Friday, July 22, 2005

Good Morning!

Hope to see everyone on this Sunday. If you don't have a book, make sure you check with me and get one -- I'll have some new ones with me. Next week will be just the halfway point, so there is plenty of time left in this study to join back in with the class.

The new unit for this week is Unit 12, Holiness of Heart

Focus Scripture for the Week: Hebrews 4:7

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.

Today's topic: Acts 8:14-24, Ephesians 4:1-16, Philippians 2:1-11

-- these are the three remaining scriptures for this week.

-- the story from Acts was not familiar to me, but the teaching there is very obvious -- God's gifts are not for sale -- they are free to those who believe and whose hearts are right with God. In our culture, those who have money can use it to buy convenience, to buy time, to buy luxury, to buy knowledge -- to buy any number of things. But you cannot buy a right heart -- it is something that you have to do yourself for your yourself.

-- I've always liked this passage from Ephesians, and it provides more encouragement and teaching about how we should live as Christians. The interesting twist to that teaching is at the end of the passage, where it talks about another benefit of our growing closer to God -- that of being knowledgeable and confident about our faith and being immune to false teachings. As we look at the press, we can see stories of people tossed to and fro in matters of faith -- such as Hollywood celebrities. They all seem to be taken in regularly by some new spiritual fad. If you read verse 14 while thinking about Hollywood celebrities, it seems like a perfect fit.

-- the passage from Philippians hits on another dimension or angle on where are hearts should be -- the idea of humility, of being servant-like in our approach to others, of the idea of encouraging peace among our community of believers. Concern for others is a key attitude in getting our hearts right.

Today's prayer request: The people of London.

The fear that is starting to well up in this city, in everyone, is becoming evident. This morning there was another incident, and it is beginning to look like a siege of terror, rather than just an isolated incident. We need to pray for a end to the terror, and for courage and encouragement and strength for the people of the London.

Today's class member prayer:

Kelly Thaxton

Have a great day.

Jay