Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Last night was a cloudless night. The stars were shining brightly and glittering brilliantly. It is going to be brilliant day.
Please pray for our Friday Evening Television out reach this evening at 7 PM on Time Warner channel 4.
I will be conducting a service of death and resurrection tomorrow noon in Oneonta , New York.
We will gather for our Saturday Evening worship at 6.30 PM. Dr. James Geer PhD, will be portraying the life and witness of Simon Peter during the worship hour Saturday Evening. There will be March Madness banquet at 5 PM prior to the worship hour. All this will take place at the First United Methodist Church, Endicott. We will meet for worship on Sunday, at 8:30 and 11:00 AM at the Union Center UMC and at 9:30 AM at the Wesley UMC.
Jesus, our Lord, talked about the beautiful and blessed life. He declared with great audacity, “Blessed are the poor... the mournful... the meek... the hungry... the merciful... the pure... the peacemakers... and the persecuted.” It sounds foolish on the surface. The Bible indicates this when it says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
The kingdom of God is in opposition to the kingdom of the world. It contradicts the world and its values. It surprises the world and mocks its power. Though the kingdom of God appears weak, Its weakness is overcoming the world. The powerful destroy their enemies and kings control those under them. God does neither. The kingdom of the world demands proof, but God invites us into a life of faith. The kingdom of the world wants to be in charge, the kingdom of God offers life through letting go of control. The world says, “Never forgive,” and the kingdom of God calls us to always forgive. The world tells us to destroy our enemies, the kingdom of God tells us to love our enemies. What could seem to be weaker? What could be more powerful? The Bible says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).
When our Lord began his ministry He spoke in often confusing parables. It was not to the "movers and shakers "of society that He came; it was to those who were shaken out and moved out — the nobodies of the culture. He seemed to love being around people that no one else had any use for: lepers, hookers, IRS agents.
In the end, Jesus went to the cross with a sense of triumph. It was in the weak submissive act of Jesus dying that a Roman soldier was able to say, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). Without the agonizing death, there would be no resurrection. The world says, “Do what you have to do to get ahead.” Jesus said, “Follow me, regardless of the consequences.” The world says, “Defeat your enemy, crush them.” Jesus said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic” (Luke 6:27-29). Weakness — and how we hate it! But in our weakness we become partners with God in his weakness, and his weakness becomes strength, humiliation is followed by exaltation, and death is swallowed up by life. The Bible says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).
The kingdom of God is weakness to the world and is mocked by it, but it is a weakness that overcomes the power of the world. The Bible says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Our daughter Sunita lived in Africa. She loves the people of Africa. She is inspired by the faith and the faithfulness of Christians of Africa. For some time she lived in Rwanda. April 6, 1994 marked the beginning of dark and infamous days for Rwanda, a small country in central Africa. For the next hundred days, up to 800,000 Tutsis were killed by Hutu militia — mostly using clubs and machetes. It was a genocide of monumental proportions, as the rest of the world looked on in silence. A young Christian named Benyoni lived in this world of hate His name meant “Little Bird” because he was so musical. He graduated with honors and became a school principal. But educated people were suspect and routinely executed in Rwanda. Sometimes just wearing a tie could get you killed. Benyoni was at school with eleven of his friends who were teachers when one day soldiers came and took Benyoni and the teachers out of the school. As they stood together Benyoni asked the soldiers if he could pray for them. He prayed for his friends and for their families, but he spent the most time praying for the soldiers who had come to kill them. Benyoni’s friends were encouraged and were expecting a miracle as a result of his prayer. The soldiers considered freeing them, but they had their orders and knew they would pay with their lives for failing in their mission. They continued their march outside the town, and when they stopped, Benyoni asked the soldiers if he could sing for them. He began to sing a hymn you may know:
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come; Jesus I come.
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
All the young men began to sing with him. You may remember the last verse of that great hymn:
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
When the last note was sung, the soldiers raised their rifles and shot all of them to death.
You may wonder how the story got out since all of them were killed. Those soldiers went out to get as drunk as they could get that night — all except one. He sought out an old Quaker missionary he had met. He asked her, “What kind of God do you serve who could give his followers such courage and joy in the face of death?” She led him to Christ, and soon he was telling anyone who would listen about Jesus and starting Bible studies. It was not long until militia shot him as well.
We might ask who were the weak and who were the strong in that story. The Bible speaks of those, “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength... Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated — the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:33-34, 36-38).
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irUzutYx5r0
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquel and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 3-24-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this morning after the Spring snow storm here in New York. It will be a calm day after the storm yesterday. Thank you Jesus. There is a struggle for freedom that is taking place today that affects the lives of every man, woman, boy, and girl. There is a cry for freedom that rings out from the human heart all across the planet. When we carefully watch the news telecast 24/ 7 and listen quietly then we can hear the cry coming from Egypt, Lybia, Syria and all the Middle Eastern countries. We all know that freedom comes with a great price. Our freedom does not come cheaply. Our liberation does not come by means of human effort. Our freedom is not to be taken lightly for it comes at the highest cost the world has ever known – the sacrifice of God’s own Son. We cannot, will not, nor has anyone ever won his or her own freedom. Our freedom was won at the greatest cost, but it cannot be bought or negotiated. It comes as a free gift from the gracious and Sovereign hand of Almighty God.
It is written,"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
This message of freedom has revolutionized the lives of men and women throughout history. It has led to the revolution of entire societies, sparked the Protestant Reformation, and lit the fires of revival around the world throughout history. Galatians was Martin Luther’s charter of liberty during the Reformation. Luther’s writings, in turn, brought the truth of salvation by faith to John Wesley’s heart in that little meeting at Aldersgate Street in London on May 24, 1738. It was Wesley whom God used in such a remarkable way to spearhead revival in the British Isles, leading eventually to the founding of the Methodist Church. That revival positively affected the entire English-speaking world. Our sufficiency is found in Christ alone! Our salvation is found in Christ alone! Our redemption, justification, sanctification, and freedom are found in no other place than Christ, and Christ alone!
The Scottish minister, P.T. Forsythe, said, "The secret of the Lord is with those who have been broken by his cross and healed by his Spirit." The book of Galatians shines a spotlight on two essential truths: the cross of Christ as the only way a person can get right with God, and the Spirit of Christ as the only way a person can walk with God. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
The great theme of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is freedom and liberty found in Christ alone! Paul, and all those who desire to come to God, must first die to themselves so that the glorious Savior can resurrect us to the newness of life found in Christ alone. The life we live after coming to Christ is not lived by human effort or self-righteousness, but by faith alone in the sufficiency of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgIfhSlm4_E
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquel and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
Praise the Lord for this morning after the Spring snow storm here in New York. It will be a calm day after the storm yesterday. Thank you Jesus. There is a struggle for freedom that is taking place today that affects the lives of every man, woman, boy, and girl. There is a cry for freedom that rings out from the human heart all across the planet. When we carefully watch the news telecast 24/ 7 and listen quietly then we can hear the cry coming from Egypt, Lybia, Syria and all the Middle Eastern countries. We all know that freedom comes with a great price. Our freedom does not come cheaply. Our liberation does not come by means of human effort. Our freedom is not to be taken lightly for it comes at the highest cost the world has ever known – the sacrifice of God’s own Son. We cannot, will not, nor has anyone ever won his or her own freedom. Our freedom was won at the greatest cost, but it cannot be bought or negotiated. It comes as a free gift from the gracious and Sovereign hand of Almighty God.
It is written,"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
This message of freedom has revolutionized the lives of men and women throughout history. It has led to the revolution of entire societies, sparked the Protestant Reformation, and lit the fires of revival around the world throughout history. Galatians was Martin Luther’s charter of liberty during the Reformation. Luther’s writings, in turn, brought the truth of salvation by faith to John Wesley’s heart in that little meeting at Aldersgate Street in London on May 24, 1738. It was Wesley whom God used in such a remarkable way to spearhead revival in the British Isles, leading eventually to the founding of the Methodist Church. That revival positively affected the entire English-speaking world. Our sufficiency is found in Christ alone! Our salvation is found in Christ alone! Our redemption, justification, sanctification, and freedom are found in no other place than Christ, and Christ alone!
The Scottish minister, P.T. Forsythe, said, "The secret of the Lord is with those who have been broken by his cross and healed by his Spirit." The book of Galatians shines a spotlight on two essential truths: the cross of Christ as the only way a person can get right with God, and the Spirit of Christ as the only way a person can walk with God. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
The great theme of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is freedom and liberty found in Christ alone! Paul, and all those who desire to come to God, must first die to themselves so that the glorious Savior can resurrect us to the newness of life found in Christ alone. The life we live after coming to Christ is not lived by human effort or self-righteousness, but by faith alone in the sufficiency of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgIfhSlm4_E
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquel and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 3/23/11
Praise the Lord or this new day. Since most of the Southern Tier of New York is under a winter storm warning until tomorrow morning, we will not be gathering for our Mid-week service this evening. All of the local schools in Broome County are closed today, as are many in Cortland and Chenango Counties. It came as a surprise since so many snow days have already been taken by the districts this year. Due to the snow event, the choir will not meet either.
The Epistle reading for last Sunday was taken from Romans 4. Up until this point in Paul’s letter to the Roman Church, Paul had stressed faith as the way -- the only way -- to salvation. To counter any arguments from Jewish Christians in the congregation, Paul used the example of Abraham as one who was made right with God -- justified -- by faith.
The word “faith” as Paul uses it in the Greek language is pis tis, and means a conviction in the truthfulness of God. Greek was a primary language which Paul used and the language in which the epistle to the Roman church was written. This is the kind of faith Abraham had, a conviction in the truthfulness of God. This faith - this conviction - is what God recognized when he, “credited his faith to him as righteousness.”
Everyone has faith in something or in somebody. Even a lack of faith denotes a kind of faith. In the Communicator’s Commentary, written by Dr. Stuart Briscoe, he writes, “The object of faith is what really matters, more than anything else. Some people who had strong faith in thin ice never lived to tell the tale but died by faith. Others who had weak faith in thick ice were as safe as if they stood on concrete.” In whom do we have faith? If we are Christians then we have faith in the Almighty God, the God of Heaven and Earth, who spoke the universe and this earth into being. Whether we have faith is not the question. The question really should be, “In whom do have faith?” Abraham is representative of those who believe in God.
Abraham who first believed God by faith or at least the first to have has faith in God credited as righteousness. God made an audacious promise to Abraham out of sheer grace and love, when He said, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Gen. 12:2,3.
Scripture continues with an account of great faith: “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him ...” What great faith Abram had! He left behind all those who were important to him, except his nephew and his wife. This 75-year-old man picked up, packed up, and followed God. Just a few verses later we find Abram in the land of the Canaanites. There a something remarkable occurred and perhaps this is why Abram believed, why Abram had faith. “The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’” Abram saw the Lord. We might be bold enough to say, “If I saw the Lord, I’d have faith like Abram’s too.” Let us remember, however, what our Lord Jesus told Thomas, the doubter, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.” John. 20:29 There is no doubt that Abram followed God by faith. By promise and by vision Abram listened, watched, and prayed and through his senses he found faith. He used his eyes, his ears, and his heart to find faith in God’s promises. Faith is not blind faith. Faith, the kind of faith that Abraham possessed, was intelligent faith. Abraham knew in whom he put his trust. “ ... in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”
Abraham knew in whom he believed. He had the faith to believe in a God powerful enough to make something out of nothing, to create the father of all nations, of all peoples who by faith believe. Moreover, he made him from a 75-year-old man and a barren wife. Abraham knew when God called him that the natural chances of his ever becoming a biological father were very slim, at best, but he trusted that the God who told him he would be a father was not lying. He trusted
God.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUf5v0VySw0
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquale and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
The Epistle reading for last Sunday was taken from Romans 4. Up until this point in Paul’s letter to the Roman Church, Paul had stressed faith as the way -- the only way -- to salvation. To counter any arguments from Jewish Christians in the congregation, Paul used the example of Abraham as one who was made right with God -- justified -- by faith.
The word “faith” as Paul uses it in the Greek language is pis tis, and means a conviction in the truthfulness of God. Greek was a primary language which Paul used and the language in which the epistle to the Roman church was written. This is the kind of faith Abraham had, a conviction in the truthfulness of God. This faith - this conviction - is what God recognized when he, “credited his faith to him as righteousness.”
Everyone has faith in something or in somebody. Even a lack of faith denotes a kind of faith. In the Communicator’s Commentary, written by Dr. Stuart Briscoe, he writes, “The object of faith is what really matters, more than anything else. Some people who had strong faith in thin ice never lived to tell the tale but died by faith. Others who had weak faith in thick ice were as safe as if they stood on concrete.” In whom do we have faith? If we are Christians then we have faith in the Almighty God, the God of Heaven and Earth, who spoke the universe and this earth into being. Whether we have faith is not the question. The question really should be, “In whom do have faith?” Abraham is representative of those who believe in God.
Abraham who first believed God by faith or at least the first to have has faith in God credited as righteousness. God made an audacious promise to Abraham out of sheer grace and love, when He said, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Gen. 12:2,3.
Scripture continues with an account of great faith: “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him ...” What great faith Abram had! He left behind all those who were important to him, except his nephew and his wife. This 75-year-old man picked up, packed up, and followed God. Just a few verses later we find Abram in the land of the Canaanites. There a something remarkable occurred and perhaps this is why Abram believed, why Abram had faith. “The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’” Abram saw the Lord. We might be bold enough to say, “If I saw the Lord, I’d have faith like Abram’s too.” Let us remember, however, what our Lord Jesus told Thomas, the doubter, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.” John. 20:29 There is no doubt that Abram followed God by faith. By promise and by vision Abram listened, watched, and prayed and through his senses he found faith. He used his eyes, his ears, and his heart to find faith in God’s promises. Faith is not blind faith. Faith, the kind of faith that Abraham possessed, was intelligent faith. Abraham knew in whom he put his trust. “ ... in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”
Abraham knew in whom he believed. He had the faith to believe in a God powerful enough to make something out of nothing, to create the father of all nations, of all peoples who by faith believe. Moreover, he made him from a 75-year-old man and a barren wife. Abraham knew when God called him that the natural chances of his ever becoming a biological father were very slim, at best, but he trusted that the God who told him he would be a father was not lying. He trusted
God.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUf5v0VySw0
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquale and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Brown's daily word 3-22-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for the season of spring. Praise the Lord for the way our Lord decorates the earth with His beauty in all seasons. He is the Lord in every season and He is the Lord of all seasons. I left home of my birth at an very early age to go to school, and later go to college, then graduate school, and eventually to travel to the States. Whenever I left home, Psalm 121 was read over me and I was prayed over. Psalm 121 was part of the readings for last Sunday. Today many people continue to recite Psalm 121 at the beginning of a journey. It has been called the “Traveler’s Psalm” because it is an affirmation of God’s powerful and providential protection.
Someone once commented, “I only pray when I’m in trouble…but I’m in trouble all the time, and so I pray all the time.” Where do we turn when we’re in trouble, when life hits us hard? Where does our help come from? There have been times in our lives when we could look back at a particular event or instance and say, “If it were not for God’s protection, I surely would have been killed.” What sustains us in our darkest hours? The reassurance of Psalm 121 brings us from fear to faith.
Many people have been blindsided by the beauty of an opening statement, only to have misunderstood the author’s intent. We picture someone being inspired by a mountain range, finding strength in the rugged, hilly landscape. Part of the problem is the King James rendering: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Yet the hills are exactly where the psalmist does NOT find strength. He looks higher than the hills. The NIV correctly puts it in the form of a question, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?” - Then he gives the answer: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” One name for God is El-Shaddai, “the most high God”. He is above all others; He is our “higher power”.
Back in Bible times, as in India even today, pagan shrines were built on hilltops, called “high places”; groves of trees were planted and people were lured to these places by the false promise of spells, magic, and the immoral practices of cultic prostitution. There is no help or protection from Baal or Asherah, or any other false gods. Don’t look to the hills for your salvation — accept no substitutes.
Heathen/Gentile nations worshipped and feared the sun and the moon, and people today continue to trust in the stars (astrology/horoscopes). The psalmist looks beyond the hills, beyond the sun, moon, and stars to the One who stood on the edge of nothing and spoke the universe into existence, the Creator of the sun, the moon, the stars, and all that is. We are assured in the psalm that “the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night” (vs 4).
Wicca, Native American, and New Age religions continue to worship nature instead of its Creator. The prophet Jeremiah declared, “Truly the hills are a delusion—the idolatrous commotion on the mountains” (3:23). Jesus assures us, “I am with you always.” We don’t need any “supplemental help” from the sun or the moon.
We may not be worshipping nature or bowing down to idols, yet we are still susceptible to idolatry, which is trusting in anything other than God. An idol is anything we love, rely on, and obey more than God. Our help is heavenward, not earthbound. We cry out for help, and our help comes “from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (vs 2). To look anywhere else ends in futility and disappointment. Vs 3 declares that God “will not let your foot slip.” We find our source of security in God alone. Psalm 121 helps us to meet straight-on the issue of how to deal with fears and insecurities in a dangerous world. When the Israelites made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem their homes were unprotected. However, we are assured in vs 3 that God “will not slumber nor sleep”. He watches over us every step of the way. He is with us. Soldiers can rest from battle because guards are placed along the perimeter. In the same way, we are garrisoned by the eyes of God’s Providence night and day.
Verse 5 says that God is our “shade”. The desert is an unforgiving place; the sun burns and the unrelenting heat can sap our strength. In the Middle East it can get up to 120 degrees in the Summer months. Soldiers assigned there complain of boots and tires melting and the tarmac turning to mush. Heat injuries are a common threat. Yet God shades us, the shadow of His protection covers us.
Next, Psalm 121 tells us that the moon will not harm us by night. Over the centuries many people have feared the power of the moon to affect their minds. People still say all sorts of craziness can happen during a full moon. Being “moonstruck” is to become unstable, to lose one’s reason. The word “lunacy” comes from the word Luna, another name for the moon. If we walk with God, He will guard and renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2). He changes us from the inside-out.
Verse 7 says that God will keep us from “harm”. This could be translated “evil” (RSV). The Christian life is not a quiet escape to a garden where we can walk and talk with our Lord; it’s finding strength in the midst of trying circumstances in a difficult world. Phillips Brooks, renowned pastor of Boston’s Trinity Church, stated, “Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUf5v0VySw0
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquale and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
Praise the Lord for the season of spring. Praise the Lord for the way our Lord decorates the earth with His beauty in all seasons. He is the Lord in every season and He is the Lord of all seasons. I left home of my birth at an very early age to go to school, and later go to college, then graduate school, and eventually to travel to the States. Whenever I left home, Psalm 121 was read over me and I was prayed over. Psalm 121 was part of the readings for last Sunday. Today many people continue to recite Psalm 121 at the beginning of a journey. It has been called the “Traveler’s Psalm” because it is an affirmation of God’s powerful and providential protection.
Someone once commented, “I only pray when I’m in trouble…but I’m in trouble all the time, and so I pray all the time.” Where do we turn when we’re in trouble, when life hits us hard? Where does our help come from? There have been times in our lives when we could look back at a particular event or instance and say, “If it were not for God’s protection, I surely would have been killed.” What sustains us in our darkest hours? The reassurance of Psalm 121 brings us from fear to faith.
Many people have been blindsided by the beauty of an opening statement, only to have misunderstood the author’s intent. We picture someone being inspired by a mountain range, finding strength in the rugged, hilly landscape. Part of the problem is the King James rendering: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Yet the hills are exactly where the psalmist does NOT find strength. He looks higher than the hills. The NIV correctly puts it in the form of a question, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?” - Then he gives the answer: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” One name for God is El-Shaddai, “the most high God”. He is above all others; He is our “higher power”.
Back in Bible times, as in India even today, pagan shrines were built on hilltops, called “high places”; groves of trees were planted and people were lured to these places by the false promise of spells, magic, and the immoral practices of cultic prostitution. There is no help or protection from Baal or Asherah, or any other false gods. Don’t look to the hills for your salvation — accept no substitutes.
Heathen/Gentile nations worshipped and feared the sun and the moon, and people today continue to trust in the stars (astrology/horoscopes). The psalmist looks beyond the hills, beyond the sun, moon, and stars to the One who stood on the edge of nothing and spoke the universe into existence, the Creator of the sun, the moon, the stars, and all that is. We are assured in the psalm that “the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night” (vs 4).
Wicca, Native American, and New Age religions continue to worship nature instead of its Creator. The prophet Jeremiah declared, “Truly the hills are a delusion—the idolatrous commotion on the mountains” (3:23). Jesus assures us, “I am with you always.” We don’t need any “supplemental help” from the sun or the moon.
We may not be worshipping nature or bowing down to idols, yet we are still susceptible to idolatry, which is trusting in anything other than God. An idol is anything we love, rely on, and obey more than God. Our help is heavenward, not earthbound. We cry out for help, and our help comes “from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (vs 2). To look anywhere else ends in futility and disappointment. Vs 3 declares that God “will not let your foot slip.” We find our source of security in God alone. Psalm 121 helps us to meet straight-on the issue of how to deal with fears and insecurities in a dangerous world. When the Israelites made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem their homes were unprotected. However, we are assured in vs 3 that God “will not slumber nor sleep”. He watches over us every step of the way. He is with us. Soldiers can rest from battle because guards are placed along the perimeter. In the same way, we are garrisoned by the eyes of God’s Providence night and day.
Verse 5 says that God is our “shade”. The desert is an unforgiving place; the sun burns and the unrelenting heat can sap our strength. In the Middle East it can get up to 120 degrees in the Summer months. Soldiers assigned there complain of boots and tires melting and the tarmac turning to mush. Heat injuries are a common threat. Yet God shades us, the shadow of His protection covers us.
Next, Psalm 121 tells us that the moon will not harm us by night. Over the centuries many people have feared the power of the moon to affect their minds. People still say all sorts of craziness can happen during a full moon. Being “moonstruck” is to become unstable, to lose one’s reason. The word “lunacy” comes from the word Luna, another name for the moon. If we walk with God, He will guard and renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2). He changes us from the inside-out.
Verse 7 says that God will keep us from “harm”. This could be translated “evil” (RSV). The Christian life is not a quiet escape to a garden where we can walk and talk with our Lord; it’s finding strength in the midst of trying circumstances in a difficult world. Phillips Brooks, renowned pastor of Boston’s Trinity Church, stated, “Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUf5v0VySw0
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquale and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
Monday, March 21, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 3-21-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for the gift of this new day. The Lord blessed us with a full and blessed weekend.
One of our ministry teams prepared a special meal and shared with the needy amongst us and around us this past Saturday noon at the First United Methodist Church. It is a blessing to come alongside those are need , those who are poor, and those who are very special to Jesus our Lord. We also gathered for Saturday evening worship at the First UMC. There were some who came for the meal Saturday noon who also joined us for Evening worship. They were a part of the Christian Motorcycle Club. They also brought special music for the evening worship.
It was great blessing to be in the House of the Lord yesterday, the Day of the Lord. We also gathered for an Indian buffet following the morning worship services. The Gospel reading for yesterday was taken from John 3. This the first "Nick at night" episode, where Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He is the patron saint of those modern day seekers. Jesus makes a special time in the night even for one solitary person. He engages in Holy Conversation on New birth, the eternal, and Everlasting life. This portion of the Scripture contains the Golden Verse of the Bible, John 3:16.
Martin Luther called John 3:16 the miniature gospel. It has been called the
gospel in a nutshell. It has also been called a love letter from God written in blood and addressed to all. Some have divided the verse into parts such as
God’s Grace - For God so loved the world
God’s Gift - That he gave his only begotten Son
God’s Gospel - That whosoever believeth in him...
God’s Glory - But have everlasting life.
Another way to look at this verse follows
1. God - The greatest lover of all mankind since His creation.
2. So Loved - The Lord loves us in the greatest degree.
3. The World - The greatest audience.
4. That He gave - The greatest act in history occurred when the Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to be a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
5. His only begotten Son - The greatest gift. 6. That whoever - The greatest opportunity.
7. Believes - The greatest simple act to gain eternal life and forgiveness and deliverance from the penalty of our sins - hell, eternal separation from God and judgment. Only believe.
8. In Him - The greatest attraction - So many things allure people through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, but these are not of the Father, but are of the world. (I John 2:15,16)
9. Should not perish - The greatest promise - Only Jesus Christ can offer assurance of salvation for those who place their faith in Him and ask Him to come into their life as Savior and Lord. When Christ assures you of deliverance from hell and misery He always delivers regardless of your background or problems.
10. But - The greatest difference - IN contrast to those who will perish, those who trust Christ for their eternal deliverance will live in eternity in heaven where all tears and sorrow will be wiped away and gladness and joy and praise of God will fill us with everlasting joy.
11. Have - The greatest certainty - You can be sure that whoever has the Son has eternal life and even though you may walk through the valleys of the shadow of death you will never have to fear evil because He is with you - comforting, protecting and guiding you all the way to heaven.
12. Eternal Life - The greatest possession
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD7H6_AnlwU
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquale and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
Praise the Lord for the gift of this new day. The Lord blessed us with a full and blessed weekend.
One of our ministry teams prepared a special meal and shared with the needy amongst us and around us this past Saturday noon at the First United Methodist Church. It is a blessing to come alongside those are need , those who are poor, and those who are very special to Jesus our Lord. We also gathered for Saturday evening worship at the First UMC. There were some who came for the meal Saturday noon who also joined us for Evening worship. They were a part of the Christian Motorcycle Club. They also brought special music for the evening worship.
It was great blessing to be in the House of the Lord yesterday, the Day of the Lord. We also gathered for an Indian buffet following the morning worship services. The Gospel reading for yesterday was taken from John 3. This the first "Nick at night" episode, where Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He is the patron saint of those modern day seekers. Jesus makes a special time in the night even for one solitary person. He engages in Holy Conversation on New birth, the eternal, and Everlasting life. This portion of the Scripture contains the Golden Verse of the Bible, John 3:16.
Martin Luther called John 3:16 the miniature gospel. It has been called the
gospel in a nutshell. It has also been called a love letter from God written in blood and addressed to all. Some have divided the verse into parts such as
God’s Grace - For God so loved the world
God’s Gift - That he gave his only begotten Son
God’s Gospel - That whosoever believeth in him...
God’s Glory - But have everlasting life.
Another way to look at this verse follows
1. God - The greatest lover of all mankind since His creation.
2. So Loved - The Lord loves us in the greatest degree.
3. The World - The greatest audience.
4. That He gave - The greatest act in history occurred when the Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to be a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
5. His only begotten Son - The greatest gift. 6. That whoever - The greatest opportunity.
7. Believes - The greatest simple act to gain eternal life and forgiveness and deliverance from the penalty of our sins - hell, eternal separation from God and judgment. Only believe.
8. In Him - The greatest attraction - So many things allure people through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, but these are not of the Father, but are of the world. (I John 2:15,16)
9. Should not perish - The greatest promise - Only Jesus Christ can offer assurance of salvation for those who place their faith in Him and ask Him to come into their life as Savior and Lord. When Christ assures you of deliverance from hell and misery He always delivers regardless of your background or problems.
10. But - The greatest difference - IN contrast to those who will perish, those who trust Christ for their eternal deliverance will live in eternity in heaven where all tears and sorrow will be wiped away and gladness and joy and praise of God will fill us with everlasting joy.
11. Have - The greatest certainty - You can be sure that whoever has the Son has eternal life and even though you may walk through the valleys of the shadow of death you will never have to fear evil because He is with you - comforting, protecting and guiding you all the way to heaven.
12. Eternal Life - The greatest possession
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD7H6_AnlwU
Simon Peter
A special evening worship is coming to First United Methodist Church this Saturday evening, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing in a special kind of worship experience with the presentation of the dramatic monologue, "Simon Peter". This presentation provides us with a worship experience through sacred drama and music by sharing a part of this disciple's life with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his monologue, Peter shares with us some of the joys and conflicts of knowing Christ as a brother, of walking and talking with Him, and of experiencing the power of His Spirit. As we listen to him we, too, can share in his agony in denial and then in his tremendous victory through forgiveness. This beautiful and inspiring dramatic monologue will be presented by Dr. James Geer, PhD, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Binghamton University.
There will also be a meal at 5 PM preceding the presentation of "Simon Peter". The meal will be prepared by Lou Pasquale and Rodney Haines.
Please plan to attend, and invite a friend or two to come as well! .
For Information call: 607-748-6329
607-748-1358
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