MINISTRY NOTES

Week of September 13, 2009

Hi Everyone,

You have heard the expression, "Thank a Veteran". As a veteran, I can assure you when it comes to our freedom to live the way we like, including our freedom to worship God, the front line is our police force, "Thank a Police Officer". This Saturday, Sept. 19, the first Tulsa Police Reserve Class in many years will be graduating. These impressive, dedicated men and women have voluntarily spent many hours every week since last February in intense instruction and training that can some times be physical even with possible personal risk, to be a Reserve Police Officer. They have to be able to perform like a full time officer and assume all the hazards. These reserve officers voluntarily give to our community, backing up and enabling full time officers to be more effective. Remember them in your prayers and next time you talk to a Police Officer, Regular or Reserve (they look similar), say THANK YOU!

This Sunday, September 20, 2009, Anabelle Sistos' parents Vincente and Belinda will be dedicating her to God, like Mary and Joseph did for baby Jesus (Luke 2:22-24). Some of you remember praying for Anabelle when she got up to 3 pounds back in July. She now weighs over 7 pounds. She spent the first 40 days of her life in the hospital growing and developing. Last Sunday we shared communion with her as Jesus says to bring the little children to Him (Mark 10:14) and she drank the entire little cup. Soon we will have to be careful, because little children frequently like to grab the communion tray once they learn they enjoy remembering Jesus. Come be with us Sunday for this very important event in Anabelle's life.

On a more personal note, Vincente and Belinda met while working at Goodwill and they are both very strong minded and independent. Mostly they walk and use the bus (which doesn't run on Sunday). I truly though, that with Anabelle's arrival, I would be able to give them a ride to Church more often (usually I get to give them a ride home). Sunday morning with more rain threatening they showed up, having push her baby carriage almost a mile with part of the way with no sidewalks and very small shoulders on a two-lane road and the busy four-lane road. Within a minute after they walked in the door there was a loud clap of thunder, like applause that they made it.

Message:

God Likes Love and Praise

It is good to know God and what He likes just like a child may want to know what pleases a parent or an employee a boss. As we know God better, we can understand what He expects of us. One way we can know God better is to learn from His Son, Jesus1. Jesus tells us that God guided Him on what to say2, so what Jesus teaches us can give us an insight to God. Jesus quotes Moses from Deuteronomy when He shares that the greatest commandment is to love God with all we have or in every way possible 3.

We also can learn about God when we listen to what God says. The enemy has cultivated doctrines that confuse people about what God says by teaching stuff like "every word in the Bible came from God". Yet, it is often very clear in the Bible when it reads, "God says"4. We need to stop following doctrines and believe the Bible the way it is written! God frequently reminded the children of Israel that He delivered them out of slavery in Egypt5. We learn that God wants us to appreciate what He has done for us and remember it. Yes, many will say correctly that God blesses them every day but in addition to those blessings do you remember the large blessings from God. I can remember times God saved my life in Vietnam and when God healed me of Pneumonia when I was in so much pain I believed that this could be a way I might die someday. I thank God every day that He healed my eyes, so I don't have to wear glasses anymore. I can remember how God has used me to help others be healed from life threatening illnesses. How God has allowed me to be a blessing in others marriages and when one person who sent me a picture of her two year old child and thanked me that she didn't get an abortion.

Do you remember how God has blessed you and how He has helped you be a blessing to others? Do you remember to thank God and remind Him that you appreciate Him? God reminds us that He is the one who heals us6. In Jesus' ministry, when He healed someone they gave praise to God7. One time when Jesus healed 10 people and only one returned to give thanks, Jesus complained about the other 9 not giving thanks8. God notices and wants us to give thanks. After you get well, do you send a thank you note to the Doctor and nurses that helped you and do remember to thank God who uses them or who healed you in other ways?

Let's pray:

"Our Father in heaven, we love You and thank You for all you have done for us. Help me to recognize Your blessings and give you thanks immediately. Thank you in Jesus' name, amen."

1. John 10:36

2. John 12:49

3. Mark 12:30; Deuteronomy 6:4-5

4. Exodus 5:1; Joshua 7:13; Malachi 2:16, etc.

5. Leviticus 11:45; Numbers 15:41: Psalms 81:10; etc.

6. Exodus 15:26

7. Luke 5:51; 18:43

8. Luke 17:15-18