ISSUE: #36

MEM

Message

Are there prophets today?

We have added an article to our website. It is about the prophets of God. We encourage you to examine it, and see if something applies to your life today.

When prophets of God speak, we can recognize them by two important characteristics. What are these characteristics? (1) Prophets point out sin and issue a call to repentance. (2) Prophets give encouragement by pointing to the Messiah and His coming Kingdom. We can look to the prophets of old and see the same indicators that should be in the message of any modern day prophet.

We can be assured there will be prophets today because it is one of the gifts of the Spirit. Hence we need to recognize them and give heed to their message. Jeremiah 29:19 because they have not listened to My words,’ declares the LORD, ‘which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,’ declares the LORD.

What should we make of the calamities we face, whether man made or natural? Will we miss the significance of what has been said and what is being said? Luke 24:25-27 And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

Will we be slow to believe? Will we miss the importance of all Scripture - The Kingdom of God? Acts 13:27 "For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath..." Acts 13:40 "Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:" Acts 28:23-27 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, ‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."’ (Emphasis added)

Our web article does not dwell on false prophets; however we can identify them by applying the message of a true prophet to any prophet. We have a clue in identifying false prophets. Lamentations 2:14 Your prophets have seen for you False and foolish visions; And they have not exposed your iniquity So as to restore you from captivity, But they have seen for you false and misleading oracles.

Yeshua told us what to do in the face of disaster; check it out http://www.seekingthetruth.com/articles/Prophets.htm

Proverb

Proverbs 1:23 "Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

Proverbs 5:7 Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Web Article

New article: Prophets of God – A call to repentance.

Are there prophets of God today? If so how can we identify them? http://www.seekingthetruth.com/articles/Prophets.htm

Saying

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. John Wooden

Bad circumstances need not be wholly bad. We can choose to see value in them and work to achieve it. Life may take us down paths that we didn’t ask to see, but if we open our eyes and look around, we may find that the new territory is as fascinating as the one we left behind. Stephen R. covey

Bible Quiz

1. To whom did Yeshua (Jesus) say, "Today you will be with me in paradise"?
2. Who authored the book, the Song of Songs?
3. Of what country was Pekah king?
4. Why did the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem criticize Peter?
5. By what miracle did the Israelites enter the Promise Land?
6. Who pleaded with God not to destroy Sodom?
7. Who said, "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people?

Humility

Humility is not so much a virtue along with the others (virtues), but is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God and allows Him, as God, to do all. Andrew Murray

It is extremely difficult to help those of today’s society to understand what true humility is about. We seem to have a pre-conceived idea as to what a humble person is. We often think of them as weak, or bland, having no personality or character. We certainly do not want to be that type of person.

Understand the true humility of Yeshua (Jesus). He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He loved us so much He was willing to die for us, to bring us to the Father through His righteousness.

True humility is being able to understand we are not capable of fulfilling the role God has called us to without the Spirit and mind of our Savior dwelling in us. Our desire should be to be like Yeshua; therefore we must have the attitude to allow Him, to do all. Then the other virtues will become easier to achieve.

Did you know:

Istanbul, Turkey, is the only city in the world located on two continents.

Los Angeles’s full name is El Pueblo de Nuestra Denora la Reina de los angeles de Porciuncula – and can be abbreviated to 3.63% if its size L.A.

New York City: The term "The Big Apple" was coined by touring jazz musicians of the 1930’s who used the slang expression "apple" for any town or city. Therefore, to play New York City is to play the big time – The Big Apple.

New York City: There are more Irish there than in Dublin, Ireland; more Italians in New York City than in Rome, Italy; and more Jews in New York City than in Tel Aviv, Israel

Africa: Percent of Africa that is wilderness: 28. Percent of North America that is wilderness: 38.

Lighter Side

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

Don't let worry kill you off......let the Church help.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping. She has requested tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."

Irving and Jessie were married on October 24 in the church and so ends a friendship that began in their school days.

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?"  Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

Children’s Story

Pierre was still pondering the way he was to go in life. The whole idea of growing up and having a useful life seemed overwhelming to his young mind.

Praying fervently for God’s direction in his life, Pierre’s cries for help seemed to bounce off surrounding trees and get lost in space. It was hard not to worry. As he knelt in the sand the warm morning sun began to beat down on his bare back. Trying to chase away his concerns, he waited for direction from his Master.

Missionary Bill had come by last year to explain the way for Pierre to be free from the bondage of his sin nature. With instruction from the Word and the encouragement of his parents, Pierre had committed his life to Yeshua (Jesus). He asked forgiveness for his self-centered nature that was contrary the nature of God. He accepted Yeshua as his Master, to help him live as His Word indicated. After much counseling he and his parents walked down to the cove where Missionary Bill baptized Pierre.

As Pierre mulled over his life in Yeshua, he felt great peace. He began recalling some of the parables Yeshua taught. Then it came to him, he thanked the Father for what seemed a possible answer. Could this be the profession whereby he could earn a living and help others? Something he was already good at? It seemed too good to be true.

He hurried into the house. Pierre had not eaten that morning, yet he was not hungry. He was hungry to read the parable about the pearl. What message was Yeshua trying to convey to him? Giving his mother a big hug and telling her he would eat later he went to the big desk and picked up the Holy Bible. With great care he opened it to Matthew. Where is it? His eyes scanned the pages. Finally, Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Pierre did not completely understand the total meaning of these verses but he did know how to dive for pearls. He asked his mother to explain what the verses meant. Pondering his question and remembering his great concern about his future from the day before, she offered up a silent prayer to the Father for wisdom to answer her son. "There is a need to read the surrounding Scriptures as well Pierre," she said. "But right now it is important to understand that whatever we do, the Kingdom of God must be our first and most important treasure, ever."

As Pierre returned to his reading, he pondered how he might use Scripture in his life, and keep God’s Kingdom as his goal. Discussing his thoughts with his mother, he decided to fast and pray, asking for wisdom and further direction from the Almighty. Leona agreed with him and joined in his endeavor. The two of them sought direction from the Creator, temporarily suspending home schooling for the day.

Leona was pleased that her only son was committed to seeking God first before preparing for his life’s journey. Together they prayed and read Scripture. She encouraged Pierre to write down things as they came to him. Throughout the day and into the night they continued and the list grew long. Finally they went over the list to organize it into categories. What could be accomplished now and what would be in the future. What were needs and what were desires. By the time they retired for the night, Pierre felt much better; thanking the Father for His guidance, he barely noticed the gnawing hunger in his stomach.

Quiz Answers

1. The criminal on the cross - Luke 23:40-43

2. Solomon - Song of Songs 1:1

3. Israel - 2 Kings 15:27

4. Because he had eaten with uncircumcised men - Acts 11:1-3

5. God stopped the flow of the flood swollen Jordan and they crossed on dry ground - Joshua 3:14-17

6. Abraham - Genesis 18:22-32

7. Solomon - 2 Chronicles 1:8,10