February 29, 2012

Opening Hymns:
Thy Word (Red Praise Book 234)

Scripture Reading:
Mark 8:31-33

Message:

Jesus has gone through the temptations in the desert. He is now being tempted by one of His disciples. Peter doesn’t know God’s plan, and as a friend and a follower does not want Jesus to die, or to leave. We don’t know what Peter said to rebuke Jesus, but it seems to me that he was speaking as a friend. However, Jesus saw it as a temptation not to do what God had called Him to do.

Near the end Jesus faces the temptation once more. He prays “Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). As the time of sacrifice comes closer it is harder to resist the temptation.

Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert. But when you’re being tempted by the devil it is clear to see what to avoid doing. He was then tempted by His friends, a harder temptation to avoid, but as He recognized it He was able to rebuke His friend as well. One of His final temptations was in His prayer of desperation. However, He recognized “Yet not what I will, but what you will”.

Each of us will face different types of temptation. To me it is comforting to know that Jesus had been tempted as well. He is such a wonderful example on conquering temptation that Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous use scripture in order to help people combat their own temptations.


Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for showing us how to live a Christian life. Thank You for helping us find a way to overcome temptations. Thank you for Your Son Jesus who was able to overcome temptation and save us all. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
When I look into Your Holiness (Red Praise Book 206)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

February 28, 2012

Opening Hymns:
Let the Walls Fall Down (Red Praise Book 262)

Scripture Reading:
Romans 4:13-25

Message: Law
For anyone who believes that works can get you into heaven, this scripture will shake that belief. Here, Paul is addressing this belief by using the Abraham as an example. Paul knows that many of those who believe in the importance of works would have arguments related to the scriptures from the Torah. Thus, Paul also shows them through the scriptures in the Torah that it is not through the law that we are saved, but through faith.

Earlier in chapter 4 Paul states “what then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” (Romans 4:1-3). We need to recognize that we cannot do it ourselves, and that we don’t have anything to boast about before God.

I can’t imagine the stress of trying to live a flawless life in order to make it into heaven. I can only imagine that I would feel empty and separated from my Creator, never able to measure up. However, rather than requiring perfection from us, the Lord asks us to have a relationship with Him. What a blessing… to try and do right in the world because of the love of our Father, rather than the demand of the law.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for forgiving us of our sins. Thank You for calling us to have a relationship with You. It is a blessing to call on Your Name when we are lost, happy, or sad. Thank You for loving us. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
The Sweetest Name of All (Red Praise Book 246)
Spirit Song (Red Praise Book (287)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

February 27, 2012

Opening Hymns:
Behold, What Manner of Love (Red Praise Book 45)

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 17:1-7

Message: Covenants
It gives me chills as I read todays scripture message. This is a covenant between God and Abram. It is such a beautiful and precious thing to read about, for this is just the beginning of a covenant that will be between God and all of His children. This covenant will include us.

In this scripture reading the covenant includes Abram and all of his descendants. However, when Jesus comes he makes a new everlasting covenant between all of God’s children. Circumcision is not the sign of this covenant. Instead, the Holy waters of Baptism, and communion are signs and reminders of our covenant with God. They are both reminders that our sins have been washed away, and that Jesus was our final sacrifice for the forgiving of sins.

It is a beautiful thing to know that God love us so much that He would sacrifice His only Son to die on our behalf. Jesus not only forgives us of our sin, he also showed us how to live a life as a child of God. This is a covenant that is greater than my understanding. All I can do is praise God, be grateful and try to live as Jesus lived.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for creating this wonderful everlasting covenant with us. Lord, let us all remember the sacrifices that You and Your Son have made on our behalf. Thank You for all Your gifts of love. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
Cares Chorus (Red Praise Book 48)

Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down (Red Praise Book 105)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

February 26, 2012

Opening Hymns:

Come Into the Holy of Holies (Red Praise Book 71)

Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:9-15

Message: Deserts

There are so many wonderful things to behold on this planet. There is so much joy to be had. However, that joy can often be met with deserts. In the scripture reading today Jesus is sent into the desert where He would face His own struggles with temptation. The more I grow and read, the more I find discover other “deserts” that people have faced.

Mother Theresa had lived a Godly life, caring for those in need. She continued to care for the people in Calcutta, even after they had mocked her… if anyone came to her for help she offered it. However, Mother Theresa had written about her own doubts and depression. She too spent time in the deserts.

Right now I am reading a book called “Miracle at Tenwek” about one of the first American doctors to go help out in Africa. I went through about 200 pages of an amazing book, an incredible life story. And then the desert hit. The doctor began to question if he should continue to serve in Africa or move back to the United States. He became depressed and his faith became to shake. Through prayer, and the support of his wife he made it through the desert as well.

Jesus went through the desert, and this reminds me that through our struggles we are not alone. Through our doubts and pain… the Lord is with us. Sometimes we may want the burden in front of us removed. We may call out to God to take our challenges away from us. But, we can also pray to learn from our challenges. We can pray for a lasting impact for ourselves and others, and we can pray for God’s guiding hand all the way through our lives.

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for leading us through the deserts. Let us learn and grow from all the challenges that we are to face. Help us to remember to praise Your name through each and every storm. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
The Lord Is My Light (Red Praise Book 64)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

February 25, 2012

Opening Hymns:
I Love You, Lore (Red Praise Book 21)

Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:1-15

Message: From baptism to Temptation
I caught myself being surprised at how Mark begins. I recalled that it doesn’t begin with the birth of Jesus. However, for some reason I recalled more happening before Jesus went into the desert for forty days to be tempted. Mark shows the start of Jesus’ ministry as the baptism and then the temptation. Both happen in this short chapter in Mark. Mark is showing us both ends of the spectrum. On the one end Jesus is beloved and told “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). From there he becomes tempted and fasts both body and spirit.

If this is what it means to be a Christian, this story would be enough to ward anyone away. However, there is a constant reminder of God’s presence. Even through the desert of temptation “the angels attended him”. While temptations in life and all of life’s struggles may be hard, nothing can compare to the comfort of our Lord’s presence with us through each of our struggles.

None of us will need to go through what Jesus had to go through. He died for the sin of the world, and because of that each of us our free. We may yet feel burdened by our own “crosses” that we bear. When that time comes, each of us can remember that God is with us. Take time then, in the mist of struggles, to see angels attending to you. I believe that God will always be with us through each of our struggles.

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being with us in our times of need. Look after those of us who are going through struggles and suffering. Let us care for each other as we each face temptation and pain. Thank You for sending Your angels down to help us through each obstacle. Thank You for sending Your Son down to save us. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
Because He Lives (Red Praise Book 20)
In The Lord Alone (Red Praise Book 44)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

February 24, 2012

Opening Hymns:
There is a Redeemer 244 (Red Praise Book)

Scripture Reading:
1 peter 3:18-22

Message: Sacrifice
In this scripture we hear of our Savior and Redeemer. Peter is explaining what it meant for Jesus to die for us. He clarifies for the people that the waters of baptism are not to clean “dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…” (1 Peter 4:21). Through His death we are forgiven, and our spirits are washed clean. It is through this forgiveness and cleansing that we can become closer to God. God has forgiven us, the next step for us then, is to recognize God’s forgiveness and accept it… and down the line to be able to forgive others and ourselves alike. Jesus was our example of how to live. He has forgiven us all, it is our turn to likewise forgive each other.  

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, teach us and guide us as we learn what it means to forgive each other and ourselves. Thank You for the forgiveness that You have given all of us on this day. I pray that we will be able to accept that forgiveness and try to live a more God-like life. Thank you for Your Son Jesus, and the gifts that He has given us. Let us never forget the sacrifices that He made, and the love that He shared. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn

His Name Is Wonderful (Red Praise Book) 108

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

February 23, 2012

Opening Hymns:

Come Into The Holy of Holies (Red Praise Book 71)

Whom Shall I send (Red hymnal 582)

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 25:1-10

Message: Being Led 

Again we are at the beginning of the Lenten season. This psalm is a beautiful portrayal of an inner hope to follow God. In this psalm, David is seeking guidance and forgiveness for his wrong doings. He also lifts up hope and praise to God. “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, in you I trust Oh my God” (Psalm 25:1). There are so many things to learn from this psalm, and as we move into this Lenten season I wish to focus on seeking guidance. Lent is a time where I feel myself called back to God; to focus on His will in my life. It is a time that we all can reflect on Jesus’ Teachings, and His mission for each of us.  We will read of how Jesus lived, and how He encouraged us to live. In the end we will read and learn of how and why He died, and His call for us to die of sin and selfishness. In this season I hope that this prayer… this Psalm is answered for you. “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:4-5). May God continue to teach us and lead us this day… amen.


Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, guide us during this Lenten season, that we might more readily know Your plan for us. Guide us each day so that we can walk closer to You with a better understanding of our call. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
Seek Ye First (Red Praise Book 243)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God