Brown's Daily Word 1-27-11

Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this last Friday of January. It was somewhat milder yesterday than it has been for a few days here in New York. I spoke with Sunita yesterday; she said her flight was the last flight that landed in Washington. All other flights there after were diverted. Even Air Force One was delayed in landing. Later the the President's Motorcade got stuck for hours in the heavy snow in DC. Thousands and thousands lost power in the Capitol District yesterday. Sunita and Andy and their friends had power undisrupted. I praise the Lord for He has blessed me with friends and family around the corner and around the globe.
One of my favorite verse comes from Philippians 1: 3 ff. I use this verse when ever I conduct a service of death and resurrection, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul began by expressing his gratitude for all that the believers of Philippi meant to him. He remembered his friends and his memory led him to give thanks to God. His thanksgiving led naturally to joyful prayer on their behalf. In the words of Steve May, "Whenever you pray for someone, begin by thanking God for them. Thank God for the role they've played in your life, for all that they've done for you, for the good things they've done for others. Even if you're having conflict with this person, thank God that he or she is giving you the opportunity to grow spiritually, learn forgiveness, be more patient, and on and on. If you try, you can find something to be thankful for in just about anyone."
Note one thing about Paul’s thanksgiving for the Philippians. All of it was centered in the gospel. In verse 5 he mentioned their “partnership in the gospel.” The Greek word for “partnership” is koinonia—sometimes translated “fellowship.” In our day “fellowship” means something like a social gathering where we drink tea, and eat cookies and share casual gossip. To most of us “fellowship” means warm friendship with other believers. The word originally had commercial overtones. If two men bought a boat and started a fishing business, they were said to be in koinonia, a formal business partnership. They shared a common vision and invested together to see the vision become a reality. True Christian fellowship means sharing the same vision of getting the gospel to the world—and then investing personally to make it happen. Thus there are financial overtones in the word koinonia as well as a call to personal sacrifice.
When Paul thanked God for the “fellowship” of the Philippians, he was thanking God that from the very first day of their conversion, they rolled up their sleeves and got involved in the advance of the gospel. True fellowship means putting the gospel first as the controlling motive of your life and then doing whatever it takes to spread the life-changing message to the ends of the earth.
As we plan for the weekend let us pray for the church around the corner and around the globe. Plan to join in worship of the living Lord and Savior. It is a great blessing to be part of a worshipping and witnessing congregation.
Sunita shared with me that while in Uganda attended the worship services there. The church in Uganda is vibrant and alive. We are blessed with very faithful congregations as we meet Saturday eve at 6:30 at the First United Methodist Church in Endicott, 8:30 and 11:00 at the Union Center and at 9:30 at the Wesley UMC.
I would like to make note of one particular couple, Irving and Orpha. They are married for 63 years. Irving was in the intensive care unit for 73 days 14 years ago. Orpha has undergone several surgeries. While they were hospitalized they missed attending corporate worship. Now that they are able to go out they never miss a Sunday. They inspire and encourage my heart. May the Holy Spirit provoke us to be in the Lord's house this coming Lord's day, to be part of the fellowship that is unashamed, convinced, and committed. When the saints gather to exalt the name of Jesus, Satan trembles.


In Christ

Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bldv9M_nXXE



Saturday evening worship service.
Location: First United Methodist Church. Endicott
53 McKinley Avenue, Endicott.
Sponsored by the Union Center United Methodist Church, 128, Maple Drive, Endicott


Saturday January 29.2011 6 PM Gathering: Coffee.
6:30 PM Worship Service
Worship Music by Laureen Naik, Gary and Gena McMyne
Speaker:
Rev. Brown Naik,