Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this Friday. It is 11/11/11. We will not pass this way again. May the Lord bless us in every way to redeem the time we have upon the earth.
We tend to underestimate the smaller things in life. Jesus drew the attention of His listeners and even to His disciples to a poor widow whose meager offering was all she had. He held her up as an example to his listeners. Those were difficult words for them to hear. They knew a widow's economic standing was barely above that of a slave. Widows received charity; they were allowed to glean after the reapers had finished a field. They were also routinely swindled by the more powerful. Far from having a big name, this woman's name wasn't even known.
First of all, this story forces us to recognize that our temptation is to stand with the powerful. It is relatively easy to hear this story from the standpoint of those who stood besides Jesus. They looked at the widow, perhaps praising her for her generosity, but kept them at a safe distance. They were on the other side, looking down. They probably exhorted one another to be more generous in their contributions to the temple based on this woman's gift. They may also have felt good about their own level of giving, which was considerable more than the widow's. They may even have resolved to do something about the widow's plight.
However noble their intentions may have been, they could have done or thought all these things without changing their self-understanding and the protection of their own interests. Did they allow the woman, or the situation, or their master's words to speak to their heart and invite them to change? Our human tendency is to fail to hear that which we do not want to hear. Our temptation, as human beings, is to stand with the powerful, but our challenge is to stand with
the widow.
The crux of the issue is that, in God's economy, the widow was more powerful in her weakness and poverty than all the others were in their strength and wealth. In contrast to those who watched the scene and gave out of their abundance, relying on themselves, the widow gave all she had, knowing that God would provide, and that her only hope was in God's mercy. This woman committed all that she had to divine keeping.
This widow did not stand alone in her faith. In I Kings 17 we read the story of another woman who gave her all into divine keeping. She and her son had no food and no money. All she had was a handful of flour and a little oil in a jar. She was going to make a small loaf for herself and her son to share, and then expected both to die of starvation. The prophet of God (Elijah) came and asked her to make him a loaf first and then one for herself and her son. Despite the fact that she barely had enough for two, she obeyed, and in the end, her oil and flour did not run out until the famine that had pervaded the land ended.
There is also the familiar story of the small boy who gave his 5 loaves and 2 fish to Jesus and the miracle of feeding of 5000 that Jesus performed with it. It is truly amazing what God can do with what we have once we give it to Him, no matter how little or insignificant it may seem to. God multiplies back to us what we give to Him or commit to His care. More often than not, it is the tendency of humanity to be like squirrels and "save up for the winter", so to speak. However, when our meager resources are at an end we find that our Father's full giving begins.
The same principal applies to all areas of our life: God calls us to give our all -our time, our talents, our resources, our self. Until we give all to Christ, we rely on self. All of our delusions of prestige and self-sufficiency may blind us to what God has for us until we reach the point where, as the hymn says, "all other helpers fail and comforts flee." Then we know that our help is in the Lord.
Standing with the widow means coming to the realization of our own neediness. and acting upon it, abandoning self-protective strategies in favor of a radical obedience that follows Christ's example. It also means doing so with humility and thanksgiving, trusting in the Lord's purpose and promise rather that human gain.
What step of obedience is God calling us to today? Remember the widow's mite - the widow's might is the providence and love of almighty God. That is where our might is, also. Let us stand together with the widow in giving our all to God and following through with radical obedience, knowing we are held in His love.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday , November 12, 2011
Harvest Banquet: Traditional Turkey dinner with Home Made pies, Home Made cooking, "best in the Country". Donation $7.00
Serving at 12 noon
At Wesley United Methodist Church.
1000 Day Hollow Road, Endicott, NY 13760
Come Share Rejoice
For Information: 607-748-6329
Saturday , November 12.2011
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church , Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering- Coffeee- Fellowship
6.30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Rev. Brown Naik
NYC RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL CHRISTMAS SHOW
Dec. 6th is our planned trip to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas show. We need to confirm the bus and show tickets so must have all reservations and money into the office by Thursday, Nov. 10. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity, a bargain at $90 for transportation and the show. Call 748-6329 for more information or to confirm your reservation.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 11-10-11
Good morning,
The Lord blessed us with an Indian Summer day yesterday. He blessed us with a beautiful Wednesday Evening gathering. Alice and I walked for almost four miles last night . It was once again a moonlit night studded with countless stars. Somebody shared in the Wednesday evening gathering that the brilliant planet appearing close to the Moon is Jupiter. Tonight is the night of the Full Moon. It is a Harvest Moon. Wherever you might be across the beautiful world our Lord has made you take time to gaze at the full moon and exclaim, "O Lord our Lord how excellent your name in all the earth". Praise the Lord for the way He calls us out of the world to be His disciples and He sends us in to the world to be His ambassadors.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer -wrote in his book, "The Cost of Discipleship", "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. These words are both powerful and challenging. When we come to Christ and surrender our lives to Him, we die to self and become alive to Jesus and live in Him alone. One of the most important marks of discipleship is that a disciple points people to Christ, or in other words, brings others to Jesus. In fact, the mission of the United Methodist Church is a simplified version of Jesus’ great commission: “to make disciples for Jesus Christ”, which simply means, we are here to do as John the Baptist, did, point others of the lamb of God, and to do as Andrew did, bring others to Jesus as it is recorded in John 1.
Andrew was Jesus’ first disciple. He was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee who lived in the village of Bethsaida. If we think about Andrew, we realize he is sometimes overlooked. He did not write a gospel and none of any sermons he might have given or letters he might have written survived. We know of no miracles attributed to him. But Andrew had the gift of bringing others to meet Jesus. He was the first evangelist. We have three accounts in John’s gospel of Andrew’s bringing others to Jesus. In John 1, we have the story of Andrew’s introducing his brother Simon to Christ. Sometimes it is hard to witness to our own family members, since they know us so well. We are afraid they won’t listen to us - which often is true. But Andrew had no qualms about it. He ran and brought his brother to Jesus. What an impact this one faithful act of discipleship had on the world.
Andrew was Jesus’ first disciple. He was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee who lived in the village of Bethsaida. If we think about Andrew, we realize he is sometimes overlooked. He did not write a gospel and none of any sermons he might have given or letters he might have written survived. We know of no miracles attributed to him. But Andrew had the gift of bringing others to meet Jesus. He was the first evangelist. We have three accounts in John’s gospel of Andrew’s bringing others to Jesus. In John 1, we have the story of Andrew’s introducing his brother Simon to Christ. Sometimes it is hard to witness to our own family members, since they know us so well. We are afraid they won’t listen to us - which often is true. But Andrew had no qualms about it. He ran and brought his brother to Jesus. What an impact this one faithful act of discipleship had on the world.
Jesus gave Simon the nick name Cephas, which is Aramaic for Peter, which means “rock”. Simon Peter became the chief of Jesus’ apostles. We think of Peter, for all his faults, as a spiritual giant. He was himself a powerful witness to Christ - On Pentecost, Peter preached and 3000 people believed on Christ. All of this took place because one ordinary man, Andrew, was faithful in bringing others to Jesus. Many shrink from even the word "evangelism". We often hesitate to share our faith with our friends and family - we don’t want to seem like religious fanatics. Too often we don’t invite people to church, even offering to bring them with us because we don’t want to bother them or don’t want to seem pushy. What if Andrew had felt like that? Think of what the Christian world would have lost, how many lives would not have been touched for Christ if Andrew had been worried about his brother thinking he’d lost it, or about being too pushy - if he had not brought his brother to Jesus? Because of Andrew’s faithfulness to God, many untold lives were touched. It became a ripple effect.
The second time we find Andrew bringing someone to Jesus in John’s gospel illustrates this ripple like effect of our faithfulness. In John 6 we have the account of Jesus’ teaching and feeding the crowd of 5000. When it was getting late and the disciples were thinking it’s time to send these folks home to eat - we can’t afford to feed them, and besides, it would take too long to go to town to buy the food anyway, it was Andrew who brought the lad with his lunch of 5 barely loaves and two fish to Jesus who multiplied them and fed his 5000 hungry listeners. Jesus’ power was shown and thousands were fed because Andrew was faithful and brought the boy to Jesus, despite the seemingly impossibility of feeding that many people with that little lunch. He believed and trusted, and then watched Jesus perform the impossible. It can be that way in our lives as well. You never know what God will do with whatever we give him, no matter how small, we never know how God will use those we bring to him - or use those who come to Christ or make a commitment to Christ or enter various ministries because of our influence.
The second time we find Andrew bringing someone to Jesus in John’s gospel illustrates this ripple like effect of our faithfulness. In John 6 we have the account of Jesus’ teaching and feeding the crowd of 5000. When it was getting late and the disciples were thinking it’s time to send these folks home to eat - we can’t afford to feed them, and besides, it would take too long to go to town to buy the food anyway, it was Andrew who brought the lad with his lunch of 5 barely loaves and two fish to Jesus who multiplied them and fed his 5000 hungry listeners. Jesus’ power was shown and thousands were fed because Andrew was faithful and brought the boy to Jesus, despite the seemingly impossibility of feeding that many people with that little lunch. He believed and trusted, and then watched Jesus perform the impossible. It can be that way in our lives as well. You never know what God will do with whatever we give him, no matter how small, we never know how God will use those we bring to him - or use those who come to Christ or make a commitment to Christ or enter various ministries because of our influence.
Andrew’s evangelism had an international nature the next time we find him bringing others to Christ. In John 12 we find the account of how, towards the end of Jesus’ ministry and life, some Greeks came wanting to meet him. Andrew arranged and interview for them. Jesus was moved at the universal appeal of the gospel. He had said, “And I , when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Andrew’s willingness to bring even those of another culture to Jesus began to open his eyes and the eyes of the other disciples to the fact that Jesus had come for all. So a disciple brings others to Jesus.
What a wonderful example of Christian discipleship Andrew set for us. Andrew knew and followed Jesus. He introduced others to the Master and was not envious of his brother or his brother’s success in ministry. It is important, as Christian disciples, that we witness to our faith and bring others to Jesus. John Wesley put it this way, “offer them Christ”. What a mandate! All of us are called to the work of evangelism. We can all tell others - not what they ought to do or be - but simply what Jesus means to us. Rest assured the Holy Spirit will do the rest (though maybe not on our time table). But you will be thrilled when you see them come to Christ, or engaging in ministry and walking with you in the journey of faith. Christ calls us all to the ministry of introduction.
What a wonderful example of Christian discipleship Andrew set for us. Andrew knew and followed Jesus. He introduced others to the Master and was not envious of his brother or his brother’s success in ministry. It is important, as Christian disciples, that we witness to our faith and bring others to Jesus. John Wesley put it this way, “offer them Christ”. What a mandate! All of us are called to the work of evangelism. We can all tell others - not what they ought to do or be - but simply what Jesus means to us. Rest assured the Holy Spirit will do the rest (though maybe not on our time table). But you will be thrilled when you see them come to Christ, or engaging in ministry and walking with you in the journey of faith. Christ calls us all to the ministry of introduction.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday , November 12, 2011
Harvest Banquet: Traditional Turkey dinner with Home Made pies, Home Made cooking, "best in the Country". Donation $7.00
Serving at 12 noon
At Wesley United Methodist Church.
1000 Day Hollow Road, Endicott, NY 13760
Come Share Rejoice
For Information: 607-748-6329
Saturday , November 12.2011
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church , Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering- Coffeee- Fellowship
6.30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Rev. Brown Naik
Dec. 6th is our planned trip to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas show. We need to confirm the bus and show tickets so must have all reservations and money into the office by Thursday, Nov. 10. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity, a bargain at $90 for transportation and the show. Call 748-6329 for more information or to confirm your reservation.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 11-9-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Our oldest daughter, Janice, who lives with her family in Boston, wrote in her face book page yesterday, "welcome Indian Summer in November". Indeed, it is Indian summer here in New York. It is going to be another brilliant and bright day. We will gather for our mid-week time of Fellowship, Bible study, and choir practice this evening starting at 6 PM. Whenever the saints gather in the Name of Jesus, the Lord of the Church, shows up. In fact, He is already waiting to meet us there.
We had our annual church meeting with our District Superintendent Rev. David Masland yesterday evening. It was a great blessing to celebrate the grace and love of Jesus. It was a time for celebrating the Lord's faithfulness and looking to the coming days with great expectation of serving the Lord for He calls us and propels us to serve Him in such a time as this.
I love the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ. The Church has been a very vital part of my life from my infant days. The church has been vital part of my life during my school - college and grad School - and during the married years of my life. The Lord has blessed me beyond belief all through these years. Praise the Lord that all my children and their families love the Lord and love church, and that they are committed in serving Him. It is a high honor and privilege to serve the Lord who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Throughout my life the church has meant a lot to me, and I am sure that many of you can identify with me in this.
I think that many of the problems people have with the church is because they fail to see the good that the church has to offer. I believe that when we start to truly and sincerely love the church it changes the way that we interact within the church. It changes the way that we participate, it changes our motives, and changes our priorities. We treasure it because of where it came from and someone you love loved that item.
One of the reasons why I love the church is because Christ demonstrated that he loved the church. His love is far reaching, in that it reaches to people that we may not be comfortable loving, and his love is deep, in that it is unconditional and sacrificial. Jesus demonstrated this love that he had for the church. He Gave Himself Up for the Church. I can’t help but to see in the Scripture that God loves the church because Christ gave himself up for the church. The Scriptures teach us that it is by His stripes that we were healed.
You are related to your family through a blood relation. As God’s children we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and made a part of God’s family. The Bible uses all sorts of analogies comparing the church to a family and God as the father. For example we are all children of God. We are brothers and sisters with Christ. We are co-heirs with Christ. Being a part of a good family is something that everyone can value and treasure.
One of the reasons why I love the church is because Christ demonstrated that he loved the church. His love is far reaching, in that it reaches to people that we may not be comfortable loving, and his love is deep, in that it is unconditional and sacrificial. Jesus demonstrated this love that he had for the church. He Gave Himself Up for the Church. I can’t help but to see in the Scripture that God loves the church because Christ gave himself up for the church. The Scriptures teach us that it is by His stripes that we were healed.
You are related to your family through a blood relation. As God’s children we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and made a part of God’s family. The Bible uses all sorts of analogies comparing the church to a family and God as the father. For example we are all children of God. We are brothers and sisters with Christ. We are co-heirs with Christ. Being a part of a good family is something that everyone can value and treasure.
I love to sing:
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God;
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood,
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m a part of the family, the family of God
The Church is unlike anything else in the whole world, in that special relationships can be formed between those who have a common bond in the church. The fellowship that we can have within a church is a special thing that is unique to the church.
I have heard that giant redwood trees in California actually have really shallow roots. How then can they stay strong and not topple over with out deep roots? The reason is because the Redwood trees are connected together by their roots. Since they are connected together at the roots they are able to stand strong and withstand the storms and the wind.
As Christians when we are rooted together in Christ we are able to withstand a lot of difficulties because we are connected together. Christian fellowship is distinct from worldly friendships and is different from just spending time with friends. Christian fellowship results in spiritual growth. If it wasn’t for the church and the influence Christians have in the world, morality would become extinct. I see the Church of Jesus Christ as being the salt of the Earth, speaking out against what is contrary to what is good and right. I see it as being a conscience and a voice in a society that without the voice of Christians would be an utterly immoral and chaotic place to live.
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God;
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood,
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m a part of the family, the family of God
The Church is unlike anything else in the whole world, in that special relationships can be formed between those who have a common bond in the church. The fellowship that we can have within a church is a special thing that is unique to the church.
I have heard that giant redwood trees in California actually have really shallow roots. How then can they stay strong and not topple over with out deep roots? The reason is because the Redwood trees are connected together by their roots. Since they are connected together at the roots they are able to stand strong and withstand the storms and the wind.
As Christians when we are rooted together in Christ we are able to withstand a lot of difficulties because we are connected together. Christian fellowship is distinct from worldly friendships and is different from just spending time with friends. Christian fellowship results in spiritual growth. If it wasn’t for the church and the influence Christians have in the world, morality would become extinct. I see the Church of Jesus Christ as being the salt of the Earth, speaking out against what is contrary to what is good and right. I see it as being a conscience and a voice in a society that without the voice of Christians would be an utterly immoral and chaotic place to live.
The Church Has Shown Love and Compassion to the Unlovable. Jesus showed that every person had value, that every person matters, that though those who called themselves religious wouldn’t show grace to the unlovable He would. Many of the people that make up the church may have been rejected by the world and never could find love and acceptance, but the church has shown love to those people. I love the church because sinners should be able to find acceptance in the church. What an example of Christ’s love! I love the church because the church shows love and compassion to those that may be and seem unlovable.
How many lives have been impacted because of the church and what she stands for? There is no telling. Paul was one of those people who sought to kill Christians, but he was changed because of Christ and he became a great influencer for good. He may have been someone that was ruled out as a evil man that could never change, but Christ saw beyond that. One life changed makes an eternal difference.
There is nobody that is too far from the grace of God. One person at a time the church has been an influence on society and by individuals changing their lives and making Christ their Lord it has shaped our world to be a better place. If it wasn’t for the church people would have less medical care, would be less educated, and would have less freedoms and laws protecting them. There are countless more reasons to love the church. The church has conviction and commitment to truth in a world rejecting absolutes. The church shows there is hope beyond this life. The church is a great place to celebrate life and salvation. The church is a place to find meaning, mission and purpose in life. I love the church.
How many lives have been impacted because of the church and what she stands for? There is no telling. Paul was one of those people who sought to kill Christians, but he was changed because of Christ and he became a great influencer for good. He may have been someone that was ruled out as a evil man that could never change, but Christ saw beyond that. One life changed makes an eternal difference.
There is nobody that is too far from the grace of God. One person at a time the church has been an influence on society and by individuals changing their lives and making Christ their Lord it has shaped our world to be a better place. If it wasn’t for the church people would have less medical care, would be less educated, and would have less freedoms and laws protecting them. There are countless more reasons to love the church. The church has conviction and commitment to truth in a world rejecting absolutes. The church shows there is hope beyond this life. The church is a great place to celebrate life and salvation. The church is a place to find meaning, mission and purpose in life. I love the church.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday , November 12, 2011
Harvest Banquet: Traditional Turkey dinner with Home Made pies, Home Made cooking, "best in the Country". Donation $7.00
Serving at 12 noon
At Wesley United Methodist Church.
1000 Day Hollow Road, Endicott, NY 13760
Come Share Rejoice
For Information: 607-748-6329
Saturday , November 12.2011
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church , Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering- Coffeee- Fellowship
6.30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Rev. Brown Naik
Dec. 6th is our planned trip to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas show. We need to confirm the bus and show tickets so must have all reservations and money into the office by Thursday, Nov. 10. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity, a bargain at $90 for transportation and the show. Call 748-6329 for more information or to confirm your reservation.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 11-8-11
Good morning. Praise the Lord for this new day. We had a service of death and resurrection yesterday for Edward Hower, one of the very faithful and devoted servants of our Lord. Ed went to be with Jesus and entered the Church Triumphant on November 3, 2011. He was 75 years old. The church was full of people who loved Ed. It was truly a service of thanksgiving. So many people spoke about how Ed touched their lives. A full Choir sang two numbers including " It is well with my soul".. The services lasted over one and half hours. We praise the Lord for Ed, who loved Lord and served him with much devotion, great determination and relentless passion. Ed had chosen several Scriptural passages to be used during the service, one of which was Psalm 27.
We are an anxiety-laden society as can be perceived as the sales of many books dealing with anxiety and the sales of calming drugs indicate. Fear is very unpleasant and it is very harmful physically, mentally, and even spiritually. As the Bible tells us in Matthew 13:22, fear or anxiety chokes out the word of God. Fear can be very displeasing and dishonoring God if we do not respond to it with faith in Him. As the Bible says we will have anxieties but we are to "cast all of our anxieties on him." We all want solutions to the fear problem. We all want answers to anxiety. We are looking for something to relieve us from our fears, something to reassure us. We look for some source of security that will instill a perfect confidence and peace within our hearts.
Certainly this is the main idea of Psalm 27. In verses 1-3 David expressed his confidence in God and an absence of fear in a very fearful situation because he focused on God as his Light, Salvation, and Stronghold. In verses 4-7 we see David focused on God, living in His presence, looking at His beauty, and listening to His voice. Because of this focus on God and dwelling in His presence David could lift his head with confidence and sing with joy as we see in verses 5,6. In vs. 7-14 he again focused on God and prayed to Him in the midst of this trouble, reminded that God would never forsake him (vs. 10) and would always guide him (vs. 11); therefore, even though he received no immediate answer or relief he could still say in verse 13, "I am still confident..."
David asked the rhetorical question: "Whom should I fear?" or as we would put it, "Why should I be afraid?" Sometimes we may feel that we are all alone and fear and anxiety may try to creep in, but in truth God is always there even when we can not see Him or feel Him, and that is reason for reassurance.
Leonard Sweet, tells about one tribe of native Americans which had a unique practice for training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, he was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then he had never been away from the security of his family and tribe. But on this night he was blindfolded and taken miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of thick woods, by himself, all night long.
Every time a twig snapped, he probably visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. Every time an animal howled, he imagined a wolf leaping out of the darkness. Every time the wind blew, he wondered what more sinister sound it masked. No doubt it was a terrifying night for many.
After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy’s father. He had been there all night long.
As David focused on the Lord his fears diminished and his confidence grew so that he could be assured instead of anxious in every kind of situation. David’s focus on God is easy to see in verse 4. He had made God the very thing that he sought over all others. As he said "one thing that I ask - this is what I seek..." First David desired to "dwell in the house of the Lord", which is a metaphor for living in God’s presence and staying close to God. Most people in David’s day visited the temple but David wanted to live there as he said "all the days of his life." His life was continually focused on God and therefore he knew God intimately and that gave him confidence in every situation. When we, like David, live with God, look to God, and listen to God we will come to know Him intimately and during times of fear we will be able to express the same faith that David did in verses 5,6 where he says, "In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord."
Certainly this is the main idea of Psalm 27. In verses 1-3 David expressed his confidence in God and an absence of fear in a very fearful situation because he focused on God as his Light, Salvation, and Stronghold. In verses 4-7 we see David focused on God, living in His presence, looking at His beauty, and listening to His voice. Because of this focus on God and dwelling in His presence David could lift his head with confidence and sing with joy as we see in verses 5,6. In vs. 7-14 he again focused on God and prayed to Him in the midst of this trouble, reminded that God would never forsake him (vs. 10) and would always guide him (vs. 11); therefore, even though he received no immediate answer or relief he could still say in verse 13, "I am still confident..."
David asked the rhetorical question: "Whom should I fear?" or as we would put it, "Why should I be afraid?" Sometimes we may feel that we are all alone and fear and anxiety may try to creep in, but in truth God is always there even when we can not see Him or feel Him, and that is reason for reassurance.
Leonard Sweet, tells about one tribe of native Americans which had a unique practice for training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, he was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then he had never been away from the security of his family and tribe. But on this night he was blindfolded and taken miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of thick woods, by himself, all night long.
Every time a twig snapped, he probably visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. Every time an animal howled, he imagined a wolf leaping out of the darkness. Every time the wind blew, he wondered what more sinister sound it masked. No doubt it was a terrifying night for many.
After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy’s father. He had been there all night long.
As David focused on the Lord his fears diminished and his confidence grew so that he could be assured instead of anxious in every kind of situation. David’s focus on God is easy to see in verse 4. He had made God the very thing that he sought over all others. As he said "one thing that I ask - this is what I seek..." First David desired to "dwell in the house of the Lord", which is a metaphor for living in God’s presence and staying close to God. Most people in David’s day visited the temple but David wanted to live there as he said "all the days of his life." His life was continually focused on God and therefore he knew God intimately and that gave him confidence in every situation. When we, like David, live with God, look to God, and listen to God we will come to know Him intimately and during times of fear we will be able to express the same faith that David did in verses 5,6 where he says, "In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord."
In Christ,
Saturday , November 5.2011
Praise and worship service:
First United Methodist Church , Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6PM Gathering- Coffeee- Fellowship
6.30PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Rev Brown Naik
Dec. 6th is our planned trip to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas show. We need to confirm the bus and show tickets so must have all reservations and money into the office by Thursday, Nov.10. . You don’t want to miss this great opportunity, a bargain at $90 for ride and show. Call 748-6329
Monday, November 7, 2011
Brown's Daily Word 11-7-11
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. It is going to be brilliant and beautiful with abundant sunshine. The Lord blessed us with full weekend of worship, fellowship and praise. Alice and walked over four miles last evening under the moonlit and star-studded sky. Indeed, the heavens declare the glory of the Lord continuously and consistently.
Harvey Cox tells the story of his being drafted into the paratroopers during World War Two. "I had never been in an airplane before," Cox says. "Suddenly I was confronted with jumping out of an airplane and floating to earth." During the instruction period, Cox relates, nobody had to poke him in the ribs to say pay attention. "My life was at stake, and I hung on every word the instructor spoke,"
One of the readings for yesterday was taken from Joshua 24. When we stand in front of these words in the final chapter of Joshua, you and I get that same sense of urgency. Nobody has to poke us and say "listen". We feel the compelling power of the words. "Choose this day whom you will serve, . . . ", Joshua says, and we can almost hear his tone of voice. This is important to Joshua; this is vital; this is urgent; this is spoken in the imperative mood. A choice had to be made, and not just any choice. On this choice depended the future of the nation.
A woman, in speaking about her life, said she was looking for a "place to be." Materially, this woman had everything. She had a beautiful house in the best neighborhood. She had a husband who was successful in his job, attractive children, nice clothes, and a membership in the country club. The family were nominal members of the church. This woman made a confession, "I have a big house, but I have never felt at home."
Frederick Buechner spoke about the two "battles" in which each of us engages. One is the battle to do well, to have the big house and all the accessories. According to Buechner, we want "to find our place in the sun," and into that battle we pour much of our energy. We work hard to do well, to achieve, to get ahead, to be recognized. We battle to be a success, believing that if we win that war, we will find the peace and happiness we seek.
The other battle, however, is the battle "inside our skins." Buechner says this is the more significant battle. We get the house, but do we feel at home with ourselves? We purchase the stuff to fill every corner of our place, but we never seem to find a place of peace.
Joshua 24:14-18. Under the leadership of Joshua, the people of Israel invaded and inhabited the land of Canaan. Joshua was in the twilight of his leadership. He gathered the tribes of Israel to Shechem. In the first part of chapter twenty-four, Joshua gave the people the word from God. God reminded the people of His provisions. God called them to remember His leadership in the specific events of Israel's history. As God recounted the story, He was calling Israel not just to remember the details of her history but more importantly to remember the Holy One who has been guiding and shaping that history.
Joshua wanted to leave them with one final reminder, that the people had a covenant with the Lord. The Lord kept His side of that covenant. The Living and Mighty God brought the children of Israel into Canaan. The question became: will the people remember Him? Will they remember to worship the God who has blessed them? Will they serve Him, who has empowered them and given them a place?
"Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness," is the way the New Revised Standard Version translates Joshua's challenge:
Put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
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These words of Joshua assume several things. First, we have the choice whether to worship or not to worship, what we will worship or what we will not worship. The call of God is not the call to a forced march of obedience. In fact, Joshua says our worship and service are to "be true and faithful." The most important decisions in life cannot be constrained. .
These words of Joshua assume several things. First, we have the choice whether to worship or not to worship, what we will worship or what we will not worship. The call of God is not the call to a forced march of obedience. In fact, Joshua says our worship and service are to "be true and faithful." The most important decisions in life cannot be constrained. .
Joshua, said that when it comes to the Living Lord, a person has to choose. "Make up your minds," Joshua was saying. He and his household clearly and decisively would serve the Holy God of Israel. Joshua's challenge assumes that a response was required, so the people answered Joshua. They remembered the God who had brought them out of Egypt. They remembered the God who had helped them to conquer the land of Canaan. They responded to Joshua, "Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is God." It would have been a happy ending, except we know the rest of the story that is written in the Word of God.. Joshua passed from the scene. The folks gathered at Shechem that day would also pass on. The problem and the preaching, the idolatry and the pursuant invitation to follow Yahweh, continued. Though the people of God chased after other gods, preachers much like Joshua called people back to their covenant commitment.
Perhaps that is why Joshua kept on preaching even after the people had said yes to his sermon. Joshua would not take a simple "yes" for an answer. He kept insisting his listeners understand Yahweh was a holy and jealous God who demanded absolute allegiance. Joshua understood that a simple "I do" one time to this kind of God was never enough. A covenant with Yahweh was life changing, and it meant every day was to be different and the people were to be different for every day.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday , November 12.2011
Praise and worship service:
First United Methodist Church , Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6PM Gathering- Coffeee- Fellowship
6.30PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Rev Brown Naik
Dec. 6th is our planned trip to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas show. We need to confirm the bus and show tickets so must have all reservations and money into the office by Thursday, Nov.10. . You don’t want to miss this great opportunity, a bargain at $90 for ride and show. Call 748-6329
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