The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for May 12 through 17, 2014
Home Study
Monday – Read Psalm 66:17-18
How does unconfessed and unforgiven sin damage our relationship with God?
How might our lack of communication with God increase our sense of fear?
How can we remove this barrier? (See I John 1:9)
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read Philippians 4:6-7
How does making our requests to God help alleviate our fear?
Why can we experience God’s peace when we turn our fears over to Him.
How does this passage encourage you? How does it challenge you?
What will you do?
Wednesday – Read Psalm 18:1-6
How does David describe God here?
How did his understanding of God impact his response to the difficult circumstances he faced?
What does this say to you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Jeremiah 1:1-8
God called Jeremiah to speak His word against his people. What might Jeremiah have been afraid of?
What was God’s response to Jeremiah’s fear?
Is there anything God is asking of you that you are afraid of?
What is God saying to you about your fear?
Friday – Read II Timothy 1:6-10
What fears are you facing?
What encouragement do these verses give you?
What is God saying to you?
What will you do?
Saturday – Read Philippians 1:3-11
What hope does this passage give you?
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Homse Study for May 5 through 10, 2014
Monday – Read I John 1:5-7
How is God light?
What does it take for us to walk in fellowship with Him?
When we experience fellowship with God who else can we have fellowship with? Why does it work this way?
How is God challenging you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read Proverbs 2:1-8
What is our part in knowing God’s commands?
Why is God’s wisdom like a treasure to our soul?
What does God’s wisdom do in our lives when we apply it?
What can you do to better apply God’s wisdom in your life?
Wednesday – Read Romans 15:1-7
According to verse 4, what is one reason God has recorded and preserved His word for us?
How does God use His word to give us endurance and encouragement? How does it create unity among believers?
What is God trying to teach you in these days? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Acts 1:4-8
What did Jesus tell the disciples here? Why?
What would have happened had they said, “We know what Jesus wants us to do, why wait, let’s get to it now?”
Why does God sometimes have us wait even when we know what He wants us to do? What can happen if we don’t wait?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Friday – Read I Corinthians 2:9-16
How might you describe what God has planned and prepared for His people?
How can we know and follow the mind of Jesus?
In what area do you need to know the mind of Jesus? Ask Him to reveal it to you.
Saturday – Read Mark 14:43-72
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Missions Rally Saturday, May 3, 2014 Guest Speakers: Ed & Marie Cammack
10:30 a.m. at Medford Friends
Friends Women invite everyone to attend the annual Southern Oregon Area Rally. The Cammack name has been a part of mission work in Bolivia since the 1930’s. Come hear Ed & Marie Cammack share about their recent 3 month visit and also catch up on other current news and needs. Lunch will follow the presentation.
Please be praying for the Garrett family following Lance’s passing on April 27, 2014. There will be a memorial service celebrating Lance’s life and relationship with Jesus on Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Valley, 2065 Upper River Rd., Grants Pass, OR.
2014 CAMP AUCTION – WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th
Help our kids go to camp!
Mark your calendars and start planning for Camp Auction 2014! Great selling items are baked goods, hand crafted projects and manual labor. Everyone can participate by donating and/or buying the items to be auctioned off. The auction will be held on Wednesday May 14th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the Auction Starts at 7 p.m. Sign-Up Sheets & additional information are located in the Fellowship Hall, Hallway, Harmony Hall and Ross Chapel.
Ladies Meetings:
Ladies Fellowship Group We will meet on Tuesday, May 6th, at 7 p.m. at the home of Dawn DuLong. All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group Ladies join us in the fireside room at MFC, Thursday, May 15th, at 10 a.m. for our missions meeting. Following the meeting we will have lunch at Wendy’s.
Pastoral Candidate to Visit on May 18th
On May 18th our top pastoral candidate and his wife will be with us for worship and he will be speaking. There will be a meet and greet time following the service with no adult studies at 11 am that day. We ask everyone to make it a priority to be here for this important time. Please bring cookies to share and continue praying for God’s clear leading through our transition process.
Financial Report
April 2014 Year-to-date
Income $16,851.00 $66,766.58
Expenses 19,357.88 72,546.92
Difference -2,506.88 -5,780.34
We thank God for His continued support of Medford Friends and everyone who gives to, works in and supports our ministries.
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I’ve had cortisone injections in my knee on multiple occasions so I thought how could it be any worse to have injections in my thumbs. Boy was I wrong! As I learned, there is much more pain involved in injecting the smaller thumb joints than in injecting the larger knee joint. I wish I’d known that before so I could have been better prepared for what was to come.
This experience reminded me that when we face trials, pain, and difficulties, the things that we go through to work through those problems can sometimes be more painful than we expected, and at the time we are going through them it may even be more painful than what we are trying to change, fix, or do.
However, throughout scripture we have example after example of the fact that very often trials, difficulties, pain and hard work often precede a new work or blessing of the Lord, so rather than run from the pain, we can go through it with God’s grace, looking forward to all that He is doing and is going to do.
I’m hoping and praying that the pain I went through with the injections in my thumbs will result in significant relief after the medication takes effect, but we can know without a doubt that when we face trials, difficulties and pain that God will use it for our growth and our good. In James 1:2-4 we read:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
What trial, difficulty or pain are you facing? Trust God to meet your needs, to see you through and to bring growth and good out of whatever you face.
Trusting and Praising,
Mark
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