“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3

                                                                                                                                               

Matthew’s gospel account…records the greatest sermon that Jesus ever taught, we call it the Sermon on the Mount.  In it, Jesus teaches his disciples the things he wants them to know…the “basics” of what living a God filled life is all about.  The text says, “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying…” – Matthew 5:1-2

We tend to skip right over these opening verses as if they are only the prelude to what, in our minds, is really important.  While the teachings of Jesus are always important, let’s not run by the beginning of this chapter.  You see, Matthew tells us that, “…the disciples came to him…”  Did you catch that?  Before  Jesus taught anything he waited for the disciples to approach him.  As disciples do we willingly approach Jesus?  Do we seek to follow him?

He teaches something that is very counterculture to life today.  As he begins to teach he blesses the poor in spirit, those who have little to nothing to give.  Those who mourn, the ones who are often overlooked and forgotten.  The meek, the ones we think are weak.  Those who hunger and thirst for the kingdom rather than themselves.  Those who offer mercy to others rather than revenge.  The pure in heart, the ones who lift others up upon their shoulders and carry their burdens for them.  Peacemakers, those who build bridges rather than erect fences.  The persecuted, the ones who are always gazing toward heaven as they suffer on earth.  But before he taught anything, he waited.

God said through the Prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13  Jesus is still teaching, and his class is open to all who will first seek him.  “Seek first the kingdom of God…” – Matthew 6:33

Father…give us the wisdom to know the roads of life to travel, and the courage to walk them with you!  Amen!

                                                                                                                                                                                              

We need volunteers…to help the kids at the Mulberry Elementary School with their reading skills?  Math skills?  If you can give 1 hour a week, please see me ASAP.  “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me…” – Mark 9:37

 Upcoming Events…

September 9 – Ladies Day at the church building, Ms. Jennifer Percell will be the guest speaker.  See Emily or Melody for info

September 10 – Basket Dinner after morning Worship

September 16 – Fall Festival at the Kurz’s home

September 16 – Pray over Iowa at Center Point Road Church of Christ, Marion Iowa, 2:00pm

September 19…Blood Drive @ the Building.

September 24-27…Demons vs. Prayer Seminar with Steve Hemphill of Active-Faith.  www.active-faith.org

October 28 – Trunk-or-Treat at the church building, 3-5pm    

Spiritual Warfare Seminar…with Steve Hemphill is coming up fast.  Mark your calendars for September 24-27, each night at the Riverview Center downtown on Harbor Drive.  There will be a light dinner Sunday evening.

Sessions:

Sunday, 9/24 @ 3:30pm           Spiritual Warfare 101 (Dinner to follow)

Sunday, 9/24 @ 5:45pm           Biblical Demons and Symbols

Monday, 9/25 @ 6:30pm          Spiritual Weapons (pt.1)

Tuesday, 9/26 @ 6:30pm         Spiritual Weapons (pt.2)

Wednesday, 9/27 @ 6:30pm    Prayer Hindrances & Land Markers in Scripture, Spiritual Resources and a final Charge for Battle

Please be in prayer for those who will come to this event and plan to invite people that you may know.  This community is in a war with the prince of darkness, and God is the answer.  I solicit your prayers, support and involvement!

This Week at MCoC…We continue in our series of Walking the Walk.  Our topic this week is a tough one, dealing with forgiveness.  It is basket dinner Sunday…I hope to see you there!

DJA