Reflections

Sunday Sermon

Our battle against sin is a daily struggle.

How can we stay away from the entanglement of sin?

Hebrews 12:4-11

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

• In my struggle I have not shedded any blood. The main test is to fight my own sinful nature.
• God discipline the one he loves and chastises every son he receives.
• God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness.
• In the moment discipline is painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
•

What is discipline?

• Training – παιδεία

Examples:
• Moses
• Joseph
• Genesis 50:20 -You meant it for evil but God meant it for God
• Paul
• II Corinthians 12:7-9 – Paul had a thorn in the flesh

Beta certainly making herself felt.

Brings back Harvey flashbacks.

Sermon
What is most powerful thing you have seen in your life?
Tornadoes or hurricanes
Explosion in Beirut
The Word of God is even more powerful. Both spoken and written word.

God created the world by his word. God said….and it happened.
Isaiah 55:8-11
God’s word will accomplish His purpose and will succeed in the thing that he sent it.
Must read our bibles which is God’s written word.

Hebrews 4:12
• The word of God is living and active
• Sharper than a two edged sword
• Piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow
• Discerns the thought and intentions of the heart

II Peter 1:3-4
• God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness
• How? Through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence
• God granted us promises so that we may be partakers of the divine nature, escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desires

I Peter 1:23-25
• through the living and abiding word of God we are born again

I Thessalonians 2:13
• The word of God is at work in believers

1 Peter 2:2
• We are to long for the pure spiritual milk that by the milk we will grow up into salvation

Exodus 20;1-17
10 commandments
• Divide 2 parts
• Focus on God and relationship with God
• Focus on people and those relationships
• The entire law of Moses is built

Matthew 5:1-11
Beatitudes-blessed
• Show way to maturity in 8 steps

Matthew 5:1-6
• Blessed are poor of spirit-theirs is the kingdom of heaven
• They recognize they are need of Gods help. They confess their spiritual bankruptcy.
• Example of poor in spirit -Luke 18:9-14 – the tax collector attitude instead of the Pharisee.
• Blessed are those that mourn-they shall be comforted
• The spiritual, emotional and financial loss resulting from sin lead to mourning and a longing for Gods forgiveness
• Blessed are the meek- they shall inherit the earth
• The gentle-those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength. They trust in God to direct the outcome of events.
• Numbers 12:3 – Moses was very meek
• 2 Corinthians 10:1 – Christ was meek and gentle
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness-they shall be satisfied
• They recognize that God is the ultimate source of real righteousness. They long for Gods righteous are evident in theirs and other people’s lives.
• They respond to Gods invitation

Houston Marathon is today. Beautiful cool, windy day. Took a wog (walk/jog) before worship today. 😊

My Christmas holiday is over. Of course, I had trouble getting out of bed. Of course, now I’m starting the day late. I did cut some of my morning routine short in order to “ catch up”. But I did take a few minutes to read while eating breakfast. I must remember each day is its own day – never hold a grudge. We can start over like it never happened. I think this can be true for each day, each month, each year as long as we let it be so.

I love New Year’s Resolutions. Yesterday the sermon was about resolutions and how only 8% of the people keep their resolutions. Yes, I hardly ever keep my resolutions but I still like to make them. The preacher suggested that if you were going to make a resolution to do it as a “hope”. For example, I hope to lose weight. The reasoning is that if I state the resolution as a hope that I would not be as disappointed if I failed. I will have to think about the hope idea.

Then later I was talking with a friend and she was talking about 2020 being a new decade. I thought a new decade. That puts a different spin on my resolutions. How do I see the next decade? I will be in my 60’s. I need to work on my bucket list. Have I been living a meaningful life? All sorts of stuff was going through my head.

This morning I was reading and eating breakfast. The quote above is from the book I am reading. What a thought to ponder! If I experience situations in my life that are worse or the things in my life stay the same and I feel silence from heaven will I be happy with what Jesus did for me? Sobering thought.

Reflecting back I would say no. Okay time to confess. I’m a grumbled, whiny, complaining person. I complain about just about everything. Obviously, I have not been happy with God’s daily gifts. If I were I don’t think I would be a whiner etc.

So maybe my first resolution should be – stop being a whiner or stated more positively to practice thanksgiving every day.

Traveling back from Corpus Christi we stopped at the Blessing Hotel Coffee Shop. All you can eat for $10, including a drink and dessert. Food is delicious and served buffet style. You can even spend the night in the hotel. Nice little side trip.

Christmas flowers with golden turmeric milk! Nice way to start the day.

Merry Christmas