DEVOTION: The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. 1 Corinthians 6:7-8
(For the whole story read 1 Corinthians 6:1-8)
This passage from Paul writing to the Corinthians could have just as easily been written in 2013. It was actually written around 60 A.D. As I read through this passage today I was reminded of the many instances that I have experienced and the many more I have heard of in which Christians have fought with each other, and even brought each other to court to get retribution for wrongs done to them. Brothers against brothers, families against families. Christian against Christian. It hurts my heart and my soul every time I hear of this.
It hurt Paul's soul too. These Christians were new and just growing in their faiths and they were already having such difficult problems to deal with among them. When he says, why not rather be wronged or cheated, he is simply saying that it isn't worth the fight. it isn't worth the struggle. There is no amount of land, of property, of money, of ANYTHING that I worth a lawsuit among Christians. Instead they should work it out in Christian love and fellowship among themselves so that they can keep the unity of the spirit in a bond of peace.
I am pleading with you today that if you have something against your brother or sister in Christ or they have something against you that you reconcile TODAY! Make amends for wrongs done. Forgive any grievances. Overlook things that don't really matter. DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RESTORE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS IN CHRIST!!!
Please, please, please! Don't be defeated by Satan in these matters. Get your lives and your relationships straight so that the Lord can have a strong foothold in your life and so that Satan gets kicked out of your relationships completely!
Prayer: Lord God, help me to get rid of my grievances, to forgive, to be forgiven, and to restore my relationships to God pleasing ones in Your sight. Amen.
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Why did Paul rebuke Peter?
"Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and
separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
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MONDAY'S QUIZ: Where are the Words of Institution (the words I use before communion) found in Scripture? Hint: It's in 1 Corinthians.
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CALENDAR
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15; Ladies Christmas Party 6pm at Brewskies
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30am; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Sat- Vendor, Craft and Bake Sale 9-3; Clark/Jordan Wedding 2pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; elders meeting at noon
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FRIED CHICKEN AND POTLUCK SUPPER (5:30) and WORSHIP 6:30!!! THIS WEDNESDAY!!!! What could be better?
Come for supper at 5:30!! Stay for worship at 6:30!!
If you are in elder groups 1, 2, or 3, you are responsible for bringing the food!!
Our worship will focus on the theme "Beautiful Savior, King of Creation" showing us how Jesus is much bigger than the 33 years he spent on the earth!!
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CRAFT SALE, BAKE SALE, and VENDOR FAIR THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 9-3!!!!
Come and get your Christmas shopping done and get some goodies to eat at the same time!!!
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MEN'S BREAKFAST CHANGED TO THE 14th!!!!
Since the Fair and Sale is going on this Saturday we are changing men's breakfast and Bible Study to the 14th. Please get the word out and invite your friends and neighbors.
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MANY OF YOU STILL NEED TO BUY YOUR BOOKS FOR THE STORY!!!
The beginning of THE STORY is just a month away!! Are you excited? Do you have your books yet?
Adults may buy their books for $6 a piece before or after worship!!
Kids will get their books at Sunday school, but if they miss Sunday school they can get them after worship as well!!!
There are about 70 adult books left. Get them while they are still available!!
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BRING SQUEEZABLE JELLY (all flavors are acceptable) FOR OPERATION BACKPACK FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!!
Please put them in the proper receptacle either upstairs or downstairs.
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GIVING TREE IS UP!!
There are 18 families who need help this Christmas. 57 kids need gifts! Come to church this Wednesday or this weekend and take an ornament or two!
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THE STORY: AN EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE FOR OUR WHOLE CONGREGATION!!
What is it? THE STORY is a book compiled and written by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee, which takes sections of the Bible and divides it up into 31 chapters and adds commentary and study notes to it. The best way to describe it is to call it a Reader's Digest condensed version of the Bible. It is not split up into chapters and verses but reads more like a novel, and it doesn't include every bit of the Bible, but most of the main sections and stories.
How will it work? As a family and as individual members of the congregation you will each get a copy of the book. There are different versions for adults, teens, older elementary age and younger children. You will get these and read chapter 1 before January 5. Each week we will go through a chapter of the book in every part of the church's life: in Worship, Bible Studies, Confirmation and in the Home for personal devotions.
Why are we doing this? This is a great opportunity for all of us to read through the Bible TOGETHER in 31 weeks and for us to all literally be on the same page. The materials are excellent. It is a fantastic way for us to grow together as a church and or us to reach out to the community with the Gospel!
What about special weeks like Holy Week and Easter? We will take several weeks off throughout these eight months, one for Life Sunday in January, one for Easter and another two or three when I am going to be gone for Spring Break and other vacations. A specific schedule will be coming out in the next week or so.
How do we get the books? Each adult will be asked to buy a book for $6. A table will be set up in the narthex to buy them before and after services for the next several weeks or you can call Marilyn in the office at 456-2888 to purchase your during the week.
What about the kids? All children will receive a copy that is age appropriate courtesy of the Janet Wagner fund. There will be a table set up for the next several weeks for adults to buy books. Kids will get theirs in Sunday school .
What kind of help is needed to make this a success? We have several volunteers already to sell books, but could use a few more to sell before and after services until everyone who wants a copy of the book has one. I would also like someone, a man or a woman, who would be willing to lead a study of it during the week.
Can I order books for family members who are not members? There will also be an order form for those of you who want to buy books for your children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES WILL FLUCTUATE ON FUTURE ORDERS DUE TO PRICE CHANGES WITH BOOK DISTRIBUTORS AND PUBLISHING HOUSES.
Where can I go to get more info? Please go to www.thestory.com for more info.
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ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY, MONDAY, DEC. 2, 6pm at BREWSKIES.