November 8, 2009, what do you mean it is already Veteran's Day?
Bell Gardens Baptist Church
November 8, 2009
Photographic Memory
The church's youth choir in the 1970's was called "Sonrise." Do you want names?
"We glorify God by working out our own salvation. God has twisted together his glory and our good. What an encouragement is this to the service of God, to think, while I am hearing and praying, I am glorifying God; while I am furthering my own glory in heaven, I am increasing God's glory. Would it not be an encouragement to a subject, to hear his prince say to him, You will honour and please me very much, if you will go to yonder mine of gold, and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away? So, for God to say, Go to the ordinances, get as much grace as you can, dig out as much salvation as you can; and the more happiness you have, the more I shall count myself glorified." —Thomas Watson
Remembering His Grace, Begging His Mercy
God reminded us that He has a purpose for us in allowing crises, just as He had for Hezekiah. Then, He soothed our fears with Paul's teaching on the truth of future resurrection. Thank You, Lord!
Voting last Tuesday became an indirect route on a report about our loving friend, Nettie Parmenter. While she now has Alzheimer's disease that is advancing, she is still living with her daughter and family and under their good care. Thank You, Lord for unexpected surprises in the least likely places.
Teri Lopez will have the screws in her ankle removed this Tuesday. Would you pray that this procedure will help further heal and strengthen her ankle and also be more pain-free?
Arvalee Palmer asked prayer for her youngest son, Dan, who was hospitalized because of pneumonia and the H1N1 virus. Dan was released after a few days . While he is better he is still weak. Both Arvalee and Dan's wife, Sandra, express their thanks for you prayer and praise to the Lord for His answers.
What a blessing it was to see Armon Siemsen (and Elona, 2 of their children, spouses, and grandson, too!) last Sunday night after his surgery earlier in the week. Ask God to help Armon not overdo while God restores his health.
Woody Blalock only got to stay home four days before returning to the hospital. Woody continues to have a positive spirit (and plans to come visit when he gets well). The symptoms of MSA have made Woody's muscles weak. Continue to pray for Woody and Barbara and their family.
Noreen Fritch is working to resolve some confusion with county aid. Would you pray that this will be resolved quickly in order that her needs might be met?
Pastor Rigsby's colleague, Dr. Judy TenElshof, had cancer surgery Thursday (after an extended wait time). As Dr. TenElshof recovers and heals, would you pray that the surgeon was successful in removing all the cancer and that it had not spread?
Stella Rogers grandson, Dale, had surgery Thursday that could not be completed because of the intense pain. Another attempt was scheduled for Friday with a different procedural method. At this time, the result in unknown.
The act of terrorism at Ft. Hood in Texas has devastated many families. Please pray that the families and friends who have been affected will know and trust in the only lasting Source of Comfort available for their souls.
- Marvin Funkhouser—deployed to Iraq for 18 months
- Coleen—a friend of Woody and Barbara Blalock
- Tony Loving—flying troops in and out of various areas
- Bryan Miller—in Guam, will be in Iraq soon
- Sam Im
- Jorge Avalos
- Ryan Bareng
- Jeremy Peters—currently in Iraq
- Jeremy Thomas—currently in Afghanistan
- Jason Kiser—currently in the Gulf
- John Kiser—currently in Iraq
Hearing and Reading the Word
Isaiah 38. Was Hezekiah right in asking God to extend his life? Listen to recent sermons.
1 Corinthians 15:29-34. What does the resurrection have to do with my everyday life? Listen to recent sermons.
The Bible reading for November includes all of the New Testament epistles (except 1, 2, 3 John). Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, 1 and 2 Peter, James, and Jude. Here are three suggestions to pace your reading this month. One letter each weekday and you've got the reading covered. Or, six chapters each weekday and you are on track. Or, four chapters every day will also get you to the end.
The suggested 2009 Bible reading guide (1 page) can be downloaded here.
"If once God's electing love rises upon the soul, it never sets."
Letters
The Kisers, The Baja, Mexico
Last Sat. in Ensenada we had the greatest youth rally we have had in years in EVERY way you could imagine! Read the entire letter. Send an email.
Byron and Robyn Siemsen, World Impact, Los Angeles
A couple of Saturdays ago we were able to take a family in our neighborhood to the UCLA/Kansas State football game. A number of tickets for the game was donated to World Impact. We felt that the game provided a wonderful opportunity to befriend these neighbors. Read the entire letter. Send an email.
Lester & Laura Black
As we organize material for our focus on helping churches with their mission outreach we are looking at: How to develop a mission vision. … We are also putting thoughts together for a brochure and a name for the ministry. We want the name and the focus to reflect the importance of the local church in global missions.
Read the entire letter. Send an email.
Doug & Bev Croot, New Tribes Mission
Another new day, another new month. November 1st, and we have so much for which we thank and praise the Lord. God is so good. We have been home just over three weeks, our "cargo" has arrived from Cairns, and we are slowly getting settled. Read the entire letter.
"Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free."
He just let them go
Jesus preached a sermon. The title of his sermon was something about the bread of life. Before he began speaking Jesus illustrated his sermon by feeding thousands of people with one little boy's sack lunch. The theme of this sermon made yet another claim to his Deity. Previously, in John 5, Jesus claimed to be God, declaring that he is the source of eternal life. Now, in John 6, again to further establish his identity as God, Jesus claimed to be the sustainer of eternal life.
If a sermon is judged by the response of its hearers, this one failed. Miserably. Perhaps the sermon was doomed because Jesus didn't follow the formula for successful preaching where the illustration comes after the explanation (a common mistake, right?). Whatever the reason we know that because of what Jesus had said "from that time many of his disciples went back [away], and walked no more with him" (John 6:66).
Jesus' response to this failure (as perceived from a human perspective) says much about God. As God, he could have demanded obedience, instead he let (is that grace?) his disciples go. Even the Twelve staggered as Jesus' questioned them, "will ye also go away?" (6:67).
But their choice for-or-against did not alter his authority. As God, Jesus exhibited incredible restraint. Humanly, he revealed a meekness not known since the days of Moses (and we'll get a better glimpse of his meekness later in his trials and crucifixion). Jesus didn't open the earth to swallow dissenters. He didn't pester them annoyingly or belittle them for their decision. He didn't change what he had said in order to become more appealing and win them over. He just let them go.
The hearers' response says much about humanity, in general, but little about us, in particular.
Those hearers were honest. When they "had heard enough," they left. Quit. The Amplified Bible emphasizes the finality of their decision. "They returned to their old associations." "They accompanied him no more." Don't be too quick to judge them as impetuous. From the larger context of this chapter we do read that they listened, challenged Jesus about his claim, and even argued among themselves.
I'm not sure today's "disciples" would walk away with the intent of never returning. We have the same freedom to love him or leave him. But we're different from those hearers because what we really want is to have life our way but just in case Jesus is telling the truth, we'll believe, sort of.
And Jesus continues to reveal himself today with restrained sovereignty. That he does so for our benefit is equally incredible. Jesus has already claimed he is the source of eternal life. Jesus assured us, in this chapter of John's gospel, that he sustains the life that he gives. The original hearers responded honestly. Can we be truthful about ourselves?
Send an email to Jim Covington.
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