The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for May 21 through 26, 2012
Monday – Read Matthew 5:17-20
What is the difference between Jesus fulfilling the Law and the Prophets rather than abolishing them?
Since we can’t fulfill the Law and the Prophets on our own, how can we enter the kingdom of heaven?
Is this a message of discouragement or hope?
How do these words challenge you?
How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read Genesis 17:9-15
How important was it to God to have a lasting sign of the covenant that He was making with Abraham and his descendants.
How can you tell?
What covenant Has God made with the followers of Jesus?
What sign has He given us? (See Ephesians 1:13-14)
Wednesday – Read Deuteronomy 30:6
Who is the only person who can circumcise our hearts? Why?
What is to be the end result of this work in our hearts?
How does this keep us better connected to God?
How does this verse challenge you? What will you do?
Thursday – Read Exodus 13:1-2 and 11-16
Why were the Israelites called to give over to the Lord the first born male of humans and animals?
In verse 13 what are parents called to do with the first born sons they commit to the Lord?
How can we commit our children to the Lord today?
Why is this important?
Friday – Read Romans 12:1-2
What does it mean to be a living sacrifice to God?
Why are we to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God?
How do we do that?
What difference does it make in our lives?
Take time to commit yourself to God and His plan for you.
Saturday – Read Luke 2:25-39
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Home Study May 14 through 19, 2012
Monday – Read Isaiah 45:1-6
Who is God using as His anointed here and why might this seem surprising?
According to verse 6, what is God’s ultimate plan for choosing Cyrus?
What hope does this give us?
How does this passage challenge you?
Tuesday – Read I Timothy 2:1-4
As Paul wrote these words the evil emperor Nero was in power and persecuting Christians. How does that put these words into
perspective?
Why do we have a hard time praying for people/leaders who don’t agree with us?
According to verse 3, why does God call us to pray for those in authority?
How does this challenge you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read I Peter 3:13-16
What are we to always be prepared to do, in good situations or bad?
What is to be our attitude as we do that? Why?
How can we share in such a way?
What is Jesus saying to you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Psalm 19:1-6
How has God revealed Himself to all people?
Why do some miss it?
How might this open the door for us to share the reason for the hope that is in us?
Friday – Read Psalm 96:1-13
Take time to list ways that Jesus has worked in and through your life.
Thank Him for what He has done and ask Him to bring to your mind those things when He has prepared a heart to hear them.
Saturday – Read Luke 2:21-40
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Retirement Celebration for Allen & Terrie Ziemann, Saturday, May 12th, 2012
Open House 2 to 4 p.m. at MFC, Join us to celebrate! No gifts please.
Ladies Meetings in May:
FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship)
Our time together is spent in fellowship and learning about the work of our missionaries, their needs and the people to whom they minister. All ladies are welcome to join us at the home of Phebe McManama, Thursday, May 17th, at 10 a.m. A buffet luncheon will follow the meeting.
Friends Women – All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. We will meet Tuesday, May 15th, at the home of Patsy Burton.
Dinner Fundraiser for our Mexico Missions Team
The Ladies Fellowship Group is sponsoring an all church Mexican Dinner on Sunday, May 20th, as a fundraiser for the Mexico Team. This will be in place of the all church potluck. Everyone is invited and the price is on a donation basis.
Camp Auction 2012 – Wednesday, May 16th
Don’t miss the fun! We look forward to having auctioneer Dwayne Brood with us; he donates his time and talent to help make our annual camp auction a great time. Mark your calendars and start planning for this year’s auction. If you are interested in attending Summer Camp or the Mexico Missions trip this is a great way to earn a scholarship to either event. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. & the auction starts at 7 p.m.
Everyone can participate by donating and/or buying the items to be auctioned off! Great selling items are baked goods, hand crafted projects and manual labor. There are sign-up sheets and additional information located in the Fellowship Hall, Hallway, Harmony Hall and Ross Chapel.
Community Garden at MFC Are you interested in community gardening – a plot for yourself or helping with a co-op plot? See Nate Swift or email him at nateswift@clearwire.net.
All Church Breakfast & Workday Saturday, May 19th, 8 a.m.
Everyone is invited to this breakfast and workday. We have a variety of indoor and outdoor projects to be completed. Plan now to come and share in the fellowship and work time.
Yard Sale!! Saturday, May 19th 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dave Gomez and the Mexico Team will be working to raise more $$ to meet the cost of building a home for a family in Mexico. More donations have been made, but they could certainly use more good saleable stuff, if you missed last month’s sale you can give this time to a good cause! The April sale raised over $500. If you would like to help with the sale please contact Dave Gomez.
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Walking with God
For the last couple of years I’ve been interested in trying out a pair of Skechers Shape-ups; the shoes with the sole that is rounded in the middle and are promised to give you a work out while you wear them. Since I’m always looking for new ways to include more exercise into my day I thought those shoes might be worth trying, but at the prices I was finding I wasn’t sure they would be worth that much.
I recently found a pair at a really good price so I finally bought a pair. The information that came with the shoes said that the effect of their rounded sole design makes it like you are walking on dry sand and warned that you shouldn’t wear them all day right away, but begin by wearing them for short periods to get your muscles used to the additional effort required to walk in them.
We all know how taxing walking in dry sand can be and amazingly enough, these shoes really do give you that effect. As you walk they cause you to use muscles in your legs that normal shoes would never work and they activate your core muscles with every step. Another thing I noticed about the shoes is that they change the way I walk. They force me to walk more carefully because, with their round soles, I want to be sure that my foot lands exactly where it should and they force me to shorten my stride, which actually causes me to walk more efficiently.
This experience got me to thinking about the many verses in the Bible that speak to walking with God and walking according to the path that he sets for us. One example that comes to mind is Psalm 89:15, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.”
It takes time to learn how to walk in God’s ways and to live a life that brings Him glory and acclaim. It takes time in God’s word and time in relationship with Him each day. But regardless of the time and the effort it takes to learn to walk in God’s ways, the benefits vastly outweigh any effort we make.
Every day, may the cry of our heart echo the words that Moses spoke to God in Exodus 33:13, “…teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”
Learning to Walk,
Mark
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