biarfoc

LifeLesson 11-22-09

2009-11-22T21:01:16Z

What is your calling? What is your vocation? vo⋅ca⋅tion
/voʊˈkeɪʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [voh-key-shuhn] Show IPA
Use vocation in a Sentence <http://ask.reference.com/web?q=use+vocation+in+a+sentence&qsrc=2892&o=101993>
See web results for vocation <http://ask.reference.com/web?q=vocation&o=100049>
See images of vocation <http://ask.reference.com/pictures?q=vocation&o=100049>
-noun
1. a particular occupation, business, or profession; calling.

2.a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career.

3.a divine call to God's service or to the Christian life.

4.a function or station in life to which one is called by God: the religious vocation; the vocation of marriage.

Origin:
1400-50; late ME vocacio(u)n < L vocātiōn- (s. of vocātiō) a call, summons, equiv. to vocāt(us) ptp. of vocāre to call (see -ate <http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=-ate&db=luna> 1 ) +

All Christians have a calling or vocation.

Jesus’ Calling:
He was rejected by His own people-vss. 2-3
He was then killed for us-vss. 4-5

Vs. 6 Gives the reason why He had to suffer and die for us:

We have gone astray:
Worship other Gods
Where we spend our money
The time we spend in Word and prayer
Time we spend with other people, family, friends and other Christians

We have turned to our own way:
Greed
Marital problems
Problems between parents and children
I am god

We sin-iniquity

All of this was put upon Jesus.

How was this done? Vss. 7-9
Oppressed and afflicted
He did not talk back and He allowed Himself to be abused
He was taken away without good cause
He was rejected by the people that He loved
He died for these same people and He did not deserve it.

What was the result of all of this?
He suffered and was our guilt offering
He arose from the dead and will live forever
We will be made right with God
He will be given glory and power
He stood in our place in front of God

Our calling is the ultimate adventure:
Worship
God’s word and Sacraments
Our daily work
Our daily family life
Our opportunities to witness
Our opportunities to speak the Gospel
The chance serve in God’s church and serve people around us

Communication

2009-11-22T21:00:18Z

Have you ever wondered why people don't listen to you or don't hear you. There are all kinds of books, speakers and seminars on listening or marriage. Most are helpful, but the reason we have so many is if we really learned how to communicate well we wouldn't need them any more. I think the biggest two problems I struggle with are:
1) Listening to what is said with our interuppting or thinking about other things.
2) Showing that I have listened by following through.
I don't think there is any magic formula, but I have learned that the presence of a person is so crucial. I don't just mean being there, but the person's full attention.

Lifelesson 11-15-09

2009-11-16T23:02:23Z

Adam and Eve and their actions
God said don’t eat of the fruit
Satan comes along a tempts them
Eve first falls and then Adam follows
God catches them in their act
God asks them what is up
God then curses the serpent and makes a promise

God did kick Adam and Eve out of the Garden, but He was still with them.

Because of sin we have been separated from God.

What did Adam and do against God?
Betrayal of the gift
Lying

What were the results of the fall into sin?
Relationships broken
Roles of husband and wife messed up
Murder
Other sin

How does this play out in our lives?
Marriages
Parental/child relationships
Other relationships
Order in the world
Govt.

We at times feel alone when all things fall apart:
Divorce
Parents and children
Dysfunction
Loss of Job
Loss of children

God could have totally left the creation on its own after the fall into sin, but could not, because He is a gracious and loving God.

Vs. 15 comes the promise that God has been, is and will be with us:
God created us
God and His people in the Old Testament
Jesus came to Earth, lived a perfect life, was persecuted and died in our place
God says that He will always be with His people

God works this first through His Word and Gifts of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper:
Word
Gift
Lord’s Supper

As a result of these gifts we live knowing God is with us:
Support our spouse
Care for our children
Job
Other Christians
Other people

Heaven

LifeLesson 11-8-09

2009-11-16T23:01:26Z

Write down some things you have always wanted to do or go some where you have never been?

Think about what it will take to make this event or opportunity to happen.

What would hold you back from trying to achieve or making this happen?

Star Trek

Abraham(Abram)
God said leave your Father’s house, your country and basically everything you know
God said He will bless Abram
God said I will make a great nation from you
God said I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse
Finally all the world will be blessed because of Abraham

God put before Abram a large responsibility.

Abram, at age 75, went to the land God promised-vss. 4-9

Abram(Abraham) went to a place He had not been before, because God called and as a result Abram(Abraham) trusted God.

As people we face many different opportunities and challenges:
Teens
College
Marriage
Having Children
Jobs and/or Carrers
Growing Old
What causes us stress about these situations?
Fear
Experience
Painful memories
Our feelings of failure
Selfishness
Pleasing others

God has promised that He would be with us and would never forsake no matter what happens.
Hebrews 13:4-6

As sinful human beings we are self-centered people and we allow:
Fear to determine much of what we do
Anger to lead us
Control issues
Lack of trust in God and trust of others

We do wonderful, mundane and great things daily and we also do big things because of grace,
mercy, love and forgiveness of God, through Jesus Christ

Jesus did the ultimate act of love and mercy for us.
Jesus came and lived a perfect life for us.
Jesus was persecuted and abused
Jesus died for us on the cross to take the punishment for our sins of:
Lack of trust
Living in fear
And all other sin

Jesus arose from the dead to tell sin, Satan and death that they can not control and that we have the promise of heaven and eternal life.

We can face and deal with:
Stress
Big decisions
Daily life
Sharing our faith
We do this through:
Study of God’s Word
Prayer
God’s gifts of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Taking a step out

Money

2009-11-16T23:00:22Z

Today I was reading my daily devotinal readings and I read from Proverbs 11. The verse that struck me were vss. 24-25, "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." I think it is really interesting that God tells us exactly what will happen when we give up of ourselves and gifts, but we still do not believe Him. I look at my parents and my in-laws and see how they have prospered. It is true that they have saved and made good investments, but I know for a fact they have given over and above in the tithe to God's church. I also know they have been very generous with time and money with their family. I also know that both have also been very generous with charity and gifts to others who they know and do not know. What strikes me is that many people could see the same thing that I see and they still think that holding back is the way to take care of ourselves. I think those who tell God that they can't give away much or nothing at all are those who are miserable, angry, afraid or greedy. It is true they may have more money than others, but their lives are not uplifting or joyful. These people also use money to use people and do not gain healthy and loving relationships with others. I know that when I was a child sometimes when things were tough for our family, God always provided what we needed. I know that even now. I believe that when we look at the physical parts of our lives we should see these as gifts that God has called us to take care of and share, because we are strictly stewards of these gifts, not owners. They can be with us one moment and gone the next. I thank God for all of His gifts to me and to my family and I pray that use them wisely in the future.

What I can't control

2009-11-04T18:12:51Z

In the last two days people have given me words of support for different responsibilities I have. In their support they let me know that it can difficult to deal with certain situations. What has help me to deal with difficult situations in the last few months is one thought-I can't worry or get upset over what I can't control. I have said this to other people and I have even said this to myself many times over the years. It is one thing to intellectually know something and another to truly absorb and own it in my own being. When I actually own the idea of not worrying about what I can't control my stress levels decrease and things that I would be worried about in the past seem get dealt with and worked through. It is amazing that as human being I fear things that are not real at the moment and I start making up scenarios that I believe are real. I'm not saying that negative things don't or won't happen, but I don't need to anticipate them. The verses when Jesus talks about the lillies of the field and the birds of air don't where about where they will make their home means much more when I know that God is the trust and support system that gives me the most peace of mind and heart.

LifeLesson 11-1-09

2009-11-04T16:39:32Z

Who are the saints of God?
Only the Biblical saints
Really good people

Matthew 5:2-11

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:
Those who realize they can not of their own abilities get God’s riches
They will know God’s heaven for they know that

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted:
Those who mourn are those who deal with the grieving in this life, death, loss of job, broken relationships.
Those who mourn are those who realize that they are lost without God.
God comforts us through His Word-Psalms, Romans, Revelation

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth;
Those who are not arrogant
Those who are not prideful
Those who are not conceited
The meek will have what they need in this life

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled:
Those who want to live righteousness in their lives as witness to their faith
Our lives are filled when we are living out Christian lives and not worrying about life

Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy:
Those whose concern is for their neighbor spiritually and materially, trying to do good for all people
There is mercy from God and from others as a result of this living

Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God:
Our hearts as well our actions know the love of God
Because our heart is of God we know who God is

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God:
Simply as Christians we treat to live in peace with everyone-repentance, forgiveness, patience and humility
Those who live this life are God’s children

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:
Because of our lives as Christians there will be those who will oppress and attack us
As we deal with these persecutions we know that heaven is coming

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me-Same as above

We as God’s people struggle with many of these blessings daily and sometimes in our sin we fail:
We believe our own press
We don’t always want God
We treat others with anger and cruelty
We would rather be in conflict than peace
We deny our God in front of the world

That is why we are called sinners yet saints.
We are saints because we have been made new people through the blood of Christ.
We as sinners have a God who loves us so much that He sent Jesus to live the righteousness for us
We as sinners have a God who loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die in our place on the cross
Jesus arose from the dead to make us saints

As saints we can rejoice because we know have God’s blessing of His strength and comfort in this life
and the reward of heaven.

We also remember the saints who have gone before us.
These saints we can remember their:
Faith
Mercy
Christian life
Strength
Forgiveness

You are saints

I don't know the answer

2009-10-29T21:06:36Z

How often as a pastor do I need to know the answer. My first years as a pastor I thought that when someone came to my office to talk I was supposed to have an answer to a problem. I still can get like that even now. I used to think people expected that of me as well. I have learned that being there or as I have heard it called, "having presence" is most important. As a parent I have learned I don't always have the answers to my children's problems, but I do know that it is important to be there and listen to their thoughts, struggles and joys. As a husband it can still be hard to just be there, but I try. I have also learned that I am not less of person, because I don't have the answer. Maybe that is what is most amazing is that as I get older I can feel more secure knowing that I don't know. As a Christian I am learning that the more I learn about God, the more I need to learn. I continually am learning when I teach a class and I am asked questions I find that there are many times I have to say I don't know. I also learn from those I teach.

The Future

2009-10-28T21:00:34Z

In October we had the opportunity to move from Gage Elementary to Gibbs Elementary. This opportunity for FOC is one more step in our mission to, "Touch Lives With The Love of Christ." One Sunday night of this week I was Target and talked to a person who has contact with our ministry through Vacation Bible School. He asked where we are worhsipping at this time and I told him Gibbs. His reponse was why would be at Gibbs when there are five churches already in the area now. I shared with him that are still many people who are not Christian or do not have a church family out this area. We can touch so many people with the Gospel of mercy, love and forgiveness by sharing our faith story and serving the people in the NW neighborhoods. It only by the Holy Spirit working through Word of God and the Sacraments that we share His story and live out our faith. As we worship in this community and serve in this community we are sharing and serving our neighbors, friends, and co-workers who lives next to us and across from us. In a sense we are those people. As we live out the mission we grow as people in faith ourselves and share that faith with others. May the Lord bless our mission in NW Rochester to bring others to know the saving grace of God.
Pastor Biar

Back Again

2009-10-28T20:24:34Z

I want to apologize for not keeping up with posts for awhile. It has been an awesome time to watch God work throught he people of FOC. I will be addressing posts again starting today. One of the things I want to make you aware of is FOC is also going to have a Facebook page and a Twitter account that you will be able to check out.
Pastor Biar

Life Lesson 1-4-09

2009-01-05T20:29:25Z

The Game of Life

Life is not a game even when it may feel like it.

How much of our lives are effected by the govt.?

The one issue that God gives responsibility to the government is dealing with crime and punishment.

Romans 13:1-7

4th Commandment

The argument against capital punishment in society and in religion:

Religion:
God doesn’t want retribution
God is a God of love
God wants restoration

Society:
Doesn’t solve the problem of killing
Should not be used as vengeance
Cost to much
Other reasons

What we believe in our doctrine(belief system):
God has instituted the government that we live under.
God has given the government the responsibility to maintain law and order
God has said that government in accordance with criminal activity may use “the sword” to achieve this purpose
God has not mandated that government use this type of punishment
God ultimately has final authority over the judgment of the soul and motivation of people

The main issue for us as Christians is that God has given us the responsibility to obey our leaders:
President and other leaders
Local leaders
Police and emergency
Parents and other adults
Teachers

We as Christians don’t always like what our leaders say or do:
Taxes
Regulations
Law Enforcement
Military

The only time we can resist govt. is when it goes against God’s will as revealed to us in God’s Word.

What ever we do or whatever the government does we ultimately live Christ’s work for us.
Jesus obeyed the governing authorities in the process of His death for us.
Jesus died for all the times we have sinned against God by not honoring the ruling authority
Jesus’ death won for us forgiveness for our sin.
Jesus’ resurrection gives ultimate hope not in this life, but the life eternal.

As God’s people we want to serve God by honoring those who are our leaders.

Honoring involves:
Prayer
Not breaking the law
Giving supported where possible

Life Lesson 12-28-08

2009-01-05T20:28:12Z

How many of us really believe that we are really a part of God’s family?

You may think this is a really weird question: Of course, I would not be here if I was not.

The reason I ask this question is that like all families and groups sometimes I may participate, but I am not really a part of the group or I don’t feel like I have ownership in the group or the family really loves me.

God says in our reading today that we are heirs to God’s gifts and family by the work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was born to pay the price for us-vs. 4-5

Without Jesus we would be people who are separated from God and have no relationship with God.

Old Testament inheritance was a theological process not legal:
Inheritance came from God in the land
The other inheritance was the promise of a savior

New Testament inheritance:
Jesus
Abraham
The Believer

Jesus paid the price for you and for me and He then sent His Holy Spirit to give us the gift that is ours to own and use. Vss. 6-7

We do not deserve this inheritance, but God loves us so much that He sent His son for us.

The issue for us is to take this inheritance and use it and live it.

How often do we let the gift of our inheritance do nothing-Matthew 25:14-28

A Car

As individuals:
We say it is important to us, but don’t live it
We don’t share it
Our sin
We hurt others
We don’t study the Word
We do not spend time in prayer

As God’s church:
Get comfortable
Argue about the irrelevant
Become internal lookers
Do not serve other Christians much less the non-believer

God says this is yours use, I will make it grow and make things happen, trust me and test me.

God said He would save us and He did it through Jesus Christ.
Jesus was born of a virgin
Jesus was and is the perfect man
Jesus died in our place
Jesus arose from the dead

Because of all that Jesus did and does for us we can out of thanksgiving use the gift that we own.

God’s Holy Spirit works it through His Word and the gifts of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.

FOC:
We use every gift at our disposal
We trust God
We risk and try new things
We never get complacent
Remember that we have a mission to share and to serve

As individuals:
We share
We live in joy
We worship
We love and serve others

Life Lesson 12-21-08

2009-01-05T20:27:23Z

How many of us have plans and goals in life and they seem to change due to things we can not control?

We can look at the two groups who this wonderful story effects:
The Holy Family of Christ
The Shepherds

Holy Family:
Lives were moved from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a census
Could not stay in a home or inn
Stayed in a cave or stable
Baby born who would change the world

Shepherds:
Watching their sheep as they always did
Angels come out of nowhere to speak to them
They left their sheep to see a baby

Jesus came into the World to change everything and mess up the plans of Satan and our sinful selves.

Satan is always working to mess up our lives and tempts our selfish nature:
What is best for others is not best for me.
I can not let others stand in the way of what I want
My spouse and children are annoying
Scrooge

Our sinful nature:
I want my spouse and marriage to serve me(Your not the person I married)
I have these plans for the future and they are changed
My children are not behaving the way I want them to
God does not give me what I want when I want it
I am disappointed by everybody
Christmas is not what I wanted
Death hurts
Divorce
Addiction

Jesus came to mess up the plans of this world:
Jesus’ life and death changed the relationship between God and people
Jesus’ brought grace for salvation from the belief of working for salvation
Jesus brought and won forgiveness instead of revenge
Jesus came to change people from the past to a joyous future

Jesus did this through His death on the cross as our sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus arose from the dead to give the promise of eternal life

We are given this wonderful gift of salvation and forgiveness through God’s Word.
This gift starts in our lives through Holy Baptism
We are strengthened by the gift of the Lord’s Supper

How does the gift mess up our lives?
Instead of thinking of ourselves first we want to think of others
When relationships are messed up because our behavior or others we are repentant and forgiving
We stop seeing God as a judgmental mean God, but as a loving, gracious and forgiving God.
We see our first responsibility to God
Our daily lives are changed
How we see all our relationships differently

We also see this gift as a gift not keep for ourselves, but a gift to share:
Gift to share with our Family of Christ
Gift to share with our friends
Gift to share with our neighbor
Gift to share with our co-worker
Gift to share with the stranger

Actually there is no longer a mess in our lives, but a whole new plan and future for us.

Life Lesson 11-30-08

2009-01-05T20:25:52Z

How often do you and I feel like we are jumbled or messy inside and maybe outside?

Vss. 5-7
We are a mess as people before God and His perfection.

Vs. 5-When God helps those who are His and then others treat them horribly God is not pleased
Vs. 6-We are dirty and messy inside, in fact we are so weak against our own sin we let it move us easily
Vs. 7-We don’t even call on God when we need to and as a result we waste away

Vs. 5 We mess up our relationships with other Christians whether family or friends:
Say our children are important and do not treat them as such
Do everything for our children not realizing that builds contempt
Treat our spouse like they should take it
Divorce
Show lack of respect for our parents
Talk about a friend behind their backs

Vs. 6 When we look inside ourselves we are not clean people:
Not just the thoughts and desires that not clean in the eyes of God
The mess of our anxieties
The mess of our fears
The mess of emotions
The mess of our actions

Vs. 7We do not trust God or turn to him-
God says I will be there and we don’t quite believe it
We try to do things on our own
We try to find worldly answers to spiritual questions or problems
We try to control God and other people

When we do not trust God or turn to Him, we end up on the short end of things:
Our lives become overly anxious
We may turn to other options that are harmful
We may begin to have that feeling in our stomachs of emptiness or fear
We may actually turn away from God

So how is messiness a gift? Without knowing that we are messy, flawed and sinful people then we can not and would not understand or receive the Grace of God which is the real gift. Vs. 8

God takes messy and dirty people and cleans them through the blood of Jesus Christ.
God took the dirt and sin of our lives and put them upon the body of Jesus upon the Christ.
God punished our sin, not upon us, but upon Jesus Christ.
God raised Jesus from the dead, so that the Devil can not use our sin and dirt against us any more.
We also have the hope of eternal life with God where our dirt will never effect us again.

As vs. 8 says we are God’s clay that is molded into different people.
We are forgiven people who do sin, but we do repent.
We are forgiven people who do sin, but we forgive.
We are forgiven people who will have days of dirtiness, but we can turn to God know He is with us.
We are forgiven people who have broken relationships that can be healed and are healing.

Baptism and Cleaning

To baptize means to wash.
God through the Water and the Word cleans us by forgiveness of our sins.
This baptism we can remember everyday and know that we are clean.

As God’s clean and forgiven people we can then:
Serve
Trust
Love
Struggle
Share

Life Lesson 11-23-08

2009-01-05T20:24:40Z

The last few weeks we have heard very depressing readings from the Bible, today is very different.
We hear about healing and returning to God, instead of destruction.

What is the Bible talking about?

The Jews had been scattered by the people they had been conquered by to all parts of the empire. God said that He will bring them home to their homeland.

God did bring them back later and they rebuilt the temple and the city of Jerusalem.

God is not only talking about the Jews, but about people in general.

God has called all people to be His sheep and come home to be with Him.

There are four different groups of people God has called and is calling.
Those who are already a part of His family
Those who were part of His family and left the Family of Christ
Those who are searching for the comfort and peace God gives.
Those who do not seek God at all

Part of the family:
God brought us into His family and daily sustains us
God daily brings us to repentance and we receive forgiveness
We, by faith, daily trust God
We recognize that we are a part of God’s kingdom

Those who left:
God wants them to come back to Him
They may have been hurt deeply and blame God
Joe Esterhaus
They have left with out even realizing what happened
Those who are searching:
God wants them to be saved
People who are lost and have never known God
They have tried other spirituality and are still empty
They are ready for the truth of God’s mercy

Those who are not seeking God:
God wants them to be saved
They are the atheist, the agnostic, the angry, the other religious
They are ones who do not realize they need God’s mercy
They are the toughest to share with
They are still loved by God

What is God giving His people:
Vss. 15-16
Healing
Strength
Protect against the enemies
Know the true justice of God
All people seek these things in their lives

We are seeking these and we find them in God’s grace and mercy through the means of Grace.

God’s Word:
Psalms, Gospels, and the rest of the Bible.
God working through the Word in people.
God working through those people in His Church.
God working through His people in their families, schools, neighborhoods and communities.

God gives all of this comfort, healing and strength through conquering of the enemies of sin, death and the devil.

Jesus died on the cross and by His death we are healed in our relationship with God and the consequence of Sin.
Jesus’ death and resurrection gives us the strength face our daily lives-Lord’s Supper
Jesus’ death and resurrection forgives our sins and conquers Satan-Baptism
Jesus’ resurrection gives the ultimate promise and hope of heaven with God where are all is permanently healed. Rev. 21:1-5

Life Lesson 11-16-08

2009-01-05T20:23:55Z

Have you heard the term-We must be broken down before we can be built back up again.

Zephaniah’s ministry is dated in the reign of Josiah (640-609 B.C.). He warned that the day of the Lord would bring judgment on Judah and Jerusalem and he called the Jews to return to God. Zephaniah then predicted that Judah’s neighboring nations would be destroyed as well. With a note of hope, he promised that God would bring His people home.

Military boot camp-Find clip

God is saying in the Bible reading this morning, that He is going to destroy everything about the evil and idolatrous people. What is worse for the people is that those who know God, still reject him then God’s anger will be hard upon them. 1:10-13

God was saying that the people in general were so far off and oppressive that God said He had to destroy them, The Chaldean empire is what God would use to do this work. But God did not leave the problem as it was, but He showed Grace and mercy-Chapter 3

God continually made things right-History of Israel

Do we deserve what Israel was about to get? Yes, without God we do. Romans 3:9-23

Look at our lives through God’s Law-Ten Commandments

Very often people don’t get their need for God until they are totally broken.

Addiction

Think of a time in your life when you really were at the lowest in your life and nowhere else to turn.

What are low times?
Death of a loved one
Anxiety
Problem Marriage or Divorce
Loss of Job
Loss of a child
Others

We are people at times who are living in a dark world and we can not come out of it.

God knows what we need when things are not right in our lives and sometimes it takes something major to humble us or break us down.

God gave us the healing we need the most when He sent Jesus to die on the cross.
God has brought us out the darkness and brokenness of our sin and guilt, by punishing Jesus for our sins and consequences of our sins:
Pain
Struggle
Sickness
Loneliness
Separation

Because of Jesus we are whole in the eyes of God the Father.
Because of Jesus we can deal with the brokenness of this life.
Because of Jesus we are forgiven.
Because of Jesus we are repentant.
Because of Jesus our relationships are changed and can change.

Because of Jesus we have the opportunity and hope of ultimate wholeness-To arise from the dead and be with God in all wholeness. Heaven and earth come together with God for eternal joy.

We have a taste of that whole relationship through the Lord’s Supper.
We are not destroyed, we are saved.
We are not alone, we have love and care
Because of God’s mercy we have the opportunity to serve others out thanksgiving for what God has done for and through us:
Bring love and care to our families
Bring love and care to our friends and neighbors
Bring love and care to our co-workers and strangers
We can bring the message of healing to hurting and broken people.

Life Lesson 11-9-08

2009-01-05T20:22:33Z

How often in our lives do we ask for something or say something just placate another person?

How often do people go to church just because supposed and then go through the motions?

What is our society and world like right now?
Problem economy
War
Moral problems

What do we do when our world seems overwhelming?
Worry
Put our trust in earthly leaders to fix it all
Withdraw
Call on God?

Purpose of Writing: Amos is a shepherd and a fruit picker from the Judean village of Tekoa when God calls him, even though he lacks an education or a priestly background. Amos' mission was directed to his neighbor to the north, Israel. His messages of impending doom and captivity for the nation because of her sins were largely unpopular and unheeded, however, because not since the days of Solomon have times been so good in Israel. Amos' ministry takes place while Jeroboam II reigns over Israel, and Uzziah reigns over Judah

Brief Summary: Amos can see that beneath Israel's external prosperity and power, internally the nation is corrupt to the core. The sins for which Amos chastens the people are extensive: neglect of God's Word, idolatry, pagan worship, greed, corrupted leadership and oppression of the poor. Amos begins by pronouncing a judgment upon all the surrounding nations, then upon his own nation of Judah, and finally the harshest judgment is given to Israel. His visions from God reveal the same emphatic message: judgment is near. The book ends with God's promise to Amos of future restoration of the remnant.

Israel, when things went wrong, would call on God and do their rites of worship, but there was a problem-They were going through the motions like magic. Vss. 18-24

God’s response to them was things are going to get worse when you do not truly trust or worship Him.

When the answers from society do not work we then turn to God:
12 ways to fix anything
The best book for this or that
Internet
My neighbor
Drugs or alcohol
Find yourself

To deal with the problems of this life we also come to God with false worship or magical worship:
If I just pray
If I just go to church
If I am good
If I do a lot at church
If I go to communion

We then have the same problems that the Jews did have, we won’t find what we are looking for:
Better days ahead
Comfort
Guidance
Help
Joy

When come to the Lord with our hearts truly toward Him and trusting in Him things may not physically change, but our lives in response to the struggles changes.

God calls us to true worship.
True worship is that we believe and confess and not just run the motions. Hosea 6:6

Who are we truly worshipping:
The true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We are worshipping our God who sacrificed His own Son Jesus Christ for us on the cross.
Jesus took the punishment for our sins, our sins of insincerity, lack of trust, false worship.
We have forgiveness for those sins.
In our worship we say thank you to God for His grace to us.

When we worship our God we not only give praise to Him, but we also hear and take in His Word and the gifts of Baptism and Lord’s Supper.

We are given ways to face and deal with the problems of this world:
Wisdom
Comfort
Strength
Mercy
Sometimes changes in our lives
We can face the disorder of this world with the order of God’s grace and wisdom

Questions for thought

2008-10-21T15:29:32Z

What do you think the opinion of those who are not Christian is of the Christian and the Christian Church?

How do we think we present ourselves to the non-Christian world?

Life Lesson 10-19-08

2008-10-21T15:27:45Z

The Bible starts with the fact that discipline is important and lack of discipline shows lack of love for the child.
Proverbs 13:24
Proverbs 23:13-14

We all face the problem of discipline?
How much
What Kinds
When?

Why do we discipline? Because we are all sinners who are disobedient.

Two issues that we face:
Not discipline
Doing it the easy way

When we do not discipline we do not show:
Love
Laziness
We are not thinking of our children’s future

Very often we think of discipline as punishment, but discipline is more importantly teaching for the present and the future.

When we do it the easy way we also face the problem not seeing the future.

Look at God and how He has dealt with His people:
The Children of Israel and forty years in the desert
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the prophets-Jeremiah 30:1-18
Jesus and how He saw God’s people and His children in discipline-Luke 13:31-35

The ultimate discipline that God placed upon anyone would be in any other context unfair, but just in the work and plan of God:
Jesus as God and the son of the Father is perfect
We are sinners who deserve the wrath and punishment of God
We are disobedient children
We should be punished and disciplined for our sin
God put punishment for our sin upon Jesus for us-The perfect sacrifice: Romans 6:23, 1 Peter 2:24
God is perfect and there is to be punishment for sin which was worked through Jesus Christ on the cross.
Because of Jesus’ work on the cross we have forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.
As God’s representatives in this world to help our children know God’s Word and will we have the responsibility and opportunity under the cross of Christ to teach and discipline our children

Commitment=Discipline:
When we say we are going to discipline then we follow through with it
We want discipline to help our children learn about choices
We want discipline to help our children learn about good results and consequences
We want discipline to help our children learn repentance
We want discipline to help our children learn forgiveness

A few thoughts:
Don’t be afraid of the word “no” and sometimes you don’t have to explain it.-Quote from a parent: “We never said no to our children, so they never learned how to say no to themselves in a time that celebrates not caring.
You can also give your child choices
Make consequences fit the misbehavior
Put discipline into play when the problem occurs not later
Speak to our children about the consequence, not in anger, but in love.
Give affirmation for things done right-sometimes quietly and sometimes with a lot fluff
Repent when we do things out of anger
Forgive when they repent
We are going to sin and make mistakes and God gives wisdom and grace to that.
Our children still will make big blunders when they get older, but we put them in the hands of God and what He has worked through us.

Last thoughts:
Forgive them
Forgive yourself
Pray
Trust God and rely on His Word

To the Children: Proverbs 19:8 and 15:5

Life Lesson 10-12-08

2008-10-21T15:26:52Z

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory or Willie Wonka
A great characterization of children with no boundaries would be Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” How brilliantly he developed his ensemble of children that were given no boundaries… the spoiled Veruca that learned if she yelled enough she could have her way, Mike Teavee that was allowed to turn his brain to jello watching endless hours of TV, Augustus, the boy allowed every culinary indulgence that struck his fancy, and let’s not forget the gum smacking Violet… It’s almost a “how not to raise your kid guide” and the one consistent parental flaw: not setting boundaries for their children.

Ephesians 6:1-4
First children learn their boundaries lie with their parents vss. 1-3
Second parents learn their boundaries lie with the Lord vs. 4

What happens when our children have no boundaries:
Celebrity children
Children who have constant problems with authority
Children who believe they are to be indulged
Bridezillas

God gives all of us boundaries-The Ten Commandments
Curb
Mirror
Rule or Guide
Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Why do we and our children need these boundaries: Romans 7:7-13
Our very nature is to live outside of God’s will
We are selfish and self centered
We react to our base desires and wants without Christ

Article-The Importance of Setting Boundaries

The Ten Commandments
Give us limits
Show us when we have go outside those limits

Our children say they don’t want boundaries because:
They don’t understand what happens when they don’t have boundaries
They think they are wiser and smarter than they really are
They are trying to grow up
They are sinful human beings who by nature reject that which is best for them

Sin in our lives and children’s lives is the best example of rejecting boundaries.

Sin rebels against God
Sin rebels against God’s will
Sin rebels against what is good

Our God in His Grace has given us the most amazing gift in forgiveness to our rebellion and our children’s rebellion.

Jesus died on the Cross to take the punishment for our rebellion against God. Jesus lived the perfect life for us. Jesus has won forgiveness for us. The best thing about boundaries we can teach our children is forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.
What forgiveness is:
· Forgiveness does not tolerate wrongdoing. Some Christians have become too easy on sin - and on sinners. Tolerating sin is itself a sin. If we truly care about people and their salvation, we need to care about whether they're living according to God's Word. This attitude should make you helpful, not judgmental.
· Forgiveness and forgetting don't necessarily happen together. Forgetting should never be a test of whether a person has forgiven. The miracle of forgiveness is that, with God's help, you can forgive even while you still remember. Paul said, God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).
· Forgiveness is not conditional. God's forgiveness is not conditional on whether we forgive others. If it were, we would never be forgiven. His forgiveness is acceptance - without any exception.
· Forgiveness costs. The forgiveness we received was costly - it cost Jesus His life. To ask for forgiveness, or to grant it, is often difficult. It's more than just saying I'm sorry, or I forgive you. It means giving up the hatred and resentment that sometimes, sadly, one may even enjoy harboring. It's hard because it doesn't always fit into the judicial way of thinking; forgiveness doesn't always seem fair.
· Forgiveness includes actions. Jesus not only pronounced forgiveness on His people, He actually won forgiveness by going to the cross.
· Forgiveness is a present event. Time heals all wounds too often encourages a lengthy process that may even add more resentments and bitterness over time. Don't delay in forgiving someone. For Christians, forgiveness is a lifestyle. It is something that is here and now - not for tomorrow, but for today.
· Forgiveness is freedom. There is nothing more free than when God says to you Your sins are forgiven. Equally freeing is when you can forgive others immediately. Forgiveness is an act of the will. If you will supply the desire to forgive others, Christ will supply the emotional freedom.
From 501 Practical Ways to Love Your Wife & Kids by Roger Sonnenberg.

Life Lesson 10-05-08 Parenting Series

2008-10-21T15:25:59Z

37 Movies out right now:
11 are rated R
22 are rated PG 13
4 are rated PG or G

What are other things that we know about that our world puts in front our children and our families?
Internet
Books
Video Games
Television

Matthew 18:1-14 applies to how we influence those who are young in faith and young in age.

We have been called by God to nurture, care and influence our children to face a difficult and sinful world.

Where do we start as parents in raising our children to deal with the world we live in.

First we have to realize there is not a 10 step program in raising our children.

We want to look who we are as human beings and parents and who are we?
We are sinners
We are saints because of Jesus Christ
We also have struggled as children
We need to be repentant
We need to be forgiving
We also struggle with what the world tempts us

We also want to know who our children are:
Each an individual
Sinners
Will try many things
Want our attention
Want us to give them love and direction
Want our approval
Can be easily influenced good and bad
There are others influencing their thoughts and opinions

We also need to realize that many of the decisions we are going to make are not going to be easy and we will make mistakes.

All that we do in our raising of our children begins with the cross of Christ.

We want to teach our children that they have been given a faith that is centered around a loving, forgiving and sacrificial savior.
Jesus lived a perfect life for us.
Jesus died on the cross for you and for me to take the punishment for our sin.
Jesus loves them so much that He is watching and protecting them.
Jesus loves them so much that forgives them when they do something wrong.
God will give them strength when things hard.

We want to spend time with our children studying the Word of God. God works through the Word to help us with wisdom to deal with the tough decisions in life.

We want to pray with our children to help them know that they can go to God to talk to Him about the decisions we face in life.

We want to worship with our children to give them a place to show them how important our God is.

We also want to be examples of:
Repentance
Forgiveness
Listening
Time
Worship
Prayer
Study in the Word

We also want our children to know that we will help them and be there for them as parents to face the tough decisions they will face in this world and that when we can’t be there God is always there to rely on.

We most importantly want them to know of a loving and forgiving God who will never leave them nor forsake them.

Proverbs 1:8-9-Just for Kids.

Life Lesson 9-28-08

2008-10-21T15:25:00Z

Why do you and I worship?

When we worship what is our sacrifice?

Exodus 25
God called the people of Israel to bring sacrifices whose heart prompts him to give. Vss. 1-7
God then wants a place for that worship and His presence to be known-vss. 8-9

From chapter 25 to chapter 40 the process of worship and the place of worship are set down and explained.

The tabernacle

The Third Commandment and its meaning:
The Third Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word,
but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

The key point here is that God has called His people to sacrifice and worship because their heart prompts them to give. God wants us to worship and sacrifice to and for Him because we want to do it.

Why do we want to worship and sacrifice to and for our true God?

The first and main reason is that we are saved and have a loving merciful relationship because of the blood of Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on the cross for each and every person to take the punishment for our sin.

As a result of this alone we want to worship God and give sacrifices of thanksgiving.

We also want to worship God and offer sacrifices of thanksgiving because:
Our physical blessings
Our Christian relationships
Our hope for eternal life
God has called us to worship and sacrifice
Joy in our hearts

The other side of the coin is why we don’t worship or sacrifice:
Lazy
All is mine
I don’t need to worship with any one else

Worship:
Sunday, Wed., others
Personal devotion
Bible Study
My daily life
Place-everywhere
Give God all the glory
Sacraments

Sacrifice of thanksgiving:
My daily life
Nurturing family relationships
Nurturing other relationships
Taking care of the poor and needy
Tithing

God is worthy of our worship and sacrifice. Worship and sacrifice with thanksgiving and joy.

Life Lesson 9-21-08

2008-10-21T15:24:13Z

What are the Ten Commandments?

God has given His law in two different ways?
Our hearts
The Ten Commandments

Commandments 1-3-The relationship between God and His people
Commandments 4-10-The relationship person to person.

What is it that God wants us to know about the Commandments?
LOVE

What is the Law all about?
A curb
A Mirror
A Rule or Guide

What does God expect of us with His law? To keep the Ten Commandments perfectly.

Our problem is that we are sinful and can not and do not want to keep God’s law perfectly.

Why do we not keep the law of God perfectly?
Idolatry
Control
Selfishness
Narcissism

We can call of it one word SIN?

If we saw our relationship with God only through the eyes of the Law of God we would be depressed and despaired.

Thankfully we do not have to look at the law as our way out of this life or the basis for our relationship with God. Our relationship with God starts with the Gospel.

The Gospel-The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus died on the cross. Jesus died on the cross as our substitute for the punishment for our disobedience of God’s law(sin). The Gospel is Jesus arose from the dead to conquer death and this gives us hope of life after death with God in heaven.

We are saved and made God’s people only through the Good news of Jesus Christ worked through God’s Word and His gifts of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

So what do we do with the Ten Commandments:

Curb-All know right from wrong and this keeps our world from total chaos.

Mirror-God shows us what sins we do.

Rule-As a result of our love for God and out of thanksgiving God gives us opportunity and moves in us to do good works.

We are people who have the opportunity to live out God’s will, what does it look like(negative-positive)?
1st Commandment-You shall have no other Gods
2nd Commandment-You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
3rd Commandment-Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it Holy
4th-Honor your father and your mother

Life Lesson 9-14-08

2008-10-21T15:23:16Z

Moses and Jethro-Exodus 18

This set up became the judicial set up for Children of Israel.

Moses problem was he did to much and thought he could do everything.

Moses heard:
Minor disputes
Major disputes
Everything

Why did Jethro make this point to Moses?
You can’t do it all
You will tire yourself out
God has given you a greater responsibility

How often are as people think we have to do it all?

Our daily lives:
Work
Home
Community events
Parties
Trying to Deal with others lives

How many families get their children into everything?
Sports
Other organizations and clubs

How many of us say? Nobody can do it as well as I do so I have do it myself.

What is that when we think that way?
Ego-I am better and more important

How many of us complain about how busy our lives are?
How many of us feel better when we are really busy?
How many of are martyrs?

We don’t have to be.

Look at our own Savior:
Luke 5:16
Mark 1:35

Jesus took time away and did not do everything:
Jesus sent His disciples to evangelize
Jesus charged His disciples for the work of His church
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit all serve each other

God has given us a Sabbath.

God has given us time to worship.
God has given us help from others.
God has time to rest.

Jesus died for us on the cross so that we have the ultimate burden lifted off our shoulders-the punishment for our sin.
The burden of the cross for Christ has given us Freedom to live our lives to serve God and others and in the process God has given times of rest and relief from our own sin through forgiveness.
God has also given us relief from our daily struggles through physical rest.
God has also given eternal joy and rest through eternal life.

We have strength and rest through Word and prayer.

Resource-“Boundaries”-Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Life Lesson 9-07-08

2008-10-21T15:22:17Z

Three stories of providing:
Manna means “What is it?” and Quail
Water
Fighting the enemy

God used the ordinary to provide for His people.

Manna:
• A type of plant lice punctures the fruit of the tamarisk tree, causing the fruit to excrete a yellowish-white flake or ball
• Disintegrates in the heat of the day; congeals in cold
• Sweet taste, rich in sugars
• Decays quickly and attracts ants
• Gathered today by natives, who bake it into a kind of bread (called manna)
Quail:
• Migratory birds flying from Africa or blown in from the Mediterranean land may land in the evening, exhausted

Miraculous aspects of the manna:
• Not available on the sabbath
• Preservation for two days before the sabbath
• God’s purpose in providing food: so that the people shall know:
• 1. the LORD is their God
• 2. that God has heard their murmurings

Last story in Exodus to involve water

Amalekites defeated through a combination of divine and human energies:
• Trustworthy human leadership
• Active community defense
• Divine will

How do we not trust God to provide?

• Putting God to the proof
• Trying to coerce God to act or show God’s self
• Making one’s belief contingent on a demonstration by God
• Turning “faith into sight”
• Do it ourselves
• Complain, complain, complain

Trust and other people.

If God is God then He will do what is right for us.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God has created me together with all creatures. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul: eyes, ears, and all my limbs and senses; reason and all mental faculties. In addition, God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink, house and home, spouse and children, fields, livestock, and all property--along with all necessities and nourishment for this body and life. God protects me against all danger and shields and preserves me from all evil. God does all this out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all!
For all of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true
First and foremost God has provided you and me with Salvation through Jesus Christ on the cross.
Jesus died for us, sinful people, on the cross to take the punishment for our sin and because of that death and Christ’s resurrection from the dead, our relationship to God is restored. Creation is restored to the father.
As a result of this we are provided with forgivness, repentance and eternal life. All other things that we receive from God center around the cross.
We then share all of our gifts with those around us, saved and unsaved alike.
For all of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true