Scripture
– NIV
Ephesians
2:19-20 –
Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s
people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Matthew
6:33 –
“But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well.”
Matthew
6:24 –
“No
one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or
you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God
and money.”
Joshua
24:15 –
“But
if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this
day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the
Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as
for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Bob’s
thoughts:
We
were welcomed by many, including a Marine and some other veterans.
I
appreciated the handsome backlit cross on the back wall of the chancel.
With
minimal signage, we found the restrooms downstairs.
Early
on, the pastor mentioned the church would get together to pray for God’s
direction for His church…the best thing any church can do.
One
of the best current applications of the Bible in the Children’s moment: giving
one piece of candy to sister, then giving two to brother. Well explained and
almost acceptable to sister (she did get a second piece of candy). My favorite:
she was given a small stuffed toy that she gave to her little sister in the pew
on the way out. Little sister was a Shirley Temple that charmed my heart from the
moment she walked in.
I had
a lot of trouble hearing/understanding the speaker and somewhat with the pastor
also. I am looking forward to a hearing aid to see if it’s all me.
The
sermon dealt with our rights and responsibilities in our dual citizenship on
earth and Heaven. The concept of putting what Christ wants for us first has
been firmly seated and I am seldom disappointed. When I am, it usually becomes
clear later, and I’m happy to leave it all to God.
We
were living in a house where we raised our children and found out it was being
sold. I was out of work and money was gone, but Christ had recently claimed me.
A cousin in New Mexico called and offered to rent us his late father’s house
and he would pay some of the utilities. After my wife’s prayer that if God
really wanted us to move in the opposite direction from the church we belonged
to and a church that I did some work for, that He should find a way for them to
give us the house. The following Sunday while changing clothes from church (I
was still wearing a three-piece suit to contemporary worship), my cousin called
and said, “I don’t know why but I would like to give you the house.” God has
blessed us so many times that I can never doubt Him.
Spend
the time in prayer to discern His purpose for His Church, then boldly step out
in faith. It is most important to spend that time in prayer, but also don’t
second guess and go back to prayer. When He gives you direction, act.
My
prayer to add would be to thank God for the adversity He lets come into our
lives and the wonderful lessons it brings. He is always faithful and you are
right where you are to be at this moment…be ready to step out in faith when He
calls.
I was
glad we had a few minutes to talk after the service and thankful to get a copy
of the church’s prayer requests.
Jan’s
thoughts:
We
arrived very early and the three people in the sanctuary welcomed us and
introduced themselves. We saw no signage, so confirmed with them our guess that
the restrooms were downstairs. This also gave us an opportunity to tour that
space. Someone (or more) put a great deal of effort into painting the walls in
the hallway and each room with bright colors and Bible stories.
We
found seats in the sanctuary and many people stopped to greet us on their way past.
I
was excited to hear about the mission trip to Kenya and will pray for traveling
mercies and God’s providence and guidance for all those who participate.
There
were two children for the exceptional Children’s Moment, which was perfect. The
pastor illustrated the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. He told the
children he would give them one piece of candy, and after giving the first
child one piece, he gave the other child two pieces. When the first child asked
about that, the pastor explained that he had promised them one piece and had
given them one, and if he gave one of them two, that was his choice. It was a
terrific way of explaining it. What I really enjoyed was, of course, he ended
up giving the second child a second piece of candy, but before it ended, someone
else gave each child a small gift for another reason, and on her way past her
family and out of the sanctuary, the girl gave the gift to her younger sister. Such
a sweet moment.
The
untitled sermon focused on the rights and responsibilities of our citizenship,
both of our country and of the Kingdom of Heaven. He referred to our “dual
citizenship” advising that when it came to which should take precedence, we
should put God above our rights and His teachings should take precedence. I
appreciated his advice to “find joy in God’s joy.”
He
ended with a reminder from Joshua 24:15: “But as for me and my household, we
will serve the Lord.”
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray You bless Your church with faith. May they hear Your voice when You
call, and may they step out in faith in You. Amen.
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