Week Twelve, 2019 FIVE CROWNS

Week Twelve, 2019

FIVE CROWNS

By Florida Senator John Grant (Ret)

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Cor. 9:25).

Often when we want to relax and unwind from the day, we sit around the table and play Five Crowns. It is a card game that is fun, relaxing and challenging. Five Crowns is a five-suited rummy-style card game that is played with an extra suit. The deck has no aces or twos and there are two of every card which increases the players’ ability to go out quickly by grouping their cards into books and runs. It is a great and fun game.

The Bible spells out the five crowns of salvation. The Five Crowns, also known as the Five Heavenly Crowns, is a concept in Christian theology that pertains to the five crowns that individuals can receive after the Last Judgment. These are the Crown of Life, the Incorruptible Crown, the Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Glory, and the Crown of Exultation.

The Crown of Life is referred to in James 1:12 & Revelation 2:10; it is bestowed upon “those who persevere under trials.” Jesus references this crown when He tells the Church in Smyrna to “not be afraid of what you are about to suffer…Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Look at the crowns that people, even Christians, pursue on this side of heaven. People search and strive for position, power and possessions, but we all came into this world naked and we will depart in the same way. The crowns of this world will be laid aside as we move on to the real crowns that really matter.

What do you spend time pondering, the crowns of this life or the ones waiting for us in heaven?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The Board of Trustees of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) decided to stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance because, according to Board President Robert Miller, the Pledge is “steeped in expressions of nativism and white nationalism.”

— o —

Russell Moore is an ethicist and president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. In a very perceptive article on the Ralph Northam scandal, Dr. Moore notes that both racism and abortion “are rooted in the counter-Christ idolatry that sees human dignity and lives worth living defined by power.” He states that “abortion and racial injustice are alike an affront to human dignity, and to the image of God.”

— o —

Leadership guru John Maxwell says that ‘most people settle into one of three areas: survival, success, or significance.”

He explains that some folks are struggling in life. They may be scrambling just to keep their head above water financially. Other people are doing well. They’re working hard to have a better life. They’ve reached a level of stability in life that the world calls them successful.

However, Maxwell writes, “Many people tie their significance to social position, their title, their net worth or bank balance, the car they drive, their prestigious address, the man or woman on their arm, or some other status symbol. Their mentality is, ‘If I do enough and have enough, even if I am self-centered, it will bring fulfillment.’”

The problem, John observes “is that self-centeredness and fulfillment cannot peacefully co-exist. They’re incompatible.

Moses

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

– Sir Isaac Newton (1675)

Nelson Mandela: What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

Significance is seldom obvious at the time. But it always counts in eternity. Jim Denison

Is your Bible drawing dust from laying around, or are you slipping away in your faith because you stopped reading it? Dwight Short

Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back. Babe Ruth

Words said about Pres. George H. W. Bush, “He valued character over pedigree and looked for the good in each person.” This should be the mantle for all leaders.

Is grass growing on your prayer trail? Erwin Lutzer

Persistent prayer has a purpose

Praying together reinforces praying privately

This week, Pastor Becker is undergoing abdominal surgery. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Week Eleven, 2019

NEVER LOOK BACK

By Florida Senator John Grant (Retired)

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” —Philippians 3:1

Recently Alex Honnold made “the ultimate climb” …… without a rope. His stunning climb up the 3,000 foot granite wall known as El Capitan came after meticulous planning and training. He clung to the side of the granite wall with nothing more than the tips of his fingers and two thin edges of shoe rubber.

He attempted to do something that professional rock climbers have long thought was impossible—a “free solo” ascent of the world’s most iconic cliff. That means he was alone and climbing without a rope as he inched his way up more than half a mile of sheer rock. He made it to the top in less than four hours.

His press interview after the climb was informative and interesting, but the one thing that hit me was when he spoke of the dangers, one of the greatest being to look down to where he had climbed. Never look back. It’s a killer.

Paul in writing to the church at Philippi cautioned the fellowship about looking back. He said to forget the past and focus on the future. Jesus said that no one with a hand on his plow is fit for the kingdom if he looks back.

In life looking back is not going to help you. We have to look forward. We can cry over spilled milk or we can look for another cow. The longer we keep looking back in the rearview mirror it takes away from what is moving forward. Never look back; nothing ever changes there. Don’t look back because you are not going that way.

The next time Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. Through prayer and spiritual growth, we can more easily put our past behind us and move forward to achieve the great things God has planned for us. Isaiah (43:18) tells us through prayer and spiritual growth, we can more easily put our past behind us and move forward to achieve the great things God has planned for us.

All of us have had bad things happen in our past that we would like to go back and change – some because of outright mistakes that we made (“poor choices”) and some due to circumstances beyond our control. Regardless of the reasons why, we have a tendency to look back, reflect on these difficult moments and wish that things had been different. Sometimes, this “rear view” thinking can weigh so heavily on our feelings that it interferes with our current choices and our ability to effectively move on with our lives.

Like the rock climber, if we look back we are likely to fall and get snared into the sins of our past. Look ahead and see what great things God has in store for us and when we finish this great climb of life there is glory for us waiting at the top.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Araprosdokians are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence is unexpected. Winston Churchill loved them.

Some examples:

1. Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.

2. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

3. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

4. War does not determine who is right – only who is left.

5. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

6. They begin the evening news with ‘Good Evening,’ then proceed to tell you why it isn’t

7. To steal ideas from someone is plagiarism. To steal from many is called research.

8. In filling in an application, where it says, ‘In case of emergency’, notify: I put ‘DOCTOR.’

9. I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

10. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they look sexy.

11. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

12. A clear conscience is the sign of a bad memory.

13. I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.

14. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be. Nor is there any future in it.

15. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

16. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

17. I am not arguing with you, I am explaining why you are wrong.

18. Finally: I’m supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

— o —

When people die, it is said that they turn to dust. That is why I do not dust because I might be disturbing someone I know.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Our God Is Able To Do Far More Abundantly Beyond All That We Ask

Bring your most daring petition, bring your most impossible requests, add others to them; let the whole church join together in their wildest desires and demands. There is no danger of exceeding the limits, His power is beyond all that we can ever ask. Martyn Lloyd Jones

God in His sovereignty has chosen to accomplish His mission through His church as they give, pray, love, serve, and go.

What God is Doing Through Us Is Not About Us, It’s Bigger Than Us And About the Glory of God. Ken Whitten

By 2025 machines could be working and performing 52% of office tasks – Time

Complacency is a killer in politics.

“WHO AM I?”

Series in Evangelism, Part 2

Pastor Jeremy B. Stopford, Retired

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

INTRODUCTION

*  Today’s Special:  “Crowded Store”

“It was the day of the big sale.  Rumors of the sale (and some advertising in the local papers) were the main reason for the long line that formed by 8:30, the store’s opening time, in front of the store.

A small man pushed his way to the front of the line, only to be pushed back, amid loud and colorful curses.  On the man’s second attempt, he was punched square in the jaw, and knocked around a bit, and then thrown to the end of the line again.  As he got up the second time, he said to the person at the end of the line…

‘That does it!  If they hit me one more time, I won’t open the store!’”

*  Today’s lesson should enable us to answer the questions, “Who can evangelize? Who does God want to share His love?”

Here is an outline – encouraging you to look up each passage to see the key thought visualized!

PRAYER

Each point starts with the question, “Who am I….”

I.  That You Even Look At Me? (Exodus 3:11)
“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?””
Key thought: Hunger!

II. That You Should Choose Me? (1 Samuel 18:18)
“So David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?””
Key thought: Heritage!

III. That I Can Offer My All for You? (1 Chron. 29:14)
“But who am I, and who are my people,

That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?

For all things come from You [lit., from Your hand],

And of Your own we have given You.”
Key thought: Hand!

IV.  That I Should Attempt Great Things For You? (2 Chron. 2:6)
“But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?”
Key thought: Heaven!

CONCLUSION:
But the really BIG question that we all need to ask is:

“Who are YOU?” (Acts 9:5)

“And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.””

Key thought: Humble!

Week Ten, 2019

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

THE COMPASS FLIPS

By Florida Senator John Grant, Retired

Pilots tell me about how the compass does a 180° flip when they fly over the North Pole. I wanted to see for myself, so on a recent flight over the top from Chicago to Tokyo I brought my compass along. Sure enough for the first few hours we were heading north, but all of a sudden we were heading south.

I thought about how our faith is like that. We are born to sin by nature, but then we are saved by grace and our internal compass flips from sin to savior.

Jesus calls us to repent. Repentance called for throughout the Bible is a summons to a personal, absolute and ultimate unconditional surrender to God as Sovereign. Though it includes sorrow and regret, it is more than that. The words “repent,” “repentance,” and “repented” are mentioned over 100 times in the Bible.

The biblical definition of repentance means, “to change one’s mind.” Will-power to stop and turn from sin just isn’t enough. To truly repent, God needs to change our mind about that sin. To hate sin, like God hates it. When we do, the action of turning from sin, to Jesus, is easy.

Repentance causes us to turn into the opposite direction, turning away from sin than running to it. Jesus died in our place so we could have a relationship with God and be with Him forever. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

But it didn’t end with His death on the cross. He rose again and still lives! “Christ died for our sins. … He was buried. … He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).

Have you turned from sin to the Savior? If not, do it today and your life will never be the same again.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

When asked about significant aspects of God’s character and activity, the contrast between those who believe in the God of Scripture vs. those who believe only in a “higher power” is dramatic:

▪ God “loves all people, regardless of their faults”: 97 percent vs. 69 percent

▪ He “has protected them”: 97 percent vs. 68 percent

▪ He “knows everything”: 94 percent vs. 53 percent

▪ He “has rewarded them”: 87 percent vs. 53 percent

▪ He “has power to direct/change everything”: 86 percent vs. 39 percent

— o —

Alphanumeric credit card numbers?

Me: Welcome to Card Solutions, this is Demi Zenith, how can I help you today?

Customer: Yeah, hi. I’m trying to buy something online with my credit card, but it won’t accept my credit card number as it has letters in it.

Me: Wait what, your credit card number has letters in it? That’s not possible.

Customer: Yeah, I’ve never seen a card like this before. I thought it was just how new credit cards were done these days.

Me: Could I get you to read that number out to me please?

Customer: (reads off a combination of numbers and letters that ends with “LLLE”)

I’m confused as to what could be happening here when suddenly it comes to me. One of the credit cards we issue has a number that starts with “3777”.

Me: Sir… are you holding your card upside-down?

Customer: What? Oh wow, I can’t believe I’ve done that! Yes, that’s it. It’s all numbers now when I turn it around! Thanks!

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

But in the chaos of our times, there’s a path to the unchanging truth we need today. Jim Denison

If Planned Parenthood was killing as many puppies as they are babies, they would have been shut down long ago.

Your value doesn’t decrease just because someone fails to recognize your worth.

People won’t become the person they want to be because they are too attached to the person they are.

Abortion is Racism and Takes Away the Civil Rights of Unborn Babies. Martin Luther King Jr’s Niece Alveda King

“WELL, I DECLARE”  (1 John 1:1-6)

Series in Evangelism

Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Retired Pastor

INTRODUCTION

  Today’s Special:  “Artist’s Canvas”

I used to work in an art supply store. We sold artists’ canvas by the yard, and you could get it in either of two widths: 36 inches or 48 inches.

Customer: “Can you please cut some canvas for me?”

Me: “Certainly, what width?”

Customer: (confused and slightly annoyed) “Uh, Scissors?”

*  “Who am I?” – a good song;  a good slogan – as it reminds us personally where we would be if God hadn’t shown us His love at the cross.

*  So… the #1 need of the church is _____

Suggested Answer # 1:  get more people to come to church; OR

Suggested Answer # 2: take Jesus to more people outside the church

SO… what do we declare? PRAYER

I.  WE DECLARE A PERSON (1 John 1:1,2)

“Evangelism”:  

Definition # 1:  “one beggar telling another beggar where there’s bread”

Definition # 2: “the declaration of God’s good news to the lost with a view to winning them to Jesus Christ”

NOTE WELL:  evangelism is NOT the effect produced (salvation) BUT is simply the declaration.  All God asks of us is to declare His love. HE does the rest: He changes the heart! 

II.  WE DECLARE A PROOF (1 John 1:3,4)
*  “Fellowship”  = “2 fellows in a ship”?

*  Fellowship is NOT relationship – relationship is what began at the cross

*  “Fellowship” means to share Jesus together, a PROOF that God has brought you into a relationship with Him!

* See Acts 2:42ff These proved their fellowship!

* The result is (1 John 1:4)  JOY!

III.  WE DECLARE A PRINCIPLE (1 John 1:5)
* The principle is:  “God is light and in Him is no darkness”

*  Declare it by our word and by our life!

* What happens if we don’t declare by our life that God is light? Look at verse 6:  we walk in darkness!

* ILLUSTRATION.:  Pastor Ray Stedman observed: “’darkness’ is not ‘sinning’;  it is ‘the absence of light’;  to live as if there is no light in you.’”

*  How can we do that? How can we “turn off the light”?  Suggestions (but not necessarily your own): church becomes ritualistic, to the point of your not coming;  don’t see Jesus daily;  don’t walk in Scriptures; don’t examine yourself to see if you are walking in the truth.
*  Our lives are to declare:  “God is light and in Him is no darkness!”

CONCLUSION:
Jesus as the Evangelist! John 11:25-27

Using our outline:

1. He declares HIMSELF (“I am the resurrection and the life”)!  
2. He declares PROOF (His resurrection)!  
3. He declares a PRINCIPLE (“do you believe this?” – seeks a personal acknowledgement of truth)!

Look at the fruit!  “I believe that You are the Christ!”

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Week Nine, 2019

When Religion Isn’t Free

By Florida Senator John Grant, Retired

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery, —Galatians 5:1

Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It also includes the freedom to change one’s religion or beliefs. In the United States, freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right provided in the religion clauses of the First Amendment.

It’s not that way in all countries as I found out recently. We traveled to Vietnam and went the length of the country, from Ho Chi Men City (Saigon) to Hanoi and found out freedom of religion is repressed.

Christian foreign missionaries are not allowed to proselytize or perform religious activities without government approval.

Exercise of religion and worship is subject to strict controls. Religious freedom is heavily curtailed. The communist party has absolute control. Activists are beaten, tortured and jailed. Rights of association are restricted, as is the press and judiciary. The official Buddhist Church of Vietnam is controlled by the state.

We take religious freedom for granted and often fail to realize what a blessing we have. I can attend and worship at the church of my choice. I can share my faith without fear with others.

Our country is a society built on freedom. While all our freedoms are spectacular, I believe that the greatest of them is freedom of religion. As stated in the first Amendment to the United States Constitution, freedom of religion prevents our government from forcing citizens to practice any single kind of religion.

What is right to freedom of religion? It is the freedom to change religion or belief. The freedom to exercise religion or belief publicly or privately, alone or with others. The freedom to exercise religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance, and worship the god we choose.

How blessed we Americans are. Never lose sight of that freedom and think about it when you walk into church this Sunday realizing that doing so could land you in prison or worse in many countries.

God bless America.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

OUR MONEY

MAN’S PREFERENCE	GOD’S PREFERENCE
Five Things We Can Do With Our Money:	The Order We Should Have:
1. Spend	1. Give – God and others
2. Repay Debt	2. Save
3. Pay Taxes	3. Pay Taxes
4. Save	4. Repay Debt
5. Give	4. Repay Debt

THE FUTURE WORLD IN 2030:

• The 2018 world population is 7.6 billion and will be 8.6 billion by 2030.

• The richest 1% currently own 47% of global wealth and will own 64% of it by 2030.

• World life expectancy in 2010 was 77.1 for men and 84.2 for women. By 2030 it will be 84.1 for men and 90.8 for women.

• Now 10% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty. By 2030 it will be down to 6%.

• Artificial intelligence by 2030 is expected to add more to the global economy than the current total economic output of China and India combined.

• The USA obesity is 46% of the population. By 2030 it will be 50%.

• Current world military and defense spending is $1.7 trillion. By 2030 it will be $2.75 trillion.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Impression without Expression leads to Depression

You Trust Me, I’ll Take Care Of You.

You Trust You, You Take Care Of You

—Ken Whitten

Leadership is not about being the best. It is about making others better.

We Don’t See Things As They Are; We See Things As We Are. —Ken Whitten

You stand before God as if you were Christ, because He stands before God as if He were you. —Charles Spurgeon

Heaven has a wall, a gate and strict immigration policies. Hell has open borders.

Never miss a good chance to shut up. —Will Rogers

“BROKEN AND POURED OUT” (Mark 14:1-9)

By Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor

Today’s Special: “A Bird Question”

Q. Why do seagulls live near the sea?

1. If they lived near the bay, they’d be bagels.

INTRODUCTION

The preparation for the “communion” service, v. 1-2, centered around the fear of the people rather than the fear of the Lord. We are challenged, then, to what is true love for Jesus?

PRAYER

#1 BROKEN AND POURED OUT JAR (vs. 3-5)

To the day, it was just another home – but not so, for Simon was a “leper” – an “untouchable” touched by Jesus, v. 3

To the day, she was just “another woman” – one of many – in fact, in Mark’s account, her name isn’t given (but in other accounts she is identified as Mary, sister to Lazarus) – Mark is emphasizing service for God’s glory, not man’s credit

To the guests, the focus was not the action, but the jar: perfume, a year’s wages, compassion for the poor – or was real compassion?

So we, too, often condemn the ACT. We always look at the ACT first. But God looks on the heart!

#2 BROKEN AND POURED OUT JEWEL (vs. 6-9)

To the Savior, the importance wasn’t the jar or the act but the woman – the JEWEL of the story

“wonderfully significant” (v. 6) Other versions call what she did: good and beautiful, praiseworthy and noble, of excellence

To the Savior, the focus was also on time (v. 7) – there will always be time for lesser things, but the time to worship and to be poured out is now

To the Savior, He knew her limitations (v. 8) – everyone has an assignment (see Rom. 12 and 1 Cor. 12 for gifts God gives to His church) even if it seems insignificant!

To the Savior, He sees what is truly broken and poured out – more than the ointment, it was the woman!

To the Savior, He sees the eternal focus, which focus we often forget, her memorial (v. 9)

Illustration: “Let Me Burn Out for Thee, Dear Lord” – a poem which Joanie Yoder first read when she was in Bible School. In her book, “God Dependent Life”, this poem was the central part of the book. [The poem is pasted below]

CONCLUSION

BROKEN AND POURED OUT JESUS ! (v. 10) V. 10 could be an after thot, or the purpose of the whole story – Jesus’ being broken and poured out – for sinners like us!

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Let Me Burn Out for Thee, Dear Lord

by Bessie Hatcher

O God, the world is lost in sin,
And so few that seem to care!
Many of whom profess Thy name
No burden will help to bear.
We need a passion, Lord, for souls,
To bring the lost back to Thee;
Our hearts must be stirred, till all have heard
At least once of Calvary.

Chorus:

Let me burn out for Thee, dear Lord,
Burn and wear out for Thee.
Don’t let me rust, or my life
Be a failure, my God to Thee.
Use me and all I have, dear Lord,
And get me so close to Thee
That I feel the throb of the great heart of God,
Until I burn out for Thee.

How cold has been our giving, Lord!
How selfish our love has been,
Keeping from those who never heard
The gospel that saves from sin!
How often we have turned aside,
Neglecting to do our part,
Forgetting Thy tears and agony,
Forgetting Thy bleeding heart! Chorus

Meet us and break us up, dear Lord,
Until driven to our knees.
Bare to our gaze Thy cross and love,
Of blood-baptized Calvary.
Speak till we hear again Thy call,
And hold nothing back from Thee.
Oh, burn on our hearts the hopeless wail
Of souls damned eternally. Chorus

O God, with shame I humbly bow,
In tears and with contrite heart.
Forgive me for the broken vows,
And failure to do my part.
I heed Thy call and say, “Farewell”
To all that would hinder me
Thy grace and Thy love to lost ones tell,
And my life burn out for Thee. Chorus

Week Eight, 2019

HOW DRY ARE YOU?

“So, I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel 37:10).

The vision of Ezekiel in chapter 37 of his book is one of the most powerful anywhere in the Old Testament. He sees a valley covered with dry bones. God asks him whether they can come back to life. Rather than a simple “Of course not”, he says, “Sovereign Lord, only you can answer that.”

He is told to “prophesy to the bones” that God would bring them back to life, and so it happens: the bones come together, they are covered with sinews and muscles and skin. He then prophesies to the wind, and it comes from the four corners of the earth and gives the bodies life. Is it any more than a dream?

The vision is meant to convey what God wants to do for his people of Judah, both the ones in Jerusalem and the ones in exile in Babylon. They are, to all intents and purposes, dry bones. At this stage in their history they had been invaded and conquered. The best of them, Ezekiel among them, had been deported to a strange land. There looked to be no prospect of their country ever rising again. The nation, as a nation, was dead. So the question God was asking Ezekiel was, “Do you believe I can raise Israel to life again?” Given the evidence before him, Ezekiel’s answer was one of faith, not of doubt: it implies God can do anything. The exiles would return. Jerusalem would prosper again.

But the Valley of Dry Bones doesn’t just speak of God’s grace to Israel. It has a profound message to Christians today, as well. In many places, the Church looks dead. Churches and chapels are empty, Christian witness is sparse or non-existent, and there is nothing, but the dry bones of spirituality left.

What this story says is that God can bring the dead to life again. Ezekiel sees a two-part process. First the dry bones will rise back to life as life is breathed into them. Secondly, those dry bones will rise not only physically, but also spiritually and they will revive and preserve the people of Israel.

This prophesy speaks to people and churches today. In many churches the form of religion is there, but the spirit is absent. Empty rituals are performed out of habit. Doctrines are parroted without truth, heartfelt understanding. There is a church structure without the strength that comes from a deep relationship with God.

• Disobedience has Created Distance.
• Distance has Created Dryness.
• Dryness has Created Desperation.

But God can “make these bones live”, too. There is no situation into which He can’t breathe life. In Hebrew the words for “wind” and “breath” are the same. God’s Holy Spirit is His gift to the Church, and He can enliven even places and people who seem beyond hope.

Ezekiel’s vision is a vision to encourage all of us. It’s a vision of resurrection. It offers hope for everyone.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

ARE YOU STRESSED?

For those of us who follow the news, it’s not surprising that more Americans than ever before are stressed, depressed, and anxiety-ridden. Nearly forty million Americans experience an anxiety disorder in any given year. Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the US.

Some people struggle with anxiety on a level that becomes a barrier to their enjoyment of life, a condition known as being “almost anxious.” Others struggle with more serious issues that develop into debilitating anxiety disorders. Such people need to seek the help of medical and counseling professionals.

For all of us, however, anxiety is an ever-increasing problem. What does God’s word say to those who are anxious today? Jim Denison

— o —

— o —

Nothing like a good Bible story to make your day. Adam was hanging around the garden of Eden feeling very lonely. So, God asked him, “What’s wrong with you?” Adam said he didn’t have anyone to talk to.

God said that He was going to make Adam a companion and that it would be a woman. He said, “This pretty lady will gather food for you, she will cook for you, and when you discover clothing, she will wash it for you. She will always agree with every decision you make and she will not nag you, and will always be the first to admit she was wrong when you’ve had a disagreement. She will praise you!

She will bear your children, and never ask you to get up in the middle of the night to take care of them. She will NEVER have a headache and will freely give you love and passion whenever you need it.

Adam asked God, “What will a woman like this cost? God replied, “An arm and a leg.” Then Adam asked, “What can I get for just a rib?”

Of course, the rest is history!!!!

— o —

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

People are prisoners of their phones. That’s why they are called cell phones.

All of us have an expiration date… we just do not know when it is.

Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening. It just stops you from enjoying the things that are good. —Peanuts

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best two cures for anything. Irish Proverb

All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. —Charles Schultz

I thought growing old would take longer. Anonymous

Truth is true, even if only God knows it.

“THE COMMUNION OF WISDOM AND FOLLY” (Proverbs 9)

INTRODUCTION

Today’s Funny: A Yogi-ism for Yogi Berra’s 90th Birthday (May 12, 2015!)

Former major league ball player Joe Garagiola said he and Yogi Berra decided at spring training one year to meet for Mass at 5:30 a.m. Knowing how important punctuality is to Berra, Garagiola showed up at 5:10 a.m., only to discover Berra waiting.

“Yogi says, ‘What took you so long?’” Garagiola recalled. “I said, ‘What took me so long? I’m early. I’m 20 minutes early. You said 5:30 a.m. We agreed on it. Here I am and you say, What took him so long?’ Then Yogi said, ‘That’s the earliest you’ve ever been late.’”

QUESTION:

Did you know that there are 2 different kinds of communion listed in Scripture? Proverbs 9 is a classic passage which displays both communions in vivid picture form. May we learn from the Lord this morning as we look forward to the communion service after the message. And may we examine our hearts to see which communion we have been observing in our personal lives.

PRAYER

#1 THE COMMUNION OF WISDOM (9:1-12)

a. The foundation (vs. 1-2) cf. Matt. 7:24-27; Acts 4:12

Question: what is the foundation of your heart?

b. The invitation (vs. 3-6)

* Many are involved (v. 3) cf. Matt. 28:18-20

• The invite is to ALL (v. 4) Note that those invited don’t have to be “perfect” or “mature” or ‘church going” before they are invited!

* The invite is 2-fold

#1 COME ! This is one of the richest words in Scripture

“Come into the ark” (Gen. 7:1) Scripture’s FIRST invitation

“Come – you who are thirsty” (Isa. 55:1ff)

“Come unto Me” (Matt. 11:28)

#2 COMMUNE !

As symbolized by the food and wine, the invite is to commune with the One Who has done the inviting – even the Lord Himself as symbolized by “Wisdom”. Note communion doesn’t end here, but continues with a life (vs. 6-8) and learning (v. 9-12)

HAVE YOU RESPONDED TO THIS INVITATION?

Have you come to the cross and are you growing in Him? COME !!!

#2 THE COMMUNION OF FOLLY (9:13-18)

a. The foundation: there is NONE!

Question: what is the foundation of your heart? Is it THIS one? Is it NONE AT ALL?

b. The invitation (vs. 11-16)

* “Folly” is loud, undisciplined, without knowledge (v. 13)

• She sits – she herself does not commune with wisdom (v. 14)

* This invitation as well is 2-fold:

#1 COME ! (vs. 14-16) For Folly, without a foundation, this invitation has no purposeful meaning. As with the true gospel, some come, some “go straight on their way” (v. 15)

#2 COMMUNE ! (v. 17) But unlike the true communion, the elements of Folly are both a poor substitute and subtly deceiving.

The fruit of folly: unlike those who come to wisdom, these invitees do not know to what they’re communing, nor the end result: the grave.

CONCLUSION

In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” This could have been Jesus’ commentary on Proverbs 9.

Everyone is invited to the true communion – to know the Lord Jesus and to fellowship with Him. To those who have come, the cross is not the end but the beginning of an abundant life in Christ.

There’s one final warning in this passage: is it possible that those who have come to the cross and are enjoying the communion of wisdom, that they can still be lured into the invitation of the communion of folly? It is interesting to me that the author of Proverbs doesn’t give a rebuke; he doesn’t list the follies to avoid. He simply reminds his readers of the end of that road: the grave. Emptiness. Longing for more.

Come! Come to the Communion of Wisdom in Christ!

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, retired pastor, and his wife, Thuvia

Week Seven, 2019

TO THE MOON AND BACK IN THREE SECONDS

By Senator John Grant, Florida (retired)

“Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call” (Psalm 102:2).

Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is a hobby enjoyed by several hundred thousand people in the United States and by over a million people worldwide. Recently I was visiting the home of a “ham.” He took me into his radio room and I was amazed. It was like walking into the cockpit of a big jet.

He proceeded to demonstrate his equipment and I was even more amazed as he projected a signal to the moon and back in three seconds. That’s a distance of 238,855 miles each way. The speed of light 186,282 miles per second. In theory nothing can travel faster than light. In miles per hour, light speed is: about 670,616,629 MPH.

But there is something faster: the speed of prayer. The speed of light is a non-issue when I realize that there is no distance or time delay between my mouth and God’s ear. I don’t need to do more; I need to pray more.

A Chinese company which recently became the world’s third largest maker of smartphones has declared that its new flagship product is the fastest smartphone in the world. This announcement no doubt came as good news to avid smartphone users. This information will likely result in the mass purchase of the phone, making plenty of people happy….and wealthy!Human beings have become reluctantly accustomed to waiting for many things. Perhaps that’s why fast download speeds on high-tech cell phones are a very attractive feature. Technically, to download means to receive data (pictures, files, etc.) to a local system (your computer) from a remote system, [email protected]. In the past, downloading took a long time, but today’s downloading speeds are simply unbelievable!

Although the speed of downloading has accelerated markedly over the last few years, it still can’t (and dare I say, won’t ever) beat the speed of prayer. No, your prayer won’t bounce off the ceiling, but in record time it will enter the very throne room of God. His response will be faster than the speed of light. “In the day that you call, He will answer you speedily.” (Psalm 102:2)

Take time to pray. He desires to hear from you. As long as you do this, your life will never be the same again.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Consider trying these habits for success:

• Taking time to reflect on your day, every day. Keep a journal of your thoughts, successes, failures and the lessons you have learned. Review your journal each weekend.

• Giving back to your community. Volunteer for causes and organizations you feel strongly about, and especially help those who are less fortunate than you are.

• Being comfortable being by yourself. Scheduling some “me-time” each day can give you an opportunity to be alone with your thoughts to reflect and replenish your energy.

• Staying persistent. Don’t give up or stress when you encounter a bump in the road, persistence can often be the difference between success and failure.

• Having a good sense of self-awareness. Know your strengths, weaknesses, limits and never underestimate yourself.

• Knowing when to say no to things that don’t matter or add value to your life or career. If you say ‘yes’ to everything, your ‘no’ means nothing.

• Being disciplined and practicing self-control and avoid letting your emotions get the best of you. Visualize your goals and stick to them. Practice self-control like it’s a muscle you can strengthen with frequent use over time.

— o —

Consumer spending is 68 percent of the US economy. Such spending is driven by marketers who persuade us that we need what they offer. They do this by connecting our sense of personal success and significance to what we own, using our 24/7 media-driven culture to sell us their goods and services.

— o —

Did you see the big news? Scientists recently completed a massive study of genetic “bar codes” and were shocked to discover that all human beings are descended from two people. They could have saved time and money by just reading Chapter 1 of Genesis.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.

Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” Tony Robbins

Joy is not about the GOOD things, but the GOD things in our life. John Zeller

Our greatest superlatives do not describe the power of God. Add one to another, multiple them, and add them together and multiply again, and go on doing so. And still you have not succeeded in describing it. Martyn Lloyd Jones