June 30, 2010 by Worship Director.

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.  Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.  Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.                     - James 5:13-16

James knew that trying to live the Christian life alone would be impossible.   Yes, we can absolutely worship God wherever we are, speak to Him directly, and find forgiveness in solitude.   Yet to walk the Christian path in an ungodly world, it takes a support system that can carry us when we’re too weary to go on, when we’re suffering trials, or when we can’t see which is the way to go.

Jesus spent time in solitude to replenish His spirit - just as we should - but most of the time He surrounded Himself with others.  He chose twelve special people to let into His deepest self.   He shared good times, hard times, even dreary every day times with these friends, family and many others.  It was no accident that “the Church” formed into multiple fellowships all across the known world for support, protection, corporate worship and prayer.

A cord of three strands is stronger than one and there is power where “two or three are gathered in His name.” Take a prayer partner. Participate in a church, join a Bible study group.  Don’t go it alone - your Christian growth may depend upon it.

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June 29, 2010 by Worship Director.

On June 27th, our resident story teller, Charlie Schnabel, moved to the pulpit and extended the “3 Minutes to Live By” to the morning message.  As always, his take on Bible truths, is fresh and practical.  Charlie brought his thoughts together on the book of James because his letter touches on just about everything we do.  He noted that the focus of each chapter in the book of James, with its five chapters, can be remembered by using an acronym of his name.

Chapter 1
J - Joy: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”

Chapter 2
A - FAith (ok, so it’s stretched a little): “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works;’ show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Chapter 3
M - Mouth: “Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! “

Chapter 4
E - Evil: “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?  You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.”

Chapter 5
S - Sick : “Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.  Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.”

You can listen to Charlies message on the Local Ministry page of our website.  Click on June 27, 2010 under “Listen to Worship” on the left side bar.

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June 28, 2010 by Worship Director.

Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.  And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong — you want only what will give you pleasure.   - James 4:3

In the New Testament book, James began this part of his letter focusing on envy; how we often want what others have.  Today, we might call this “keeping up with the Jones’.”  Yet our desire to have more is not the issue – the problems are what we will do to get “it” and why we want “it.”  Will we cheat, steal, kill to get it?  No - of course not!  OK, but might we: exaggerate just a little so that we’re in a better position to get it than someone else, spend now on fun and incidentals instead of saving to provide security for our family, take advantage of another person’s mistake even though they may have to pay from their own pocket later?  These tiny acts chip away at the soul so slowly, we will hardly feel the cumulative effect.

What if, each time such a desire entered into our heart or mind, we stepped back and evaluated - out loud - why we want it.  There is something about vocalizing - hearing the words come from your own mouth - that bring these desires into reality.  If the reason sounds silly or selfish - and it often does - don’t act on it.  You may save more than just your money or reputation.  You may save a drain on your spirit that could spiral out of control.

James tells us that, if our motives are right, we should ask God to supply and He will respond.  This is hard for us, because putting it into God’s hands, takes it out of our own – James’ faith in action theme is here again.  Ask God for your “wants” – if having these desires is in your best interest, you’ll have it.

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June 26, 2010 by Worship Director.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.     - James 1:2-3

James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote this to the Jewish Christians who had been dispersed across the continent within 20 years of Jesus’ resurrection, due to intense persecution.  He knew that these Christian converts were integrating into new communities and while they would say they had faith, their lives did not reflect the faith they proclaimed. His letter encourages them to understand that living their faith must result in action – even when action brings trials.

The short New Testament book of James is jam-packed with practical thoughts for Christian living that are just as true and useful today as in his generation.  As a person who knew Jesus from his childhood, perhaps as the father figure and later as Teacher and Savior, no one was more reliable as witness to the revelation of Christ and the intentions of His teachings - than James.  He is clear to share that the Christian life is not for cowards, but is worth the risks.

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June 25, 2010 by Web Admin.

1 Peter 3:8-16

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, Whosoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.  He must turn form evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

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June 24, 2010 by Web Admin.

1Peter 5:6-11

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.   To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen!”

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June 22, 2010 by Worship Director.

Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet, pleading fervently with Him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay Your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”           - Mark 5:22-23

This father risked it all for his daughter – his occupation as leader of the Jewish Synagogue, his reputation, and his pride.  Imagine this man of power, humbling himself before Jesus and the crowd, crying in the street and pleading for his little girl’s life.  Jesus indeed brought her back from grip of death and the scripture makes clear that the miracle was faith of this father.  Today’s men bear a heavy responsibility to the family – provision, protection, and parenting – but it is still the love, faith and compassion they show, that makes a man a dad. Their actions, the use of their resources and their dedication to the kingdom can change a family, a community and the world.

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June 21, 2010 by Web Admin.

Romans 11:33-36

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out!  Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the Glory forever!

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June 20, 2010 by Worship Director.

The man who tries to be good, loving and kind finds life, righteousness and honor.     - Proverbs 21:21

In Genesis 18 we find that God was willing to spare the city of Sodom for the sake of just ten good men. Unfortunately, only one such man could be found and so Sodom went down in history as a tragic disaster.  Influence is a powerful tool for change.  This world needs more men that will stand for God – those who are loving, kind and righteous.  A man doesn’t have to be a CEO, politician or a celebrity to make a difference. The example he sets in his own home and community is a good place to start.

Reverend Cindy Magsig, speaking at First Church this Father’s Day, spoke passionately about those that have influenced her own life: as a minister, a mother, wife and woman of God.  Her message, from the life of Jairus (Mark 5:21- 23 and Luke 8:49-56) included the importance of these points that every man of Influence knows . . .
1) To call on Jesus
2) Not to fear, and to trust in Jesus for the impossible
3) Sometimes life requires a small circle of support when you are in the midst of pain, and
4) How to rejoice in what God has done in his life

We wish men in our fellowship “Happy Father’s Day” as we thank our Heavenly Father for godly men of influence.

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June 18, 2010 by Web Admin.

Psalms 1:1-3

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 112:1-9

“Praise the Lord!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands.  His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.  Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.  Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.  Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely who conducts his affairs with justice.  Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.  He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.  He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.”

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