Friday, January 25, 2008
The Price (Exodus 12; Exodus 13; Psalm 21; Acts 1)
Scripture:The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)
Observation: The blood of the lambs slaughtered for passover was a foreshadowing of Jesus as the Lamb of God whose blood allows his followers to be exempted from the penalty of death that is the price of sin.
Application: In our psalm it says in v.2 that God has given the king the joy of his heart. While there are many things I could want, the thing that I need to want most is what I have already recieved: pardon for sin and eternal life that was granted by Christ's death on the cross. And from that to be Christ's witness in American Canyon, our larger community, and to the world.(Acts 1:8)
Prayer: Lord help me to keep asking you for the things that are worthy, the things that you want for me and for us. Give me peace in the midst of times that are difficult. Help me to wait on you for deliverance once again. May You be glorified in all that I do with my family today.
Observation: The blood of the lambs slaughtered for passover was a foreshadowing of Jesus as the Lamb of God whose blood allows his followers to be exempted from the penalty of death that is the price of sin.
Application: In our psalm it says in v.2 that God has given the king the joy of his heart. While there are many things I could want, the thing that I need to want most is what I have already recieved: pardon for sin and eternal life that was granted by Christ's death on the cross. And from that to be Christ's witness in American Canyon, our larger community, and to the world.(Acts 1:8)
Prayer: Lord help me to keep asking you for the things that are worthy, the things that you want for me and for us. Give me peace in the midst of times that are difficult. Help me to wait on you for deliverance once again. May You be glorified in all that I do with my family today.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
From the American Canyon Eagle Jan 22
AmCan churches make plans for the coming year
By ANNA ABBOTT, Special to the Eagle
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Local pastors hope to make 2008 an eventful year for their congregations.At Open Door Bible Church, there are new programs including a women's Bible study on Tuesday nights. There will also be new activities for kids according to Open Door's Pastor Alan Brazell."We will have a Boys and Girls Club activity once a month after church with different activities." Some are games, some are outdoor activities, or learning minor electrical or automotive skills," he said.Brazell summed up his church's goals for the year.
"Our desire is to build a loving Christian fellowship where people can grow in the knowledge of the Lord, where there are friendships and people can support one another."Marshall Stevens, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, said his goal for this year is to "do better at what we've been doing." Two revivals are scheduled this year, with one in late January and another in late October."We are going back to basics in spreading the gospel," Stevens said. "Our goal for 2008 is to be what we ought to be, according to Peter's epistle."
At American Canyon Baptist Church, 2008 will be lively according to Pastor Matt Real."The big thing we're doing is the Love Revolution Feb. 8-10. We will show how much we love the American Canyon community. We'll be contacting the mayor and discuss serving the community. We'll send 10 to 12 teams into civic projects."
American Canyon Baptist Church will also host the kick-off for the Relay For Life. Real said that the preschool will partner with the church to do another "Trike For Life," raising money for cancer research.
On Aug. 24, the church plans to hold a worship service in a city park.
Real voiced the church's goals for this year."We're about building relationships for Jesus in 2008. It drives everything we do this year."
Bread of Life Ministries' goals are "helping people get from day-to-day" according to Pastor Stuart Welch."Urgent needs have outpaced general maintenance," Welch said. "There's the economic crunch. Families are facing urgent needs in housing and food. We have to help people make it tomorrow."In February, the church will address a very real problem: real estate."We'll have a mortgage workshop for families in crisis. It's an immediate need," said Welch.The church will be increasing its food distribution to four times a year. It will also be increasing its grocery giveaway in April.Welch also wants to help promote higher education."We're going to institute a college incentive program," he said. We'll encourage people in the congregation to go to the next level. We'll pay for the books and help with the tuition. We'll encourage them to go to Heald College and Napa Valley Junior College."
By ANNA ABBOTT, Special to the Eagle
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Local pastors hope to make 2008 an eventful year for their congregations.At Open Door Bible Church, there are new programs including a women's Bible study on Tuesday nights. There will also be new activities for kids according to Open Door's Pastor Alan Brazell."We will have a Boys and Girls Club activity once a month after church with different activities." Some are games, some are outdoor activities, or learning minor electrical or automotive skills," he said.Brazell summed up his church's goals for the year.
"Our desire is to build a loving Christian fellowship where people can grow in the knowledge of the Lord, where there are friendships and people can support one another."Marshall Stevens, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, said his goal for this year is to "do better at what we've been doing." Two revivals are scheduled this year, with one in late January and another in late October."We are going back to basics in spreading the gospel," Stevens said. "Our goal for 2008 is to be what we ought to be, according to Peter's epistle."
At American Canyon Baptist Church, 2008 will be lively according to Pastor Matt Real."The big thing we're doing is the Love Revolution Feb. 8-10. We will show how much we love the American Canyon community. We'll be contacting the mayor and discuss serving the community. We'll send 10 to 12 teams into civic projects."
American Canyon Baptist Church will also host the kick-off for the Relay For Life. Real said that the preschool will partner with the church to do another "Trike For Life," raising money for cancer research.
On Aug. 24, the church plans to hold a worship service in a city park.
Real voiced the church's goals for this year."We're about building relationships for Jesus in 2008. It drives everything we do this year."
Bread of Life Ministries' goals are "helping people get from day-to-day" according to Pastor Stuart Welch."Urgent needs have outpaced general maintenance," Welch said. "There's the economic crunch. Families are facing urgent needs in housing and food. We have to help people make it tomorrow."In February, the church will address a very real problem: real estate."We'll have a mortgage workshop for families in crisis. It's an immediate need," said Welch.The church will be increasing its food distribution to four times a year. It will also be increasing its grocery giveaway in April.Welch also wants to help promote higher education."We're going to institute a college incentive program," he said. We'll encourage people in the congregation to go to the next level. We'll pay for the books and help with the tuition. We'll encourage them to go to Heald College and Napa Valley Junior College."
Hardened Hearts (Exodus 9; Exodus 10; Exodus 11; Luke 24)
Scripture:When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. (Exodus 9:34)
Observation: God was speaking powerfully in both sets of scriptures- one through plagues and the other through resurrection. The common theme was that many in both scripture sets could not or would not see that God was working. Once calm had been restored Pharoah snapped back to his previous position. The disciples on the road to Emmaus could not see Jesus walking with them. The disciples He appeared to could not believe it.
Application: Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, God is still in our midst. We need to see what God is doing and saying in order to respond correctly to him. I need to see what God is doing in my family, in my church, and in my world.
Prayer: Lord, help me be sensitive to your ways. Help me to see that my choices, even ones that seem fairly insignificant, effect how I am positioned to respond to you. Give me your vision for the day.
Observation: God was speaking powerfully in both sets of scriptures- one through plagues and the other through resurrection. The common theme was that many in both scripture sets could not or would not see that God was working. Once calm had been restored Pharoah snapped back to his previous position. The disciples on the road to Emmaus could not see Jesus walking with them. The disciples He appeared to could not believe it.
Application: Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, God is still in our midst. We need to see what God is doing and saying in order to respond correctly to him. I need to see what God is doing in my family, in my church, and in my world.
Prayer: Lord, help me be sensitive to your ways. Help me to see that my choices, even ones that seem fairly insignificant, effect how I am positioned to respond to you. Give me your vision for the day.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
(Exodus 6; Exodus 7; Exodus 8; Luke 23)
Scripture: Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (Luke 23:42)
Observation: We want miracles, we want God to perform for us as though he was a magician that we are paying. We can very easily miss what God's message is because we are waiting for an "experience" of God. Pharoah saw miracles and still resisted God. So did the people of Jesus' day. God meets our needs daily and still we are not willing to be obedient to Him.
Application: I need to be conscious of all the ways that God has worked in my life and in the world. It is not my role to ask God to produce miracles upon command, but to be seeking His leading in the world.
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to keep my eyes on the important things and not to get distracted by anything less. Help me to confront when needed and to love at all times. Thank you for your faithfulness when I am not.
Observation: We want miracles, we want God to perform for us as though he was a magician that we are paying. We can very easily miss what God's message is because we are waiting for an "experience" of God. Pharoah saw miracles and still resisted God. So did the people of Jesus' day. God meets our needs daily and still we are not willing to be obedient to Him.
Application: I need to be conscious of all the ways that God has worked in my life and in the world. It is not my role to ask God to produce miracles upon command, but to be seeking His leading in the world.
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to keep my eyes on the important things and not to get distracted by anything less. Help me to confront when needed and to love at all times. Thank you for your faithfulness when I am not.
God's Will(Exodus 3; Exodus 4; Exodus 5; Luke 22)
Scripture: 13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 4:13)
Observation: Moses, Jesus, and Peter did not want to follow through. Moses was reprimended, Peter denied Christ, but Jesus said, not my will, but yours. Often in life we have to do things that we don't want to do. But the mission of Christ must be more important than our fears or discomfort.
Application: I need to be more relationally and emotionally willing to do God's work when it would be easier just to let things lie. Tomorrow I need to make two phone calls that I don't want to make.
Prayer: Lord, help me to make these phone calls, help me to be willing to uncomfortable to accomplish that which I don't want to do. Give me the courage and the willingness to persever when its easier just to capitulate.
Observation: Moses, Jesus, and Peter did not want to follow through. Moses was reprimended, Peter denied Christ, but Jesus said, not my will, but yours. Often in life we have to do things that we don't want to do. But the mission of Christ must be more important than our fears or discomfort.
Application: I need to be more relationally and emotionally willing to do God's work when it would be easier just to let things lie. Tomorrow I need to make two phone calls that I don't want to make.
Prayer: Lord, help me to make these phone calls, help me to be willing to uncomfortable to accomplish that which I don't want to do. Give me the courage and the willingness to persever when its easier just to capitulate.
Monday, January 21, 2008
(Exodus 1; Exodus 2; Psalm 88; Luke 21)
Scripture: "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)
Observation: Death is one of the themes in these verses. A subject we like talking about even less than money. How we live in the shadow of death makes a great deal of difference. We must trust in Jesus both for our life and in our deaths. In trusting in Jesus we have faith that allows us to live unafraid in life.
Application: I need to remember that I have a limited number of days to live. Whether it is my death or Christ's return, the time is short. I will do well to live remembering that Christ will return and sharing that Good News with others.
Prayer: Lord, help me to not be afraid. Strengthen my ability to make hard decisions, give me the ability to trust in you in times when it will be difficult. Lord I thank you for the hope that I have.
Observation: Death is one of the themes in these verses. A subject we like talking about even less than money. How we live in the shadow of death makes a great deal of difference. We must trust in Jesus both for our life and in our deaths. In trusting in Jesus we have faith that allows us to live unafraid in life.
Application: I need to remember that I have a limited number of days to live. Whether it is my death or Christ's return, the time is short. I will do well to live remembering that Christ will return and sharing that Good News with others.
Prayer: Lord, help me to not be afraid. Strengthen my ability to make hard decisions, give me the ability to trust in you in times when it will be difficult. Lord I thank you for the hope that I have.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
(Genesis 49; Genesis 50; Psalm 8; Luke 20)
Scripture:But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? (Genesis 50:10)
Observation: Joseph refused to vengence for what his brothers had done to him. The psalm reminds us of it. And the teachers of the law put themselves in the place of it. All of these things are God's place as the center of the universe. God is the one to avenge, God is worthy of our praise, God is the one who creates the rules for how we are to live.
Application:Remembering my place in God's created order. God is the one who has created the rules. He is the one who will see that justice is done. He is the one worthy of worship and praise.
Prayer: Lord I praise you for all that you have done. I praise you for you love, your faithfulness, you boundries, your holiness. Help me to walk in the boundries you set, help me to trust that you will take care of me and my family. Help me to see your work around me.
Observation: Joseph refused to vengence for what his brothers had done to him. The psalm reminds us of it. And the teachers of the law put themselves in the place of it. All of these things are God's place as the center of the universe. God is the one to avenge, God is worthy of our praise, God is the one who creates the rules for how we are to live.
Application:Remembering my place in God's created order. God is the one who has created the rules. He is the one who will see that justice is done. He is the one worthy of worship and praise.
Prayer: Lord I praise you for all that you have done. I praise you for you love, your faithfulness, you boundries, your holiness. Help me to walk in the boundries you set, help me to trust that you will take care of me and my family. Help me to see your work around me.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
(Genesis 47; Genesis 48; Psalm 10; Luke 19)
Scripture:For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10
Observation: Salvation comes in unlikely places. The people of egypt experienced temporal salvation by selling themselves, their land, and their possession into slavery- yet because they did that they were saved. Zaccheus experienced salvation by his giving up much of his wealth to follow Jesus. Perhaps we need to have are hands empty to experience salvation that Jesus desires us to have.
Application: I get swept up, like most, in to what's mine is mine. I need to have open hands to give to God's service my possessions, my time, my money. While I do this well at times, I need to be willing to trust God more fully.
Prayer:Lord, help me to place everything I have and am into Your hands. Help me be willing to give up everything to follow you. Help me to trust you with the things most precious; keep them safe and well.
Observation: Salvation comes in unlikely places. The people of egypt experienced temporal salvation by selling themselves, their land, and their possession into slavery- yet because they did that they were saved. Zaccheus experienced salvation by his giving up much of his wealth to follow Jesus. Perhaps we need to have are hands empty to experience salvation that Jesus desires us to have.
Application: I get swept up, like most, in to what's mine is mine. I need to have open hands to give to God's service my possessions, my time, my money. While I do this well at times, I need to be willing to trust God more fully.
Prayer:Lord, help me to place everything I have and am into Your hands. Help me be willing to give up everything to follow you. Help me to trust you with the things most precious; keep them safe and well.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Fairness (Genesis 44; Genesis 45; Genesis 46; Luke 18)
Scripture: Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!" Genesis 45:24
Observation: Joseph's attitude was not about fairness. God's plan or not, he had much to be angry at his brothers for. Also, the story of the persistent widow is not fair at all. How to enter the Kingdom of God seems unfair as well. The phrase that comes to mind is that God is generous in ways we don't like and also that God never promised that the world would be fair. Grace is better than fair, but sometimes its hard to give up our "rights".
Application: Often I feel as though I get tasked with things that aren't particularly fair. I need to remember that I was never promised fair. I also need to give not 50% in my family but 100%. I need to not insist on my rights, but be willing to serve.
Prayer: Lord, help me be willing to keep going even when it feels unfair. Help me to rely on your grace and not on my "rights". Let me see you in front of me in each person that I serve.
Observation: Joseph's attitude was not about fairness. God's plan or not, he had much to be angry at his brothers for. Also, the story of the persistent widow is not fair at all. How to enter the Kingdom of God seems unfair as well. The phrase that comes to mind is that God is generous in ways we don't like and also that God never promised that the world would be fair. Grace is better than fair, but sometimes its hard to give up our "rights".
Application: Often I feel as though I get tasked with things that aren't particularly fair. I need to remember that I was never promised fair. I also need to give not 50% in my family but 100%. I need to not insist on my rights, but be willing to serve.
Prayer: Lord, help me be willing to keep going even when it feels unfair. Help me to rely on your grace and not on my "rights". Let me see you in front of me in each person that I serve.
