The Pastor’s Blog
Years ago I bought a small chainsaw for removing tree limbs and large bushes. It has worked well but whenever I walked past it in the garage I always felt that it had greater potential, like cutting down a tree. The problem was I never had a tree to cut down, until recently.
Late last year it appeared that our flowering plum tree had died. It was a beautiful tree and I didn’t want to cut it down without going through this spring to see if it would bloom again. It didn’t so I knew what had to be done. It was a bitter sweet situation, I hated to lose the beauty of our tree, but since it was dead, I couldn’t wait to take my chainsaw to it. The job is now done and while I miss our tree, I don’t miss having a dead, barren tree out our kitchen window and how good it was to push my chainsaw to reach its full potential.
In the sports world they often talk about potential; for example, the potential of an athlete to reach a superior level of performance or the potential of a team to make a run for a championship. But the truth of the matter is, that like the potential of my chainsaw, all of the potential in the world makes no difference if steps are never taken to reach it.
As a church we have a long history of serving Jesus in our neighborhood and community, but Jesus isn’t through with us yet, and as His people, through His Spirit working in us, we have the potential to do new and even greater things than we’ve ever done before.
As we move through the pastoral transition process, seeking who God has as the next pastor for Medford Friends Church, please be praying for His clear leading and guidance. God has a plan and our potential as a church body will be fulfilled as we discern His plan and follow it.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Mark
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Home Study for March 31 through April 5, 2014
Monday – Read Luke 19:41-44
This passage is right after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
How did Jesus feel about the people of the city that rejected Him as Messiah?
Why did they miss the time of God coming to them?
Why do people miss God reaching out to them today?
How does Jesus feel about those who miss Him today?
How should that influence how we respond to them?
Tuesday – Read I Corinthians 13:1-3
Why is anything done for God without love useless?
How does this challenge you?
How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read Acts 1:6-8
Where did Jesus commission His followers to be witnesses for Him?
What does it mean to be a witness?
By what power would they share?
How does this passage challenge you? Encourage you?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Colossians 4:2-6
How does being thankful help us to make the most of our opportunities to be witnesses for Jesus?
What does it mean to have our conversation be full of grace and seasoned with salt? Why is this so important?
How does this passage challenge you? Encourage you?
How will you respond?
Friday – Read Romans 12:9-21
How can we live to do all we can to live at peace with all people?
What if we’ve done everything we can and there is still no peace?
How does this passage challenge you? Encourage you?
How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Matthew 10:16-31
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Home Study for March 24 through 29, 2014
Monday – Read Ezekiel 34:1-10
According to verse 1, who is speaking here?
Why is this important to know?
How have the human leaders of God’s people failed them/Him?
How would God respond?
How does this passage challenge/encourage you?
How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read Ezekiel 34:11-16
How would God act to meet the needs of His people?
After reading this, who would you rather have as your shepherd?
How can we live as God’s sheep today?
Wednesday – Read Ezekiel 34:17-24
How can we as God’s sheep get in the way of the work He is doing for others?
Verses 23-24 are Messianic prophecies, how did God fulfill these prophesies/promises through Jesus?
How does God continue to fulfill these prophecies?
How does this challenge/encourage you?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read John 10:1-18
How do these words of Jesus echo the words of God in Ezekiel 34?
What does it mean for us to have Jesus as our “Good Shepherd?”
How do we make and keep Jesus as our “Good Shepherd?”
How does this passage challenge/encourage you?
How will you respond?
Friday – Read Psalm 23:1-6
Make this psalm your prayer today.
Make this psalm a prayer every day.
Friday – Read Matthew 10:1-42
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Home Study March 17th -22nd
Home Study March 17th -22nd
Monday Read- Colossians 2:13-15
Apart from Christ you are considered spiritually dead.
According to verse 15, what has God done to address this?
What did Jesus do to the spiritual rulers and authorities who are against us?
Tuesday Read-1 Peter 1:3-9
According to Peter, why are we to rejoice?
Why does God permit trails in his children’s lives?
How have you responded to suffering in your life?
Wednesday Read- Ephesians 6:10-12
Why are we to put on the whole armor of God?
Who do we wrestle with?
What does “be strong” look like in your life?
Thursday Read- Romans 8:12-17
Who are considered the sons and daughters of God?
Why are those who are led by God’s spirit considered part of his family?
Friday Read-John 3:1-15
What must you do to be born again?
In verse 5 what does Jesus say about entering his kingdom
How can you apply Jesus’s words to your life today?
Saturday Read Matthew 9:35-38
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