WHO'S YOUR VISION?

Good day dear friends. In our prayer time, please remember theBaker family. Just a little over a week ago, Jayne Baker's momdied, and on Saturday night her father died as well. This is a mostdifficult time for them so please pray God's comfort be with them.Also Geoffrey Burton has had a difficult time of recover from atonsillectomy. He was operated Thursday and was rushed to thehospital on Saturday with dehydration. Doctors believe he may havebeen coming down with a stomach bug as he was being operated.Please pray for his recovery and healing.Yesterday we started a new sermon series called "The Life That GodBlesses," with "Be Thou My Vision" as the title of the firstsermon. The title comes not only from the hymn but also fromProverbs 29:18 "Where there is no revelation, people cast offrestraint; but blessed are those who heed wisdom's instruction."The biblical character for a good lesson on this was from Luke 19and the story of Zacchaeus. We know him to be, from the Sundayschool song, a "wee little man," but we tend to forget he was awicked and wealthy wee man. Not until he had his encounter withJesus did he understand the constraint of moral living and the post-sycamore tree Z was a better person as a result.Here is our study guide for today: Monday: Jesus spoke of a newlife lived in God in Matthew 25:35-40. In that passage we find areference to a life that cares beyond daily cares of our own tothose of others. Could it be said this is a life guided by thevision of God in the life of those who know and love the Lord?Here is that passage from Matthew 25:35 for I was hungry and yougave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, Iwas a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave meclothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison andyou visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, whenwas it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gaveyou something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you astranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 Andwhen was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did itto one of the least of these who are members of my family, you didit to me.'A new life lived in Christ puts more of a focus on others thanoneself. This passage called the Judgment of the Nations, centerson the very basics of life: food, water, hospitality or acceptance,clothing, comfort and care, and visitation. Jesus says that thosewho care for others, care for Him. It seems so basic for some, butfor others it take a radical transformation to shift their focusfrom inward to outward. Yet, this is the basis of being aChristian, caring for one another. And it becomes an easy shift ifwe shift our guidance from selfish drives to the visionary power ofthe Lord.PRAYER: Loving God, come to my heart and shift my vision towardsYou. Let me care for You by caring for others. In Jesus' name.Amen.Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!e.v.P.S. Those of you in the San Marcos area, please remember thattonight at 7 in our church we're having our Community ThanksgivingService. Come and represent our church!Also, the Puebla Medical Mission trip has set the date for July 8-14, 2007 with an estimated cost of $700 (mas o menos) per person.We need medical person, with a special need for pathologists.