April
Due to the current social distancing guidelines, we will make plans for the upcoming holy days as we get closer to them. Please check our facebook page, church website, or your email for updates as they become available. Once we begin holding weekly church services again, the sabbath school memory verses will again be posted on the website.
Passover service: Tuesday, April 7th - after sunset
First Day of Unleavened Bread - Thursday, April 9th
First day of Count to Pentecost - Sunday, April 12th
Last Day of Unleavened Bread - Wednesday, April 15th
Passover Preparations by Cynthia Saladin
There are several scriptures which get our attention at this time of year especially:
Deuteronomy 16:4a No leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory for seven days, . . .
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
So we are very diligently examining our houses and cars to get all of the leaven out. We’re reading ingredient labels. We’re cleaning out pantries, cars, toasters, refrigerators, ovens, vacuum cleaners . . . It’s a thoroughly examination of our possessions to eradicate the leavening from our lives.
As we de-leaven physically, we recognize the spiritual application. We are to make Godly choices to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1). In other words, we need to examine our lives. We need to stop doing things that are out of step with God’s ways. We need to turn. We need to repent. We need to seek a closer relationship with God. Those who have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, chosen by God, must walk worthy of the calling you’ve received. And if you’ve made choices that are contrary to His ways, He’s standing at the door, knocking, waiting for you to let Him in. He’s ready and faithful to forgive you, if you ask, and to purify you from all unrighteousness. So first you have to examine your relationship with God. Is it where you want it to be? Have you humbled yourself before your God to be used as He directs?
This examination often revolves around what you do with the resources you have been given. How do you use your time? How do you use your money and resources? How do you use your talents?
Time is a finite resource. How much of it do you devote to communicating with God? Do you read your Bible daily? Do you pray, at least once a day? Do you meditate on His word? How much of your time do you truly focus on God?
Money and other possessions are a finite resource. How much of your money demonstrates your dedication to God? Are you willing to help people who need help?
The talents God has given to you aren’t for your glory; they are for God’s glory. We are made for and by His pleasure. We are His bond servants. We are here to do His bidding, if we have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. Do you seek to use the talents God has given to you for His glory?
So far, in our examination, we’ve looked at our relationship with God and how the use of the resources we have been given reflects that relationship. So now we need to examine our attitude. When people look at you, what do they normally see? Someone who is going to grumble about what’s going on around them? Do you complain about what’s happening in your life? Or do you exhibit the peace of God, a calmness that is attractive to others (especially now with the virus threat). Do you live a life of praise to God? Our attitude is such a barometer of our relationship with God. God is not particularly fond of those who grumble (1 Corinthians 10:10). Grumbling says at least one of two things: either you don’t trust God that He’s giving you what you deserve, or you are criticizing what He has given you, like you know more than He does. It’s very good to remember that God opposes the proud. But if you humble yourself before the Lord, He will lift you up.
As you’re examining your attitude towards God, remember to take a close look at your feelings towards others. 1 John 4:20 says that if we think we love God, yet hate our brother, then we are liars. If there’s animosity in your heart towards the people of God, then there’s a problem. We need to rectify the problem, resolve the conflict, prior to coming before God with a offering on His holy days. So as you’re examining yourself prior to Passover, you should also examine your attitude, both toward God and toward others.
It’s a lot of work to clean a house thoroughly prior to Passover. And it’s always amazing to me how quickly you have to clean again once it’s been cleaned. The dirt has a way of creeping back in. Similarly, we need to be vigilant about our relationship with God, examining our use of the God-given resources of time, possessions, and talents as well as our attitudes toward God and others. It’s hard work. It takes time. But we don’t any of us want to come before Him without having examined ourselves. We don’t want to come without having accurately identified our desperate need for Jesus’ sacrifice and ongoing intercession. He, Jesus Christ, makes us worthy to participate in eating the bread and drinking the cup.
Embrace the Pain by Jim O’Brien
There is a philosophy that says avoiding pain is one of the central factors for motivating man. Some people say it is the prime reason we act or don't act.
That thought came to mind when I was on a flight that required a change of planes in Atlanta. People who have landed at Hartsfield International are often aware of the marathon taxiing that is required from certain runways. More than one passenger has remarked that the flight took less time than the taxi.
As we began our descent a lady on our flight was waiting in line for the Ladies Room just as the 'fasten seatbelt' sign came on. She was forced to return to her seat without completing her task. As chance would have it we landed on the runway furthest from the terminal and in the direction that placed us at the most distant point from the gate. After taxing for several minutes the lady, in desperation jumped up from her seat and literally ran to the lavatory. "I'm sorry!" she yelled to the amusement of the passengers who all seemed to understand her plight.
The Flight Attendant phoned the pilot and then the 250 passengers witnessed something none of us had ever seen before: the plane stopped on the taxiway to wait for the
lady to finish. This was followed by an announcement from the pilot that a passenger had to go to the restroom and they were not allowed to continue moving while a passenger was not in a seatbelt. After a minute or two the embarrassed passenger emerged from her place of solitary confinement and walked past a hundred fellow travelers - apologizing all the way before the plane could resume taxiing to its destination.
For a few minutes one lady's pain stopped a commercial airliner and held up the largest airport in America. Suffering may be an inevitable part of life but avoiding pain is built into our psyche.
All this is said to reinforce one of the essential characteristics of Passover-suffering. After Jesus was resurrected some of the disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus discussing the events of the previous few days. A stranger joined them on their walk.
Not recognizing that the stranger was Jesus, the men openly talked of their deep disappointment over the ignominious death of the one they believed to be the Messiah. The disciples were confused because they expected Jesus to restore Israel at that time. Then Jesus said to them, "Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:26)
They expected immediate victory. The war had started and zealous Peter drew his sword attacking the Roman soldier-but he had misread the prophecies. Jesus could not be the Messiah without submitting to the sting.
Jesus could have escaped by just speaking a few words-commanding twelve legions of angels to intervene to stop the agony. But instead he embraced the pain. It had a purpose.
As many Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection to life let us remember that without his death there could be no resurrection. Thank God for Passover.
31 Weeks of Proverbs
by Diane Kleeschulte
It was the third week of February that I decided to study the book of Proverbs. I have read it over the course of my Christian walk, but I have never studied it, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. As I began looking over the chapters, I realized how easy it would be for me to become overwhelmed by all of it- 31 chapters! Should I begin with a chapter a day? No, that seemed very overwhelming. How about study the chapter over the course of a couple of days? No, that felt too open-ended. Then the idea came to me that I should allot one week of study per chapter. So I decided to count ahead the number of weeks beginning with Sunday, February 23, until the fall holy days. I pulled out my planner, counted out 31 weeks, and ended at the week of Sunday, September 20. It just so happens that that is the week between Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement. I couldn't believe it! It seems this bible study may be in God's perfect timing. Now, I was getting really excited about the Proverbs study. However, even though I felt convicted to tackle this study, I had yet another problem to solve. If I have seven days to study a chapter, how do I approach each day of study in and of itself?
I scribbled down a few ideas and came up with the following:
First, I decided to begin each week of study on the first day of the week, Sunday.
Next, it was important for me to set aside a time of study each day. I tend to study best in the morning but I have had to be flexible with that, and instead have found myself, at times, studying in the late afternoon or early evening.
Then, I got my materials ready. I found an unused, small, three-ring binder with some dividers. I don't have thirty-one dividers, one for each chapter, but I will before I end the study.
Finally, I created the following outline, and so far it is has worked very well.
Sunday- Read background information: who, what, where, when, how, and why.
Monday- Read the chapter. Spend time in reflection on the point(s) the author has written.
Tuesday- Create a key word(s) or phrase list. Underline these in bible.
Wednesday- Define one or more words from previous day.
Thursday- Choose a key verse for memorization.
Friday- Find parallel scriptures for the memory verse from previous day.
Sabbath- Review each day of study, and then write a personal summary and application for what was learned this week.
Notes: On Sunday, I write down the background notes that I have found. Nothing elaborate, just a few things that I might want to remember. Sometimes I jot them down in my bible, as well. Also, you can substitute “Day 1” for Sunday, if you decide to start on any other day of the week. Or, you can condense several days into one day of study. I recently had to do that when we had out-of -state company for a few days.
I hope you find this a helpful encouragement to find a book (you have a choice of 66!!) or section of the bible that interests you so that you may begin, or perhaps tweak, your own study of God's word. Be a diligent student of the bible and seek Him daily.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
"Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the way to holiness."
- Adrian Rogers
Due to the current social distancing guidelines, we will make plans for the upcoming holy days as we get closer to them. Please check our facebook page, church website, or your email for updates as they become available. Once we begin holding weekly church services again, the sabbath school memory verses will again be posted on the website.
Passover service: Tuesday, April 7th - after sunset
First Day of Unleavened Bread - Thursday, April 9th
First day of Count to Pentecost - Sunday, April 12th
Last Day of Unleavened Bread - Wednesday, April 15th
Passover Preparations by Cynthia Saladin
There are several scriptures which get our attention at this time of year especially:
Deuteronomy 16:4a No leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory for seven days, . . .
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
So we are very diligently examining our houses and cars to get all of the leaven out. We’re reading ingredient labels. We’re cleaning out pantries, cars, toasters, refrigerators, ovens, vacuum cleaners . . . It’s a thoroughly examination of our possessions to eradicate the leavening from our lives.
As we de-leaven physically, we recognize the spiritual application. We are to make Godly choices to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1). In other words, we need to examine our lives. We need to stop doing things that are out of step with God’s ways. We need to turn. We need to repent. We need to seek a closer relationship with God. Those who have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, chosen by God, must walk worthy of the calling you’ve received. And if you’ve made choices that are contrary to His ways, He’s standing at the door, knocking, waiting for you to let Him in. He’s ready and faithful to forgive you, if you ask, and to purify you from all unrighteousness. So first you have to examine your relationship with God. Is it where you want it to be? Have you humbled yourself before your God to be used as He directs?
This examination often revolves around what you do with the resources you have been given. How do you use your time? How do you use your money and resources? How do you use your talents?
Time is a finite resource. How much of it do you devote to communicating with God? Do you read your Bible daily? Do you pray, at least once a day? Do you meditate on His word? How much of your time do you truly focus on God?
Money and other possessions are a finite resource. How much of your money demonstrates your dedication to God? Are you willing to help people who need help?
The talents God has given to you aren’t for your glory; they are for God’s glory. We are made for and by His pleasure. We are His bond servants. We are here to do His bidding, if we have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. Do you seek to use the talents God has given to you for His glory?
So far, in our examination, we’ve looked at our relationship with God and how the use of the resources we have been given reflects that relationship. So now we need to examine our attitude. When people look at you, what do they normally see? Someone who is going to grumble about what’s going on around them? Do you complain about what’s happening in your life? Or do you exhibit the peace of God, a calmness that is attractive to others (especially now with the virus threat). Do you live a life of praise to God? Our attitude is such a barometer of our relationship with God. God is not particularly fond of those who grumble (1 Corinthians 10:10). Grumbling says at least one of two things: either you don’t trust God that He’s giving you what you deserve, or you are criticizing what He has given you, like you know more than He does. It’s very good to remember that God opposes the proud. But if you humble yourself before the Lord, He will lift you up.
As you’re examining your attitude towards God, remember to take a close look at your feelings towards others. 1 John 4:20 says that if we think we love God, yet hate our brother, then we are liars. If there’s animosity in your heart towards the people of God, then there’s a problem. We need to rectify the problem, resolve the conflict, prior to coming before God with a offering on His holy days. So as you’re examining yourself prior to Passover, you should also examine your attitude, both toward God and toward others.
It’s a lot of work to clean a house thoroughly prior to Passover. And it’s always amazing to me how quickly you have to clean again once it’s been cleaned. The dirt has a way of creeping back in. Similarly, we need to be vigilant about our relationship with God, examining our use of the God-given resources of time, possessions, and talents as well as our attitudes toward God and others. It’s hard work. It takes time. But we don’t any of us want to come before Him without having examined ourselves. We don’t want to come without having accurately identified our desperate need for Jesus’ sacrifice and ongoing intercession. He, Jesus Christ, makes us worthy to participate in eating the bread and drinking the cup.
Embrace the Pain by Jim O’Brien
There is a philosophy that says avoiding pain is one of the central factors for motivating man. Some people say it is the prime reason we act or don't act.
That thought came to mind when I was on a flight that required a change of planes in Atlanta. People who have landed at Hartsfield International are often aware of the marathon taxiing that is required from certain runways. More than one passenger has remarked that the flight took less time than the taxi.
As we began our descent a lady on our flight was waiting in line for the Ladies Room just as the 'fasten seatbelt' sign came on. She was forced to return to her seat without completing her task. As chance would have it we landed on the runway furthest from the terminal and in the direction that placed us at the most distant point from the gate. After taxing for several minutes the lady, in desperation jumped up from her seat and literally ran to the lavatory. "I'm sorry!" she yelled to the amusement of the passengers who all seemed to understand her plight.
The Flight Attendant phoned the pilot and then the 250 passengers witnessed something none of us had ever seen before: the plane stopped on the taxiway to wait for the
lady to finish. This was followed by an announcement from the pilot that a passenger had to go to the restroom and they were not allowed to continue moving while a passenger was not in a seatbelt. After a minute or two the embarrassed passenger emerged from her place of solitary confinement and walked past a hundred fellow travelers - apologizing all the way before the plane could resume taxiing to its destination.
For a few minutes one lady's pain stopped a commercial airliner and held up the largest airport in America. Suffering may be an inevitable part of life but avoiding pain is built into our psyche.
All this is said to reinforce one of the essential characteristics of Passover-suffering. After Jesus was resurrected some of the disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus discussing the events of the previous few days. A stranger joined them on their walk.
Not recognizing that the stranger was Jesus, the men openly talked of their deep disappointment over the ignominious death of the one they believed to be the Messiah. The disciples were confused because they expected Jesus to restore Israel at that time. Then Jesus said to them, "Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:26)
They expected immediate victory. The war had started and zealous Peter drew his sword attacking the Roman soldier-but he had misread the prophecies. Jesus could not be the Messiah without submitting to the sting.
Jesus could have escaped by just speaking a few words-commanding twelve legions of angels to intervene to stop the agony. But instead he embraced the pain. It had a purpose.
As many Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection to life let us remember that without his death there could be no resurrection. Thank God for Passover.
31 Weeks of Proverbs
by Diane Kleeschulte
It was the third week of February that I decided to study the book of Proverbs. I have read it over the course of my Christian walk, but I have never studied it, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. As I began looking over the chapters, I realized how easy it would be for me to become overwhelmed by all of it- 31 chapters! Should I begin with a chapter a day? No, that seemed very overwhelming. How about study the chapter over the course of a couple of days? No, that felt too open-ended. Then the idea came to me that I should allot one week of study per chapter. So I decided to count ahead the number of weeks beginning with Sunday, February 23, until the fall holy days. I pulled out my planner, counted out 31 weeks, and ended at the week of Sunday, September 20. It just so happens that that is the week between Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement. I couldn't believe it! It seems this bible study may be in God's perfect timing. Now, I was getting really excited about the Proverbs study. However, even though I felt convicted to tackle this study, I had yet another problem to solve. If I have seven days to study a chapter, how do I approach each day of study in and of itself?
I scribbled down a few ideas and came up with the following:
First, I decided to begin each week of study on the first day of the week, Sunday.
Next, it was important for me to set aside a time of study each day. I tend to study best in the morning but I have had to be flexible with that, and instead have found myself, at times, studying in the late afternoon or early evening.
Then, I got my materials ready. I found an unused, small, three-ring binder with some dividers. I don't have thirty-one dividers, one for each chapter, but I will before I end the study.
Finally, I created the following outline, and so far it is has worked very well.
Sunday- Read background information: who, what, where, when, how, and why.
Monday- Read the chapter. Spend time in reflection on the point(s) the author has written.
Tuesday- Create a key word(s) or phrase list. Underline these in bible.
Wednesday- Define one or more words from previous day.
Thursday- Choose a key verse for memorization.
Friday- Find parallel scriptures for the memory verse from previous day.
Sabbath- Review each day of study, and then write a personal summary and application for what was learned this week.
Notes: On Sunday, I write down the background notes that I have found. Nothing elaborate, just a few things that I might want to remember. Sometimes I jot them down in my bible, as well. Also, you can substitute “Day 1” for Sunday, if you decide to start on any other day of the week. Or, you can condense several days into one day of study. I recently had to do that when we had out-of -state company for a few days.
I hope you find this a helpful encouragement to find a book (you have a choice of 66!!) or section of the bible that interests you so that you may begin, or perhaps tweak, your own study of God's word. Be a diligent student of the bible and seek Him daily.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
"Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the way to holiness."
- Adrian Rogers
