We had no class this week because Wednesday evening we had a meal for the homeless people staying at the Mission in Citrus, a full bus from what I heard. The church had a great turn out and the youth of our church were wonderful hosts of the dinner. We have several members who quietly and anonymously support the mission throughout the year, but this was truly a blessed night.
I heard a message yesterday and a pastor mentioned that Christmas is about God putting a face on His grace. Of course that is the face of Jesus, but it is also the face of all who serve God by being the hands and love of Christ's living Spirit. Jesus' face shone brightly Wednesday evening at Crystal River United Methodist Church as members of His body joyfully and lovingly fed those who are homeless and hungry. There were smiles on every face and there was truly a sense of welcome and comfort around the tables. I guess Jesus was just letting us know that we all belong and are part of His family.
Discover and Proclaim the Truth of The Bible which is: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." (John 3:16 NRSV). Jesus came to humanity to proclaim and give evidence to that love and He has commanded us to do the same. We, who believe, must not merely be followers, but we must be proclaimers of the Gospel Message and we can only do that by being filled with the love of God.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sunday, Dec.12, 2010...Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 35
As a class, we seemed to struggle with this scripture. It is a prophesy which points to the total healing that God will deliver to the Jews, and we concluded that the delivery is Jesus. I think the struggle we had was out of conviction that we have failed to receive the fullness that Jesus offers, which should make us a joyful group of people in this otherwise lost world.
The beginning verses give us a beautiful picture of God's creation rejoicing and blossoming. It also talks about the healing God will bring to the lame, the blind, and the deaf plus a birth of hope and promise from God. We agreed that the chapter is one of promise and assurance that God will deliver us. We should be full of joy.
Verse 8: "A highway shall be there, and it will be called the Holy Way (Way of Holiness...NIV); the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people." We know that Jesus said that He is the Way, so this Holy Way is truly the gift of Jesus, who leads us down the path where we receive all the promises He has outlined. I believe that this scripture points to the gift of the Holy Spirit who is our guide and counsellor on our daily walk. He leads us, brings us back, and shows us all the glory that is God.
Isaiah showed us what God did for the world when He gave us Jesus. The world was ransomed by His blood and we are redeemed. We are identified with Christ and God's fullness lives within us via the Holy Spirit. We are one with God just as Christ is one with Him. If we would all pray and seek that oneness we will be the joy that God talks about. We will travel that Way of Holiness, set apart from the world and a light unto it...all according to God's plan and promise.
The beginning verses give us a beautiful picture of God's creation rejoicing and blossoming. It also talks about the healing God will bring to the lame, the blind, and the deaf plus a birth of hope and promise from God. We agreed that the chapter is one of promise and assurance that God will deliver us. We should be full of joy.
Verse 8: "A highway shall be there, and it will be called the Holy Way (Way of Holiness...NIV); the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people." We know that Jesus said that He is the Way, so this Holy Way is truly the gift of Jesus, who leads us down the path where we receive all the promises He has outlined. I believe that this scripture points to the gift of the Holy Spirit who is our guide and counsellor on our daily walk. He leads us, brings us back, and shows us all the glory that is God.
Isaiah showed us what God did for the world when He gave us Jesus. The world was ransomed by His blood and we are redeemed. We are identified with Christ and God's fullness lives within us via the Holy Spirit. We are one with God just as Christ is one with Him. If we would all pray and seek that oneness we will be the joy that God talks about. We will travel that Way of Holiness, set apart from the world and a light unto it...all according to God's plan and promise.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010...Matthew 3: 1-12
The NIV Bible titles this passage "John The Baptist Prepares The Way". As we recognize the Advent Season, the expectant waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus, we found these verses to be a true call for action, not so much waiting. I believe that John realized that the waiting period was over, and the preparation/ action time had arrived with Jesus.
Our Wednesday class talked about the preparation John the Baptist brought to light; Repentance. John's message was of repentance as being the first step toward receiving all that the Kingdom has to offer. Repentance requires recognition and confession of our sins. It is also an acknowledgement of our need for a Savior, forgiveness and redemption. And it is an awareness that sins have consequences. John knew that repentance was absolutely necessary in order for Jesus to find a place for His Kingdom to be established...in our hearts.
We also talked about John the Baptist Seizing the Moment. John recognized the importance of his mission, the purpose, and the urgency. Why does the Bible tell us what John was wearing, what he ate, and that he lived in the wilderness? In verse 5 we are told that people went out to him from Jerusalem. I think that God wants to make sure that we realize that people will seek us out, not because we fit in, but because they will recognize that we have a message they need to hear. John knew that those who came were seeking only what God could give them. John was quick to point out that he was just a messenger ( v.11..."But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry."). He was not the One who could save them. He knew who he was serving and he pointed to Jesus as the king they were searching for.
During this Advent Season, we need to pray that we are prepared to sieze the moment, knowing that God will send people to us who need to hear of the redemption available to all who repent of their sins and acknowledge their need for the grace available through Jesus.
Our Wednesday class talked about the preparation John the Baptist brought to light; Repentance. John's message was of repentance as being the first step toward receiving all that the Kingdom has to offer. Repentance requires recognition and confession of our sins. It is also an acknowledgement of our need for a Savior, forgiveness and redemption. And it is an awareness that sins have consequences. John knew that repentance was absolutely necessary in order for Jesus to find a place for His Kingdom to be established...in our hearts.
We also talked about John the Baptist Seizing the Moment. John recognized the importance of his mission, the purpose, and the urgency. Why does the Bible tell us what John was wearing, what he ate, and that he lived in the wilderness? In verse 5 we are told that people went out to him from Jerusalem. I think that God wants to make sure that we realize that people will seek us out, not because we fit in, but because they will recognize that we have a message they need to hear. John knew that those who came were seeking only what God could give them. John was quick to point out that he was just a messenger ( v.11..."But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry."). He was not the One who could save them. He knew who he was serving and he pointed to Jesus as the king they were searching for.
During this Advent Season, we need to pray that we are prepared to sieze the moment, knowing that God will send people to us who need to hear of the redemption available to all who repent of their sins and acknowledge their need for the grace available through Jesus.
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