it, our faith is one that does not stress our having to wear certain religious things, though we're free to wear crosses or put crosses on our vehicles or clothing. But these are just symbols of what price God paid through Jesus for us. They serve as loving reminders of the revelation of God with us about what God did to show Himself through His son.
Look for the signs today. See how real God is for you in everything you come across today. And let those settle in your heart and mind. God loves you and cares for you. What will you do for Him today?
PRAYER: God, I know you are everywhere. Let me see Your handiwork in all things. Let me be a witness of love, Your love, to those with whom I come in contact today and all days. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
We entered Myth No. 4, "It Doesn't Matter What You Believe, Because Basically All Religions Are The Same." This is a myth of convenience for one does not have to make a decision or to make a commitment to a particular faith. It is also a weak myth given the political unrest in so many regions of the world based mainly on religious differences. If all religions were "basically the same" you'd think they would all get along?
Here is our study guide for Monday: Monday: As Moses prepared the people of God (Israel) to enter into the Promised Land, he shared with them teachings from God Himself about Who God was and is. Please find Deuteronomy 6:4-9. What does this tell you about God? Compare that to Exodus 20:2-5a. Would the notion that the promised land was inhabited by other people who had other gods influence God into sharing these teachings? How do you feel about this?
Here is Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.(NIV)
If all religions were the same, the first commandment would not have stressed that God is a jealous God. And this passage from Deuteronomy would not have had Moses sharing with them the basis of their faith: We have one God, who wants us to love Him! This was good preparation for the people of God were about to enter the land where the people had many gods and strange worship compared with theirs. This passage stresses that the knowledge of God had to be written in their hearts, impressed upon their children, spoken about at home and on journeys, when resting about to sleep, and first thing in the morning. They were to have symbols on their hands and on their foreheads, written on doorframes of their homes and gates. (Remember at this point they were mostly in tents!)
Here is the commandment from Exodus 20:2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God (NRSV).
The main comparision? They're the same. God is a loving God, but God is a jealous God. And in the commandment God is more specific about what other people were doing in their worship of false gods and God did not want His people to be involved in the same thing.
When you think about it, our faith is one that does not stress our having to wear certain religious things, though we're free to wear crosses or put crosses on our vehicles or clothing. But these are just symbols of what price God paid through Jesus for us. They serve as loving reminders of the revelation of God with us about what God did to show Himself through His son.
Look for the signs today. See how real God is for you in everything you come across today. And let those settle in your heart and mind. God loves you and cares for you. What will you do for Him today?
PRAYER: God, I know you are everywhere. Let me see Your handiwork in all things. Let me be a witness of love, Your love, to those with whom I come in contact today and all days. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
O, FOR A FAITH THAT GROWS!
Good day dear friends. We have good news/bad news from Doug Carson. This is the way his wife shared it with me! Good news: The infection can be controlled and wasn't as severe as the family feared! Bad news: They found water in Doug's lungs and hospitalized him in hopes of stopping pnuemonia. That's not really bad news, other than to have him away from the family. Please continue to hold the Carson family in your prayers. I visited with Houston Marney and he's very alert and ready to return home. I visited with Virgil Swift and his next doctor's appointment is Wednesday of next week. Eric Brown's surgery went very well. And W. C. Newberry, former member, went home on Tuesday. The team from Mozambique reported yesterday that their evangelistic efforts are going great. They've been showing the "Jesus" movie twice a night to receptive crowds, who usually remain standing for the entire 2 hour, 15 minute movie. The team prays with those asking for prayer and lead them in singing. Tracts that have been passed out have been received with much enthusiasm. Our prayers are being answered.
We continue to affirm that science is not in conflict with Christianity. Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: In 2 Kings 5:1-14, we find a story of one afflicted with an illness that is not easily healed, but the faith of his slave girl allows him to find the man of God who prescribed the perfect healing for him. Read the story and ask God to speak to your heart about illnesses you or a loved one is facing.
Here is the passage from 2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 "By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy." 7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!" 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." 11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
This is a powerful story and as I have shared here before, strongly emphasized at a UMW meeting by a retired pastor's wife who said that the unnamed girl in this passage was perhaps one of the most powerful characters in the Bible because of her faith. She was carried off by enemy soldiers and forced into slave labor by this general. But that did not keep her from trusting God even in her situation and even for the healing of this man keeping her from being free. Her faith said that God could work things that cannot and do not need explanation. In this story the general finally gives in to the prescribed remedy and is healed. Did he need a scientific explanation? No! He needed a way to thank God!
Oh, if our faith were that strong! To say that God is with us and can and does heal us, sometimes not in ways that we want or life. Can we have a faith such as this?
PRAYER: Loving God come to my heart and mind and allow my faith to grow. Let my faith be that which allows me to share You with others. Make me an instrument of hope and joy and peace. In Christ Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
We continue to affirm that science is not in conflict with Christianity. Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: In 2 Kings 5:1-14, we find a story of one afflicted with an illness that is not easily healed, but the faith of his slave girl allows him to find the man of God who prescribed the perfect healing for him. Read the story and ask God to speak to your heart about illnesses you or a loved one is facing.
Here is the passage from 2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 "By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy." 7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!" 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." 11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
This is a powerful story and as I have shared here before, strongly emphasized at a UMW meeting by a retired pastor's wife who said that the unnamed girl in this passage was perhaps one of the most powerful characters in the Bible because of her faith. She was carried off by enemy soldiers and forced into slave labor by this general. But that did not keep her from trusting God even in her situation and even for the healing of this man keeping her from being free. Her faith said that God could work things that cannot and do not need explanation. In this story the general finally gives in to the prescribed remedy and is healed. Did he need a scientific explanation? No! He needed a way to thank God!
Oh, if our faith were that strong! To say that God is with us and can and does heal us, sometimes not in ways that we want or life. Can we have a faith such as this?
PRAYER: Loving God come to my heart and mind and allow my faith to grow. Let my faith be that which allows me to share You with others. Make me an instrument of hope and joy and peace. In Christ Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
OUR DAY OF PRAYER AND PURPOSE
Good day dear friends.
As we begin our day of prayer and purpose, please add the name of Eric Brown who is having surgery today in Austin. It is an outpatient procedure and he expects to be home tonight. We pray for a successful operation for Eric. Please pray for the family of Mrs. Lupe Garza, a longtime member of La Trinidad UMC in San Antonio. Lupe was a faithful woman of prayer and conviction who now rests in the Lord. Lupe made it her ministry to hold me in prayer since we met in 1986. Remember to pray for Doug Carson as blood results have not come back yet and he is due back in San Antonio for more blood work.
Here is our prayer guide for today:
Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, please be in prayer for the men and women who are scientists. Pray that they would continue to explore the boundaries of the unknown and as they discover new findings they might give glory to the One who made all things. If you know a person of science please pray for that person by name today asking God’s blessings be upon him or her.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
As we begin our day of prayer and purpose, please add the name of Eric Brown who is having surgery today in Austin. It is an outpatient procedure and he expects to be home tonight. We pray for a successful operation for Eric. Please pray for the family of Mrs. Lupe Garza, a longtime member of La Trinidad UMC in San Antonio. Lupe was a faithful woman of prayer and conviction who now rests in the Lord. Lupe made it her ministry to hold me in prayer since we met in 1986. Remember to pray for Doug Carson as blood results have not come back yet and he is due back in San Antonio for more blood work.
Here is our prayer guide for today:
Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, please be in prayer for the men and women who are scientists. Pray that they would continue to explore the boundaries of the unknown and as they discover new findings they might give glory to the One who made all things. If you know a person of science please pray for that person by name today asking God’s blessings be upon him or her.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
SCIENCE IN SCRIPTURE?
Good day dear friends. We thank the Lord for answered prayers in so many lives!
Here is our study guide for today as we continue to address the myth: Science is in conflict with the Christian faith.
Tuesday: Also in the Old Testament we find scientific examinations being done by the priests, who had the power to declare someone as “unclean.” Please find and read Leviticus 13:1-17. While not a very pleasant read, this deals with skin diseases and how God sets up a “test” to verify if someone had indeed contracted this serious disease, and how also these men of God could also declare one “clean.” What are your thoughts on this?
Here is that passage from Leviticus 13:1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 "When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that may become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. 3 The priest is to examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest examines him, he shall pronounce him ceremonially unclean. 4 If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to keep him in isolation another seven days. 6 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a rash. The man must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. 7 But if the rash does spread in his skin after he has shown himself to the priest to be pronounced clean, he must appear before the priest again. 8 The priest is to examine him, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious disease. 9 "When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest. 10 The priest is to examine him, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic skin disease and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He is not to put him in isolation, because he is already unclean. 12 "If the disease breaks out all over his skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, 13 the priest is to examine him, and if the disease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce that person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean. 14 But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. 15 When the priest sees the raw flesh, he shall pronounce him unclean. The raw flesh is unclean; he has an infectious disease. 16 Should the raw flesh change and turn white, he must go to the priest. 17 The priest is to examine him, and if the sores have turned white, the priest shall pronounce the infected person clean; then he will be clean.
Okay, not the best topic for breakfast reading. But it is interesting to note that in Scripture, the ancient Israelites had almost all of the major diseases covered by God's word to them. This particular passage is one about leprosy. The priests had this written word on how to "diagnose" it and what to do about it. Those found to be ill with leprosy were declared "unclean" and had to leave the community. Even in Jesus' day, the lepers were forced to live away from the living and even among the dead. One of the reasons was that it was believed to be a contagious disease and those who did not have it did not want to be around it. The other is that leprosy is a disfiguring disease and people did not want to be around those whose faces and bodies were being eaten away.
This is a very scientific area. True, none of the reasons behind the disease are not divulged nor how to treat or even cure the disease, but measures taken were considered very scientific for those times. It is interesting to note that this passage includes what priests are to do for those who find themselves cured. This came in very handy during Jesus' day for He healed many. Of the ten, you will remember, Jesus sent them to the priests for them to be declared clean and welcome to rejoin the living. Of the ten, it was only one, and he not even a Jew, that returned to thank Jesus for what He had done for him.
Again, we affirm that science is not in conflict with Christianity. If anything, the two go hand in hand in trying to explain God's big picture for all of life.
PRAYER: God we sometimes think we know so much and other times we realize we don't know enough. But help us know that You are here for us and that we should be here for You. Speak to our hearts today and all days, the wonder of Your love. In the name of He who heals even today, Jesus the Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Here is our study guide for today as we continue to address the myth: Science is in conflict with the Christian faith.
Tuesday: Also in the Old Testament we find scientific examinations being done by the priests, who had the power to declare someone as “unclean.” Please find and read Leviticus 13:1-17. While not a very pleasant read, this deals with skin diseases and how God sets up a “test” to verify if someone had indeed contracted this serious disease, and how also these men of God could also declare one “clean.” What are your thoughts on this?
Here is that passage from Leviticus 13:1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 "When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that may become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. 3 The priest is to examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest examines him, he shall pronounce him ceremonially unclean. 4 If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to keep him in isolation another seven days. 6 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a rash. The man must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. 7 But if the rash does spread in his skin after he has shown himself to the priest to be pronounced clean, he must appear before the priest again. 8 The priest is to examine him, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious disease. 9 "When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest. 10 The priest is to examine him, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic skin disease and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He is not to put him in isolation, because he is already unclean. 12 "If the disease breaks out all over his skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, 13 the priest is to examine him, and if the disease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce that person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean. 14 But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. 15 When the priest sees the raw flesh, he shall pronounce him unclean. The raw flesh is unclean; he has an infectious disease. 16 Should the raw flesh change and turn white, he must go to the priest. 17 The priest is to examine him, and if the sores have turned white, the priest shall pronounce the infected person clean; then he will be clean.
Okay, not the best topic for breakfast reading. But it is interesting to note that in Scripture, the ancient Israelites had almost all of the major diseases covered by God's word to them. This particular passage is one about leprosy. The priests had this written word on how to "diagnose" it and what to do about it. Those found to be ill with leprosy were declared "unclean" and had to leave the community. Even in Jesus' day, the lepers were forced to live away from the living and even among the dead. One of the reasons was that it was believed to be a contagious disease and those who did not have it did not want to be around it. The other is that leprosy is a disfiguring disease and people did not want to be around those whose faces and bodies were being eaten away.
This is a very scientific area. True, none of the reasons behind the disease are not divulged nor how to treat or even cure the disease, but measures taken were considered very scientific for those times. It is interesting to note that this passage includes what priests are to do for those who find themselves cured. This came in very handy during Jesus' day for He healed many. Of the ten, you will remember, Jesus sent them to the priests for them to be declared clean and welcome to rejoin the living. Of the ten, it was only one, and he not even a Jew, that returned to thank Jesus for what He had done for him.
Again, we affirm that science is not in conflict with Christianity. If anything, the two go hand in hand in trying to explain God's big picture for all of life.
PRAYER: God we sometimes think we know so much and other times we realize we don't know enough. But help us know that You are here for us and that we should be here for You. Speak to our hearts today and all days, the wonder of Your love. In the name of He who heals even today, Jesus the Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Monday, July 17, 2006
GOD IN ALL THINGS
Good day dear friends.
Please remember to pray for the Shuttle as it returns home this morning. We pray for their safe arrival home. As shared yesterday please lift up Doug Carson in prayer. We await a good report from his blood sample on his leg yesterday.
We talked about the 3rd myth about Christianity: Science is in Conflict with Christianity. You can hear the sermon online at www.fumcsm.org. Please allow some time for the sermon to download on some computers.
What are your thoughts about science and faith? Here is our study guide for today to help us:
Monday: In Exodus 7:8-25, we find the first two of the plagues sent by God to convince Pharoah to let God’s people go. Please read these few verses to see how the “scientists” of Pharoah’s court go up against the power of God. You know the “rest of the story” and how many of the plagues are replicated by these men. What do you suppose that was? How does this speak to your faith?
Here is this passage from Exodus 7:8 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Perform a miracle,' then say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' and it will become a snake." 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh's heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the water. Wait on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. 16 Then say to him, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the desert. But until now you have not listened. 17 This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am the Lord: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.'" 19 The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt--over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs'--and they will turn to blood. Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in the wooden buckets and stone jars." 20 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. 21 The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt. 22 But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh's heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. 23 Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile to get drinking water, because they could not drink the water of the river. 25 Seven days passed after the Lord struck the Nile.
Most Old Testament stories that involve the unexplainable usually boil down to God being involved and working in the lives of the Israelites. In some, such as this passage, it was God versus Pharoah. God told Moses to use the powers given to him to show Pharoah just Who he was up against. In this passage you see that in most of the plagues, whatever Moses did, the magicians of Pharoah could match. It wasn't until the next plague, the plague of gnats that the scientists failed to match that or the ones that followed, leading up to the passover of the Angel of Death. That one was the one that finally allowed Pharoah to see he could not match God.
Science is not in conflict with Christianity. Our faith is a big picture of the questions that science cannot and tries not to answer, such as "Why am I here?" "Why was I created?" "What is my purpose?" Science tries to explain or make sense of things found in the natural order. Sometimes it can, sometimes it cannot. The Christian faith affirms God's role in all things, as do the top scientists of faith. There are some things that cannot and may never be explained, other than to thank God for God's involvement in our lives.
I love science and have been blessed by what I've been able to learn through it. My faith is stronger because of it. I've seen God's handiwork in all things.
PRAYER: Creator God, speak anew to my heart in all things. Allow me to enjoy the beauty of the earth as well as to appreciate that which You continue to reveal through the men and women dedicated to discovering new things. Bless them in their work and let me be the stronger in my faith because of it. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Please remember to pray for the Shuttle as it returns home this morning. We pray for their safe arrival home. As shared yesterday please lift up Doug Carson in prayer. We await a good report from his blood sample on his leg yesterday.
We talked about the 3rd myth about Christianity: Science is in Conflict with Christianity. You can hear the sermon online at www.fumcsm.org. Please allow some time for the sermon to download on some computers.
What are your thoughts about science and faith? Here is our study guide for today to help us:
Monday: In Exodus 7:8-25, we find the first two of the plagues sent by God to convince Pharoah to let God’s people go. Please read these few verses to see how the “scientists” of Pharoah’s court go up against the power of God. You know the “rest of the story” and how many of the plagues are replicated by these men. What do you suppose that was? How does this speak to your faith?
Here is this passage from Exodus 7:8 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Perform a miracle,' then say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' and it will become a snake." 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh's heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the water. Wait on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. 16 Then say to him, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the desert. But until now you have not listened. 17 This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am the Lord: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.'" 19 The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt--over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs'--and they will turn to blood. Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in the wooden buckets and stone jars." 20 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. 21 The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt. 22 But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh's heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. 23 Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile to get drinking water, because they could not drink the water of the river. 25 Seven days passed after the Lord struck the Nile.
Most Old Testament stories that involve the unexplainable usually boil down to God being involved and working in the lives of the Israelites. In some, such as this passage, it was God versus Pharoah. God told Moses to use the powers given to him to show Pharoah just Who he was up against. In this passage you see that in most of the plagues, whatever Moses did, the magicians of Pharoah could match. It wasn't until the next plague, the plague of gnats that the scientists failed to match that or the ones that followed, leading up to the passover of the Angel of Death. That one was the one that finally allowed Pharoah to see he could not match God.
Science is not in conflict with Christianity. Our faith is a big picture of the questions that science cannot and tries not to answer, such as "Why am I here?" "Why was I created?" "What is my purpose?" Science tries to explain or make sense of things found in the natural order. Sometimes it can, sometimes it cannot. The Christian faith affirms God's role in all things, as do the top scientists of faith. There are some things that cannot and may never be explained, other than to thank God for God's involvement in our lives.
I love science and have been blessed by what I've been able to learn through it. My faith is stronger because of it. I've seen God's handiwork in all things.
PRAYER: Creator God, speak anew to my heart in all things. Allow me to enjoy the beauty of the earth as well as to appreciate that which You continue to reveal through the men and women dedicated to discovering new things. Bless them in their work and let me be the stronger in my faith because of it. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Interesting Times?
Today I shared with the 8:30 congregation what I had read in yesterday's Austin paper. The sports section caught my attention that the UT basketball coach had received a pay raise of half-a-millin dollars for his success last season, bringing his salary to $1.8 million a year. Nice paycheck for the type of work he does. In the same newspaper in the Metro section, there was a lead article on school teachers in the Leander school district that must now pay, from their own money, $60 a year if they wish to bring personal appliances for their use, such as coffee makers, micro fridges, microwaves, etc. The district claims the use of such items has affected their budget in that the district is paying some $100,000 a year. The teachers interviewed related how they cannot because of their hectic work schedules and physical ailments cannot make the walk to distant teacher lounges. In effect these teachers are being asked to take a $60 a year pay reduction.
Can we measure the lasting impact these teachers make on so many lives per day? Can we dare compare that to the lasting impact the UT basketball coach makes? Is it a fair comparison? Teachers are working with future coaches, teachers, doctors, lawyers, preachers, etc., as may the UT coach, but comparing the differences are the price tags in the same place?
Teachers usually do not have their own office. They do not have their own telephone to use. The issue of privacy and conveniences are not up for discussion. The teacher's classroom, usually occupied and certainly open the entire work day does not allow for privacy. The use of a computer comes when the teacher is not working on lesson plans, meeting with parents, talking one on one with students, etc.
Am I being biased? Yes. I am the husband to a now retired schoolteacher. I am the father of a daughter who is soon to be a schoolteacher. I'm so proud of them both and what they have and will offer to society. I wish the price tags were not different from university coaches. I know what I would pay in fairness.
Those are my thoughts.
e.v.
Can we measure the lasting impact these teachers make on so many lives per day? Can we dare compare that to the lasting impact the UT basketball coach makes? Is it a fair comparison? Teachers are working with future coaches, teachers, doctors, lawyers, preachers, etc., as may the UT coach, but comparing the differences are the price tags in the same place?
Teachers usually do not have their own office. They do not have their own telephone to use. The issue of privacy and conveniences are not up for discussion. The teacher's classroom, usually occupied and certainly open the entire work day does not allow for privacy. The use of a computer comes when the teacher is not working on lesson plans, meeting with parents, talking one on one with students, etc.
Am I being biased? Yes. I am the husband to a now retired schoolteacher. I am the father of a daughter who is soon to be a schoolteacher. I'm so proud of them both and what they have and will offer to society. I wish the price tags were not different from university coaches. I know what I would pay in fairness.
Those are my thoughts.
e.v.
Friday, July 14, 2006
OUR DAY OF PRAYER
Friday: This is our day of prayer.. Make your prayer today the same as it was on Wednesday. Let God bring wonderful blessings to those people on our prayer list.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?
Good day dear friends.
We continue to affirm that Christ rose from the dead. Here is our study guide:
Thursday: Looking at Jesus’s resurrection makes us ask questions about our own resurrection. Our UM Hymnal (p.870)has a section on worship services including A Service of Death and Resurrection. Many have been the families that prefer A Celebration of the Life of ________. What do you suppose that says about our views of death and dying? How do you view your own death? Read John 11 and see there how one family dealt with the death of a family member.
People are afraid to talk about death, especially their own or of someone they love. That is why Jesus came to show us there is victory over death. His resurrection gives us hope for our won resurrection and the resurrection of those we love.
John 11 has the familiar story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. It's an honest look at how families react to death. Mary and Martha were sisters, Lazarus was their brother. They were friends of Jesus and knew Jesus to be one whose prayers were heard by God, for they had seen Jesus do great things. Their faith said there is nothing Jesus couldn't do. When Lazarus got sick, they sent word to Jesus to come and be with them for their knew that Jesus could heal their brother. But if you're familiar with the story you know Jesus didn't run over to their house. He took His time in getting there. Lazarus died and was buried.
The sisters' reaction to Jesus' arrival give away how we sometimes feel about death, "Where were you Jesus? If you had only been here, this wouldn't have happened!" But even in the face of death, they knew that Jesus could do anything. And Jesus did. He raised Lazarus from the dead.
That story appears just before Jesus spoke about His own death when He was with his disciples. This occurs in John 14, where Jesus speaks to them about troubled hearts and His father's house, and how there were many dwelling places within. A clear promise of life after death.
Lazarus' resurrection was but a foretaste of the eternal spiritual resurrection he had after the second time he died. Remember that Lazarus did not live forever here on earth. He was raised from the dead only to die again some years later. But imagine his lack of fear, for what many call the unknown was known to him.
Jesus has made the unknown ours. As He rose from the dead, so will we. Ours will be eternal life.
Do you believe this?
PRAYER: Come, God of life and speak to my heart about my life. Let me know that all You have spoken is about and for me. Grant me the victory in all things. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
We continue to affirm that Christ rose from the dead. Here is our study guide:
Thursday: Looking at Jesus’s resurrection makes us ask questions about our own resurrection. Our UM Hymnal (p.870)has a section on worship services including A Service of Death and Resurrection. Many have been the families that prefer A Celebration of the Life of ________. What do you suppose that says about our views of death and dying? How do you view your own death? Read John 11 and see there how one family dealt with the death of a family member.
People are afraid to talk about death, especially their own or of someone they love. That is why Jesus came to show us there is victory over death. His resurrection gives us hope for our won resurrection and the resurrection of those we love.
John 11 has the familiar story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. It's an honest look at how families react to death. Mary and Martha were sisters, Lazarus was their brother. They were friends of Jesus and knew Jesus to be one whose prayers were heard by God, for they had seen Jesus do great things. Their faith said there is nothing Jesus couldn't do. When Lazarus got sick, they sent word to Jesus to come and be with them for their knew that Jesus could heal their brother. But if you're familiar with the story you know Jesus didn't run over to their house. He took His time in getting there. Lazarus died and was buried.
The sisters' reaction to Jesus' arrival give away how we sometimes feel about death, "Where were you Jesus? If you had only been here, this wouldn't have happened!" But even in the face of death, they knew that Jesus could do anything. And Jesus did. He raised Lazarus from the dead.
That story appears just before Jesus spoke about His own death when He was with his disciples. This occurs in John 14, where Jesus speaks to them about troubled hearts and His father's house, and how there were many dwelling places within. A clear promise of life after death.
Lazarus' resurrection was but a foretaste of the eternal spiritual resurrection he had after the second time he died. Remember that Lazarus did not live forever here on earth. He was raised from the dead only to die again some years later. But imagine his lack of fear, for what many call the unknown was known to him.
Jesus has made the unknown ours. As He rose from the dead, so will we. Ours will be eternal life.
Do you believe this?
PRAYER: Come, God of life and speak to my heart about my life. Let me know that all You have spoken is about and for me. Grant me the victory in all things. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
OUR DAY OF PRAYER AND PURPOSE
Good day dear friends.
Here's an update on Lou Moloney: He has been moved to Warm Springs in Luling, Texas. We don't know how long he'll be there but he will be undergoing rehab there for some time.
Viola Taylor, Brenda Kyle's mom, continues at CTMC needing our prayers as doctors try to find out what is ailing her.
Margilee Cooley has returned home to continue her recovery.
Here is our prayer guide for today:
Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, please take the names of those on our prayer list under the categories, “Final Stages of Life” and others related to health issues, and pray for their healing and resurrection. God knows the seriousness of their condition and God can bring new life even in the midst of where there seems to be none. Let God speak to you through your prayers. If you know any of the people in person, please send them a card or call them.
May the blessings of your prayers be with those for whom we pray today.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Here's an update on Lou Moloney: He has been moved to Warm Springs in Luling, Texas. We don't know how long he'll be there but he will be undergoing rehab there for some time.
Viola Taylor, Brenda Kyle's mom, continues at CTMC needing our prayers as doctors try to find out what is ailing her.
Margilee Cooley has returned home to continue her recovery.
Here is our prayer guide for today:
Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, please take the names of those on our prayer list under the categories, “Final Stages of Life” and others related to health issues, and pray for their healing and resurrection. God knows the seriousness of their condition and God can bring new life even in the midst of where there seems to be none. Let God speak to you through your prayers. If you know any of the people in person, please send them a card or call them.
May the blessings of your prayers be with those for whom we pray today.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
COFFEE AND COOKIES?
Good day dear friends.
We continue to affirm that there is evidence that Jesus did arise from the grave and He lives even today!
Here is our study guide: Tuesday: Read again the passage from Matthew 28:1-10. Imagine yourself to be Mary Magdalene arriving, along with Mary, to the tomb. You hear and experience the earthquake and see the angel of the Lord, what are your thoughts? How would you have reacted to the angel’s message, “He has been raised from the dead...”? How could you apply that message to your life and what you may be facing right now?
Here is that passage from Matthew 28:1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Today's San Antonio newspaper has an interesting article as its lead article. It is about the way funeral homes are "evolving" to offer now a space for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and even weddings. And when you do have a funeral you can order Starbucks coffee and Otis Spunkmeyer cookies. All in the name of catering to baby boomers who are dying and who do things differently. I can only imagine the jokes among the groomsmen and the groom who has the first wedding at a funeral home!
We've come a long way in our grief process. We can only imagine the pain and sorrow Mary Magdalene was feeling as she walked towards the grave to conclude the burial of Jesus. She and "the other Mary" had to comply with the law, and because Jesus died at the start of the Sabbath, He was not fully prepared to be buried. The disciples knew that someone, in this case, Mary Magdalene and Mary, had to go and anoint the body with the proper oil so that all would be kosher. On her way there she feels first what she believes to be an earthquake. Scripture says it was the power of the stone being rolled away by the angel. But for these two Marys, I believe they were not ready to encounter what they found. Their thoughts were goodbye thoughts for Jesus, the finality of life at this grave. Instead they find an angel with startling news for them: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him." The passage said they hurried away "afraid yet filled with joy."
Yesterday I shared with you a bit of a phone conversation I had close to noontime. Rev. Ralph Morales called me from his hospital room to let me know about his surgery and how serious it was. He also shared with me, "just in case we face a 'worse case scenario,' the plans he had for his family. Wow, not what I was expecting, and I told him so, I quickly said, "Let's go to God and place this all in His hands and claim a victory!" We prayed and we trusted God, and as the last ConCafe said, I called his room a little after 6 p.m. and he answered his cell phone and he was alive and thankful.
God has the last word in all things, even death. We love God and trust God to care for us and for our loved ones, as did the two Marys on that Easter morning. That same trust and joy in God should carry over into all areas of our lives especially in challenges and opportunities that come our way that we don't expect. Ours is a victory life; make it yours today.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for holding us in Your hands. Speak to us about the fullness of life even in the midst of those things that seem like death. Lead us towards You. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
We continue to affirm that there is evidence that Jesus did arise from the grave and He lives even today!
Here is our study guide: Tuesday: Read again the passage from Matthew 28:1-10. Imagine yourself to be Mary Magdalene arriving, along with Mary, to the tomb. You hear and experience the earthquake and see the angel of the Lord, what are your thoughts? How would you have reacted to the angel’s message, “He has been raised from the dead...”? How could you apply that message to your life and what you may be facing right now?
Here is that passage from Matthew 28:1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Today's San Antonio newspaper has an interesting article as its lead article. It is about the way funeral homes are "evolving" to offer now a space for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and even weddings. And when you do have a funeral you can order Starbucks coffee and Otis Spunkmeyer cookies. All in the name of catering to baby boomers who are dying and who do things differently. I can only imagine the jokes among the groomsmen and the groom who has the first wedding at a funeral home!
We've come a long way in our grief process. We can only imagine the pain and sorrow Mary Magdalene was feeling as she walked towards the grave to conclude the burial of Jesus. She and "the other Mary" had to comply with the law, and because Jesus died at the start of the Sabbath, He was not fully prepared to be buried. The disciples knew that someone, in this case, Mary Magdalene and Mary, had to go and anoint the body with the proper oil so that all would be kosher. On her way there she feels first what she believes to be an earthquake. Scripture says it was the power of the stone being rolled away by the angel. But for these two Marys, I believe they were not ready to encounter what they found. Their thoughts were goodbye thoughts for Jesus, the finality of life at this grave. Instead they find an angel with startling news for them: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him." The passage said they hurried away "afraid yet filled with joy."
Yesterday I shared with you a bit of a phone conversation I had close to noontime. Rev. Ralph Morales called me from his hospital room to let me know about his surgery and how serious it was. He also shared with me, "just in case we face a 'worse case scenario,' the plans he had for his family. Wow, not what I was expecting, and I told him so, I quickly said, "Let's go to God and place this all in His hands and claim a victory!" We prayed and we trusted God, and as the last ConCafe said, I called his room a little after 6 p.m. and he answered his cell phone and he was alive and thankful.
God has the last word in all things, even death. We love God and trust God to care for us and for our loved ones, as did the two Marys on that Easter morning. That same trust and joy in God should carry over into all areas of our lives especially in challenges and opportunities that come our way that we don't expect. Ours is a victory life; make it yours today.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for holding us in Your hands. Speak to us about the fullness of life even in the midst of those things that seem like death. Lead us towards You. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Monday, July 10, 2006
LIFE EVEN IN THE MIDST OF DEATH?
Good day dear friends.
Some updates on some prayer requests: Lou Moloney did suffer a stroke and is in CTMC, Room 404, still in good spirits. There is no movement in his left side, but Lou says he has a good appetite and was asking for Fritos yesterday evening when I was visiting with him. Brenda Kyle's mom, Viola, is also at the hospital but insists she is feeling fine. Margilee Cooley is her roommate and she is doing better after being in the hospital a couple of days for what she suspects was a reaction to medicine. And Armando Contreras' dad, Theophilo Hernandez is battling cancer that has spread to his bones. Please continue to pray for these brothers and sisters. We also mentioned Beverly Nelms who has had to quit working because of her knees. This has been a very tough time for her and Morris, please keep them in your prayers.
We also said goodbye to our daughter, Nellie Maria Valverde, who worshiped with us and FUMC-Seguin during her four years in this area. Nellie leaves for McAllen today to prepare for a teaching job she has in the Valley teaching middle school English. I thank you all for your prayers especially to all the teachers who came by to congratulate her and wish her well. Pray for Mom and Dad who have enjoyed having her just down the road!
Yesterday we had sermon two on Top Myths about Christianity, examining the one that says "There is no evidence Jesus rose from the dead." Our study guide will examine that this week.
Monday: Please find and read in the OT, Ezekiel 37:1-10. This is a well known passage about life coming to something already dead. How could one apply what one reads here in the OT to the NT belief that Jesus rose from the dead? How does this passage speak to you?
Here is that passage from Ezekiel 37:1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'" 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army.
The debate for some is what can and what cannot God do? For some, God "created" and that was it. This view is that which says God is like a watch maker who made the watch, wound it up and is letting it run down. Others say God is involved and caring very much about His creation, so involved He sent Jesus. These are the same that would say God continues to create. In the above passage, Ezekiel is sharing a vision of this dry valley, where God wants His word shared. And while the vision is about God's renewing power even in the midst of the spiritually dead, it is still a message about God's unlimited power to work even in places where it seems no further work is possible. Such was the case at the burial of Jesus. We affirmed yesterday, in four things that we shared about "evidence," and this was number one: Jesus was really dead. He was publically executed and certified as dead by the centurion and the regional governor, Pilate. No further work possible here, may have been the thought of all who saw this painful death. Point two, after having placed Jesus in a new, never-before used tomb, it was found empty. His enemies sealed it and were protecting it. Matthew's Gospel says the guards, (28:4)" 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men." Point three says that Jesus appeared to many witnesses during a period of forty days. These included, hardheaded fishermen, steadfast women, civil servants, and even "Doubting Thomas." And the last point, countless number of people have encountered Jesus and have had their lives transformed by He who was thought dead, now alive.
The question posed yesterday, what do you think? How are you living your life as you encounter challenges and situations that demand faith? Is the living Christ with you? Or do you think you're facing it alone? The Ezekiel passage says, as does the entire Bible, there is nothing God cannot do, even to bring life to those, myself included, when it seems that nothing else is even possible.
PRAYER: God of all life, come to me today and bring me that life that You promised through You son. Escort me into the abundance of life so that I can face, with full faith, all that may come my way. My hope, faith and trust is in You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Some updates on some prayer requests: Lou Moloney did suffer a stroke and is in CTMC, Room 404, still in good spirits. There is no movement in his left side, but Lou says he has a good appetite and was asking for Fritos yesterday evening when I was visiting with him. Brenda Kyle's mom, Viola, is also at the hospital but insists she is feeling fine. Margilee Cooley is her roommate and she is doing better after being in the hospital a couple of days for what she suspects was a reaction to medicine. And Armando Contreras' dad, Theophilo Hernandez is battling cancer that has spread to his bones. Please continue to pray for these brothers and sisters. We also mentioned Beverly Nelms who has had to quit working because of her knees. This has been a very tough time for her and Morris, please keep them in your prayers.
We also said goodbye to our daughter, Nellie Maria Valverde, who worshiped with us and FUMC-Seguin during her four years in this area. Nellie leaves for McAllen today to prepare for a teaching job she has in the Valley teaching middle school English. I thank you all for your prayers especially to all the teachers who came by to congratulate her and wish her well. Pray for Mom and Dad who have enjoyed having her just down the road!
Yesterday we had sermon two on Top Myths about Christianity, examining the one that says "There is no evidence Jesus rose from the dead." Our study guide will examine that this week.
Monday: Please find and read in the OT, Ezekiel 37:1-10. This is a well known passage about life coming to something already dead. How could one apply what one reads here in the OT to the NT belief that Jesus rose from the dead? How does this passage speak to you?
Here is that passage from Ezekiel 37:1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'" 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army.
The debate for some is what can and what cannot God do? For some, God "created" and that was it. This view is that which says God is like a watch maker who made the watch, wound it up and is letting it run down. Others say God is involved and caring very much about His creation, so involved He sent Jesus. These are the same that would say God continues to create. In the above passage, Ezekiel is sharing a vision of this dry valley, where God wants His word shared. And while the vision is about God's renewing power even in the midst of the spiritually dead, it is still a message about God's unlimited power to work even in places where it seems no further work is possible. Such was the case at the burial of Jesus. We affirmed yesterday, in four things that we shared about "evidence," and this was number one: Jesus was really dead. He was publically executed and certified as dead by the centurion and the regional governor, Pilate. No further work possible here, may have been the thought of all who saw this painful death. Point two, after having placed Jesus in a new, never-before used tomb, it was found empty. His enemies sealed it and were protecting it. Matthew's Gospel says the guards, (28:4)" 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men." Point three says that Jesus appeared to many witnesses during a period of forty days. These included, hardheaded fishermen, steadfast women, civil servants, and even "Doubting Thomas." And the last point, countless number of people have encountered Jesus and have had their lives transformed by He who was thought dead, now alive.
The question posed yesterday, what do you think? How are you living your life as you encounter challenges and situations that demand faith? Is the living Christ with you? Or do you think you're facing it alone? The Ezekiel passage says, as does the entire Bible, there is nothing God cannot do, even to bring life to those, myself included, when it seems that nothing else is even possible.
PRAYER: God of all life, come to me today and bring me that life that You promised through You son. Escort me into the abundance of life so that I can face, with full faith, all that may come my way. My hope, faith and trust is in You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Friday, July 07, 2006
OUR DAY OF PRAYER
Good day dear friends.
Today is our day of prayer and here is our prayer guide for today:
Friday: This is our day of prayer.. Please ask God to speak to the hearts of those who consider Jesus only to be a great moral teacher. Ask God to use you to help spread the message of Jesus being the Messiah, the anointed One of God sent to bring salvation to the world. Ask that God would make Jesus real in your life.
Please also be in prayer for Sunday worship. Pray that God become real for all who worship with us and in all churches. Pray that God would add to our number, for the number is great of those who don't know or care about God. Pray that God would use you to invite and bring people to God's love.
Have a great and blessed day and safe weekend!
e.v.
Today is our day of prayer and here is our prayer guide for today:
Friday: This is our day of prayer.. Please ask God to speak to the hearts of those who consider Jesus only to be a great moral teacher. Ask God to use you to help spread the message of Jesus being the Messiah, the anointed One of God sent to bring salvation to the world. Ask that God would make Jesus real in your life.
Please also be in prayer for Sunday worship. Pray that God become real for all who worship with us and in all churches. Pray that God would add to our number, for the number is great of those who don't know or care about God. Pray that God would use you to invite and bring people to God's love.
Have a great and blessed day and safe weekend!
e.v.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
OUR CHOICE. OUR CALL.
Good day dear friends.
We had a wonderful candlelight service last night as we blessed our Mozambique team as they prepare to go and share Jesus in that country in the next few weeks. We're so proud of them and what they are to be doing and we pray God's blessing and protection on them.
We continue to study that which we proclaimed on Sunday, Jesus was more than just a great moral teacher, myth one of ten we will be exploring in the upcoming Sundays.
Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: Look again at the claims that Jesus made about His being God. These are found in Matthew 16:15-16 and in 26:63-64 and John 8:58. Please read these and note your beliefs or doubts about these. Remember this is what distinguishes a great moral teacher from one who is in deed God. Reread the C.S. Lewis quote from Sunday. Add that to your mix as you reflect on what God may be saying to you.
Here are those two biblical references:
Matthew 16:15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
and from Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Do you believe or doubt these claims? In the first passage, after the disciples talked about what others were saying about Him, Jesus asked Peter, the chief disciple as it were, what about you, who do you say that I am? Peter's answer, as Jesus noted, inspired by God is "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." In the second passage, Jesus being tried for His very life is asked by the high priest, chief among those who should be believers, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." What a question and what an answer Jesus gives, "Yes, it is as you say."
Two claims. Both saying Jesus is God. Something a great moral teacher would never say. Jesus made the claim He was God. Here's the C. S. Lewis quote: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
"You must make your choice," Lewis tells us. Of the options given to us by Lewis, which do you prefer? To shut Jesus up for a fool, spit at Him or kill Him as a demon? OR to fall at His feel and call Him Lord and God?
What do you choose you in your life today?
PRAYER: Come, Lord of Lords, King of Kings and be Lord and King of my life. Let my life be one that radiates Your love and light to all. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
We had a wonderful candlelight service last night as we blessed our Mozambique team as they prepare to go and share Jesus in that country in the next few weeks. We're so proud of them and what they are to be doing and we pray God's blessing and protection on them.
We continue to study that which we proclaimed on Sunday, Jesus was more than just a great moral teacher, myth one of ten we will be exploring in the upcoming Sundays.
Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: Look again at the claims that Jesus made about His being God. These are found in Matthew 16:15-16 and in 26:63-64 and John 8:58. Please read these and note your beliefs or doubts about these. Remember this is what distinguishes a great moral teacher from one who is in deed God. Reread the C.S. Lewis quote from Sunday. Add that to your mix as you reflect on what God may be saying to you.
Here are those two biblical references:
Matthew 16:15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
and from Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Do you believe or doubt these claims? In the first passage, after the disciples talked about what others were saying about Him, Jesus asked Peter, the chief disciple as it were, what about you, who do you say that I am? Peter's answer, as Jesus noted, inspired by God is "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." In the second passage, Jesus being tried for His very life is asked by the high priest, chief among those who should be believers, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." What a question and what an answer Jesus gives, "Yes, it is as you say."
Two claims. Both saying Jesus is God. Something a great moral teacher would never say. Jesus made the claim He was God. Here's the C. S. Lewis quote: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
"You must make your choice," Lewis tells us. Of the options given to us by Lewis, which do you prefer? To shut Jesus up for a fool, spit at Him or kill Him as a demon? OR to fall at His feel and call Him Lord and God?
What do you choose you in your life today?
PRAYER: Come, Lord of Lords, King of Kings and be Lord and King of my life. Let my life be one that radiates Your love and light to all. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
BEING GOOD MORAL PEOPLE?
Good and Happy Fourth of July to everyone. May you enjoy a safe and joyous time today. May we also spend it with an attitude of gratitude for what God has shared with us in our being a part of this nation. We're thankful for the gift of electricity! This morning as I awoke I found the house completely dark and found we had no electricity at all. At 7:33 a.m. it came back on.
During the week I was too ill to send out ConCafe, the Reverend Paul Grout died in Austin, Texas. Paul was a retired United Methodist minister who began his ministry in the Rio Grande Conference and years later transferred to and retired in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference. Paul was a faithful servant of the Lord. May we hold his family in our prayers.
We continue to study if Jesus was only a great moral teacher. Of course, we as Christians affirm no, Jesus was more than a great moral teacher but today we'll look at some of those moral teachings. Here's our study guide.
Tuesday: Looking at Sunday’s list of moral teachings that Jesus followed, are these yours as well? Do you love your enemies? Do you forgive others? Would you lay down your life for someone else? Do you worry about material possessions? Examining that list honestly, what could Jesus do to help you rise above the physical to the spiritual?
The teaching of love is a great moral lesson. We must learn to show and receive love as a part of any moral life. But to take it to this extreme that Jesus taught and lived is where most of us balk. How can we love those who don't love us? Jesus never said it would be easy, but He did stress loving even those who hate us. Jesus asked, what do we gain from loving back those who love us? Even those who don't know God can do that; we should love even those who hate us and would stop at nothing to hurt us.
Forgiveness is another part of good moral living. To be in a successful and fruitful relationship involved give-and-take and showing and receiving mercy. To lose count of the times we've forgiven someone is something else. We have that lesson in when Peter asks if we should forgive someone seven times. Jesus' reply in essence said we must lose count of the times we forgive someone. Is this easy? Again, no. Being a Christian is not an easy calling. It is a higher calling and one that requires God's grace with us at all times to be able to do what is expected of us by God not by people. Jesus' whole ministry could be summed up in three words: Do the unexpected.
What would you be willing to do for someone else? Would you lay down your life for someone else? If it's your child, one readily says, yes, I would lay down my life for my child. But what if it's someone else's child, would you lay down your life for them? In some situations we say, were it wartime and a grenade came into our area I woudl fall on it. And many have been the ones who have done that, but in peacetime, in the right here, right now, what would you be willing to do? Jesus laid down His life for you and me.
We're such a blessed nation we have so much we take for granted. If we're sick and have insurance, we can pick up the phone and ask to see our doctor. In most cases that will happen that same day. Can you imagine living in a place due to your poverty that medical care is whenever the government provides the free clinic in your area? Growing up in Houston during my middle school years we had to wait hours in the clinic near Hermann Park for our yearly shots and to receive dental care. For us then it was an adventure, be it a very scary one for those of us who hate needles, but we still received what we needed. And yet, now, do we worry about material possessions? The answer is yes if we're honest. We sometimes think we don't have enough or the latest and greatest. The sad part is when we lose sleep or our patience because of this. Jesus taught and lived that we should not be possessed by our possessions. We should strive for the things of God, and then all these things will be added unto us.
PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus into my life. Make me a moral person but lift me beyond that to making me your disciple. I pray in Your name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day. Please be safe!
e.v.
During the week I was too ill to send out ConCafe, the Reverend Paul Grout died in Austin, Texas. Paul was a retired United Methodist minister who began his ministry in the Rio Grande Conference and years later transferred to and retired in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference. Paul was a faithful servant of the Lord. May we hold his family in our prayers.
We continue to study if Jesus was only a great moral teacher. Of course, we as Christians affirm no, Jesus was more than a great moral teacher but today we'll look at some of those moral teachings. Here's our study guide.
Tuesday: Looking at Sunday’s list of moral teachings that Jesus followed, are these yours as well? Do you love your enemies? Do you forgive others? Would you lay down your life for someone else? Do you worry about material possessions? Examining that list honestly, what could Jesus do to help you rise above the physical to the spiritual?
The teaching of love is a great moral lesson. We must learn to show and receive love as a part of any moral life. But to take it to this extreme that Jesus taught and lived is where most of us balk. How can we love those who don't love us? Jesus never said it would be easy, but He did stress loving even those who hate us. Jesus asked, what do we gain from loving back those who love us? Even those who don't know God can do that; we should love even those who hate us and would stop at nothing to hurt us.
Forgiveness is another part of good moral living. To be in a successful and fruitful relationship involved give-and-take and showing and receiving mercy. To lose count of the times we've forgiven someone is something else. We have that lesson in when Peter asks if we should forgive someone seven times. Jesus' reply in essence said we must lose count of the times we forgive someone. Is this easy? Again, no. Being a Christian is not an easy calling. It is a higher calling and one that requires God's grace with us at all times to be able to do what is expected of us by God not by people. Jesus' whole ministry could be summed up in three words: Do the unexpected.
What would you be willing to do for someone else? Would you lay down your life for someone else? If it's your child, one readily says, yes, I would lay down my life for my child. But what if it's someone else's child, would you lay down your life for them? In some situations we say, were it wartime and a grenade came into our area I woudl fall on it. And many have been the ones who have done that, but in peacetime, in the right here, right now, what would you be willing to do? Jesus laid down His life for you and me.
We're such a blessed nation we have so much we take for granted. If we're sick and have insurance, we can pick up the phone and ask to see our doctor. In most cases that will happen that same day. Can you imagine living in a place due to your poverty that medical care is whenever the government provides the free clinic in your area? Growing up in Houston during my middle school years we had to wait hours in the clinic near Hermann Park for our yearly shots and to receive dental care. For us then it was an adventure, be it a very scary one for those of us who hate needles, but we still received what we needed. And yet, now, do we worry about material possessions? The answer is yes if we're honest. We sometimes think we don't have enough or the latest and greatest. The sad part is when we lose sleep or our patience because of this. Jesus taught and lived that we should not be possessed by our possessions. We should strive for the things of God, and then all these things will be added unto us.
PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus into my life. Make me a moral person but lift me beyond that to making me your disciple. I pray in Your name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day. Please be safe!
e.v.
Monday, July 03, 2006
JESUS WAS MORE THAN A GREAT MORAL TEACHER! JESUS IS LORD!
Good day dear friends. It's great to be among the living again! Last week I was sick and home in bed and another place with details I need not trouble you with! Thank God for answered prayer and modern medicine. Saturday I finally felt better and I was able to preach yesterday. The week before we were in Puebla and there may be a connection between the two, we'll never know.
We started a new ten-sermon series called "Ten Myths About Christianity." This is really a "busting" the 10 myths series. Sermon One was yesterday and it was entitled, "Jesus Was Only A Great Moral Teacher." We studied claims Jesus made about Himself that take us way beyond any claims made by any moral teacher, good or otherwise.
Here is today's study guide:
Monday: Read the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20. If you did not know about these being from God, one could say that he who wrote them was a great moral teacher, for in these ten, we found great moral lessons for a person to live a “good” life. Compare that thinking with what we learned yesterday about Jesus and His claims.
Here are the Commandments:(Ex. 20:1-17):2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
If you know the Commandments you know they teach about a better way to live. The main difference is the respect and honor due God. A good or great moral teacher might say, "Get in touch with a higher power and respect it. And do take time to rest and reflect, don't waste your time and energy on false things, look to the positive, get in touch with those and center on those!" And s/he might also say, "And the ones dealing with interpersonal relationships are great: Honoring your parents goes a long way! Respecting life is great, don't hurt anyone! And respect established relationships! Always seek to be all about the truth. Be content with what you have!" That sums up, in my opinion, the teachings of a great moral teacher regarding the Ten Commandments.
Jesus, we stressed yesterday said, "I forgive your sins." This gets to the heart of all relationships, especially the one between us and God. Jesus also accepted people's worship. In Matthew 8:2-3, the leper seeking healing calls Jesus, "Lord," in a worship sense. Moral teachers do not. Jesus said He was the way to God, the truth of God, and the life of God. What a claim! A moral teacher would not make the same claim. Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus promised that He would rise from the dead (Matt. 20:19; 27:63). Jesus claimed that humanity would ultimately be accountable to Him (Matt. 7:21-23; 25:31-46) Jesus claimed to be God and allowed others to call Him God (Matt 16:15-16; 26:63-64; John 8:58) Again, who in their right mind would say such a thing? Only One who could back these claims up and make them real, say, the true Son of God?
Now is as good a time as any other to strengthen our faith. Now is the time to boldly proclaim we are Christians. Ours is a faith of life and hope and promise. Ours is a faith that will never die. And ours is a faith, that the more we know about it, the easier it becomes to share it with others.
PRAYER: Come, living God to our lives. Make strong in us the faith we need. Let us share the Hope of the world with others. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
We started a new ten-sermon series called "Ten Myths About Christianity." This is really a "busting" the 10 myths series. Sermon One was yesterday and it was entitled, "Jesus Was Only A Great Moral Teacher." We studied claims Jesus made about Himself that take us way beyond any claims made by any moral teacher, good or otherwise.
Here is today's study guide:
Monday: Read the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20. If you did not know about these being from God, one could say that he who wrote them was a great moral teacher, for in these ten, we found great moral lessons for a person to live a “good” life. Compare that thinking with what we learned yesterday about Jesus and His claims.
Here are the Commandments:(Ex. 20:1-17):2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
If you know the Commandments you know they teach about a better way to live. The main difference is the respect and honor due God. A good or great moral teacher might say, "Get in touch with a higher power and respect it. And do take time to rest and reflect, don't waste your time and energy on false things, look to the positive, get in touch with those and center on those!" And s/he might also say, "And the ones dealing with interpersonal relationships are great: Honoring your parents goes a long way! Respecting life is great, don't hurt anyone! And respect established relationships! Always seek to be all about the truth. Be content with what you have!" That sums up, in my opinion, the teachings of a great moral teacher regarding the Ten Commandments.
Jesus, we stressed yesterday said, "I forgive your sins." This gets to the heart of all relationships, especially the one between us and God. Jesus also accepted people's worship. In Matthew 8:2-3, the leper seeking healing calls Jesus, "Lord," in a worship sense. Moral teachers do not. Jesus said He was the way to God, the truth of God, and the life of God. What a claim! A moral teacher would not make the same claim. Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus promised that He would rise from the dead (Matt. 20:19; 27:63). Jesus claimed that humanity would ultimately be accountable to Him (Matt. 7:21-23; 25:31-46) Jesus claimed to be God and allowed others to call Him God (Matt 16:15-16; 26:63-64; John 8:58) Again, who in their right mind would say such a thing? Only One who could back these claims up and make them real, say, the true Son of God?
Now is as good a time as any other to strengthen our faith. Now is the time to boldly proclaim we are Christians. Ours is a faith of life and hope and promise. Ours is a faith that will never die. And ours is a faith, that the more we know about it, the easier it becomes to share it with others.
PRAYER: Come, living God to our lives. Make strong in us the faith we need. Let us share the Hope of the world with others. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
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