“Keeping Christ in Christmas”

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

The number one way to keep Jesus Christ in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily life. If you're not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check out this article on "How to Become a Christian."  If you have already accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and made him the center of your life, keeping Christ in Christmas is more about the way you live your life than the things you say—such as "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays"!

Keeping Christ in Christmas means to daily reveal the character, love and spirit of Christ who dwells in you, allowing these traits to shine thru your actions. Here are some simple ways to keep Christ as the central focus of your life during this Christmas season.

1.      Give God one very special gift from you:

Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing.

Maybe your gift to God will be to forgive someone you've needed to forgive for a long time. You may discover that you've given a gift back to yourself!

Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian who survived extreme brutality in a German concentration camp after rescuing many Jews from certain death during the Nazi Holocaust, was later able to say, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."

Perhaps your gift will be to commit to spending some time with God daily. Or maybe there is something God has asked you to give up. Make this your most important gift of the season!

2.      Set aside a special time to read and discuss the Christmas story (Luke 1:5-5

    6:2:1-20) with your family or friends.

3.      Set up a Nativity scene in your home:

If you don't have a Nativity, this year may be a good year to introduce one. Gather your kids or grandkids around and explain the characters in it.

4.      Plan a “good will” project this Christmas

Do you know of an elderly neighbor or family member in need of home repairs or yard work? Find someone with a genuine need, then involve your family or friends to help you meet that need and watch how happy you can make someone this Christmas!

I know of one of our LIFE Groups that is going out on Christmas Eve day to hand out practical hygiene items to the homeless such as lotion, soap, combs, etc. along with giving some love and good conversation!  God bless you guys!

(Our Blanket/Coat and Children’s Book drives have been promoted for this purpose, as well.)

5.      Gather a group to go Christmas caroling at a nursing home, hospital or a shelter:

Another one of our LIFE Groups (including the children) already went caroling at a senior home. The LIFE Group’s joy of serving was exuberant!

6.      Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family or to a friend:

Jesus taught us to serve others by washing the disciples feet. He also taught us that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) The idea of giving an unexpected gift of service to someone is to demonstrate Christ-like love and service. You might consider running an errand, cleaning out a closet or making a favorite dish. Just make it personal and meaningful and watch the blessing multiply!

7.      Send hand written Christmas cards that convey a spiritual message:

This is an easy way to share your personal faith at Christmas time. If you've already bought the reindeer or snowmen cards—no problem! Just write a special Bible verse and include a personal message with each card! 

8.      Attend our Christmas Eve Celebration service together with your family or friends:

If you are alone this Christmas or don't have any family living near you, invite a friend or a neighbor to join you at this beautiful service.

9.      Set aside time for prayer and devotions on Christmas morning:

Before opening the gifts, take just a few minutes to gather together in prayer and devotions. Read a few Bible verses and discuss the true meaning of Christmas.

10.  Give an end-of-year monetary gift to your church or one of their missionaries.

This idea is dear to my heart because Gayla and I spent three years as “home missionaries” raising our own support. Receiving a Christmas card with a monetary gift always felt like opening a priceless gift on Christmas morning, no matter what day it was! Many missionaries are unable to travel home for the holidays, so it can be a very lonely time for them. Along with a monetary gift include a special note, thanking them for giving their life in service to the Lord. Trust me—it’s a gift that’ll mean more than you can ever imagine!

Portions excerpted from: 10 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide

“Come Home To The Father”

Matthew, Tara & Nathan

This week we continue our series titled, “Coming Home For Christmas” as we take a closer look at Luke 15:11-31. This weeks message will truly be a blessing to those who need to come home to the Father. Plan on bringing that person who needs encouragement or may be far from Him and needs a challenge about returning home to God.

READ: Luke 15:11-32

When I come to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, I am both humbled and excited...humbled because there has been so much great preaching on this passage that I have nothing unique to add. But excited because I have an opportunity with you to study in greater detail one of the most loved parables that Jesus ever taught.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son follows two shorter parables in which something that was lost is searched for and found, followed by celebrating. Each of them is intended to illustrate that “There is rejoicing in the presence of God over one sinner who repents” (15:10). The Pharisees had grumbled about Jesus’ attention to the “sinners” and tax collectors; Jesus’ response is that God is delighted when these lost ones repents and turns to him.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son makes the same point -- God’s joy at the repentance of a lost and wayward son. Too often we look only at the first part of the parable that focuses on the younger, wayward son, who represents the “sinners” and tax collectors. The second part of the parable focuses on the older son’s reaction -- one of anger and jealousy --representing the Pharisees’ own reaction to Jesus seeking the sinners.

Now that we’ve looked at the overall context, let’s examine the details of the first part of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

The father, of course, represents God, the Father. The Prodigal Son represents those who have rebelled against God, who repent, and return to God. Here’s what we learn from this parable:
God does not prevent us from sinning and rebelling. We have freedom in our choice to do so.

Repentance is necessary for us to return to God. Without repentance we act as if we have a right to something. Repentance recognizes and confesses our moral bankruptcy and changes our direction. Repentance is a strong theme here, since Jesus mentions it in each of these three parables (15:7, 10, 17-19).

Even though he loves us immensely, God waits patiently until we “come to our senses.” We can’t talk, pursue, or persuade people into repenting. It is a conviction one must come to by them- self with the help of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). Of course, the Holy Spirit can work strongly through anointed preaching and witnessing, but without the Holy Spirit’s work, such preaching can come across as judgmental.

The sinner is morally bankrupt and has absolutely no claim on the Father, only the Father’s love.

God, our Father is ready to show us his abundant mercy. The son deserves nothing, but the father lavishes on him the adornment of sonship. It’s not due to merit but to mercy. Part of the charm of this story is the utter graciousness of the father contrasted with the stinginess and jealousy of the older son.

If this is the way my heavenly Father feels towards the wayward and sinful -- full of compassion and mercy -- so must I nurture his attitude toward the lost around me. As a disciple others, I must not be proud or self-righteous, but boast only of the grace of God. It’s not a matter of fairness toward sinners, but of love.

Parts have been excerpted from  Jesus Walk, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

OPEN:

What person or incident illustrates for you an exemplary fatherly love?

EXPLORE:

• What series of decisions did the younger son make after receiving his inheritance? (15:13-20)
• What did the father do in response to his son’s return? (15:20-24)
• What was the older son’s perspective on his father’s mercy? (15:28-30)
• How did the father defend his actions? (15:31-32)

GET IT:

• Why do you think we tend to become obsessed with fairness?
• When have you personally experienced God’s unmerited favor and blessing?
• How can every day be a celebration for those who are seeking to follow God and have returned home?
• In what way was the love extended by the father really the same for both brothers?

APPLY:

• Who do you know that is living a prodigal life in relationship to God? What can you do this Christmas season to help them “come home” to the Father? What step will you begin to take to help them move towards God?

Some questions excerpted from illumina

"Three Tips For A More Biblical Thanksgiving"

"... he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

(Proverbs 11: 25)

Happy Thanksgiving!

In my personal studies I came across this article that I just had to pass on to you just the way it was written. I trust that it will speak to you as it spoke to me as it is very well written.

No U.S. holiday is as distinctive as Thanksgiving. In our busy, deadline-fixated age, expressing gratitude to our heavenly Father is too easily squeezed out of our lives, but it is important. First, I think human beings are "hardwired" to do this. Even atheists seem to have unsettling moments when they feel an irresistible urge to thank someone "up there." One of the problems with atheism occurs when pain is avoided or pleasure gained—having no one to give thanks to leaves you with an itch you cannot scratch.

But there is more than a primeval urge to justify thanking God. On almost every page of the Bible, we see this as a theme. The Old Testament reverberates with the sound of people praising God; Israel’s history is full of thanksgiving to God for showing them mercy and delivering them from disaster.



The New Testament is no less full of thanksgiving. Jesus himself offers up thanks to God the Father, most importantly at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-27), where the word used for thanksgiving is Eucharist, still used in many churches for communion. Paul not only regularly gives thanks; he actually commands it of others.



This gives us some guidelines for "biblical" thanksgiving:

First, biblical thanksgiving is innocent.

In giving thanks to God, there should be no motive other than pure gratitude. Thanksgiving is giving thanks and that alone. Of all the different types of prayer, this is least likely to be contaminated by our own conscious or subconscious desire to manipulate God.

Second, biblical thanksgiving is intelligent.

It involves looking back over the past—whether the last week or an entire life—and identifying things for which we are grateful. Thanksgiving is neglected today partly because modern Western culture is so obsessed with the future. But to give thanks to God is to look backward, not forward, and to express gratitude for the good things that have come our way.

Third, thanksgiving should be inclusive.

It's easy just to say, "Thank you, God" for the health and wealth we have. But do we also give God thanks for friends, family, housing, holidays, or a hundred other lesser things? Let's give him thanks for all the little things in life, too.

Giving God thanks should be a theme running through our lives. At least five blessings result from this:

The first is that thankfulness forces us to focus on what we have had rather than what we want. In our materialistic culture, we can succumb to a consumerism of the soul that reduces our prayers to shopping lists. Thankfulness looks outward, not inward. It realigns our lives so that they revolve around God instead of trying to make God revolve around us.

The second is that thankfulness highlights grace. To give thanks is to admit that you are dependent, to say, "I couldn't have done this on my own, but you helped me." Thanksgiving removes the temptation to boast and strengthens the only basis on which we can relate to God: that of accepting our own unworthiness and God’s free grace in Jesus Christ.

The third is that thankfulness encourages a positive attitude. It forces us to think about what is right with our lives rather than what is wrong. This is important in an age when many feel depressed. Thanking God is a proven way of piercing the gloomiest of clouds.

A fourth is that thankfulness develops hope for the future. Looking backward to the past with thanksgiving actually helps us to look toward the future with anticipation

A fifth is that to practice thankfulness regularly ensures that gratitude will spill over into every area of our lives. We cannot thank God for difficult colleagues, relatives, or neighbors for long before finding that we express a positive attitude toward them. Grumpiness and irritability do not grow well in a climate of gratitude. Those who regularly give thanks to God find they are ready to give to others. Gratitude and generosity go hand in hand.

Whether or not we celebrate Thanksgiving, we all need to be reminded to practice thanksgiving on a daily basis. That "attitude of gratitude" is not just a duty to be fulfilled but something that will bless us and others. It's typical of God’s graciousness that the best gift we can give ourselves and others is to say thanks for what we have already received.

by J. John, Philo Trust.com

Reflection Questions 

• Why is Thanksgiving so special to you?
• What part of Thanksgiving do you look most forward to?
• Honestly, what, if anything, are you dreading about Thanksgiving? Stop and ask God to help you with this.
• Would you take a moment Thanksgiving day and get away by yourself for just a few moments to reflect on what are you are thankful for? Write these down as a reminder to you for the future.
• What have you taken for granted and even treated with an entitlement attitude? Would you confess it to God? How will you change that attitude in the future?
• Make it a point to share how blessed you are with someone other than family this week.

“BEING THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE”

Continuing our series “Getting Ready For The Holidays”, this week’s title is “Being Thankful For What We Already Have.” On Thursday, we will gather together as family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving and offer thanks to the Lord for what we already have.

I find it curious that too often we focus on what we don’t have instead of focusing on what we do have. Do you realize that compared to other countries of the world, we are a rich nation who is inhabited by rich people? So, be intentional to truly thank God from the bottom of your heart.

Take a moment out of your busy schedule and read 1 Chronicles 29:1-20.

In this passage of scripture, we see David’s great prayer of praise and supplication which marks the climax of his reign. Israel’s king praises God for his universal kingdom and recognizes him as the source of all his wealth and strength (see vv. 10-13). Indeed, even the generosity of David and the people for providing for the temple comes from God himself (see vv. 14-16). They depend entirely on God for their security and well - being, and even in the Promised Land, they are strangers and sojourners before God (see v. 15). David then reflects on the fact that God examines the human heart for integrity or uprighteousness (see v. 17), a further indication that the Chronicler cares above all for the inner reality of faith. He then concludes by praying that God will keep the people in the same purpose and mind as they have shown this day, and will give to Solomon a whole heart in obedience to God’s commandments (see vv. 18-19).

Now read 1 Chronicles 29:1-9. David is a shining example of devotion to God. No wonder God called him a “man after his own heart”. David wanted to build a temple to God more than anything, but God said no, but chose Solomon to build it instead. And rather than sulk or express anger, David threw all his support behind Solomon. He not only commissioned Solomon before the whole assembly, but he gave an enormous amount of money and precious commodities toward the building of the temple, as well. When he challenged others to do the same, they followed his example, ensuring the project’s success. David never lost sight of why he wanted to build the temple - for the glory and honor of God!

• What do you find most inspiring about this account?
• Have you ever wanted to do something that God said no to? What was your response? How should you have responded?
• What do you think is the key to not caring who gets the credit for something?
• David gave an enormous amount of commodities to the temple. What would be an equivalent for us to give today?
• Have you ever been inspired to generosity by someone else’s example, just as David inspired the tribes of Israel? Is so, share with us about it.

Read vv.10-15. David realizes that nothing he has is because of his own ability or cleverness, but that everything comes from God. This attitude allowed him to have a loose grip on the things of this world or as we now refer to as “materialism”. But, as we see, we don’t have to be wealthy to give of ourselves.

• Name all the reasons that David found to praise and thank God in this passage.
• If you were to compose a similar prayer, what kinds of things would you praise God for?
• How can such a prayer affect our entire lives? What kind of perspective does it give us?

Now finish reading vv.16-20. David delights in God. He felt so blessed and charges the people to remain faithful to such a good God. He would have agreed with William Carey, the great missionary pioneer to India. When Carey was on his deathbed, a young man named Alexander Duff visited him. He greatly admired the famous missionary. After a long visit, Carey asked Duff to pray with him. Following the prayer, when Duff turned to leave, he heard Carey’s feeble voice calling back.

“Mr. Duff,” said Carey, “you have been speaking about ‘Dr. Carey, Dr. Carey, Dr. Carey’. When I am gone, say nothing about Dr. Carey. Speak only about Dr. Cary’s Savior.” (F. W. Boreham, “William Carey’s Life Text,” Wholesomewords.org)

• What kind of attitude should we have when God says no to our desire to do something, even something that seems as though it would honor him?
• What should be our attitude toward the thing(s) God does allow us to do?
• How does thankful praise to God change our attitude about who gets the credit for things?
• What was David’s overriding concern in  v. 18? What should be our overriding concern?

Excerpted from Christian Bible Studies.com & smallgroups.com

“How To Survive Seasonal Stress”

This week I am starting a new series that I have titled, “Getting Ready For The Holidays”. I am starting the series with a message titled, “How To Survive Seasonal Stress”.

I don’t know about you, but when Gayla and I begin to talk about the holidays, my blood pressure begins to rise and I begin to sweat! I totally dislike going to Walmart in normal circumstances. Now I have to start thinking about going shopping there during the busiest time of the year!

What is it about the holidays that cause us so much stress? Is it the fact that we feel we have to spend money on gifts people don’t need with money we don’t have? Or is it pretending that our family is just fine so that our relatives don’t begin to talk about us?  Maybe it’s the yearly get together with our relatives who don’t talk to us any other time of the year while we now have to endure sitting across the table from them engaging in meaningless conversation. Regardless of the reason, the stress we all face is real.

“In 1967, psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe examined the medical records of over 5,000 medical patients as a way to determine whether stressful events might cause illnesses. Patients were asked to tally a list of 43 life events based on a relative score. A positive correlation of 0.118 was found between their life events and their illnesses.

Their results were published as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), known more commonly as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. Subsequent validation has supported the links between stress and illness.” (Excerpted from Wikipedia)

Dr. Walter Calvert continued his study and discovered that forty percent of your worries never happen. Thirty percent of your worries concern the past. Basically this tells us worry cannot change the past and worry cannot control the future. All worry does is mess up today! The past is the past and it’s not going to control the future no matter how much you worry about it. Worry just messes you up right now!

Twelve percent of your worries are needless health concerns which reminds me of the hypochondriac who had written on his tombstone, “I told you I was sick!”

Ten percent of your worries are about insignificant and petty issues. Only eight percent of your worries are actual legitimate concerns.

In (Philippians 4:4-9) we find some great counsel on worrying and handling stress.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice ... The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” [ESV]

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is flavored by the context in which it was written– from a lonely jail cell! Even so, Paul’s message is inspiring and filled with hope. In this passage, he summarizes his life goal and passion: living for Christ!  In fact, he writes that neither death nor life means anything other than an opportunity to be with and live for Christ so why should he be consumed with worry!

• Here’s some questions to help stimulate your spiritual growth:
• What do you think the key to successful living is?
• From where does Paul write the book of Philippians? (1:7)
• What was Paul’s attitude toward living? (1:20-25)
• What was Paul’s attitude toward the threat of death? (1:20-25)5
• What admonition did Paul give to the Philippians concerning their own attitude toward living? (1:27)
• How does your attitude affect your ability to succeed in struggles?
• How would you summarize Paul’s life motto in your own words?
• What would you say is your own life’s motto?
• In what ways can your life bring honor to God in day-to-day circumstances?
• In what area of life could you pray for an attitude improvement?

"Understanding God’s Vanguard"

I am so fortunate because I get to do for living what I love doing! I am a vocational pastor by calling, so what I am about to share will probably come across to you as bias and it may be, because I believe in the local church. After all Christ died for the church, which is made up of people who have given their life to Christ.

This week, I will conclude the series we have been in for the past eight weeks with a sermon I’ve entitled, “Keeping First Things First”. (Thanks for the idea, Ariel!)

So, what are God’s “first things”? I have discovered that there are four MAIN things that are God’s “first things”: Jesus Christ, the Bible, the lost (the last and the least) and of course, the church.

Given that I don’t have much space to elaborate on all four things, I will focus on the church.

In today’s culture, it seems that this one is the one that is most neglected, most avoided and most often considered an option. I pray that as you read this your mind will be open and your heart changed!

One of the areas where we demonstrate our commitment to God is through the local church and our active participation there. As Christ left this earth, He left behind three primary institutions to guide all of mankind into a relationship with the Father: His Word (John1:1), His Spirit (John 14:15-17), and His Church (Matthew 16:18).

Throughout the mission trips of Paul and the other apostles recorded throughout the book of Acts, we see them establishing the local church as the structured place for the Christians to gather, proclaim the Word, and develop relationships for support and accountability: (Acts 14:23) “And when they (Paul and Barnabas) had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
As we see consistently throughout the New Testament, the church became the basic unit of all Christianity (Matthew 16:18; Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:31; Acts 11:22).

We also see an admonition by the writer of Hebrews that we should never stop meeting together as believers”. This was the place, the mechanism, for God’s people to constantly and consistently come together to encourage one another: (Hebrews 10:25) “24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

The practical question, however, is what should we do with respect to the church as busy individuals with far too many priorities in our respective lives? First, Hebrews 10:25 establishes the requirement of ALL believers to participate regularly in a local church. I find no basis for “Easter and Christmas only Christians”. I also find no basis for substituting one’s individual worship for “wherever you find God.” The church is a gathering place for: teaching; proclaiming the Word; publicly declaring God’s praise; mutual accountability; and corporate worship.

Based on this and many other references throughout the New Testament, I see our relationship with God being demonstrated through active participation in His church. This could be in the form of teaching and preaching, missions work, leadership, serving as a deacon, as a prayer warrior, caring for our elderly and home bound, maintenance of our church grounds and facility, shepherding a LIFE Group & more.

On the other spectrum, church work alone can become nothing but another set of overwhelming and endless activities and busyness! We can easily loose sight of our relationship with the Father as we zealously pursue them, just like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, trying to “earn” His favor! This focus brought a startling strong rebuke from Christ: (Matthew 23:5) “The scribes and the Pharisees … They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long …”

Our church work can literally consume all the time we have for intimacy with God. Just as Martha did in her time with Jesus, we too have to exercise caution not to lose sight of the Savior (Luke 10:38-42). Church activities cannot replace a relationship with Christ, but they can displace it!

On that note, see you Sunday as we gather as a church!

Some excerpts from Balancing Your Family, Faith & Work by Pat Gelsinger

1. How would you define the church to someone and what would you say to someone who is not involved in a church to help them consider being involved?
2. God is faithfully committed to the local church, are you? If no, why not?
3. Most people go to a church subconsciously asking, “What can this church offer me?” Is this something you’ve asked before? Why?
4. How would the church be different if Christians went to church asking, “What can I offer this church instead of asking what can this church offer me?
5. How would you define your commitment to the church? How would you describe your attendance to your church?
6. What has God brought to your attention during this study and what needs to change? Make it a matter of prayer, confession and commitment.

“Understanding God’s Vehicle: THE DREAM TEAM”

Have you ever thought of what a “dream team” would look like?

The first ten players for the “Dream Team” were officially selected on September 21, 1991: Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, and Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers (later traded to the Phoenix Suns). David Robinson had played with the 1988 Olympic team, and was especially eager to earn a gold medal at Barcelona. Clyde Drexler of the Portland Trail Blazers was added to the team on May 12, 1992, along with Christian Laettner of Duke University. Laettner was the only player selected for the national team without any professional experience, and beat out Louisiana State University's Shaquille O'Neal for the final spot on the roster.

The Dream Team made its debut on June 28, 1992, at the Tournament of the Americas, an Olympic qualifying event in Portland, Oregon. The team defeated Cuba 136–57, prompting Cuban coach Miguel Calderón Gómez to say, “You can't cover the sun with your finger.” The next five games were also easy victories for Team USA, who ended the tournament on July 5, 1992, with a 127–80 victory over Venezuela.

At the Olympics, opposing teams were overwhelmed by the talent of the American roster, losing by an average of 43.8 points per game. The closest of the eight matches was Team USA's 117–85 victory in the gold medal game against Croatia. Charles Barkley was the Dream Team's leading scorer during the Olympics, averaging 18.0 points per game. Fans in Barcelona greeted the Dream Team with great enthusiasm. Fans gathered outside the team's hotel, hoping to see their favorite players. “It was like Elvis and the Beatles put together,” remarked Chuck Daly. Opposing basketball players and athletes from other sports often asked to have photographs taken with the players.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As I have shared before I always have wanted to be a part of a winning team. It seems that all the sports teams that I have been a part of have gotten close to winning championships and titles but never have come out as number one until now. I have discovered through God’s word that the hope of this world lies in the hands of two entities: the church and the family. God has chosen these two to accomplish His dream. Let’s call them His “dream teams” and I get to be a part of both!

God has called us to be a part of His “dream team” for reaching, for reconciling His people back to Himself. (Matthew 28:19-20) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Often when I read this verse I am overwhelmed by it’s gargantuan mandate. Even though we have seen many people give their hearts to Christ through the ministry of Sierra Vista Community Church I realize that we haven’t made a dent on the work that needs to be done in our community. This grieves me since I have a deep passion to make a difference. I believe that God has allowed me to be born at this time, in the family I was born into, married the woman I did, placed me in the current ministry that I have and called me to not only pastor Sierra Vista Community Church but the entire community of Las Cruces.

Take a moment and read (Acts 18) so that you can get familiar with one of God’s dream teams. Their name was Priscilla and Aquila, two unlikely people who would make a huge difference in the Kingdom of God.

God cared for the apostle Paul in practical ways. He encouraged Paul in his ministry with a vision. He gave Paul good friends, such as Aquila and Priscilla, to encourage him in the faith. God even provided a way for Paul to support himself through tent making. Even though Paul had to face many obstacles and severe opposition to his preaching, God always provided enough resources so that Paul could serve him.

OPEN

1. When has an unexpected surprise brightened your day?

EXPLORE

2. How did Aquila and Priscilla help the apostle Paul? (17:2-3, 18)

3. How did the arrival of Silas and Timothy impact Paul’s ministry? (17:5)

4. What words of encouragement did God give to Paul in a vision? (17:9-10)

5. Why did Gallio throw Paul’s accusers out of his court? (17:12-16)

GET IT

6. When have the demands of ministry left you feeling drained?

7. How did God minister to you during that time?

8. How can friends within the church protect and support us?

9. In what circumstances do you tend to doubt God’s love and concern for you?

APPLY

10. How can you trust God to meet your needs today?

Question excerpted from Illumina Bible Program

Being born in 1956, I really got to see and experience a small part of the “hippie” movement of the 60’s as a very young child.

I was reflecting back on this time of my life and found myself being filled with images of my first real experiences with those who celebrated free drugs, free sex and free STD’s!

It was the summer of 1971 and I was just getting ready to start my sophomore year at Las Cruces High School when my dad took our family on our very first summer vacation. I remember piling into the back of my dad’s pickup along with my sisters. It was the first time we had actually taken a trip further than Alamogordo, Deming, El Paso or Hatch!

My dad decided that all of us needed to get to know our beautiful state better, so he planned this exciting trip to Northern New Mexico. We got to visit places like Taos, Espanola, the Rio Grand Gorge and of course, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, our state capital.

I found myself amused and intrigued with the people we encountered living on the Old Town Plazas in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I studied them intently to see what they said and did, what they ate, how they dressed, even the music they played. And of course, I was even overtaken by the smell of their funny shaped cigarettes!

Little did I know that right in our backyard, not far from our house in San Pablo, was a cluster of these hippies living together in an old ranch house. I would often drive by their house as slow as I could, without tipping over on my motorcycle, just to get a glimpse of them. One day I began to count all the adults and kids who were just hanging out and I was taken back by how many people were living there. At least seventy people were living on the grounds of this old ranch house.

As I began to ask questions about these different folks I found out that they were living together in what was called a “commune”. I was told that the money they earned, the house they lived in, the food they brought home and anything else belonging to them, was ALL community property. (I’ll leave the rest to your imagination!)

Later, I heard from a friend of mine who happened to be involved in another commune in Radium Springs, who was their pastor. This commune was different though. Yes, they were still considered hippies, but they were also known as “Jesus Freaks”. However, they did not share “all things”. They were born again followers of Christ that came to know Him through this Jesus movement.

After seeing how these two communes were so different, yet similar in function, I have to tell you that I was (and STILL am) intrigued by the possibility of a people living together and sharing all things that they had in common. After all, these people functioned in much the same way that our extended family did. I guess that is why I have such a great love for Acts 2:42-47. Please take a moment to read this passage of scripture as it will help you understand where this story is going.

After reading that passage, here are two questions to ask about it:

What is unique to this community?

What are some things to be common of every community that follows Jesus?

Read the following scriptures and answer the questions:

1. Genesis 2:15-25. In what ways is marriage supposed to be an environment for experiencing community?
2. Matthew 18:15-20. What role does community play in church discipline?
3. Acts 20:17-38. What elements of community do you see demonstrated between Paul and Ephesian elders?
4. Philippians 2:1-5. How does Paul describe the bond of Christian community?
5. 1 Corinthians 13. There are two distinct lists here: what love does and what love does not do. How can you be more loving in your community?

Taking It Deeper:

Reflect on how these verses inform us as to what TRUE biblical community looks like:

·      Mark 9:50  Be at peace with one another.

·      John 13:14  Wash one another’s feet.

·      John 13:34-35; 15:12,17  Love one another

·      Romans 13:8  Owe no one anything, expect to love one another.

·      Romans 12:10  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

·      Romans 12:16  Live in harmony with one another.

·      Romans 14:13 Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.

·      Romans 15:7  Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.

·      Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corithians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

·      1 Corinthains 11:33 Wait for one another when you come together to eat.

·      1 Corinthians 12:25 Members may have the same care for one another.

·      Galatians 5:13 Through love, serve one another.

·      Galatians 6:2  Bear one another’s burdens.

·      Galatains 5:15  If you bite and devour one another, watch out that you’re not consumed by one another.

·      Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking ... [and] envying one another.

·      Ephesians 4:32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

·      Ephesians 5:19  Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

·      Ephesians 5:21  Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

·      Colossians 3:9  Do not lie to one another.

·      Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ... admonishing one another.

·      1 Thessalonians 3:12  May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another.

·      1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11 Hebrews 10:25 Encourage one another.

Questions excerpted from Disciple-Getting Your Identity From Jesus by Bill Clem