The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for march 10 through 15, 2014
Monday – Read Isaiah 35:1-10
In this Messianic prophecy, what kinds of miracles would the Messiah perform?
How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy?
How does this passage encourage you?
Tuesday – Read Isaiah 42:1-7
How is the Messiah described here?
How did Jesus fulfill that description?
Why is this important?
How does this passage challenge you?
How does it encourage you?
Wednesday – Read Isaiah 61:1-4
As you read this description of what the Messiah would do how does it make you feel?
What do you need Jesus to do in you? Tell Him.
How can you better join Him in His work today?
Thursday – Read Luke 4:14-21
This passage is like a mission statement for Jesus’ ministry.
How did Jesus’ earthly ministry fulfill this statement?
How does His work in the lives of people today continue to fulfill this statement?
As His people, how can we best serve Him to fulfill this statement in the world today?
Friday – Read Romans 10:9-15
How are we saved?
What can we do to help other people come to Jesus?
How does this passage challenge you?
How does it encourage you?
How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Matthew 9:35-38
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Since our 27 month old grandson Jack was a baby he has been riding with me in my pickup, which happens to have a large Oregon State University OS decal in the back window. When he was about 20 months old or so I was dressing Jack in a pair of Oregon State sweat pants and when he noticed the OS emblem on the pants he pointed to it and said “pickup.”
Jack has been wearing Oregon State gear since he was born but now he (and all the rest of us) calls all of his Oregon State gear his pickup clothes. He has pickup shirts, pickup pants, and even pickup rain boots and they are among his favorite clothes to wear.
At a young age Jack made an identification that has changed the way he looks at his wardrobe and has helped make our lives easier as he is always willing to put on pickup clothes.
When we identify with Jesus it changes the way we look at ourselves and our lives. Regarding the way that he identified with Jesus, in Galatians 2:20 Paul wrote; “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul realized that by giving his life to Jesus and totally identifying with Him that he no longer lived for himself, but that he had died to himself and now lived for Jesus. With that identification and realization Paul put his own goals, dreams, desires and ambitions aside and lived to follow and serve Jesus, wherever Jesus called him to go and whatever Jesus called him to do. Paul’s total identification with Jesus meant that Jesus was able to work in and through his life so completely that it was as if Jesus Himself was doing the ministry. Which He was as He empowered Paul to serve Him.
With whom or what do you identify? Like Paul, can you say, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me?” What difference does or would this total identification with Jesus make in your life?
Identifying with Jesus, as Paul did, is a continual process, the more we understand of ourselves the more we can give to Jesus as we grow in our understanding of Him. This month spend some time with Jesus growing in your identification with Him and see what He desires to do in and through your life as you follow and serve Him.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Mark
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Ladies Meetings:
Ladies Fellowship Group All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. We will meet on Tuesday, March 4th at 7 p.m. at the home of Ann Loar. Denise Fleming will be co-hostess.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group All ladies are welcome to join us at the home of Donnalee Archibald, Thursday, March 20th at 10 a.m. A buffet lunch will follow the meeting.
All Church Potluck – Sunday, March16th
Please join us for a time of fellowship and good food! We’ll meet in the fellowship hall following the Sunday School & Bible Study hour. Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
Come and Celebrate
Pearl McClearen’s
90th Birthday
Saturday, March 29, 2014
at MFC from 2 to 4 p.m.
in the Fellowship Hall
*No gifts please
Financial Report
February 2014 Year-to-date
Income $13,684.28 $29,458.08
Expenses 17,895.94 35,411.89
Difference -4,211.66 -5,953.81
It is not uncommon to have a negative balance at this time of the year. Thank you to everyone who gives to and serves in the ministry of Medford Friends Church and please be praying for God’s continued leading and provision for us as we seek and follow Him.
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Home Study for March 3 through 8, 2014
Monday – Read John 10:7-10
What does Jesus mean that He is the “gate?”
What did Jesus come to give to those who follow Him?
In what area of your life do you need to experience the work and power of Jesus in these days?
Invite Him to work in you today.
Tuesday – Read John 11:21-27 and 43-44
What did Jesus call Himself here?
What hope do you think this gave to Lazarus’ sisters?
How did Jesus demonstrate that what He said about Himself was true?
What hope does this give you?
What do you need Jesus to do in the life of someone you love?
Invite Him to do it.
Wednesday – Read John 14:1-6
What does Jesus mean when He says He is “the way, the truth and the life?”
What does this mean for us in the context of eternity?
What hope would this give the disciples?
What hope does this give you today?
Thursday – Read Romans 6:5-14
How does this passage challenge you?
What hope does it give you?
What do you sense that Jesus wants to do in you today?
Invite Him to accomplish His work in you.
Friday – Read Romans 8:1-4
Why is there no condemnation for those who have received Jesus into their heart?
How is this a form of new life?
How does this passage challenge you?
What hope does this passage give you?
How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Matthew 9:27-34
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