Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this beautiful day in His Kingdom. Keep our daughter, Sunita, in prayer. She and her team are flying back today to Washington. They laid over in Amsterdam, and will be flying from there shortly.
We will meet at 6 PM for a fellowship meal, followed by Bible study at 6:30 PM and choir practice at 7:30 PM. In our study we will be looking at Revelation 2. It has been a wonderful blessing to come together for midweek fellowship, study, and prayer.
Congratulations to George and Marion Cameron, who celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last week.
Ruth Bell Graham, who has entered the Church Triumphant, was the wife of Billy Graham. Some time back she wrote a story which she called “The Mender.” She wrote, “He had built for himself a great house on one of the Caribbean islands. It is a thing to behold. Tall rusty iron columns, collected and resurrected with an ingenious homemade device. This Great House is a masterpiece of salvaged materials. A collector and seller of scrap metal as well as antiques, he was also fascinated with broken bits and pieces of china dug from his front yard. His friends, John and June Cash, laughingly remarked it was the first time they had heard of a yard sale where the man had sold the yard itself. Carefully he fitted and glued the pieces together. Few ever came out whole. They remained simply a collection of one who cared. When I expressed interest, he gave me a blue-and-white plate, carefully glued together — pieces missing. ‘You remind me of God,’ I said. By the look on his face, I knew I shocked him, and I hurriedly explained. ‘God pieces back broken lives lovingly. Sometimes a piece is irretrievably lost. But still He gathers what He can and restores us.’” Ruth Graham’s story is a parable of the church. We are an unusual collection of broken people, but God has taken us and collected the pieces of our lives and lovingly glued them back together. As we experience his grace, He transforms our lives.
Pamela Reeve has written, “Faith is remembering I am God’s priceless treasure when I feel utterly worthless.” How wonderful it is to know that kind of Grace, experienced at the loving hand of God! It helps us to know that we are loved, no matter what. He offers forgiveness for the past and encouragement for the days ahead. In the New Testament, John wrote, “We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:19-21). When we love each other it is the sign that we are in love with God. Paul’s message to the early church is a message we still need for today. He said, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). We are urged, according to Scripture, to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:312-32). We forgive because we have been forgiven. We are patient with others because God in his mercy has been patient with us. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Let us live out our lives in such a way that we demonstrate love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and grace towards those around us. Let us love with the love of Christ, with patience and attentiveness to those around us.
In His Love,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Q5vVa0q8Q
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 6-2-09
Good morning,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. One of the problems we wrestle with in the life of the church is indifference. Our Lord is concerned about the indifference of His people towards the things of the Kingdom. The Word of God declares that the Lord of the church detests a spirit of unconcern and luke-warmness. He calls for passion and zeal.
In Joel 2 there is a command to “blow the trumpet and sound the alarm”. Again, this is written in the imperative and it is written with urgency. To blow the trumpet was to announce to the people that something important was occurring. The Lord said the reason you are to do this is that the “Day of the Lord” is coming. God will judge unconcerned lifestyles. We have the responsibility to let people know that God still judges indifference. In Joel 2:8 we are commanded to return back to the Lord. The Lord instructs us to give Him all of your heart. How many times are we guilty of being half-hearted in our partial obedience to God? The Lord must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. It is not enough to just give God control over part of your life; that will certainly lead to indifference. He must have control over all. He is calling, “Turn to Me with all your heart”. Joel 2:9 commands to “rend their hearts, and not their garments”. Among the Jews, a sign of extreme sorrow was to take the outer garment, and tear it as a sign of mourning and sorrow. God was telling them to do more than just go through the motions of being sorry for their sins. Truly look at your heart and rend it. Be broken-hearted for your sins. In Psalm 34:18 it is written, "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Joel 2:10 goes on to say that for those who rend (break) their hearts, God is close to them. God gives words of special comfort to those who are broken. Once we deal with our indifference toward the things of God, and follow His commands as Joel gave them, God promises special words of comfort. God invites us to see His Nature. (Joel 2:13) "And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." Note that God is full of grace and mercy. If we will but turn to Him, He will be gracious to us. Psalm 86:15, "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." God is also slow to anger. If we were to receive what we so really deserve every time that we fail God, we would be in serious trouble indeed. Yet, we do not need to fear that God will turn us away. God assures us that if we turn to Him, God will truly give an abundance. God desires for His church to be involved in the harvest, but because we have become indifferent, and intoxicated with worldly cares, we no longer have the abundance of a good harvest. When we return back to Him, when we follow the commands that He has given, He promises an abundant harvest. Joel also mentions the vats being filled with wine and oil. Wine, throughout the Old Testament, is a symbol for joy. The Lord's promise to us is that, if we return completely unto Him, He will restore the fullness of joy. Verse 25 promises restoration of what has been lost because of the judgment of God. Satan may steal from us when we are intoxicated and not aware, but when we return back to Him, He will restore all that has been stolen away. God invites us to see His Nearness. God promises in verse 27 that He will be near. He will be in the midst of His people. His people will experience His closeness. In verse 28 the prophet went on to say that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. That is, God will be near, for His Spirit will be upon His people. When we return to Him, when we get hungry for our God, He will pour out His Spirit so that we can experience the nearness of God.
In His Grace,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOJW4Uwy3c
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. One of the problems we wrestle with in the life of the church is indifference. Our Lord is concerned about the indifference of His people towards the things of the Kingdom. The Word of God declares that the Lord of the church detests a spirit of unconcern and luke-warmness. He calls for passion and zeal.
In Joel 2 there is a command to “blow the trumpet and sound the alarm”. Again, this is written in the imperative and it is written with urgency. To blow the trumpet was to announce to the people that something important was occurring. The Lord said the reason you are to do this is that the “Day of the Lord” is coming. God will judge unconcerned lifestyles. We have the responsibility to let people know that God still judges indifference. In Joel 2:8 we are commanded to return back to the Lord. The Lord instructs us to give Him all of your heart. How many times are we guilty of being half-hearted in our partial obedience to God? The Lord must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. It is not enough to just give God control over part of your life; that will certainly lead to indifference. He must have control over all. He is calling, “Turn to Me with all your heart”. Joel 2:9 commands to “rend their hearts, and not their garments”. Among the Jews, a sign of extreme sorrow was to take the outer garment, and tear it as a sign of mourning and sorrow. God was telling them to do more than just go through the motions of being sorry for their sins. Truly look at your heart and rend it. Be broken-hearted for your sins. In Psalm 34:18 it is written, "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Joel 2:10 goes on to say that for those who rend (break) their hearts, God is close to them. God gives words of special comfort to those who are broken. Once we deal with our indifference toward the things of God, and follow His commands as Joel gave them, God promises special words of comfort. God invites us to see His Nature. (Joel 2:13) "And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." Note that God is full of grace and mercy. If we will but turn to Him, He will be gracious to us. Psalm 86:15, "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." God is also slow to anger. If we were to receive what we so really deserve every time that we fail God, we would be in serious trouble indeed. Yet, we do not need to fear that God will turn us away. God assures us that if we turn to Him, God will truly give an abundance. God desires for His church to be involved in the harvest, but because we have become indifferent, and intoxicated with worldly cares, we no longer have the abundance of a good harvest. When we return back to Him, when we follow the commands that He has given, He promises an abundant harvest. Joel also mentions the vats being filled with wine and oil. Wine, throughout the Old Testament, is a symbol for joy. The Lord's promise to us is that, if we return completely unto Him, He will restore the fullness of joy. Verse 25 promises restoration of what has been lost because of the judgment of God. Satan may steal from us when we are intoxicated and not aware, but when we return back to Him, He will restore all that has been stolen away. God invites us to see His Nearness. God promises in verse 27 that He will be near. He will be in the midst of His people. His people will experience His closeness. In verse 28 the prophet went on to say that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. That is, God will be near, for His Spirit will be upon His people. When we return to Him, when we get hungry for our God, He will pour out His Spirit so that we can experience the nearness of God.
In His Grace,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOJW4Uwy3c
Monday, June 1, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 6-1-09
Good morning,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. It was Pentecost Sunday yesterday. Praise the Lord for the way He sent the Holy Spirit upon on His people on the day of Pentecost. We read in Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
John Wimber was a product of the Jesus movement in the 60’s. He met Christ in a dramatic way, and began reading the New Testament, beginning with the Gospels and then he went on to read the book of Acts. He was excited about what he was reading, but when he went to a church he was disillusioned. The polite and tidy service was over exactly on time. Wimber looked at some of the people around him and said, “When are you gonna do the stuff?” “What stuff?” they wanted to know. He said, “You know. . . the stuff!” He had been reading about the conversions, healings, deliverance and other miracles that took place in the early church recorded the book of Acts. But instead of signs and wonders, he saw no sign of anything that would make him wonder, except the deadness of the ritual he had just sat through. Rick Kirchoff has said, “When God sends forth the Spirit amazing things happen: barriers are broken, communities are formed, opposites are reconciled, unity is established, disease is cured, addiction is broken, cities are renewed, races are reconciled, hope is established, people are blessed, and church happens. Today the Spirit of God is present and we’re gonna’ have church. So be ready, get ready. . . God is up to something. . . discouraged folks cheer up, dishonest folks ‘fess up, sour folks sweeten up, closed folk, open up, gossipers shut up, conflicted folks make up, sleeping folks wake up, lukewarm folk, fire up, dry bones shake up, and pew potatoes stand up! But most of all, Christ the Savior of all the world is lifted up.” Chuck Colson reported that columnist Jonathan Rauch believes that America has made “a major civilizational advance” in recent years. Colson says, “Rauch, a longtime atheist, is thrilled about a phenomenon he calls ‘apatheism’ [apathetic theism]. It’s not that people don’t believe in God anymore, Rauch writes in the Atlantic Monthly — the majority will still say they believe. . . . On the whole, the people Rauch describes haven’t been putting much thought or effort into their faith. They’re looking for comfort and reassurance, not for a God who asks anything of them. Hence the rise of ‘apatheism,’ which Rauch defines as ‘a disinclination to care all that much about one’s own religion, and an even stronger disinclination to care about other people’s.’” Colson went on to talk about writer David Brooks, who noticed a trend a few years ago and coined the term flexidoxy [flexible beliefs]. Flexidoxy describes the form of religion practiced by many educated young Americans as opposed to orthodoxy. Basically, it means that people have become flexible in their belief system and look at religion as a giant smorgasbord from which they can pick and choose the beliefs that most suit them. They become the center of their own faith and adapt it to what they see as important. Some time ago, I read about 27-year-old Aron Ralston who had his right arm pinned by an 800-pound boulder in a climbing accident. He had gone hiking in Bluejohn Canyon, adjacent to Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. He was an experienced climber, who had already climbed 49 other peaks in Colorado which were each over 14,000 feet in height. He thought about what it would be like to die on the mountain and have his family find his body, or perhaps never know his fate. Ralston, a former engineer for Intel and an avid outdoorsman, thought about his options. After five days of being pinned, and having run out of food and water, he decided to apply a tourniquet and amputate his arm below the elbow with his pocket knife. He then rigged anchors and rappelled to the canyon floor with his one good arm. He walked downstream until he was spotted by a Utah Public Safety Helicopter. What the news did not say much about was that this Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Carnegie Mellon University credits his faith in God for ability to do what he had to do. He is a deeply committed Christian who often plays the piano in the United Methodist Church in Greenwood Village near Denver, Colorado. Because Aron wanted to live, he was willing to cut away everything that was holding him back. It is that kind of commitment and zeal that will enable us to experience Pentecostal power. When you are willing to cut away everything that is holding you back and walk out of the canyon of bondage, then the Holy Spirit will come to you in new ways and you know a life that you did not know was possible.
The Bible says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, New Living). The apostle Paul did this, for he wrote, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
In Christ, Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFaIGSyENsY
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. It was Pentecost Sunday yesterday. Praise the Lord for the way He sent the Holy Spirit upon on His people on the day of Pentecost. We read in Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
John Wimber was a product of the Jesus movement in the 60’s. He met Christ in a dramatic way, and began reading the New Testament, beginning with the Gospels and then he went on to read the book of Acts. He was excited about what he was reading, but when he went to a church he was disillusioned. The polite and tidy service was over exactly on time. Wimber looked at some of the people around him and said, “When are you gonna do the stuff?” “What stuff?” they wanted to know. He said, “You know. . . the stuff!” He had been reading about the conversions, healings, deliverance and other miracles that took place in the early church recorded the book of Acts. But instead of signs and wonders, he saw no sign of anything that would make him wonder, except the deadness of the ritual he had just sat through. Rick Kirchoff has said, “When God sends forth the Spirit amazing things happen: barriers are broken, communities are formed, opposites are reconciled, unity is established, disease is cured, addiction is broken, cities are renewed, races are reconciled, hope is established, people are blessed, and church happens. Today the Spirit of God is present and we’re gonna’ have church. So be ready, get ready. . . God is up to something. . . discouraged folks cheer up, dishonest folks ‘fess up, sour folks sweeten up, closed folk, open up, gossipers shut up, conflicted folks make up, sleeping folks wake up, lukewarm folk, fire up, dry bones shake up, and pew potatoes stand up! But most of all, Christ the Savior of all the world is lifted up.” Chuck Colson reported that columnist Jonathan Rauch believes that America has made “a major civilizational advance” in recent years. Colson says, “Rauch, a longtime atheist, is thrilled about a phenomenon he calls ‘apatheism’ [apathetic theism]. It’s not that people don’t believe in God anymore, Rauch writes in the Atlantic Monthly — the majority will still say they believe. . . . On the whole, the people Rauch describes haven’t been putting much thought or effort into their faith. They’re looking for comfort and reassurance, not for a God who asks anything of them. Hence the rise of ‘apatheism,’ which Rauch defines as ‘a disinclination to care all that much about one’s own religion, and an even stronger disinclination to care about other people’s.’” Colson went on to talk about writer David Brooks, who noticed a trend a few years ago and coined the term flexidoxy [flexible beliefs]. Flexidoxy describes the form of religion practiced by many educated young Americans as opposed to orthodoxy. Basically, it means that people have become flexible in their belief system and look at religion as a giant smorgasbord from which they can pick and choose the beliefs that most suit them. They become the center of their own faith and adapt it to what they see as important. Some time ago, I read about 27-year-old Aron Ralston who had his right arm pinned by an 800-pound boulder in a climbing accident. He had gone hiking in Bluejohn Canyon, adjacent to Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. He was an experienced climber, who had already climbed 49 other peaks in Colorado which were each over 14,000 feet in height. He thought about what it would be like to die on the mountain and have his family find his body, or perhaps never know his fate. Ralston, a former engineer for Intel and an avid outdoorsman, thought about his options. After five days of being pinned, and having run out of food and water, he decided to apply a tourniquet and amputate his arm below the elbow with his pocket knife. He then rigged anchors and rappelled to the canyon floor with his one good arm. He walked downstream until he was spotted by a Utah Public Safety Helicopter. What the news did not say much about was that this Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Carnegie Mellon University credits his faith in God for ability to do what he had to do. He is a deeply committed Christian who often plays the piano in the United Methodist Church in Greenwood Village near Denver, Colorado. Because Aron wanted to live, he was willing to cut away everything that was holding him back. It is that kind of commitment and zeal that will enable us to experience Pentecostal power. When you are willing to cut away everything that is holding you back and walk out of the canyon of bondage, then the Holy Spirit will come to you in new ways and you know a life that you did not know was possible.
The Bible says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, New Living). The apostle Paul did this, for he wrote, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
In Christ, Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFaIGSyENsY
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