"DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLIMB."

This is an interesting warning sign in Aspen, Colorado.  Many novice and expert climbers have died at the Maroon Bells, and this sign surely will make anyone else think twice about adventuring themselves though the deceptive paths of the beautiful Maroon Bells.

Spiritually, sin most of the time looks really attractive, pretty, beautiful, and adventurous. But the word of God gives us plenty of warnings about sin and its consequences. However, many choose not to pay attention to those warnings and-- believing we are experts, knowing our way out--follow the deceptive and treacherous paths of sin just to find ourselves in a dead end.

The Israelites were punished by God so many times for being disobedient; still they chose over and over to follow their deceptive and dangerous paths instead of the will of God.

We could write a book together about sin and its consequences, fully documented with every single Bible verse, but let us share this one powerful verse and after reading it just draw your conclusions:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

 Please "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SIN."

- Alex

Paul’s letter “to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons” is a very personal letter filled with strong expressions of love, encouragement and hope.

A theme in Philippians is the various ways Paul believes spiritual help and encouragement was sure to come for his brethren at Philippi.   

· God will bring to completion the good work he began in them (1:6).

· Paul prayed so that their love would abound in knowledge and depth of insight (1:9).

· Paul’s spared life would enable him to continue with them for their progress and joy in the faith (1:25).

· God was working in them to will and to act according to his good purpose (2:13).

· The arrival of Epaphroditus would make them glad (2:28).

· Reoccurring messages in Paul’s letter and message would be a safeguard for them (3:1).

· God would make clear to them the things they didn’t yet understand along their path to maturity (3:15).

· Paul’s example would serve as a pattern for them to follow in their Christian lives (3:17).

· A wise peacemaking brother was sent to reconcile a disagreement between two fine sisters (4:2-3).

· The peace of God would guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (4:7).

· God would meet all their needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (4:19).

If you feel like you aren’t making progress in your faith or are facing personal obstacles too great to overcome, turn to the Scriptures and take to heart reassurances of HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT like these. Just as they were available to the Philippians they are YOURS IN ABUNDANCE today, plus one more, to make it an even dozen, from the last verse of the letter: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” 

- Randy

I do not think anyone fully believes these cartoonish stereotypes, but those are the images we are surrounded by so those are what we tend to think of first.  Some of that imagery trickles back to Biblical roots, but for the most part I think we need to lay it aside and reexamine the Biblical pictures.

If you read through the book of Revelation (particularly chapters 1, 4, 20, and 21) you get all sorts of exciting images of Heaven.  They are powerful, colorful, and contradictory.  There is a great white throne with flashes of lightening and peals of thunder coming from it with an emerald rainbow surrounding it.  There is Jesus, his eyes blazing like fire, holding seven stars in one hand with a sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth.  There is no longer any sea, but there is a sea of glass as clear as crystal.  There is a holy city of Jerusalem that is clear as crystal and decorated with every precious stone.  The streets are made of gold like transparent glass and each of its twelve gates are made of a single giant pearl.  God is the color of “jasper and carnelian,” precious stones of deep reds, yellows, browns and greens.  The very earth and sky flee from the presence of God because there is no place for them.

The images are exciting and amazing and fantastic and so grand that words fail to capture it all.  Heaven is incredible!  Boredom never enters the picture.  It is so much bigger than the cartoon clouds we often imagine.

These are not even literal descriptions of Heaven either.  There is no literal description.  Heaven is so vastly indescribable that the only way to convey it at all is by stringing together the best, most precious, most amazing images we have into one giant painting of glory.

Describing the world to a baby in the womb would be tough.  How would you describe color or trees or taste?  In the same way, Heaven will be beyond anything we can possibly imagine.  And that is a Heaven I can be excited about.

 - Silas

Spiritually we also have a place that God has prepared for us. Christ, the Son of God, told the disciples in John 14:2, "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” 

Even Paul and Timothy remind the Philippians that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20).

Hebrews 11:13-16 says, “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For  momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Romans 8:18 says “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Hebrews 13:14 states, “we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come". 

We have all read these passages more than once and they remind us of the true meaning of what it is to have a citizenship, an identity, a place of origin. 

What a joy for Christians to hear these words of hope from Jesus Christ Himself saying that He will prepare a place so that where He is we can be with Him too!  God’s desire is for us to be with Him for all eternity. 

If you are looking for a place, a city, a country or just citizenship, DO NOT look any further.

We encourage you to invest your time and efforts in the blessings that come only from our Father. 

The following excerpts are from the January 31, 2010 news letter from Paul Renganathan who will be speaking to us this evening at 6 p.m. Paul is a medical doctor who has had a remarkable impact on his native land through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ which he has preached to countless lost souls all over India.  The Rakestraws became aware of Paul’s work several years ago and later began supporting his efforts. We are excited to have Paul coming to be with us and rejoice in the work of the Lord’s kingdom in the vast Indian world.

· Hundreds heard the gospel and many responded to Paul’s preaching in gospel meetings in the area near Chennai.

· Six American workers and Paul did follow up teaching with the converts through the lamp stand efforts.

· Over a hundred homes were visited and had Bible studies.

· The silver jubilee thanks giving was held at Surapet, Chennai. 25 years of work led us into 15 nations of the world. It was a time of thanks giving and rejoicing in the work of the Lord.

· Gospel meetings were also conducted at Surapet. An auditorium to seat 1000 people is almost ready at the Godson school premises; it will also be available for the church on Sundays.

· The church in K.K. Nagar hosted their 9th annual lectureship. Over 300 souls were present and special Bible classes were conducted for the young people with several baptized. Special Bible classes were conducted for the children in the orphanages. Five of them were baptized into Christ.

· Another 62 students graduated from the Bible College. They are from four nations and returned to their home towns to preach the gospel. The Bible College is a blessing in preparing and sending workers.

· An international preachers meeting in January had over 500 workers from six nations bringing news of several baptisms and abundant growth of the church. 

· Nearly a hundred souls were baptized into Christ in the first half of January. Thousands of Christians were strengthened in their faith through the Bible lessons and fellowship.

· The team from America and Chennai went to Chittoor District of Andrapradesh. The mobile clinic worked along with the gospel meetings. Patients poured in so that we could not close at the scheduled hour. 598 patients received medical help. Six daily newspapers reported on the work of the free Mobile Clinic.

Proverbs 4:20-23 says, "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." 

We spend a lot of time watching over worldly stuff, but we pay little attention to our hearts.  

The Bible describes a wicked man in Proverbs 6:12-19 "as one who walks with a perverse mouth… Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil." 

It says also that "There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him" and "a heart that devises wicked plans" is one of them.

Isaiah talks about "a deceived heart" (Isaiah 44:20).

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God”. (Psalm 14:1).

"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart". (Luke 6:45).

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man". (Mark 7:21).

"For evils beyond number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; they are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me". (Psalm 40:12).

I stop here and ponder a question…Do we have heart problems?  Yes we do… and we cannot enjoy God's blessings if our hearts are not right with Him.

Most of our spiritual problems, if not all of them, are because our hearts have failed us--to do God's will, to serve Him, to honor Him, to worship Him, to rejoice in His precepts and commandments.

Today open your Bible to Psalm 51:10 and ask God in prayer to perform a surgery on your heart.

Dr. Stephen Post is a physician at Case Western Medical School. In Guideposts Magazine (November 2007, page 78) Dr. Post shared some data on how people who are thankful for the things they have are benefitted by the ‘Attitude of gratitude”. Here are some of his findings:

• Just 15 minutes a day focusing on things you’re thankful for will significantly increase your body’s natural antibodies.
• Naturally grateful people are more focused mentally and measurably less vulnerable to clinical depression.
• A grateful state of mind induces a physiological state called resonance that’s associated with healthier blood pressure and heart rate.
• Caring for others is draining. But grateful caregivers are healthier and more capable than less grateful ones.
• Recipients of donated organs who have the most grateful attitudes heal faster.

Have you counted your blessings TODAY?

Larry Grampp

Elder

Such a desire to be a part of something like this, and a feeling of emptiness or something missing until this "hole" is filled is not uncommon. Where people go to get this need met on the other hand, are as diverse as the imagination could possibly express.

Some turn to substances, alcohol, drugs, or food, some to relationships with others, some jion cults, clubs, or communities who hold beliefs that are as wide a variety as could possibly be described. Something needs to fill that hole. As Christians, we believe (even though sometimes we still struggle to apply these truths) that the only thing that will fill that hole is a relationship with God. It is the only real connection that gives purpose, mission, and doesn't leave us with empty spaces in our lives that need to be supplemented or replaced by anything else. A relationship with God really is sufficient to fill all those gaps in our lives.

The Bible tells us a lot about people, about their nature, their weaknesses, and their desire to be a part of something that is meaningful, enduring, and worth living for. It also recounts a lot of foolish things that people throughout history have tried to put in that place instead of a relationship with God. They tried to make their own gods, they tried sex, child sacrifice, a mix of a bunch of different religions, and also just plain apathy to the whole situation. None of them filled the hole.

The Bible also tells us one big story throughout its pages about a God who made the universe and desires to be the one who fills all the needs in our lives that cannot be filled any other way. He made us that way. Don't you think he knows how to fill it? God chose to choose one people (the nation of Israel). It wasn't because they were powerful or special (God makes that very clear), but instead he chose them so that they could help the rest of the world to realize that they all needed to fill the hole in their lives and their societies by being right with their Maker.

Jesus came and taught that God was still up to the same thing. He wanted people to be reconciled (or brought back) to Him. He gave his life so that it could happen in a way that was better than ever before. Not since the Garden of Eden in the very beginning had such an intimate and real relationship with God ever been possible. Through Jesus what was once simply wishful thinking was now not only possible but available to all who would seek it.

God is working today. Some say that God doesn't exist. Others simply suggest that He isn't interested. The truth is that God is just as busy today as he has ever been on the same mission that He had when it all started. He desires to be close to those who would seek Him.

Are you looking for something "bigger then yourself"? Look no further. His name is God. He is the Creator of all that exists and He is living in and working through his people. And he promises that if you seek Him you will find Him. Get plugged in. Stop filling that hole in your life with something different that doesn't fit the whole. Come to God and allow him to fill you to overflowing.

Welcome to the Journey.

For many centuries Japanese pearl divers (usually female) risked their lives looking for the biggest oysters in very deep waters. Some died searching for pearls of great value. Pearls are valuable to mankind because of the time needed to produce them, their scarcity, and their beauty. In Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13:45, He says that the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who would sell everything just to buy the one pearl of great value. What would make it that valuable in a spiritual application?

Could Jesus have meant that the pearl is heaven where the twelve gates are made of pearls? (Revelation 21:21)

Perhaps he was referring to one’s soul which is said to be worth more than the whole world. (Matthew 16:26)

Some scholars believe it is the church that was bought with God’s own blood. (Acts 20:28)

A physical pearl is made up of many layers but the same essence permeates the whole. In a spiritual sense one essence permeates the three possible meanings of the pearl of great value. Jesus Christ is God’s pearl of great value because he reigns in heaven at the right hand of The Father. He shed His blood for the church and will preserve our souls with him forever if we obey Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Like the merchant in the parable, we have to search and discover our “pearl”. We then have to sacrifice our very lives and die with Him in baptism.

Finally, we experience the great joy of knowing it cannot be taken away from us. (Romans 8:38-39).

    Why do bad things happen to good people? It’s an age old question. We joke about God striking people with lightning when they make a seemingly inappropriate joke that has to do with the Almighty. But the truth is, for some reason, when bad things happen we think that it is the result of something that we did which was wrong. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that this story is so striking. The story of Jesus healing a man who has been blind from birth and his ensuing confrontation with the Pharisees seems to suggest that God may have a different purpose for our struggles.    

    Let’s start by dealing with the essence of the story and then drawing out some thoughts and implications for our lives today. The story begins with Jesus simply happening upon a man who cannot see. His disciples at this point ask what to us would be a shocking and perhaps even offensive question. “Who’s fault is it that this man is blind? Did his parents do something wrong or was it this man’s fault?” The other teachers of Jesus’ day would have speculated that it was one or perhaps both parties that were at fault and perhaps would even suggest why. Jesus however, saw a totally different reason for this man's affliction. He simply told them that his blindness wasn’t punishment at all but instead an opportunity for God to show his power and love through this man. Jesus gives him instructions as to how he can receive his sight for the first time and then simply slips away. The man, who can now see cannot identify the one who did this wonderful thing for him.

    It is the Sabbath, and the tradition says that you aren’t supposed to work on the Sabbath. Surely giving a man his eyesight is work. So this man whoever he is broke the rules. After interrogating the formerly blind man and his family they threw him out. Jesus went to the man and introduced himself as to who he truly was, God’s Son, the one who was sent that all may come to God and be forgiven. The man shows no hesitation in his reaction, he worships Jesus. The story concludes with Jesus saying that those who wish to see will find their answer in him and that those who believe that they already have all the answers and do not need nor want the Son of God will continue in their blindness. This story begs the question, “Which are you?”

    The biggest indictment in this story is of the people who should recognize when God is at work. We’re talking about the Pharisees. They were the religious elite, the scholars of their day. But Jesus makes it very clear that they didn’t get it. Instead the man who was thought to be “sinful” and as a result was blind was the one who recognized Jesus for who he really was.

• Have you ever had a time in your life when God brought you through a really difficult time? How did you feel?
• How would your life be different if you saw the events in people’s lives (including your own) not as punishment for something you did wrong but as an opportunity for God to show himself to you and to others?
• The man in the story who could see (both literally and spiritually) when he realized that it was Jesus who healed him began to worship him. Does remembering the ways that God has intervened in your life lead you to want to worship him as well?

 Almighty God,
     Help us to see you working in our lives and the lives of others and may we worship you alone.                
                                                                                        Amen.