Church guide

Daily Lectionary Reading for Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Psalm 133 2 Samuel 1:4-27 Acts 11:27-30

The Challenge of Doubt Scripture Reading — John 20:24-31 “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” — John 20:29 As he prepared his followers to live faithfully after his return to heaven, Jesus addressed the challenge of doubt and unbelief. Thomas was a realist. He knew that resurrections were not everyday events, and he feared that his fellow followers of Christ might have gotten it wrong. He wanted evidence. He demanded proof. It’s easy to criticize Thomas for his doubts, but the truth is that many of us live with similar hesitations. After all, Jesus is no longer on earth for us to see and touch. We cannot have the same experience as the first disciples who walked with him after his resurrection. So we need Jesus to prepare us for the challenges of skepticism and doubt in our own lives. What does Jesus say to struggling followers? “Stop doubting and believe.” We may not have the opportunity to feel the wounds of the cross with our own hands. But we have the testimony of lives changed by the Lord’s power. We can seek out the fellowship of other believers in the church and be encouraged by their words. And we can watch for the glory of Christ to appear around us, joining in with Thomas’s beautiful confession: “My Lord and my God!” May the ascended Christ prepare you today to meet the challenge of doubt with the blessing of faith. Prayer Lord Jesus, it is sometimes hard to believe. We live in an age of doubts and lies, and our human minds constantly demand proof. But we believe; save us from unbelief! Fill us with faith, we pray. Amen. by Joel Vane Werken https://today.reframemedia.com/devotions/the-challenge-of-doubt

Sermon May 19, 2019 Hope for the Hopeless Ezekiel 37:1-10 Let us pray: Lord some days our world seems to be spinning out of control. Everywhere we look, we see chaos—even in our own life. There are days where we long to just throw in the towel and say, "Enough." Where can we turn? Who can we talk to? You're the only one we know who will truly listen, Lord. And we know you have the answers. But we can't seem to find them. We long to see a little clearing in this tunnel. We need a little hope, Jesus. When things look hopeless, we will hope in you. You died to give us hope, not only eternally, so we could live forever with you, forgiven and free. But you also provide a way daily for us to live above the cares of this world. Thank you for reminding us of that in your Word. With your perspective, we can push past the impossible and find the strength and courage to believe that no matter what happens, your hope will lift us to a higher plane—where joy and purpose reign again. In Your precious name that is above all names and all of our troubles. Amen. Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is the result of blindness. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of God, unconcern for the needs of our fellow man, and unbelief in the promises of His Word. In life there are situations, which appear to be totally and absolutely hopeless. Just no way out or through them and nothing but defeat all around us. Being discouraged is one of the greatest tools of the enemy. To have you discouraged and defeated is what he is after. To feel like there is no solution to life and that things will just not get better. Let’s look at a passage in the Bible that shows an impossible moment. This is an image of the nation of Israel as they were in captivity. The nation was virtually dead, no hope, no future. It was lifeless, scattered, and bleached just as this conquered army’s corpses, which were scattered all across a battleground. There was no way humanly possible that they would ever arise from this defeat. It would be impossible! No doubt many of us at one time or another felt this same way. Desperate, defeated and no possible hope for a future. It just seems as though there is no way that things will get better. That your situation cannot change without a miracle and to be honest you just do not have the faith for a miracle right now. A man approached a little league baseball game one afternoon. He asked a boy in the dugout what the score was. The boy respond-ed, "Eighteen to nothing--we’re behind." "Boy," said the spectator, "I’ll bet you’re discouraged." "Why should I be discouraged?" replied the little boy. "We haven’t even gotten up to bat yet!" Now this boy had a different perspective… he still had hope. It might be an unlikely scenario for them to come back from but he was still in the game. Perhaps some of you today need to be reminded that you are still in the game. God has not had the final word yet. You might have lost your focus… There is no greater state of hopelessness than of man without Christ. Jean-Paul Sarte wrote: "Man can count on no one but himself; he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth." Those apart from God have a feeling of meaningless and abandonment that they cannot explain. (H. Lindsell) Ephesians 2:12 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Paul understood how the gentiles felt before they found Jesus. Can you imagine those that heard about the living God of Israel… heard of the miracles…. That this was the God of Israel and not their God. They did not have the hope that the children of Israel had, nor did they have the hope of having the hope. As Paul said they were excluded and they were not part of the covenant promises. Until being saved they were hopeless. God alone holds the answer to hopeless situations. Ezekiel 37:3 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign LORD,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” Now the answer is quite obvious in the natural… from our own view of this valley of bones the answer is, No. It is absurd to suppose that these dead bones could ever live again. All hope was gone in the eyes of any man looking across that scene, but it was God who asked the question, and it is God alone who knows the answer. The same can be said about our life, our situation. Can our life change… can new hope come to that which has been counted lost or dead? This was an impossible situation just as what you are facing may be impossible in your eyes. Matthew 19:25-26 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” God delights in doing the impossible! Charles L. Allen - When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. There are no hopeless situations. There are only people who have grown hopeless about them. Psalms 42:11 11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God. The psalmist here is not saying that his life is great or that the problems do not exist. What he is saying is with God so big and able to do all things why am I discouraged or sad? I simply need to trust completely in God for my answer… nothing is hopeless with God on the scene. "No one is hopeless whose hope is in God." Bailey Smith - Have you ever been in despair? The answer is simple. Quit looking at your circumstances and look at God. A pessimist finds a problem in every opportunity, but an optimist finds opportunity in every problem. Don’t despair, for God is the answer. God’s Word gives new direction. It would appear absurd to address "dry bones". To speak to something that has no chance of hearing or better yet no chance of changing… Picture Ezekiel standing in the middle of the battlefield among the corpses preaching to piles of bones. But God’s ways are not man’s ways. The prophet speaks at the direction of God an anointed message. He speaks for God and they who listen hear the voice of God. When God’s Word goes forth, things begin to happen. Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 15:4 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. The Word of God gives us testimonies of the past and promise for the future that we might endure and be encouraged. Every conflict Christ had with Satan, Jesus overcame the obstacles by using the Word of God. In each and every recorded case He declared, "It is written." Psalms 119:105 05 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." The Word of God is a window to those in the prison of hopelessness through which they can look and see the light of hope and get direction for their lives." To see that it is all not without hope. God’s Spirit gives new life. Perhaps today you need new life to be decalred over that which is dead. Ezekiel 37:9-10 9 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” 10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. A.W. Tozer in "Born After Midnight" (Christianity Today, Vol. 41, no. 5.) wrote: Religious instruction, however sound, is not enough by itself. It brings light, but it cannot impart sight. The assumption that light and sight are synonymous has brought spiritual tragedy to millions. The Pharisees looked straight at the Light of the World for three years, but not one ray of light reached their inner beings. Light is not enough. The inward operation of the Holy Spirit is necessary to saving faith. The gospel is light but only the Spirit can give sight. Romans 8:10 "...the Spirit is life..." 2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." If you have the Holy Spirit on the inside, you can stand any kind of battle on the outside. 1 John 4:4 4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. John 14:16-18 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. We ask for help. He comes knocking at the door. The question is, Will we open the door and invited Him into our lives. The choice is ours.

Daily Lectionary Reading for Monday, May 20, 2019 Psalm 133 1 Samuel 20:1-23, 35-42; Acts 11:19-26

As the Father Sent Jesus Scripture Reading — John 20:19-23 As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” — John 20:21 These words of Jesus to his first followers are remarkable. They had seen many amazing things the Father had done through Jesus: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, bringing the good news of God’s kingdom. Now Jesus was saying that just as the Father had sent him, he was sending his followers. What does this mean? First, all who follow Jesus are called to participate in God’s mission to the world. Jesus speaks with almighty authority here. We cannot simply live as observers of what God is doing; we have a mission to call sinners to repentance and to bring God’s love to the marginalized. Jesus’ words about withholding forgiveness do not give us a license to be vindictive. Instead, we must show that the good news of God’s kingdom is central to our salvation. Second, as ascended Lord, Jesus will provide the strength needed to carry out this task. Christ’s presence removes our fear and brings peace; the Holy Spirit’s power turns Jesus’ followers into bold participants in God’s work. This gives believers the courage to address sin and all kinds of challenging problems with the loving grace and truth of Jesus himself. As the Father sent Jesus, so the followers of the ascended Lord are sent into the world. May we go today with Spirit-led confidence. Prayer Holy Spirit, strengthen me where I am weak and fearful. May others experience the bold love of Jesus through me, confronting sin, showing forgiveness, and sharing God’s love and wisdom. Amen. by Joel Vande Werken https://today.reframemedia.com/devotions/as-the-father-sent-jesus

Daily Lectionary Reading for the Fifth Sunday after Easter, May 19, 2019 Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35

Power from on High Scripture Reading — Luke 24:36-49 “Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” — Luke 24:49 Have you ever felt the fear of following Jesus? After all, the story of the resurrection and ascension seems impossibly crazy. How can a first-century Jew be the center of human history? I appreciate that Jesus’ first followers were honest about their doubts and fears. The resurrection and glory of their Lord was not something they understood at first. They had to be convinced that what they saw had really happened. At first glance, it wouldn’t seem like they would be the best candidates to continue the work Jesus had begun. But God chooses to use fearful, doubting followers to do great things. “You are witnesses of these things,” Jesus says to them. He commissions them to share the story of the Scriptures and especially the message of repentance and forgiveness. And to assure them that they will be able to carry out this immense task, Jesus says they will be “clothed with power from on high.” Christ’s church still contains weak, doubting people. Perhaps you know the disappointment of living with failed relationships, a prodigal child, or a criminal background. As the ascended Lord, Jesus does not simply promise to walk alongside us in these trials; he fills us with “power from on high” to share his message of repentance and forgiveness. What an amazing promise! Prayer Lord Jesus, you know our weaknesses, doubts, and failures. Help us grasp the message of repentance and forgiveness. Clothe us with power from on high so that we may serve you faithfully. In your name, Amen. by Joel Vande Werken https://today.reframemedia.com/devotions/power-from-on-high

Daily Lectionary Reading for Saturday, May 18, 2019 Psalm 148 Daniel 7:27 Revelation 11:16-19

Then They Understood Scripture Reading — Luke 24:13-35 “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” — Luke 24:26 After he rose from the dead, Jesus began to prepare his followers for his departure. What was the significance of his life and ministry? What did his resurrection mean? As he showed the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, it’s helpful to start with the facts. Jesus is a prophet, powerful in word and deed. But like his disciples, who had hoped for a political savior, we often hope that Jesus will do something for us. We want Christ to make us successful, relieve our loneliness, free us from an uncomfortable situation at work, and more. Jesus is a powerful prophet, but—as the ascension shows— he is infinitely more. As he walked alongside two confused followers on the road, Jesus opened the story of the Scriptures to them. The Bible tells the epic story of our rescue from sin by God’s power. We deserve death and eternal condemnation, but God has saved us through the work of Jesus. Many people today have the basic facts about Jesus, but we are still learning to put together the larger story. As we follow Jesus in this world, we need more than just earthly comfort. We need to understand God’s plan to rescue sinners—to rescue us and others. We also need to understand his love for the world (see John 3:16). May our hearts burn within us as we seek to understand the glory of Jesus for our living each day. Prayer Holy Spirit, show us the glory of the ascended Jesus. Open the Scriptures to us so that we understand his saving work. In his saving name we pray. Amen. by Joel Vande Werken https://today.reframemedia.com/devotions/then-they-understood

Daily Lectionary Reading for Friday, May 17, 2019 Psalm 148 Daniel 7:13-14 Revelation 11:15

For Our Good Scripture Reading — John 16:1-15 “Very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away.” — John 16:7 When we first hear these words of Jesus, we may wonder how his going away could be for our good. He often taught, in fact, that following him can bring trouble and hardship. How can that be good? This question may seem especially relevant today. Many Christians around the world face persecution and even death for following Jesus. And in places where persecution is not so obvious, following Jesus still means sacrifice. As Peter once said to Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you!” (Matthew 19:27). But when Jesus ascended to heaven, he was no longer physically present with his followers. How could that be a good thing? Looking back, his first disciples would remember Jesus’ words on the night before his death, when he addressed this concern. He said that his ascension would open the way for the Holy Spirit to come to them. Jesus’ followers would no longer need him to be physically present on earth, with all the limits that his humanity imposed. The subtitle of a recent book explains, “The Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you.” Because Jesus has returned to the Father, we feel God’s presence even more powerfully as the Spirit comes to live in us. This is sometimes hard to believe when we face the hardships of life. But it is God’s promise, for our good. Do you believe this? Prayer Lord Jesus, fill us with your Spirit and help us to know your presence within us. Guide us to live for the Father’s glory. Amen. by Joel Vande Werken https://today.reframemedia.com/devotions/for-our-good

Daily Lectionary Reading for Thursday, May 16, 2019 Psalm 148 Ezekiel 2:8-3:11 Revelation 10:1-11

Sunday, October 14th we had a special service of BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS.

Sunday's Message: "As God's Spirit Works in Us" inspired by 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 by Pastor Jim Osborne

Sunday, July 1, 2018 Worship message; "God Has Established . . ." inspired by Romans 13:1-7; delivered by Rev. Jim Osborne.

Sunday’s message: “Bearing One Another’s Burdens” inspired by Psalm 55:22-23.

Father's Day Message 2018 - Fatherly Advice - inspired by John 21: 1-14 presented by Rev. Jim Osborne.

This morning's message by Rev. Jim Osborne. The title is "Do Not Forsake Me" from Scriptures Hebrews 13:1-6.