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)

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)..."

Body of Christ: Pray for OK, Give to OK

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2

"But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving."  2 Corinthians 8:7

This Sunday at Walnut St, we will accept cash and check donations for the victims of this week's Oklahoma disaster in week 2 of our series, "Walking the Walk."  What better way to walk the walk of the Christian life than to help those in their darkest hour of need?  If you would like to make a credit card donation to the United Methodist Committee on Relief - US Disaster Response, please click here.

Pray for OK

Words - and, to a lesser extent, deeds - are largely inadequate to provide a meaningful measure of comfort for the people who suffered the devastating losses we saw today in Moore, Oklahoma. Let's pray this week for the families affected as they start working to rebuild and recover.

If you're looking for a practical way to help the victims, you can make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund here, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

On Giving & Stewardship

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew 6:21

"When we give, we are saying, 'I don't want to worship my wealth; I want to worship with my wealth!'"  Mark Driscoll

Pray this prayer today:

"Lord, thank you for the ability to earn money and build wealth.  Make me wise to be a good steward of the gifts with which you have blessed me.  God, you are the source of wealth and wisdom, bless my life, my work and my ministry to your service to advance your Kingdom causes, now and forever.  Amen!"