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
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 2-3-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for the way the Lord calls us to be His servants and to be partners in His Kingdom. We support some pastors and evangelists who serve the Lord in Orissa in the midst of great persecution. Most of them are, in the eyes of the Indian culture, not very sophisticated or very highly educated, but they love the Lord with great passion and zeal. Many pastors of this kind were murdered during the great persecution broke out in Orissa in 2008.
What kind of people does God invest in? Paul’s words here written in 1 Corinthians 1:26 ff might well come as a bit of a shock because they run COUNTER-CULTURALLY, against most of the ideas that we’ve all been raised with. Our society values those who have the right looks, wear the right clothes, flaunt great talents and abilities. That’s the kind of people that the world invests in. God, on the other hand, chooses the seemingly foolish, weak, and insignificant (as the world sees them). They are the ones He calls. In fact, He calls NOT MANY wise, NOT MANY mighty, NOT MANY noble.
Why does God choose the "foolish", weak, or plain? Verse 29 tells us, “so that no flesh should glory in His presence”. God invests in people who will, when everything is said and done, and He’s used them, and they’ve been successful, say, “IT WAS ONLY BY YOUR GRACE THAT WE MADE IT. We could never have achieved one iota without You!”
It’s a great encouragement to me that our Lord, the lord of the Church, can gain the MOST glory by using ordinary people like you and me. Many Christians are intimidated by their feelings of inadequacy, knowing our own weaknesses and limitations better than anybody else does. We think that because our resources are so small, we could never do anything for God. We think, “Leave it to those talented people; those ‘Super-men and women’ who have it all together”.
News flash! Those so-called ‘super-people’ don’t exist! If you get close enough to one of those really talented, seemingly ‘all-together’ people, you discover that they’re just human beings like the rest of us, with the same feelings of inadequacy about themselves that we all share.
Gladys Aylward was a missionary to China more than 70 years ago.She was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng, but she would not abandon the orphans that she had been caring for. With just one assistant, Gladys Aylward led more than 100 children over the treacherous mountains toward Free China.
Along the harrowing journey she grappled with despair and, at times, a feeling of utter hopelessness. One morning on that journey, after Gladys Aylward had experienced a sleepless night, a 13 year old girl reminded her of how Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. Gladys replied, “But I am not Moses”. Then the little girl said, “Of course you aren’t, BUT JEHOVAH IS STILL GOD!”
When Gladys Aylward and those orphan children made it through the mountains to safety, they proved once again that no matter how inadequate we may feel, God is still God, and we can depend on Him.
I like J.B. Phillips translation of I Corinthians 1:26-31, “For look at your own calling as Christians, my brothers. You don’t see among you many of the wise (according to this world’s judgment) nor many of the ruling class, nor many from the noblest families. But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise; He has chosen what the world calls weak to shame the strong. He has chosen things of little strength and small repute, yes and even things which have no real existence, to explode the pretensions of the things that are - that no man may boast in the presence of God.”
WOW!
Praise be to Jesus our Lord,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIUCRXMM4pE
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
Praise the Lord for the way the Lord calls us to be His servants and to be partners in His Kingdom. We support some pastors and evangelists who serve the Lord in Orissa in the midst of great persecution. Most of them are, in the eyes of the Indian culture, not very sophisticated or very highly educated, but they love the Lord with great passion and zeal. Many pastors of this kind were murdered during the great persecution broke out in Orissa in 2008.
What kind of people does God invest in? Paul’s words here written in 1 Corinthians 1:26 ff might well come as a bit of a shock because they run COUNTER-CULTURALLY, against most of the ideas that we’ve all been raised with. Our society values those who have the right looks, wear the right clothes, flaunt great talents and abilities. That’s the kind of people that the world invests in. God, on the other hand, chooses the seemingly foolish, weak, and insignificant (as the world sees them). They are the ones He calls. In fact, He calls NOT MANY wise, NOT MANY mighty, NOT MANY noble.
Why does God choose the "foolish", weak, or plain? Verse 29 tells us, “so that no flesh should glory in His presence”. God invests in people who will, when everything is said and done, and He’s used them, and they’ve been successful, say, “IT WAS ONLY BY YOUR GRACE THAT WE MADE IT. We could never have achieved one iota without You!”
It’s a great encouragement to me that our Lord, the lord of the Church, can gain the MOST glory by using ordinary people like you and me. Many Christians are intimidated by their feelings of inadequacy, knowing our own weaknesses and limitations better than anybody else does. We think that because our resources are so small, we could never do anything for God. We think, “Leave it to those talented people; those ‘Super-men and women’ who have it all together”.
News flash! Those so-called ‘super-people’ don’t exist! If you get close enough to one of those really talented, seemingly ‘all-together’ people, you discover that they’re just human beings like the rest of us, with the same feelings of inadequacy about themselves that we all share.
Gladys Aylward was a missionary to China more than 70 years ago.She was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng, but she would not abandon the orphans that she had been caring for. With just one assistant, Gladys Aylward led more than 100 children over the treacherous mountains toward Free China.
Along the harrowing journey she grappled with despair and, at times, a feeling of utter hopelessness. One morning on that journey, after Gladys Aylward had experienced a sleepless night, a 13 year old girl reminded her of how Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. Gladys replied, “But I am not Moses”. Then the little girl said, “Of course you aren’t, BUT JEHOVAH IS STILL GOD!”
When Gladys Aylward and those orphan children made it through the mountains to safety, they proved once again that no matter how inadequate we may feel, God is still God, and we can depend on Him.
I like J.B. Phillips translation of I Corinthians 1:26-31, “For look at your own calling as Christians, my brothers. You don’t see among you many of the wise (according to this world’s judgment) nor many of the ruling class, nor many from the noblest families. But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise; He has chosen what the world calls weak to shame the strong. He has chosen things of little strength and small repute, yes and even things which have no real existence, to explode the pretensions of the things that are - that no man may boast in the presence of God.”
WOW!
Praise be to Jesus our Lord,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIUCRXMM4pE
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
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Brown - Egypt
Good morning,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. We are under the ferocious grip of winter here in the Southern Tier of New York. All the schools including the university, colleges, and community colleges are closed. I had a note from our friend Fred, who lives Oklahoma City, they were clabbered with snowfall that has been reported to be as much as 19 inches - a real upstate New York kind of winter (Syracuse or Buffalo style, that is.) Just a few days ago it was in the 70's in Oklahoma city. Where is the global warming?
I am enclosing an brief write-up on the events in Egypt as viewed in light of the Scriptures, the Word of God. It is written by Canon Andrew White, the Vicar of Baghdad. I met Canon White in a meeting held Sussex, England, while I was there last July. Canon White is a Cambridge University trained medical doctor, who has trained to become ordained clergy of the Church of England. He is the Vicar of St. Georges Church in Baghdad. This church has been bombed systematically, killing Christians. Canon White leaves his wife and children back in England, whereas he stays in Baghdad to serve the Lord with His people in the face of constant terror and danger. Let us be encouraged, knowing and trusting that the Lord moves in very mysterious ways. May Jesus be praised.
Brown
Isaiah 19
Dear Friends,
The Middle East is in a state of crisis.
We can scrutinize current events politically or spiritually.
My work in Iraq and the wider Middle East involves both the political and the spiritual, but today I want to focus on the latter.
Protests underway in Egypt are biblical in magnitude, and if the Old Testament was being written today, surely this gathering of opposition would be mentioned.
Tomorrow's theologians would downplay the event; tell us there were not so many people involved.
The ripples of revolution
But today, it is on camera. Live before our eyes, as we witness the fears - and power - of revolution ripple through its neighbours also - Tunis, Yemen, Lebanon.
Today the crisis has moved to Jordan, though it has been largely overshadowed in the media by events in Cairo.
The King of Jordan has sacked the government, replaced the Prime Minister with the former Jordanian Ambassador to Israel, Marouf al-Bakhit, a great friend to Israel.
So in the Arab world there are cries for democracy. In Israel the peace process is in danger of crumbling entirely. And here in Iraq violence has radically increased: religious sectarian attacks continue. Christians live in mortal fear. They wonder what will happen next.
Isaiah 19
For a long while now I have spoken of the significance of the end of Isaiah 19. Today, as a million or more Egyptians unite in Cairo to oppose a regime and topple their leader, the passage seems more significant than ever.
Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote of tumultuous times between the Egyptian people and the Lord. He wrote that, during its dark days, Egypt would turn to the Lord, and he would hear them, and respond with love.
Current events should be viewed through political eyes yes, but also with spiritual awareness.
Isaiah 19: 23 goes on to tell us about a highway connecting Holy lands... "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Iraq. The Iraqis will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Iraq. The Egyptians and Iraqis will worship together. (24) In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Iraq, a blessing on the earth. (25) The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Iraq my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
We hear now about the highway from Iraq (known then as Assyria) to Egypt through Israel - something which today, cannot happen without passing through Jordan, a land which did not exist in Isaiah's time.
The Lord is here
On a day like today, we might stand in wonder, and ask what is happening.
I simply repeat the words I say at the beginning of each service here at St George's: The Lord is here, and His Spirit is with us.
For several years I have returned time and again to Isaiah 19. Keep your eyes on it, and the words at the very end of the chapter: "The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, Iraq my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.'"
With peace and blessings,
Andrew
Canon Andrew White
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. We are under the ferocious grip of winter here in the Southern Tier of New York. All the schools including the university, colleges, and community colleges are closed. I had a note from our friend Fred, who lives Oklahoma City, they were clabbered with snowfall that has been reported to be as much as 19 inches - a real upstate New York kind of winter (Syracuse or Buffalo style, that is.) Just a few days ago it was in the 70's in Oklahoma city. Where is the global warming?
I am enclosing an brief write-up on the events in Egypt as viewed in light of the Scriptures, the Word of God. It is written by Canon Andrew White, the Vicar of Baghdad. I met Canon White in a meeting held Sussex, England, while I was there last July. Canon White is a Cambridge University trained medical doctor, who has trained to become ordained clergy of the Church of England. He is the Vicar of St. Georges Church in Baghdad. This church has been bombed systematically, killing Christians. Canon White leaves his wife and children back in England, whereas he stays in Baghdad to serve the Lord with His people in the face of constant terror and danger. Let us be encouraged, knowing and trusting that the Lord moves in very mysterious ways. May Jesus be praised.
Brown
Isaiah 19
Dear Friends,
The Middle East is in a state of crisis.
We can scrutinize current events politically or spiritually.
My work in Iraq and the wider Middle East involves both the political and the spiritual, but today I want to focus on the latter.
Protests underway in Egypt are biblical in magnitude, and if the Old Testament was being written today, surely this gathering of opposition would be mentioned.
Tomorrow's theologians would downplay the event; tell us there were not so many people involved.
The ripples of revolution
But today, it is on camera. Live before our eyes, as we witness the fears - and power - of revolution ripple through its neighbours also - Tunis, Yemen, Lebanon.
Today the crisis has moved to Jordan, though it has been largely overshadowed in the media by events in Cairo.
The King of Jordan has sacked the government, replaced the Prime Minister with the former Jordanian Ambassador to Israel, Marouf al-Bakhit, a great friend to Israel.
So in the Arab world there are cries for democracy. In Israel the peace process is in danger of crumbling entirely. And here in Iraq violence has radically increased: religious sectarian attacks continue. Christians live in mortal fear. They wonder what will happen next.
Isaiah 19
For a long while now I have spoken of the significance of the end of Isaiah 19. Today, as a million or more Egyptians unite in Cairo to oppose a regime and topple their leader, the passage seems more significant than ever.
Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote of tumultuous times between the Egyptian people and the Lord. He wrote that, during its dark days, Egypt would turn to the Lord, and he would hear them, and respond with love.
Current events should be viewed through political eyes yes, but also with spiritual awareness.
Isaiah 19: 23 goes on to tell us about a highway connecting Holy lands... "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Iraq. The Iraqis will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Iraq. The Egyptians and Iraqis will worship together. (24) In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Iraq, a blessing on the earth. (25) The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Iraq my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
We hear now about the highway from Iraq (known then as Assyria) to Egypt through Israel - something which today, cannot happen without passing through Jordan, a land which did not exist in Isaiah's time.
The Lord is here
On a day like today, we might stand in wonder, and ask what is happening.
I simply repeat the words I say at the beginning of each service here at St George's: The Lord is here, and His Spirit is with us.
For several years I have returned time and again to Isaiah 19. Keep your eyes on it, and the words at the very end of the chapter: "The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, Iraq my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.'"
With peace and blessings,
Andrew
Canon Andrew White
Brown's Daily Word 2-2-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new month - February, the shortest month of the year. It looks as if we have escaped the brunt of the heavy winter storm that has viciously attacked Chicago, Oklahoma City, and much of the Heartland of our country. Praise the Lord for the highway maintenance crews, the troopers, firemen, ambulance crews, and medical personnel, who all care for others despite the weather conditions.
Praise the Lord for Denny Corwin, who keeps the church grounds, parking lots, and sidewalk ready at all times.
Praise the Lord for Marcus, son-in-law of Jerry and Barb Adams, who has recovered from his recent illness.
Praise the Lord for Nick Tokos who is returning from Afghanistan, back to USA
Pray for the following:
Carol Lee, who had a stroke, and is fully recovered, is back at the hospital in Florida with pneumonia
Bud Lee, Carol's caregiver, who has emphysema and is now on oxygen
Peter Maney, Dave Maney's 89 year old father in Susquehanna, who has pneumonia
Glenn Godoy's grandmother, Ethel
Gerald Miller, who had his second heart surgery
Gordy Glover, who is gaining strength day by day, and who wants to join us all in worship soon
Arlo Lawrence, Jan Avery's 95 year old stepfather in Florida
Ben Rosenbarker, in jail
Robin Bartholomew, who is recovering from a stroke
Dave Fancher. . . Dave and Judy were able to attend the service last Saturday evening
Denny Lee, who had brain surgery yesterday at Upstate Medical Center
Evvie and Al Binder. . . Al continues to visit Evvie every day. Yesterday, in spite of inclement weather, was able to spend three hours with her.
Pray for Myrtle Schamp, mother of Mary Lou Krause, in Florida
A young grandma, who is having severe pain from a toothache
A young couple with a baby as they move to a new house. Their current place suffered from frozen pipes, leaky roof, and water damage.
All young couples who are experiencing difficulties.
A young mom who overdosed and was comatose. Praise the Lord that she is recovering and is back with her family.
Pray for the family of the 15 year old girl who was shot and killed the other day. Remember that every victim and every addict is someone's beloved. Let us pray for all of our children and grandchildren (and our neighbors' children) that the Lord would protect them. Take time to affirm them and bless them, and speak life to them.
Pray for the building project. We plan to break ground in the Spring.
Note: We will not meet this evening for Bible Study and Prayer Meeting, but let us get ready for the weekend with gusto. Let us make it a Super Saturday and Super Sunday. If you haven't been in worship lately please join us this weekend. We will celebrate the Lord's Supper at the morning worship services on Sunday. There will be a meal of soup (plus) after the second service on Sunday.
We will meet for Saturday evening service at 6:30 PM, 6:00 PM for fellowship and a time of gathering. Pray for the service. The preacher for the evening is Rev. Bill Turner. Special music will be by Emma Brownson.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 12. Our youth will be serving an Italian feast at 5 PM at First UMC, McKinley Avenue. Rodney Haines, assisted by Kathy Dence, will be preparing the meal. Suggested donation: $5.
See you in Church!
Pastor Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4GFr0Idwk
Please take some time to read the following, in the light of what is happening in Egypt
Isaiah 19
Proclamation Against Egypt
1 The burden against Egypt.
Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud,
And will come into Egypt;
The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,
And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.
2 “ I will set Egyptians against Egyptians;
Everyone will fight against his brother,
And everyone against his neighbor,
City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
3 The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst;
I will destroy their counsel,
And they will consult the idols and the charmers,
The mediums and the sorcerers.
4 And the Egyptians I will give
Into the hand of a cruel master,
And a fierce king will rule over them,”
Says the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
5 The waters will fail from the sea,
And the river will be wasted and dried up.
6 The rivers will turn foul;
The brooks of defense will be emptied and dried up;
The reeds and rushes will wither.
7 The papyrus reeds by the River,a] by the mouth of the River,
And everything sown by the River,
Will wither, be driven away, and be no more.
8 The fishermen also will mourn;
All those will lament who cast hooks into the River,
And they will languish who spread nets on the waters.
9 Moreover those who work in fine flax
And those who weave fine fabric will be ashamed;
10 And its foundations will be broken.
All who make wages will be troubled of soul.
11 Surely the princes of Zoan are fools;
Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel.
How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise,
The son of ancient kings?”
12 Where are they?
Where are your wise men?
Let them tell you now,
And let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.
13 The princes of Zoan have become fools;
The princes of Nophb] are deceived;
They have also deluded Egypt,
Those who are the mainstay of its tribes.
14 The LORD has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst;
And they have caused Egypt to err in all her work,
As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
15 Neither will there be any work for Egypt,
Which the head or tail,
Palm branch or bulrush, may do.c]
16 In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid and fear because of the waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He waves over it. 17 And the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts which He has determined against it.
Egypt, Assyria, and Israel Blessed
18 In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the LORD of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction.d]
19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. 21 Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it. 22 And the LORD will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the LORD, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria ( Iraq)—a blessing in the midst of the land, 25 whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria( Iraq) the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
Praise the Lord for this new month - February, the shortest month of the year. It looks as if we have escaped the brunt of the heavy winter storm that has viciously attacked Chicago, Oklahoma City, and much of the Heartland of our country. Praise the Lord for the highway maintenance crews, the troopers, firemen, ambulance crews, and medical personnel, who all care for others despite the weather conditions.
Praise the Lord for Denny Corwin, who keeps the church grounds, parking lots, and sidewalk ready at all times.
Praise the Lord for Marcus, son-in-law of Jerry and Barb Adams, who has recovered from his recent illness.
Praise the Lord for Nick Tokos who is returning from Afghanistan, back to USA
Pray for the following:
Carol Lee, who had a stroke, and is fully recovered, is back at the hospital in Florida with pneumonia
Bud Lee, Carol's caregiver, who has emphysema and is now on oxygen
Peter Maney, Dave Maney's 89 year old father in Susquehanna, who has pneumonia
Glenn Godoy's grandmother, Ethel
Gerald Miller, who had his second heart surgery
Gordy Glover, who is gaining strength day by day, and who wants to join us all in worship soon
Arlo Lawrence, Jan Avery's 95 year old stepfather in Florida
Ben Rosenbarker, in jail
Robin Bartholomew, who is recovering from a stroke
Dave Fancher. . . Dave and Judy were able to attend the service last Saturday evening
Denny Lee, who had brain surgery yesterday at Upstate Medical Center
Evvie and Al Binder. . . Al continues to visit Evvie every day. Yesterday, in spite of inclement weather, was able to spend three hours with her.
Pray for Myrtle Schamp, mother of Mary Lou Krause, in Florida
A young grandma, who is having severe pain from a toothache
A young couple with a baby as they move to a new house. Their current place suffered from frozen pipes, leaky roof, and water damage.
All young couples who are experiencing difficulties.
A young mom who overdosed and was comatose. Praise the Lord that she is recovering and is back with her family.
Pray for the family of the 15 year old girl who was shot and killed the other day. Remember that every victim and every addict is someone's beloved. Let us pray for all of our children and grandchildren (and our neighbors' children) that the Lord would protect them. Take time to affirm them and bless them, and speak life to them.
Pray for the building project. We plan to break ground in the Spring.
Note: We will not meet this evening for Bible Study and Prayer Meeting, but let us get ready for the weekend with gusto. Let us make it a Super Saturday and Super Sunday. If you haven't been in worship lately please join us this weekend. We will celebrate the Lord's Supper at the morning worship services on Sunday. There will be a meal of soup (plus) after the second service on Sunday.
We will meet for Saturday evening service at 6:30 PM, 6:00 PM for fellowship and a time of gathering. Pray for the service. The preacher for the evening is Rev. Bill Turner. Special music will be by Emma Brownson.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 12. Our youth will be serving an Italian feast at 5 PM at First UMC, McKinley Avenue. Rodney Haines, assisted by Kathy Dence, will be preparing the meal. Suggested donation: $5.
See you in Church!
Pastor Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4GFr0Idwk
Please take some time to read the following, in the light of what is happening in Egypt
Isaiah 19
Proclamation Against Egypt
1 The burden against Egypt.
Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud,
And will come into Egypt;
The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,
And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.
2 “ I will set Egyptians against Egyptians;
Everyone will fight against his brother,
And everyone against his neighbor,
City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
3 The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst;
I will destroy their counsel,
And they will consult the idols and the charmers,
The mediums and the sorcerers.
4 And the Egyptians I will give
Into the hand of a cruel master,
And a fierce king will rule over them,”
Says the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
5 The waters will fail from the sea,
And the river will be wasted and dried up.
6 The rivers will turn foul;
The brooks of defense will be emptied and dried up;
The reeds and rushes will wither.
7 The papyrus reeds by the River,a] by the mouth of the River,
And everything sown by the River,
Will wither, be driven away, and be no more.
8 The fishermen also will mourn;
All those will lament who cast hooks into the River,
And they will languish who spread nets on the waters.
9 Moreover those who work in fine flax
And those who weave fine fabric will be ashamed;
10 And its foundations will be broken.
All who make wages will be troubled of soul.
11 Surely the princes of Zoan are fools;
Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel.
How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise,
The son of ancient kings?”
12 Where are they?
Where are your wise men?
Let them tell you now,
And let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.
13 The princes of Zoan have become fools;
The princes of Nophb] are deceived;
They have also deluded Egypt,
Those who are the mainstay of its tribes.
14 The LORD has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst;
And they have caused Egypt to err in all her work,
As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
15 Neither will there be any work for Egypt,
Which the head or tail,
Palm branch or bulrush, may do.c]
16 In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid and fear because of the waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He waves over it. 17 And the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts which He has determined against it.
Egypt, Assyria, and Israel Blessed
18 In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the LORD of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction.d]
19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. 21 Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it. 22 And the LORD will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the LORD, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria ( Iraq)—a blessing in the midst of the land, 25 whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria( Iraq) the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 2-1-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this first day of February. It is snowing this morning, and heavy snow is also being forecast for tomorrow. All the schools around here (Binghamton, Vestal, U-E, M-E, etc.) are canceled for today, including my wife's school in Marathon. SNOW DAY! Janice called this morning from Boston, the new snow capitol of the North East, where the kids are still loving their winter activities. Spring has arrived in Orissa, India. The mango trees have started blossoming, along with cotton trees. The spring birds have started singing, praising the Lord for another season of spring. In the midst of global crisis and turmoil, the Lord is upon the throne and all is well. May Christ be praised.
When we look at the first miracle/ sign that our Lord performed according St. John, that is, turning water in to wine, we discover that our God is in the transformation business. When the water was turned to wine, the shame of the bridal family was turned to joy. The mood of the party was transformed. Even Jesus’ disciples were transformed. The Bible says, “He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
Here is what Jesus really came to do. He came to transform people. He filled the jars with his new wine. Wine is the symbol of God’s grace that comes into our lives undeserved, and transforms us from the inside out. He says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). There is no limit to his grace. What Jesus gives is never just enough, it is always more than enough, with plenty left over. He did not give just enough life and joy; he gave more than enough. Jesus is in the business of turning water into wine, sinners into saints, fear into courage, sorrow into joy, defeat into victory, despair into hope and death into life.
There were six stone water jars containing between 20 and 30 gallons apiece. So, at the very least, the jars contained 120 gallons of wine, and as much as 180 gallons. That is a lot of wine. There is no way the guests could have consumed that much wine. Yet Jesus gave so much wine because He is an extravagant giver. He never gives just "enough";He always gives superabundantly. What the guests had tasted cautiously before, they now drank in abundance. This is the same thing Jesus did when he fed the multitude. He multiplied five loaves and two fish so that 5,000 men and their families were fed, and when everyone had eaten their fill there were twelve baskets of bread and fish left over. He gave them more than they could possibly eat. That is the way God gives.
Paul experienced this kind of extravagant grace, evidenced as he said, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:13-14). Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). We may be poor according to this world’s standards, but we are rich in the things of the Kingdom of God. We may have nothing, but have everything. We have an extravagant God who lavishes us with his blessings. I like the way The Message translates Psalm 145:16, saying, “Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures.”
God’s grace means that He is generous to a fault. This means that you can ask Him for anything. The Bible says He gives “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). He loves to bless, or as the hymn says, “He comes to make his blessings flow.”
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-dYNttdgl0
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.
6:30 PM Worship Service
Worship Music by Laureen Naik,
Speakers:
Rev. Brown Naik, and the Rev Bill Turner
Praise the Lord for this first day of February. It is snowing this morning, and heavy snow is also being forecast for tomorrow. All the schools around here (Binghamton, Vestal, U-E, M-E, etc.) are canceled for today, including my wife's school in Marathon. SNOW DAY! Janice called this morning from Boston, the new snow capitol of the North East, where the kids are still loving their winter activities. Spring has arrived in Orissa, India. The mango trees have started blossoming, along with cotton trees. The spring birds have started singing, praising the Lord for another season of spring. In the midst of global crisis and turmoil, the Lord is upon the throne and all is well. May Christ be praised.
When we look at the first miracle/ sign that our Lord performed according St. John, that is, turning water in to wine, we discover that our God is in the transformation business. When the water was turned to wine, the shame of the bridal family was turned to joy. The mood of the party was transformed. Even Jesus’ disciples were transformed. The Bible says, “He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
Here is what Jesus really came to do. He came to transform people. He filled the jars with his new wine. Wine is the symbol of God’s grace that comes into our lives undeserved, and transforms us from the inside out. He says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). There is no limit to his grace. What Jesus gives is never just enough, it is always more than enough, with plenty left over. He did not give just enough life and joy; he gave more than enough. Jesus is in the business of turning water into wine, sinners into saints, fear into courage, sorrow into joy, defeat into victory, despair into hope and death into life.
There were six stone water jars containing between 20 and 30 gallons apiece. So, at the very least, the jars contained 120 gallons of wine, and as much as 180 gallons. That is a lot of wine. There is no way the guests could have consumed that much wine. Yet Jesus gave so much wine because He is an extravagant giver. He never gives just "enough";He always gives superabundantly. What the guests had tasted cautiously before, they now drank in abundance. This is the same thing Jesus did when he fed the multitude. He multiplied five loaves and two fish so that 5,000 men and their families were fed, and when everyone had eaten their fill there were twelve baskets of bread and fish left over. He gave them more than they could possibly eat. That is the way God gives.
Paul experienced this kind of extravagant grace, evidenced as he said, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:13-14). Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). We may be poor according to this world’s standards, but we are rich in the things of the Kingdom of God. We may have nothing, but have everything. We have an extravagant God who lavishes us with his blessings. I like the way The Message translates Psalm 145:16, saying, “Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures.”
God’s grace means that He is generous to a fault. This means that you can ask Him for anything. The Bible says He gives “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). He loves to bless, or as the hymn says, “He comes to make his blessings flow.”
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-dYNttdgl0
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.
6:30 PM Worship Service
Worship Music by Laureen Naik,
Speakers:
Rev. Brown Naik, and the Rev Bill Turner
Monday, January 31, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 1-31-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for all the days that the Lord gives us on earth to worship Him, to witness for Him, to serve Him, and to enjoy His grace in superabundance. Praise the Lord, for the He blesses us in our gatherings for worship. The Saturday Evening worship was great blessing. Our daughter Laureen, a gifted musician, led in the worship music. We are blessed to have both a grand piano and a grand organ at the First UMC. I was scheduled to preach at the Saturday evening service, but people began to give testimonies and praises spontaneously. I did not have any time for preaching. There was an altar call, and people came forward to be anointed with oil and to be prayed for. Jesus meets His people through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I preached from John 2 yesterday, deviating from the lectionary passage. My wife told me later, that I preach every year from John 2. In fact, I love to preach from John 2. The Gospel of John is full of symbolism and allegory. The story opens with the words: “On the third day. . . .” The story here is heavy with allegory in which John may have been alluding to Jesus’ resurrection after three days. John is preparing us for what he is building up to throughout his Gospel, that Jesus Christ would be buried, and on the third day he would show up, having risen from the dead. He would then make preparations for the great wedding feast of the Lamb of God, when he would gather together all who would be his guests into the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ first sign would point to his final sign by which he would show his glory.
After Jesus and his disciples arrived at the wedding, Jesus’ mother approached him and said, “They have no more wine.” Mary expected Him to do something wonderful. Thus, even over His reluctance to start His ministry before its time, she told the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”
Miracles can happen in any situation. Jesus cares about our everyday needs. Jesus’ mother knew that He cared about people. He still cares about all our needs, not just our spiritual needs. He cares about people being unnecessarily embarrassed. He cares about people enjoying themselves. I am certain that Jesus is the kind of guest you want at your party. He knows how to celebrate. In fact, in the New Testament, we often see him at parties to which he has been invited, and he is always the life of the party. He is always in the celebratory mood. His detractors called him a “glutton and drunkard” (Matthew 11:19). No one ever accused Jesus of promoting a dour, rigid, emotion-stifling religion — just the opposite is true.
Wherever Jesus went there was life and joy. He stated that His life mission was, as He said, that His joy might be in us and that our joy might be full (John 15:11). He has come to bring His joy, and there is joy everywhere in our world. He is the God of irrepressible joy, and He has come to share it. He offers the wine of joy to all those who are thirsty for life, for those who will come and drink. He takes care of our needs both great and small. There is nothing too ordinary to pray about. He is just as concerned about the little problems of life as the big problems. If He was a little god He would be able to take care of only the major things, but since He is the great God of the Universe, He is able to take care of all the things in our lives. He sees every sparrow each time it lands on the ground. He keeps track of the number of hairs on our heads. He calls the stars by name. He is a great God who is too big not to be concerned about the everyday things of our lives.
In Christ,
Brown
These daily devotions are posted at Brownnaik.blogspot.com... Thanks to Julie
and at unioncenterumc.com... Thanks to Kari
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtGVYaXU3tM
Praise the Lord for all the days that the Lord gives us on earth to worship Him, to witness for Him, to serve Him, and to enjoy His grace in superabundance. Praise the Lord, for the He blesses us in our gatherings for worship. The Saturday Evening worship was great blessing. Our daughter Laureen, a gifted musician, led in the worship music. We are blessed to have both a grand piano and a grand organ at the First UMC. I was scheduled to preach at the Saturday evening service, but people began to give testimonies and praises spontaneously. I did not have any time for preaching. There was an altar call, and people came forward to be anointed with oil and to be prayed for. Jesus meets His people through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I preached from John 2 yesterday, deviating from the lectionary passage. My wife told me later, that I preach every year from John 2. In fact, I love to preach from John 2. The Gospel of John is full of symbolism and allegory. The story opens with the words: “On the third day. . . .” The story here is heavy with allegory in which John may have been alluding to Jesus’ resurrection after three days. John is preparing us for what he is building up to throughout his Gospel, that Jesus Christ would be buried, and on the third day he would show up, having risen from the dead. He would then make preparations for the great wedding feast of the Lamb of God, when he would gather together all who would be his guests into the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ first sign would point to his final sign by which he would show his glory.
After Jesus and his disciples arrived at the wedding, Jesus’ mother approached him and said, “They have no more wine.” Mary expected Him to do something wonderful. Thus, even over His reluctance to start His ministry before its time, she told the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”
Miracles can happen in any situation. Jesus cares about our everyday needs. Jesus’ mother knew that He cared about people. He still cares about all our needs, not just our spiritual needs. He cares about people being unnecessarily embarrassed. He cares about people enjoying themselves. I am certain that Jesus is the kind of guest you want at your party. He knows how to celebrate. In fact, in the New Testament, we often see him at parties to which he has been invited, and he is always the life of the party. He is always in the celebratory mood. His detractors called him a “glutton and drunkard” (Matthew 11:19). No one ever accused Jesus of promoting a dour, rigid, emotion-stifling religion — just the opposite is true.
Wherever Jesus went there was life and joy. He stated that His life mission was, as He said, that His joy might be in us and that our joy might be full (John 15:11). He has come to bring His joy, and there is joy everywhere in our world. He is the God of irrepressible joy, and He has come to share it. He offers the wine of joy to all those who are thirsty for life, for those who will come and drink. He takes care of our needs both great and small. There is nothing too ordinary to pray about. He is just as concerned about the little problems of life as the big problems. If He was a little god He would be able to take care of only the major things, but since He is the great God of the Universe, He is able to take care of all the things in our lives. He sees every sparrow each time it lands on the ground. He keeps track of the number of hairs on our heads. He calls the stars by name. He is a great God who is too big not to be concerned about the everyday things of our lives.
In Christ,
Brown
These daily devotions are posted at Brownnaik.blogspot.com... Thanks to Julie
and at unioncenterumc.com... Thanks to Kari
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtGVYaXU3tM
Sunday, January 30, 2011
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