The Word is Alive 2011 - Come join us in the neighborhood!

The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish (John 1:14 MSG).

http://read.ly/John1.14.MSG

Bought a new Bible to read in 2011. It's The Message Remix 2.0. I think that this is the first Bible I have actually bought for myself. I have given and been given many Bibles as gifts, but I have always used the Bible my aunt and uncle gave me for my 12th birthday. I have to admit that I have always been a little skeptical of the translation of The Message, but I wanted to try it. I will probably pull out my old Bible on a daily basis to compare, but if the example of John 1:14 above is any indication, I am going to enjoy reading The Message. "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." I love it!

A group of us in Ruston are planning to read through the Bible in 2011 using the Life Journal reading plan (http://www.crossroadschurch.com/programs/pdf/LifeJournalReadingPlan.pdf). This plan has daily Old and New Testament readings. The Old Testament reading is chronological, and the New Testament reading each day often corresponds to what you are reading in the Old Testament.

If you would like to join us, please let me know (gina-palmer@suddenlink.net). In Ruston, we are meeting:

Wednesdays at noon - Frothy Monkey (upstairs)
Sundays at 5:pm - Trinity (room 205)

Also, you can join us for online discussion at: http://groups.google.com/group/the-word-is-alive. Come join us in the "neighborhood" :-)

Christmas season

Today we read from Matthew Chapter 1, verse 18 to Chapter 2, verse 12 in both Sunday School and Contemporary service. Our lesson in Sunday School was reflecting the light of Jesus that shines in the world, and Steve gave a good sermon in service helping us feel that moment of His birth.

Lord, thank you for family, friends and the body of Christ to remind us of the meaning of this season,

Jim

December 17, 2010

Today we read: 2 Peter 1-3, John 1

Scripture: John 1:9 - The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Observation: Jesus is described here as a light in the darkness (see also Isaiah 9:2). Verse 12 says that all who receive him and believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God. When we receive him and believe him, we receive that light because we are born of God (verse 13).

Application: Yesterday, I found myself wrapped up in the stress of my agenda for the day. On top of that, I did not feel well because of an illness I have not completely recovered from. I proceeded to make mistakes I should not have made. By the afternoon, I found myself in a very negative thought pattern that I could not control.

When I focus on myself, my reputation, and the things of the world, it is easy to lose sight of the light and even forget who I am. I am born of God! This means that His light lives in me. When I start to lose sight of the light, I need to immediately stop what I am doing, stop listening to the dark, seek God and His grace, believing what I know to be true!

Prayer: Oh, Lord, forgive my self-absorption that distracts me from you and the light you are calling me to be. Help me to remember who I am and all you have done for me. Lord, you have given me every reason to believe you! Forgive me for being so easily deceived. Thank you so much for the grace you pour out on my life! From the fullness of your grace I have received one blessing after another. Thank you that your love is bigger than my biggest bungles!

June 28, 2010

Today we read: Amos 1-3, Psalm 80, 2 Timothy 4

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5 - But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Observation: Paul was encouraging Timothy to keep doing the things he was called to do, namely to keep speaking the truth regardless of what others were doing (see also verse 4).

Application: I need to stay in the Word, listen for God's voice, pray continually, and keep in fellowship with other Christians whose doctrine is sound. I think that this is what Paul meant by "keeping your head". I can endure hardship by focusing on Jesus and all He has done for me and all who would believe in Him and choose to follow Him; His grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul also urges Timothy to do the "work of an evangelist". All Christians are called to be evangelists: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20). I need to be conscious of opportunities to tell others about Jesus and make disciples, starting with my own family. Lastly, Paul urges Timothy to "discharge all the duties of your ministry". I need to focus on joyfully serving those I am called to serve, starting with my own family.

Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for your great love and for showing me how amazing your grace truly is. Please help me to keep my head, listen for your voice, and do the things you are calling me to do, for your yoke is easy and your burden is light. I give you my family, my church, my agenda, and my life. Have your way in and through us today.