Shine Like Stars

Thanks to everybody who joined us last night for our first meeting of 2014.  I hope you enjoyed our study of Philippians as much as we did.  As we discussed, our meeting next month will take place in the Shawnee Room at Tiffin Tower.  We will serve lunch to the residents Sunday, February 9 at 1:00 and then hold our regular Bible study with any of the residents who would like to join us.  Details to follow.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."  Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV)

Galatians 6:9

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Hebrews 4:16

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to to help us in our time of need."

What Does Love Look Like?

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

[...]And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13

On Relationships

I know a guy whose friend Mark died last week at the age of 48 of a massive heart attack.  I knew Mark, though not well...he was more acquaintence than friend to me.  But I knew a little about him.  When I saw him, Mark was always smiling and laughing, and always quick with a joke.  He was a hard worker.  He was reliable and trustworthy.  He loved his family.  He was a good friend.

We were standing in the driveway talking to my friend the day after Mark died.  He was so clearly shaken and upset...he choked up several times talking about it.  One thing he told us really stood out to me.  He said, "Mark was such a friendly, nice person.  You could tell he really cared about people.  Sometimes I think that's why God put Mark in my life...I haven't always been that way."  I can relate.  Maybe you can too.

My wife and I went to Mark's calling hours last night.  Afterward, we agreed that the world would be a better place if there were more people like Mark in it.  I kept thinking about what my friend said...and how it applies to each of us.  God put us here, and God gave us relationships and each other.  What we do with these relationships is a sign of the strength of our Christian faith.  In his book The Relationship Principles of Jesus, Tom Holladay writes:

"[...]In the beginning, God created you for relationships.  He made you to relate to him and to others.  Miss out on relationships, and you're missing the core reason for which God put you on this planet.  And in the end, nothing is more important, because nothing will last longer than relationships.  Your relationships with God and others will last all the way into eternity..."

How perfect.  How true.  May it someday be said of each of us, "You could tell he (or she) really cared about people..."  This is such an important part of God's will for our lives.  One that we would be foolish to overlook.

"Jesus said, 'The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.'”  Mark 12:29-31 (MSG)

Romans 8:28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

On Acts: The Mission of the Holy Spirit

Mark Driscoll:

"[...]The mission of the Holy Spirit, as we see throughout Acts, is to bring people to faith in Christ.  As Jesus says to his first followers at the outset of the book: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth' (Acts 1:8).

[...]Throughout the book, we learn to recognize evidence of the Holy Spirit at work:

Bold evangelism (4:15, 31, 33)

Passionate worship (2:47, 4:21)

Generous, sacrifical giving (2:45)

Participation in the life of the church (2:46)

Baptisms (2:41, 8:12)

Lives changed (3:8, 4:36-37)

That’s what I want for our church. That’s what I want for Christians everywhere and for non-Christians who are actually going to be Christians (but, in the providence of God, they just don’t know it yet)..."

The Walk: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding

"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."  Proverbs 2:6

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."  Proverbs 24:3-4

Pray this prayer today:

"Lord, you are the source of wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  I walk with you because I know you have so much to teach me about how to live wisely for your purpose and your eternal plans.  Search my heart, Lord, and rid me of any destructive thoughts or motivations that might make me less effective today, Lord.  Replace these with the wisdom, knowledge and understanding you have promised.  Not my will today, Lord, but yours; your plans are far greater than any I could imagine.  Amen!"

Job 42:1-3 (NLT)

"'I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.  You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'  It is I - and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me."

Join us this Sunday at Walnut St UMC for the second week in our latest series, "Walking the Walk," 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary) and 11:00 AM (Blended).  We hope to see you there!

Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness."

Living Water, Real Power

"But whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  John 4:14 (ESV)

Last night at the final meeting of our Just Walk Across the Room small group, a young woman (fairly new to our church) spoke candidly about her struggle to lose weight.  She told us that being overweight was causing some potentially serious health problems and that she had recently become convicted that she needed to lose weight - to get into a better state of health and, more importantly, to better honor the God who created and loves her.

She told us about how proud she was that in the last six weeks, she has only missed her daily exercise routine once (last Friday; she had doctor's appointments and attended her friend's Mother's funeral).  And we were incredibly proud and happy for her.  You can really hear in her voice how serious she is about losing the weight.  Very powerful.

She shared two Scriptures with us that she has continually prayed over since making the decision to lose weight and get into better physical shape:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing."  John 15:5

Don't these really say it all about the Christian life?  In a world that offers false hope and disappointments daily, God promises power and strength in Jesus Christ for our lives.  And it's amazing the difference He makes in our lives when we walk with Him, along His path.  Why go it alone?  We don't have to!  Pray this prayer today:

"Lord, it's another day, to be filled with challenges to meet and decisions to be made.  Lord, I pray that you will fill me with your Spirit so I might make wise decisions and honor you today.  Thank you for Jesus, Lord.  Thank you that I don't have to go it alone, in my own power.  Thank you that you share your power with me in Jesus Christ.  Through you, I can do all things.  Bless me to your service today, Lord.  Amen!"

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"

An Audience of One

"The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."  1 Corinthians 2:14

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."  Romans 12:2

"Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them."  1 John 2:15

The world is an audience of many.  But God is an Audience of One.  The world offers problems and stress.  God offers peace and rest.  He deserves our best focus and attention.  Pray this prayer today:

"Lord, help me today to focus on Kingdom things, not worldly things.  Help me not to be jealous or bitter.  Help me not to be foolish and unwise.  God, I know you have good plans for me and I thank you that when I walk along your path, good things are coming my way.  Thank you for your grace and your friendship, and help me be a light for others.  I know the world is not as you intended it to be, but I also know that in your strength, I can help make a difference - in my home, in our church, at work and in our community.  My heart is open and I am willing; please use me for your Kingdom purpose today and every day.  Amen!"

Let Your Light Shine

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."  Ephesians 4:1

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

We were saved as part of God's plan for us.  Ask yourself today, "Are the grace and love of Jesus Christ evident in my life?  What can I do to better let my light shine in God's Kingdom for His purpose?"

Join us this Sunday at Walnut St UMC for the first week in our new series, "Walking the Walk," 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary) and 11:00 AM (Blended).  We hope to see you there!

James 1:22

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says."

Walk!

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8

"Faith is measured by your life, not your lips."  Tony Evans

Join us this Sunday at Walnut St UMC for the first week in our new series, "Walking the Walk," 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary) and 11:00 AM (Blended).  We hope to see you there!