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Self-Identity

Who am I? Who are you? Who are we? The answer to this question is called your self-identity and our self-identity and is very important. I hope that our congregational self identity might be unified. How we see ourselves probably reflects our sense of unity. Our yearly goal and theme (Belong) surely is connected to our collective self identity. “We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord. And we pray that our unity may one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

I would be interested in knowing how each one of us would answer the question, “How do you see yourself?” What would you answer if someone asked you, “Who are you?” Would you write your answer on an index card and put it in a box on my desk?

Joe

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Three things

There are three things God has never seen:

1. A person that has not sinned

2. A sinner He does not love

3. A sinner He cannot save

Voice of condemnation awakens us as well: “You aren’t good enough” “You’ll never improve” “You failed – again”

These are the voices in our world. They are also the voices in our heads. Who is this morality patrolman who issues a citation at every stumble? Who reminds us of every mistake? Does he ever shut up? Satan never shuts up. The apostle John calls him the Accuser. In fact he makes a career out of accusing. Unlike the Holy Spirit, Satan’s condemnation brings no repentance or resolve, only regret. Christ offers unending intercession on your behalf. He trumps the devil’s guilt with words of grace that leaves Satan speechless.

“…the kindness of God is meant to lead us to repentance.” (Romans 2:4b). Let’s listen to God’s voice.

Joe

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Forgiveness

Last Sunday, after the end of our assembly, a visitor asked me an interesting question: “Will God forgive me for killing a person?” I know the answer and when I answered “Yes”, I noticed the tears that began to flow from his eyes. It was as if he felt unworthy of forgiveness so he described how many times he stabbed the victim. When I explained that I was guilty of the crucifixion of the best man who ever lived, I sensed that he understood and promised that he would be back at the next church meeting. We have a great message to share with folks, don’t we? Our message is certainly good news called “the gospel”! Believe it, share it and thank God for it.

Joe

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Feed the Flock 2018

Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. This is a night of fun and fellowship for the church at Joelton. The elders and deacons prepare and serve a meal (BBQ, White Beans, Cole Slaw, Buns, Desserts & Drinks) to the “flock”. The meal begins at 5 PM and is followed at 6 PM by a talent show by our members. Be thinking about your talent you might perform. Adults are encouraged to participate.

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Following Jesus Isn’t for Wimps

By Reginald Smith, Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in TODAY

Scripture Reading — Luke 12:1-3

Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. — Luke 12:1

Jesus used an ordinary baking ingredient (yeast) to picture the power of sin in people’s lives. It was Passover, and thousands of Jews were traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate this great feast commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. As part of their preparation for this event, people removed all of the yeast from their homes (see Exodus 12:14-20).

Jesus knew how to use current events to make a point. With people paying so much attention to yeast, he pointed out that the sin of hypocrisy could be just as penetrating as yeast in bread, working its way to affect every inch of life.

In this way Jesus warned his disciples against being hypocrites in their service to God. Discipleship was and is serious business. There is no such thing as being “on the fringe” or neutral. We can easily find ourselves not living our real identity in the one true Savior.

True discipleship will involve suffering and self-denial. Choosing to do the will of God becomes more important than rejection or popularity. Discipleship means making people a priority rather than rituals and traditions. Loving your enemies pleases Jesus more than loving only your friends and family. Following Jesus means caring for the needy rather than giving priority to the rich, influential, and powerful. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow him if we would truly be his disciples. Can we do that?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help us to truly be your disciples. Please take hypocrisy out of our lives so that we may follow your ways. Amen.

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Do you belong?

Do you feel like you belong? Do you fit in with a special group? Are you lonely? Are you a part of a family? Do you join in with the conversations that go on around you? Do you ever feel rejected by others? In order to feel that you belong, do you need to be told that you are loved? Or appreciated? Or needed? Or important? If you don’t feel like you belong, is there anything you can do to change that? Can you spot a person around you that doesn’t feel like they belong? If you do detect such a person, have you ever asked them if it were true? Do you care if someone feels that way? Have you ever reached out to such a person? How would you reach out to include this person? Can you feel their pain or loneliness? Please think about all this and share with me your thoughts.

Joe

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CRISES PRESENTS GREAT…

Crisis presents great opportunities to change things for the better. Our present National crisis with the terrorist attacks and the looming war with world terrorist’s organizations is a good example of this. We have already heard about better relations between races, Hollywood committed to provide more patriotic wholesome movies, little children saving money for families of firefighters instead of themselves, high government officials praying to God to bless America instead of political parties and much more. Crises are great opportunities to change things for the better.

We can apply this truth to our own personal lives. Our present peril is an opportunity right now to: Begin treating all people with more kindness. Make it a habit to tell people you love them while they are still here. Commit to faithfulness in church attendance, Bible study and prayer. Move toward a less materialistic lifestyle. Seek a closer, more intimate relationship with God. Become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Take up my cross, deny myself and follow Jesus.

Dear Father, please transform me into the image of Jesus.
Joe

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The power of motivating words

A story is told about a little girl named Mary who was born with a cleft palate. Mary had to bear the jokes and stares of cruel children who teased her non-stop about her misshaped lip, crooked nose, and garbled speech. With all the teasing, Mary grew up hating the fact that she was “different”. She was convinced that no one, outside her family, could ever love her…until she entered Mrs. Leonard’s class.

Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face, and shiny brown hair. While everyone in her class liked her, Mary came to love Mrs. Leonard. In the 1950’s, it was common for teachers to give their children an annual hearing test. However, in Mary’s case, in addition to her cleft palate, she was barely able to hear out of one ear. Determined not to let the other children have another “difference” to point out, she would cheat on the test each year. The “whisper test” was given by having a child walk to the classroom door, turn sideways, close one ear with a finger, and then repeat something which the teacher whispered. Mary turned her bad ear towards her teacher and pretended to cover her good ear. She knew that teachers would often say things like “The sky is blue,” or “What color are your shoes?” But not on that day, Surely, God put seven words in Mrs. Leonard’s mouth that changed Mary’s life forever. When the “Whisper test” came, Mary heard the words: “I wish you were my little girl.”

In the same way sometimes the words from a father can powerfully set the course of a life. Words from God can pull us out of the pits of fear, despair and shame. God is whispering in your ear right now. “I wish you were my child.”

Joe

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Holiday Service schedule 2017

Holiday Service Schedule – Sunday, December 24, (Christmas Eve) – We will have regular 9 AM Bible Study and 10 AM Worship. We will not have PM service that day.

Sunday, December 31, (New Year’s Eve) – We will have regular 9 AM Bible Study and 10 AM Worship. Our evening service will be a short devotional, beginning at 7:30 PM, followed by a New Year’s Eve get together. You are asked to bring finger foods, drinks and games.

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