The Pastor’s Blog
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15
Recently, our secretary Terry Wilson shared with me an interesting story that sheds new light on these verses.
They were moving a mound of dirt in their back yard when they came across a surprising discovery. They spotted tunnels created by some critters, which wasn’t too surprising, but what was surprising is that in those tunnels they found a variety of vegetables growing underground, such as red potatoes, onions and beets.
Apparently the critters that had burrowed the tunnels in the dirt had also hauled in and eaten some vegetables from their family garden and whatever was left in the tunnels sprouted and grew new crops. The critters were gone, but they left behind a growing garden that no one knew was there.
Growing vegetables underground, where they are buried and no one can see or eat them, is a bit like hiding the light of Jesus in our lives under the bowl of life. The bowl of life is filled with all kinds of things that can cover, bury and hide the light of Jesus in us. Things like busyness, illness, worry, fatigue, fear, regret, the demands of others, frustration, stuff, money, caring for family needs; all of these and more can fill our bowl and hide the light of Jesus in us.
As you think about letting your light shine more brightly for Jesus, what might be hiding your light or keeping it buried? What can you do, or what do you need to do, to uncover your light and let it shine for all to see?
May the light of Jesus fill us as individuals and as a church and may His light shine brightly out of our lives for everyone to see.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Mark
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Home Study for June 30 through July 5, 2014
Monday – Read John 14:8-12
Why could Jesus say that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father?
By what power did Jesus do what He did?
How does this apply to us?
How does verse 12 challenge you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read John 14:13-14
According to verse 13, what should be the end result of our prayers?
Why is it important for us to bring glory to the Father?
Whenever we pray, what should our ultimate goal be?
How should this shape and impact our prayers?
Wednesday – Read John 14:15-21
Why does the Father give us the Holy Spirit?
How does the Holy Spirit allow us to live to glorify God?
What is our role when it comes to the work of the Spirit in our lives?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read John 15:1-8
How do we remain in or abide in Jesus?
Why is this important?
What can we do apart from Jesus?
How can we bear much fruit in His work?
What will you do to abide more closely with Jesus?
Friday – Read John 15:9-17
How do we remain in Jesus’ love?
If we remain in His love, whose joy do we receive?
How can we demonstrate our love?
How can we be friends of Jesus?
How does this passage challenge you? What will you do?
Saturday – Read I Corinthians 10:31-11:1
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Home Study for June 24 through 28, 2014
Monday – Read Psalm 103:6-13
What do we deserve because of our sin?
Why does God not treat us as we deserve?
How complete is God’s forgiveness and cleansing when we confess our sin and receive forgiveness through Jesus?
How does this passage encourage you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read Colossians 3:5-14
What kind of humans barriers are broken down between the followers of Jesus? Why is this important?
How are we to treat each other in God’s family?
Why is this important?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read Colossians 3:15-17
How are we called to live with each other as followers of Jesus?
Which of these do you find the easiest to do?
Which of these do you find to be the most challenging to do?
Ask the Holy Spirit to continue His work of growth in you.
Thursday – Read Colossians 4:2-6
Why is it important to be watchful and prayerful and for God to open the door for us to share His love and truth?
Paul asked for prayer as He shared Jesus, what does that say about our need for prayer?
Why is it important that our conversation with people who do not yet know Jesus be full of grace and seasoned with salt?
Pray for the Spirit to be at work in and through you.
Friday – Read I Corinthians 16:13-14
Do the calls in verse 13 seem contrary to the call in verse 14?
How can we fulfill the calls in verse 13 in love?
How do these verses challenge you? How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Acts 17:1-9
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Home Study for June 16 through 21, 2014
Monday – Read James 4:6-10
If humility is not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought, what is pride?
Why does God oppose the proud?
Which do you desire, God’s opposition or His grace?
What might you do to live in more of God’s grace?
Tuesday – Read Romans 12:1-3
Is there any area of your life where you think of yourself more highly than you ought?
Is there any area where you think of yourself less highly than you ought?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read II Chronicles 7:14
Why are God’s people called to humble themselves when they pray?
What are we saying to God if we don’t?
Why is the humility of believers tied to God’s healing work in their land?
What would God say is keeping Him from working more fully in our country? How will you respond to that?
Thursday – Read Psalm 25:8-10
Why is God able to guide and teach those who are humble?
Why can we trust God’s leading and teaching?
Is there anything that is keeping you from receiving God’s guidance and teaching?
What will you do about it?
Friday – Read I Peter 5:5-11
What value do you see here to being humble before God?
How does humility allow us to live more fully under God’s care?
How does humility all us to stand against Satan?
What will God do when we humbly live in His truth and power?
What is God saying to you? What will you do?
Saturday – Read Philippians 2:12-18
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