Friday, Mar 14, 2008

March 14, 2008

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March 14, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 11; Ezekiel 16:1-29; Hebrews 8

Today is March 14, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. T WG is a complete turn of events, it is a 180 degree turn around. God is changing us and turning us around as a community. This is not business as usual, this is transforming, this is spiritual, this is essential.

Well, here it is: Friday again. Yesterday I kept busy working on various church related projects. I got the bulletin ready, began preparing for Sunday’s sermon. That took up quite a bit of time. The ladies came in for Bible Study and gave me a really big piece of Pineapple upside down cake. Thanks Rochelle & Holly! The Grandkids came over several times looking for sweets! And they are sweet. Both Ken and Evie stopped in at various times. Evie was doing research for her license and bond for janitorial work so I took some time to help her out. After work I ran home for dinner and who should show up, but Evie and the Grandkids! Susan and I babysat for a few hours last night. We played a few kids games with them and had a great time. Then it was time for them to go, and soon the night was over. Since I forgot to get a picture of the Grandkids while they were here, I took a picture of our dog Tillie sleeping with a few of her favorite stuffed animals for your viewing pleasure at www.timewithgod.mypodcast.com

This week’s theme verse. Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Our purpose in life is to let our light shine. What does that mean? Let’s begin with what we know. Light helps people to see. Among other things, A Christian especially is commissioned and commanded to pass on the gospel so that people will see how to get to God and have eternal life. In the Old Testament the prophesy of Jesus is that he would be a light for the Gentiles so they could find their way to God (Isaiah 42:6). So we have established the purpose of light – help people see the way to Jesus. How do we do that? In this context, “light shines.” Jesus explained how we do that by saying “let your light shine so that they may see your good deeds.” Your conduct and actions are “light.” When you do good deeds for others it lights up the room. Your purpose in life is to be a blessing to others... but not for the purpose of blessing them alone. Your good deeds are the light that is to open people’s eyes so they say, “thank you!” and then you can respond… “I do it all for Jesus. He is the one that makes me want to help you, can I tell you about him.” And they respond by saying how good God is, and we hope they come to trust him. But here is an interesting concept. We are supposed to do these good deeds in the public eye, so that everyone can see! We want people to notice the light! Don’t hide your good deeds. This may be a troubling concept to some because we have been taught not to do good deeds in private so that we don’t get the praise. But our motivation for doing good is so that when people around us say, “wow! That was great, you should be the man or woman of the year!” We explain to them, “Everything I do, I do for Jesus. He is the one motivating me. He deserves your praise. Can I tell you about Him!”

Dear Father. I want to be light to the world and not darkness. I want to fulfill my purpose and shine my light so that all the world can see. I want to do good to all men, not so that I can receive the praise and congratulations, but so that the light will help them to see Jesus. I want my good works to provide a springboard into the good news so that I can share with them how they can find you. Help me to reorient the way I live and the way I think so that I will begin to do good deeds in the public eye, on purpose for the very reason of pointing others to you.

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