Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this last Friday of January. Praise the Lord for the way He brings His all-surpassing and abundant Joy into our lives. Let us plan to gather in His house this weekend with His people to worship the Risen Lord. Let us gather to provoke one anther to love and to serve. When the Church of Jesus Christ gathers to worship and witness Satan trembles. When we gather to celebrate His grace and proclaim and worship His majesty, He fills us with His authority and His joy. Christian Faith is an invitation to experience the Joy of Jesus. It is written: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice."
Robert Louis Stevenson once entered in his diary something he considered to be extraordinary. He said, "I have been to Church today, and (Surprisingly) I am not depressed." Christians are called to be joyful in all circumstances. The Joy of the Lord is the result of God’s work in our hearts (Galatians 5:22). Christ didn’t come that you might have sadness, but He came that you might have a full life. (John 10:10) The book of Nehemiah records a time when Israel came back into their homeland after spending 70 years in exile. The people began to rebuild their home in the ‘land of promise’. Israel was beginning to regain her homeland and return to faith. The book of the law had been discovered, so Nehemiah called together the people and had Ezra conduct a public reading of God’s law. The Israelites had different stages of reaction to the law. First, they fell into repentant sorrow. Second, they began to praise and worship the Lord. Third, they celebrated the “Feast of Booths” as the law commanded. The result was great joy! Nehemiah told them, “The Joy of the Lord is your strength.”
We must discover our need for repentance! God blesses the penitent heart – Psalm 51:17 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me…. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Repentance does not lead us to depression. Rather, it sets us on the road toward celebration! God forgives, his love causes him to forgive…and we are the beneficiaries of his grace. Romans 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
We must discover our need for repentance! God blesses the penitent heart – Psalm 51:17 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me…. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Repentance does not lead us to depression. Rather, it sets us on the road toward celebration! God forgives, his love causes him to forgive…and we are the beneficiaries of his grace. Romans 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
When Ezra read the word of the Lord there was both Jubilation (raised hands & Amens!) and Supplication (face down in prayer and reverence). There is, and rightly should be, a joy (jubilation) in our personal and congregational worship to the Lord. Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” James 5:13b, “….Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
Supplication is also an intrinsic part of worship. James 5:13a, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray….” Our times of worship should involve bringing our needs (not a laundry list of wants) to the Father – this implies trust. Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Joy can be found in the Word and in the Worship of God. WE CAN FIND JOY IN THE WILL OF GOD (14-18). When Israel learned of the feasts that God commanded, they went right to work! When we are fulfilling the will of God in our lives, we will really find the greatest joy. Joy can be found today for all Christians. It is found in the Word of the Lord, in the Worship of the Lord, and in the Will of the Lord. This joy is a strength for us. Let us come to the source that can produce joy in our lives, so that we will have the strength to fight the good fight, to finish our course and keep the faith! Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Psalm 30:5, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
Supplication is also an intrinsic part of worship. James 5:13a, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray….” Our times of worship should involve bringing our needs (not a laundry list of wants) to the Father – this implies trust. Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Joy can be found in the Word and in the Worship of God. WE CAN FIND JOY IN THE WILL OF GOD (14-18). When Israel learned of the feasts that God commanded, they went right to work! When we are fulfilling the will of God in our lives, we will really find the greatest joy. Joy can be found today for all Christians. It is found in the Word of the Lord, in the Worship of the Lord, and in the Will of the Lord. This joy is a strength for us. Let us come to the source that can produce joy in our lives, so that we will have the strength to fight the good fight, to finish our course and keep the faith! Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Psalm 30:5, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
In Christ,
Brown
Friday January 27.2012
Television Outreach;
Time Warner Cable Ch 4
Time 7.00 PM
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church, Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering - Coffee - Fellowship
6:30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Brown Naik
On FEBRUARY 11, 2012 Saturday, at First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Ave., Endicott, at 5:30 PM - There will be a Special Banquet prepared by Joe Walker, including a variety of international Cuisine... It will be a great celebration. At 6:30 PM there will be a Hymn Sing with Aric Phinney at the Grand Piano and Yancey Moore at the Organ. Dave Berry will lead the Hymn Sing.
On FEBRUARY 4 & 5, the Movie, “Courageous” is to be shown. On Saturday, at First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Ave, Endicott the Doors will open at 5:30. On Sunday the movie will be shown at Union Center UMC, doors opening at 2:00. As vividly illustrated in COURAGEOUS, the impact of fathers in the lives of their children is immense. This powerful film has been the starting point for a movement of fathers creating a legacy of Godly families. A free will offering will benefit the youth retreat in April.
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