Thursday, October 6, 2005

Good Morning!

Happy birthday to Nicole McKinney, whose birthday is today!

If you get a chance, go to our web site at leapclass.blogspot.com and look at Monday and Wednesday's posts to find links for a couple books that we are considering for the class. Let me know if you like one or the other specifically, or if you like the style/content of one vs. the other, or if you have a suggestion for a book.

The new unit for this week is Unit 23, Sanctifying Grace

Focus Scripture for the Week:

1 Thessalonians 5:23

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely.

Today's Scriptures: Hebrews 10:1-10

Today's Discussion:

-- Hebrews was a book written to address some of the concerns of the Hebrew Christians who may have been considering returning to the faith of their birth -- Judaism.

-- in this scripture, the author (Paul, most likely) was comparing Jesus' sacrifice to the Old Testament sacrifices, and how God's plan for granting forgiveness changed with the coming of Christ.

-- our takeaway and/or encouragement from this scripture should be the permanance of Jesus' sacrifice for us; the assurance that our sins are forgiven. Wesley, in his writings this week, talks about those who come to Christ, and how some feel immediately the full assurance that their sins have been forgiven, and they immediately feel the joy from that, while others -- such as himself, find that joy and assurance sometime later in their faith walk,

-- this scripture is just one of many that should give of confidence in our salvation.

Question for Sunday:

-- do you have doubts about your salvation? how do you address overcoming those doubts?

Today's prayer request: The poor

One thing that Hurricane Katrina did was to expose to many Americans just how many poor people we have in this country, and some of the problems that they encounter due to their lack of money. One of the things that Jesus preached consistently was our obligation to the poor. Let us pray for the poor, and let us pray that each of us find ways to minister to them.

Actually, let's try this -- get $5 or $10 in cash, put it in your pocket, with the expectation that you will encounter someone or some opportunity today to give it away to someone who needs it.

Today's class member prayer:

Lynn Rocksvold

Have a great day.

Jay