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November 2, 2008TO OUR VISITORS
The family of God here at Dowagiac Church of Christ wishes to extend to you a warm welcome. If you have questions about our worship services and why we do what we do, we will be glad to give you a biblical answer. The uniqueness of the Church of Christ is that we are trying to restore to the best of our ability those things that we see the first century Church doing. We are also working hard at building the spirit, unity, and love that Jesus taught and prayed for. We have no clergy, but are working together as equal co-workers trying to serve one another and the area in which we live. Come study with us, grow with us, and serve with us as we strive to do God’s will in all things.
FAMILY NEWS
IMPORTANT PLANNING MEETING AND POTLUCK TODAY. A special menu has been drawn up including Bill Gibson's famous vegetable beef soup, Lana Fox's potato soup, Larry Fox's venison chili, and Janice Love's Taco Soup. Salads and bread are taken care of so bring a dessert if you do not know what to bring, and come. After the potluck we will have a planning meeting. We have been talking in our Bible study about Paul's instructions about what to do with problems that come into our lives, and we have mentioned several times that as the work on the physical facility comes to completion we need to focus on what we are going to do to reach out to the community. Come and share your ideas and hear what others are thinking along these lines.
HARD TIMES. The upheaval in our financial institutions and problems with our economy is sobering. It is a stern reminder to all of us that, what really matters is not "stuff." The things that are of real value are not material but they are eternal. Jesus gave a clear warning when he said we should not store up treasures on earth that are subject to decay and destruction. Rather he said "Store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). There will be many opportunities to share and help those who are out of work and have fundamental needs in the months ahead. Pray for this congregation and for our resolve to do God's will in hard times.
TODAY’S LESSON
THE STORY
MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS
Exodus 8:1-14
Exodus 8:1-14
THE STORY
The battle between Pharaoh and
God is ongoing.
A way of life is at stake--comfort and pleasure is the issue.
Much has already happened.
PARALLELS WITH US TODAYA way of life is at stake--comfort and pleasure is the issue.
Much has already happened.
Water turned to blood--magicians
duplicate it.
Exodus 7:22--Satan always tries to discredit God's work.
Pharaoh says "I'll win this yet" (7:23).
God turns to frogs--why frogs?Exodus 7:22--Satan always tries to discredit God's work.
Pharaoh says "I'll win this yet" (7:23).
Come from all water sources
(verse 5).
Satan is good at disgusting things.
Pharaoh calls for a band aid fix--"I'll do what you want, just get rid of the frogs."
Moses says "When" Pharaoh doesn't say "now!"
Why would he put up with frogs one more night?Satan is good at disgusting things.
Pharaoh calls for a band aid fix--"I'll do what you want, just get rid of the frogs."
Moses says "When" Pharaoh doesn't say "now!"
Our battle with God is ongoing.
No commitment, self indulgence, compromise.
God stands ready when we are willing to leave the frogs.
THE FROG FACTSA way of life is at
stake--comfort and pleasure.
We get into trouble (frogs)--money, relationships, losses.We try everything--counselors,
friends, family.
We go to God for a band aid fix--God help me and ... .
Instead of doing it God's way, we want one more night.We go to God for a band aid fix--God help me and ... .
No commitment, self indulgence, compromise.
God stands ready when we are willing to leave the frogs.
The frogs and their smell do not
go away right away--verse 14.
Weaknesses do not just leave--they have their after effects.
DON'T SPEND ANOTHER NIGHT WITH
THE FROGS.
Weaknesses do not just leave--they have their after effects.
Your needs and desires won't just
leave
Without God, things always get worse.Lice, flies, hail, locusts, and
death are coming
John 5:14--Sin always hurts. Galatians 6:7-8
With God, answers do come.John 5:14--Sin always hurts. Galatians 6:7-8
We forget the intensity of the
problem V s l5
Ultimately God's promises always happenTomorrow itself may not
come--Proverbs 27:1.
Matthew 24:44
2 Peter 3:9-14
Matthew 24:44
2 Peter 3:9-14
RESPECT
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden celebrated his 98th birthday recently. Coach Wooden made recruiting visits to the homes of prospective players. One day he made a visit to the home of an extremely talented prospect that had great potential to help his team. Wooden intended to make the player a scholarship offer that night, in fact all the necessary paperwork was ready and waiting in Wooden's suit jacket pocket. When Wooden left the house that evening, the scholarship offer was still in his pocket.
What changed Wooden's mind? His decision had nothing to do with basketball. Rather, as Wooden watched the player interact with his mother, he was troubled by what he saw as a real lack of respect. He surmised that a young man who spoke with disrespect to his mother probably would not respect his coach either. That was enough to keep Wooden from offering the young man a scholarship.
One of Wooden's statements was that he had often passed on exceptional talent if the the player lacked good values. "What I have found is that just because the talent and giftedness is there doesn't mean you're going to be able, as a coach, to bring it out of them," he said. "But if their values are there--the right ones --you can bring the best out of them every time."
Parents and Grandparents, love your children and grandchildren enough to teach them discipline. Love them enough to be firm when needed. Love them enough to do the difficult things. Love them enough to not overindulge them. "Training up a child in the way they should go ..." (Proverbs 22:6) means you might have to make unpopular decisions, but some things are more important than popularity. Respect is one of those things.
Remember to vote Tuesday. There are some tough choices to be made, but Christians need to be a part of the process and select candidates who hold biblical values and morals to as great an extent as possible. You may not like either candidate, but let your beliefs select the one closest to what God teaches us.
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden celebrated his 98th birthday recently. Coach Wooden made recruiting visits to the homes of prospective players. One day he made a visit to the home of an extremely talented prospect that had great potential to help his team. Wooden intended to make the player a scholarship offer that night, in fact all the necessary paperwork was ready and waiting in Wooden's suit jacket pocket. When Wooden left the house that evening, the scholarship offer was still in his pocket.
What changed Wooden's mind? His decision had nothing to do with basketball. Rather, as Wooden watched the player interact with his mother, he was troubled by what he saw as a real lack of respect. He surmised that a young man who spoke with disrespect to his mother probably would not respect his coach either. That was enough to keep Wooden from offering the young man a scholarship.
One of Wooden's statements was that he had often passed on exceptional talent if the the player lacked good values. "What I have found is that just because the talent and giftedness is there doesn't mean you're going to be able, as a coach, to bring it out of them," he said. "But if their values are there--the right ones --you can bring the best out of them every time."
Parents and Grandparents, love your children and grandchildren enough to teach them discipline. Love them enough to be firm when needed. Love them enough to do the difficult things. Love them enough to not overindulge them. "Training up a child in the way they should go ..." (Proverbs 22:6) means you might have to make unpopular decisions, but some things are more important than popularity. Respect is one of those things.
by Johnny Markham
VOTE
Remember to vote Tuesday. There are some tough choices to be made, but Christians need to be a part of the process and select candidates who hold biblical values and morals to as great an extent as possible. You may not like either candidate, but let your beliefs select the one closest to what God teaches us.