Good morning,
" Morning has broken like the first morning". It is going to be a brilliant and glorious day. Praise the Lord for the morning, and praise the Lord for the sun that heats the earth and dispels the darkness. We will meet for our mid-week study and prayer meeting this evening at 6 PM, starting with full meal. Praise the Lord for all His simple gifts. I praise the Lord for the life and witness of Melda Dudley, who was 97 years old when she slipped into the presence of Jesus with a smile. Her daughter and son in law Rosa and Byron visited her almost every day. She lived in her own house until recently. Rosa and Byron had visited her Sunday. Monday she was sitting on a chair, and gently she went to be with Jesus. John Wesley said" Christians die well".
Lord Kenneth Clark was internationally known for his TV series "Civilization". While he lived and died without faith in Christ, he admitted an overwhelming religious experience in his autobiography. While visiting a beautiful church, he wrote, “My whole being was irradiated by a kind of heavenly joy far more intense than anything I had known before.” But what he called the “gloom of grace” created a problem for him. If he allowed it to influence him, he knew that he would have to change. He was sure his family would think he had lost his mind. Further, he was fearful that such intense joy would prove to be an illusion. His conclusion was, in his own words, “I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course.” We read about a financier and tax collector named Zacchaeus in John 19. He was deeply embedded in the world. It is clear from his story that there was probably a time in his life when he loved his money, but when he met Jesus, Zacchaeus knew that it wasn’t an illusion. Yes, he also knew that God’s grace would require him to change, but he didn’t care if people thought he’d lost his mind. Whatever he did from that moment on was for the sake of Christ. He was ready to let go. God’s grace requires a new way of life. If we keep hanging on to the branch, because we want to be able to climb back to safety, we will never know what true safety is in the arms of Christ. Zacchaeus knew that and he did not hesitate to show that he was sold out for the Kingdom of God. He let go of that branch because he had discovered what Jesus was offering. According to the Law as written in Leviticus (6:2-7), if a man cheats another, he is to return the amount he stole plus a fifth and bring a ram to the priest for a guilt offering. Zacchaeus went far above and beyond the call of the Law, offering a fourfold restitution, and beyond that he gave half of his possessions to the poor. By his actions, there is no doubt that his heart was repentant concerning his sin. Though he used to count his money and act like Scrooge and take all that he could get, his joy in meeting the Master led him to far exceed the required amount. For Zacchaeus it was not just about a guilt offering, but a freewill offering – a spontaneous and voluntary sacrifice. So many of the offerings in the Old Testament were about restitution for sin – but the freewill offering was about joy in the Lord, and that is what we see evidenced in Zacchaeus' action. Grace requires a new way of life. Jesus loves us just as much as He loved Zacchaeus, and He wants to come to our house today too. If we are waiting for Him in that tree, in our car, beside our bed, or wherever we are, we must be prepared not only to be blown away by His grace – if we can ever really be prepared for that – but also to let go of the things that take us away from Him and His service. God’s grace is free, but when we accept it in faith, we simply cannot keep our old life. When we try to serve our old master too, we quickly find that it doesn’t work. The joy and peace we have been promised evade us because we haven’t really accepted the grace. You have to trade one for the other to get all the benefits. How many Christians do we know who carry around heavy hearts, saddened faces, and burdens on their shoulders? For many this is the way of their lives. The rich young ruler did not know how to let go of his worldly burdens – or didn’t want to – and he walked away in sadness and sorrow. Zacchaeus carelessly and joyfully threw it away for the greatest treasure of all. For all that God has done for us, should it not be with joy that we rise up and call Him Lord?
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with petrol just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean.It's the same in my business,"
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 6-23-09
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the summer season. It is going to be sunny and brilliant today. It is the Monsoon season in Orissa, India, where the summer season is over. The Schools will re-open on the 25th of June after the Summer break. Micah and Simeon, our grandchildren, took their mommy and daddy to the beach last Sunday for Father's Day. Last evening some friends installed a barbecue pit for me behind the parsonage, and a few days ago another friend delivered a cord of fire wood to use for barbecue. Alice is planning to take our nieces to Washington, DC this Friday, to visit Sunita and Andy. Janice, Micah, and Simeon might be coming down to New York towards the July 4 - exact days yet to be determined. We are excited.
Praise the Lord for The Church. Praise the Lord for the testimony and witness of John and Charles's Wesley. When England was in the midst of the decadence and darkness of the 18th century, the Lord raised people like John and Charles Wesley to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, unafraid, and with boldness, fresh fire, and passion. They were fully sold out for Jesus. They shook the gates of hell, by proclaiming the unchanging gospel in a changing world. They are a part of the company of the committed, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I want to be counted in that company.
There’s a prayer written by Charles Wesley, which is a covenant prayer:
" I am no longer my own but Thine. Put me to what thou wilt. Rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by Thee, or laid aside for Thee, exalted for Thee and brought low for Thee. Le me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Thou art mine and I am Thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen." It's a beautiful prayer, and I believe we mean it when we say the words. But in truth we really have being exalted, being full, having all things more in mind than being brought low, being empty, and having nothing in the name of the Lord. Though we say yes, when those times come, we struggle, even complain. When we can readily and willingly respond to that kind of call from God, then I believe we have truly submitted our the authority of Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
In Him,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34yPZiD8OMs
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times.If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES."When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note. "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,"===========================There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets," =========================== While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humour, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust "
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the summer season. It is going to be sunny and brilliant today. It is the Monsoon season in Orissa, India, where the summer season is over. The Schools will re-open on the 25th of June after the Summer break. Micah and Simeon, our grandchildren, took their mommy and daddy to the beach last Sunday for Father's Day. Last evening some friends installed a barbecue pit for me behind the parsonage, and a few days ago another friend delivered a cord of fire wood to use for barbecue. Alice is planning to take our nieces to Washington, DC this Friday, to visit Sunita and Andy. Janice, Micah, and Simeon might be coming down to New York towards the July 4 - exact days yet to be determined. We are excited.
Praise the Lord for The Church. Praise the Lord for the testimony and witness of John and Charles's Wesley. When England was in the midst of the decadence and darkness of the 18th century, the Lord raised people like John and Charles Wesley to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, unafraid, and with boldness, fresh fire, and passion. They were fully sold out for Jesus. They shook the gates of hell, by proclaiming the unchanging gospel in a changing world. They are a part of the company of the committed, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I want to be counted in that company.
There’s a prayer written by Charles Wesley, which is a covenant prayer:
" I am no longer my own but Thine. Put me to what thou wilt. Rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by Thee, or laid aside for Thee, exalted for Thee and brought low for Thee. Le me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Thou art mine and I am Thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen." It's a beautiful prayer, and I believe we mean it when we say the words. But in truth we really have being exalted, being full, having all things more in mind than being brought low, being empty, and having nothing in the name of the Lord. Though we say yes, when those times come, we struggle, even complain. When we can readily and willingly respond to that kind of call from God, then I believe we have truly submitted our the authority of Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
In Him,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34yPZiD8OMs
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times.If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES."When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note. "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,"===========================There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets," =========================== While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humour, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust "
Monday, June 22, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 6-22-09
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the summer season of sowing and tending. Praise the Lord for seasons of sowing and the seasons of reaping. "Those who sow with tears shall reap withe songs of harvest, bringing in the sheaves." Our Lord God is our great provider and faithful supplier. Our Lord Jesus talked about the sower, the seeds, and the soil. It is written:“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every ways so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of god’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of tanks to God.” Some time ago I read the story about Amedeo Obici: Amedeo Obici was born in 1876 in a small village near Venice, Italy. His widowed mother read him letters from his uncle in America, and Amedeo told everyone he was going to America one day. By the time he was 11 years old, his family had helped him save enough money for an immigrant’s ticket to America, and he set sail by himself. In one account of his story it says Amedeo had no money for food, so his mother gave him a bag of peanuts which was all he had to eat for the 10 day trip across the ocean. When he reached America, this land of opportunity, Amedeo, at 11 years of age, went to work as a bellhop and also as a helper at a fruit stand. He worked hard and saved his money as he had promised his mother. Amedeo soon learned that Americans liked the peanuts he shared with them, but few, if any, were growing them here. Thus, he found a place to plant the handful of peanuts he had left. While his peanuts were growing, he saved enough money to buy a horse and wagon. When his peanut crop came in, he drove around calling himself “The Peanut Specialist” selling roasted peanuts. By 1906 he had developed his own method of blanching and roasting peanuts and founded Planters Peanuts headquartered in Suffolk, VA. He became wealthy enough to send money to his family in Italy, and, years later, he gave to the city of Suffolk theLouise Obici Hospital named after his wife. Though Amedeo had only a handful of peanuts, he had the choice of what he could do with them. He could have eaten them or sold them, but he wisely chose to plant what he had so that, in time, he would have enough to eat, give away, and sell so that he could send money to his family. What will we do with the resources with which the Lord has entrusted us? Will we consume them, or will we plant them? If we plant them, will we plant sparingly, or will we plant generously? It is written in Scripture the words of our Lord concerning sowing and harvesting, "The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. " God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
In Jesus name, Amen.
In Him,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the summer season of sowing and tending. Praise the Lord for seasons of sowing and the seasons of reaping. "Those who sow with tears shall reap withe songs of harvest, bringing in the sheaves." Our Lord God is our great provider and faithful supplier. Our Lord Jesus talked about the sower, the seeds, and the soil. It is written:“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every ways so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of god’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of tanks to God.” Some time ago I read the story about Amedeo Obici: Amedeo Obici was born in 1876 in a small village near Venice, Italy. His widowed mother read him letters from his uncle in America, and Amedeo told everyone he was going to America one day. By the time he was 11 years old, his family had helped him save enough money for an immigrant’s ticket to America, and he set sail by himself. In one account of his story it says Amedeo had no money for food, so his mother gave him a bag of peanuts which was all he had to eat for the 10 day trip across the ocean. When he reached America, this land of opportunity, Amedeo, at 11 years of age, went to work as a bellhop and also as a helper at a fruit stand. He worked hard and saved his money as he had promised his mother. Amedeo soon learned that Americans liked the peanuts he shared with them, but few, if any, were growing them here. Thus, he found a place to plant the handful of peanuts he had left. While his peanuts were growing, he saved enough money to buy a horse and wagon. When his peanut crop came in, he drove around calling himself “The Peanut Specialist” selling roasted peanuts. By 1906 he had developed his own method of blanching and roasting peanuts and founded Planters Peanuts headquartered in Suffolk, VA. He became wealthy enough to send money to his family in Italy, and, years later, he gave to the city of Suffolk theLouise Obici Hospital named after his wife. Though Amedeo had only a handful of peanuts, he had the choice of what he could do with them. He could have eaten them or sold them, but he wisely chose to plant what he had so that, in time, he would have enough to eat, give away, and sell so that he could send money to his family. What will we do with the resources with which the Lord has entrusted us? Will we consume them, or will we plant them? If we plant them, will we plant sparingly, or will we plant generously? It is written in Scripture the words of our Lord concerning sowing and harvesting, "The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. " God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
In Jesus name, Amen.
In Him,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
