Brown's Daily Word 2-4-11

Good morning,
Praise the Lord! It is Friday and Sunday is coming. We will gather for our Saturday Evening worship service at the First UMC, Endicott. We will gather for fellowship at 6 PM and the worship will start at 6.30PM. Emily Sabin and Emma Brownson will bring music of worship and praise. I together with Pastor Bill Turner, will be sharing from the Word of the Lord. We will gather Sunday morning at Union Center at 8:30 and 11:00 for morning worship and at 9:30 AM at Wesley for worship.
I recently read a story that Charles Swindoll told of his mother, a woman who had the Holy Spirit gift of compassion and had great knowledge of the Word of God. There was a lady, Thelma, who lived across the street from them who was married late in life and had found her security in her husband. She trusted in him completely. One day her wonderful husband died suddenly of a heart attack. After his funeral, Thelma began to visit the gravesite every day.
One day Charles Swindoll’s mother prepared some cookies and lemonade and took them over to Thelma. Before Mrs. Swindoll left she asked her husband to pray with her, for they knew that only the Holy Spirit could prepare Thelma’s heart for salvation found only in Christ. As Mrs. Swindoll and Thelma sat and visited, they spoke of Christ love and forgiveness and how Thelma can find a new purpose for living. It was not long into the visit that Thelma received Jesus Christ in to her heart.
Mrs. Swindoll suggested to Thelma to get a new vision for visiting the cemetery. Instead of trying to make a connection with her husband, she could begin to set her sights on God’s vision for those who come to the cemetery to remember lost loved ones. Thelma took Mrs. Swindolls advice and she prayerfully sought out people. As the Lord opened the door for her she shared about Christ’s love and forgiveness. Thelma also had the gift of compassion, and the Lord extended to her the gift of an evangelist. She saw the Lord bring several people to Christ in Houston Memorial Park. (The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, Swindoll)
The Word of God holds a promise that should keep all of us on fire for the Lord’s work. The Apostle Paul wrote, “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:9) As the Holy Spirit moved the apostle Paul to conclude this section of thanksgiving, Paul assured Christians that the God, who called them into fellowship with Christ, is faithful.
The key word in this passage is “fellowship” (koinnonia) meaning partnership, with the application being that we are called into a partnership that involves participation from the Lord in all we do. When God calls Christians to do something He will open doors, provide the means and the strength, and get the results that He so desires. God may be trusted with our dearest concerns. Everyone who puts his or her trust in God will come to Him and not be disappointed. As people prove themselves faithful to pray through, they will see that God is faithful to them.
Another truth the Holy Spirit wants you to understand today is the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to us as found in 1 Corinthians 1:6, “…our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.” “Confirmed” (bebaioo) means to strengthen and sustain inwardly to bring a firmness in Christ-like character. It is also a legal term that refers to a guarantee that settles a transaction. Christians have the witness of the Spirit within them and the witness of the written Word before them that proclaim the promises of God. This means that God will keep His “contract” with us and save us to the utmost. He will fulfill His part of the partnership in enabling us to live a life that brings honor to Him and empowering for service unto Him and others.
For all of these reasons none of God’s children should be paralyzed in Christian service because of inward feelings of inferiority or inadequacy, but should look to Christ who is all-sufficient for their needs and can clean all carnality from their lives. Psalm 40:10 says, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.”
In Christ,
Brown
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 February 5, 2011 6 PM Gathering: Coffee, cookies, and fellowship
6:30 PM Worship Service
Worship Music by Emily Sabin and Emma Brownson
Speakers: Rev. Brown Naik, and Rev. Bill Turner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XIT06R-r5g