Remembering Christ And Sharing One With Another.
December 18th, 2012 It is that time of year when we hold special services in remembrance of Christ's birth. With wonderful plays and services designed to fully express the wonder of the birth of Christ and the beauty of God's Grace. However, also caught up in this season is our desire to share special times with friends and family. Giving gifts to one another in direct reference to the sharing of gifts of those wise men in days of old. Such a wondrous time it can be, but a time of great reflection and personal openness as well. A time where healing, hurts and memories come flying through our minds from all directions. Some of this is healthy, some of it overwhelms those involved. This Christmas I want you to enjoy the splendor of what is the Christmas pageantry, but remember its truly humble reality as well. For in a very simple setting our Lord was born, and without grandeur or prejudice he lived out his life before all. This uncommon man from a very common household touched the lives of almost all He came in contact to in such a profound way. Yet, in a very intimate fashion as well. Caring so intimately for the poor, the needy and the sick. This man would want you to reflect upon God's Grace that has been shown through the gift of the Son. Yet, be aware of those who are hurting and in need in this time of the year. Having our hearts and minds ready to " be there " for those struggling with the memories of the past, and the every day complexities of life. People who can't seem to smile, or even rejoice in such a season's blessings. Let them not be left behind in this season of celebration. I encourage you to enjoy the season, but be aware of those around about you. Give a shoulder to cry on, a hug to console, a kiss to say you care. Then share your Jesus and His love in the most intimate of fashion. Reflecting his incredible love from your heart to all you come in contact to. Make a difference in someone's life this holiday season. I promise you it will never be forgotten.
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" TO SANCTIFY OR TO CONSECRATE "
![]() I had two different services to attend, and one CGMF Bible Study group. All on one Sunday from 8:30am-1:30pm. To say the least it was busy, but in actuality a very special day. One I won't forget for some time, in which I found myself really blest by the different ways each gathering expressed their faith in Christ as they ministered one to another. We had a very nice communion service with special prayers at one service. Then a more traditional service where we honored those whose lives had been lived before us in such a personal way. I truly enjoyed my day in those early services, as well at our CGMF Bible Study series kickoff on the subject of " Sanctification and Consecration ". I believe God's Holy Spirit is going to examine our hearts in a very introspective way in these studies. Please, make sure you are a part of your bible study group's meetings. I know with the holidays upcoming it could make it difficult to do so, but try to find time to be a part of these studies in the Word. We are preparing a short series on the aspects of Sanctification and Consecration of vessels, people, etc.. It really is a fascinating study to consider with the scriptures and in consideration of Hebrew culture and church history. This is going to be a lot of fun preparing for the presentation. I truly believe everyone involved in these studies are going to look at this subject with a fresh appreciation. Being challenged to look at the biblical concepts of Sanctification in light of tradition and the living Word.
Veneration and consecration has has been a confusing subject to some in our studies, so we are going to look at it in a bold way. Hopefully with our minds open and our hearts ready to receive some really powerful truths from God's Word. This is one of the main passages we will be studying from. John 17 13-19NASB 13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. For the next few days we are going to continue to minister on the subject of " The Spirit of Caring " on the CGMF Prayerline. The Lord has put this subject upon my heart, as a truly important aspect of every day living. That is essential to understand in our Christian faith. For it is in caring, that we share the love of God in such a profound way in this world we live. I hope that you will take time to listen to the messages, as well take them to heart in the days to come.
We will store the series in the CGMF Prayerline archives on the Ministry archives page for your future reference. God bless you all, and please keep the folks in Canada and the East Coast in your prayers and thoughts. As they are going through some tough storms at this time, which are causing them all great discomfort. Genesis:4:9,10 CEB
9 The LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" Cain said, "I don’t know. Am I my brother’s guardian?" 10 The LORD said, "What did you do? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 You are now cursed from the ground that opened its mouth to take your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you farm the fertile land, it will no longer grow anything for you, and you will become a roving nomad on the earth." I am amazed how our philosophy changes when we leave the House of God. We embrace one another and socially support or strengthen one another in the Body of Christ ( we call it a body fitly joined together ). However, outside the church our philosophy about economics, politics and otherwise is so contrary to anything exemplified within the fabric or institution of what Christ called the church. Are attitude is like Cain's so often in this generation. " Am I my brother's guardian? " We live in a bubble with society just spinning around us basically telling people to get into the " Ark " ( or ) church and be safe. However, never truly sharing the grace and love of God with our fellow man in a consistent fashion. In contrast, Jesus went everywhere expressing God's Good News. healing, forgiving, and ministering in selfless love to all he came in contact to. In the three years we know of his official ministry he touched and challenged the philosophy of the Jewish faith and began through his disciples the groundwork for what would become the Church. That he believed would truly reflect the true desire of the Father, and reflect the true intent of God's Word. Our generation disappointedly has become one of seeking wealth and enjoying privilege. Rather than encapsulating the principles of Christ's teaching, and sharing Christ's love to this generation in selfless love. In a very popular passage in the New Testament. Jesus confronts a rich young ruler, and reveals to him in the simplest of terms what Christianity is all about in Mark 10:17-21. 17 As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?" 18 Jesus replied, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. 19 You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother." 20 "Teacher," he responded, "I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy." 21 Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, "You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me." 22 But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions. How sad it is, that we can come so far in our relationship to God and yet fall short. Why? Because we choose not to let go of the security blankets of our life, and to see how God might use us in some selfless or supreme matter. We forget that our Lord taught us not just to give, but that there was a principle of reciprocity that would divinely be at work in our lives. " Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return." ( Luke 6:37 ). God is not blind in our giving. Give selflessly and God will not be mocked. He knows what you have need of before you ask, and his desire is for your needs to be met. However, their is a principle of giving and caring for your fellow man or " loving your neighbor ". That is a chief principle in God's kingdom. Which when expressed through our life, gives glory to God and touches the hearts of every man, woman and child. What are the two greatest commandments Jesus taught us? "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'#38This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." ( Matthew 22:36-40 NIV ) Here Christ breaks down the Commandments of God into its simplest equation. He declares that the first commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Then to love your neighbor as highly as yourself. Simply put to love God and man with the same selfless love, empowers the Holy Spirit to accomplish great things through us. For we then give out of ourselves without the carnal trappings of " us " being our overall concern, and decide rather to embrace God and His worldview rather than our own. These principles are corroborated throughout the scriptures. From God's early dealing with the Hebrew children to His ministry to the Church. For Christ declared, " By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another " ( John 13:35 NIV ) Are you loving as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it? Are you sharing Christlike attributes of love toward your neighbor or stranger today? If you can, it can make all the difference in your life and the one you touch today. I ask you in closing today. Does your Christian Philosophy just end within the confines of your church? Or, are you embracing this world in the all encompassing focus of these Christian principles laid down by our Lord? I hope your philosophy economically, socially and in every way entails these principles of Christ. I know its contrary to the selfishness and greed of our generation. However, they are the principles the Christ reflected upon with the Rich Young Ruler, as he does with us today. Which is, our living out our lives wrapped in the blanket of selfless consuming love. The same love he reflected as he gave his all in his life and death for all mankind. If you have ever been " Laughed At ", " Mocked " or made fun of. Today's Prayerline message is for you, because it will help you to better understand this negative occurrence in light of the Word of God. Allowing you to put into remembrance how our Lord dealt with such behavior in view of what we see at the Cross.
Audio " Being Laughed At " I am hoping that many of you are getting involved in the various bible groups in your area, and enjoying the tools available to you at our ministry website. We are always working to resolve issues and see the expansion of our ministry resources for your benefit.
In the near future I am hoping to have a lot more audio or video files available to you from sister ministries. As well as, partners and or friends in Christ. This will assist you in your Christian growth, plus give you greater depth in your understanding of the Christian Faith. We are looking for a couple things this next month, as well trying to get started on some new areas of growth. For one I'm looking for more minstrels to help with worship music in some of our groups. Please don't hide your talents from us! We would love to see your musical gifts be lifted up to the Lord. Secondly, we have yet to get off the ground our new ministry in the South Omaha area. I will personally be teaching and ministering in these meetings for the first few months, then later passing the baton to other elders in the ministry. If you live anywhere within driving distance to the Vinton Street area. You might want to come and be a part. I am trying to arrange to utilize bible study facilities at a local church for the gathering in the South Omaha area, as we are going to try some new things with the development of the ministry. This will be a slightly more independent group in a sense than are the previous groups. Which are pretty controlled settings in size and their collaboration with various churches. Having either a connection with a local church, or are drawn within fellowship with 12 or more of our Neighborhood Bible Groups with Quarterly regional gatherings. If you have any questions call us at the ministry at 646-926-0401., or email us at [email protected]. ![]() I had a blessed day in fellowship, having the privilege of being part of one of our Bible Study Groups in one denominational setting. Then visiting MCC and welcoming Pastor Tom back from a three month Sabbatical, which took him from Colorado to Mexico and finally Spain. I told him, " I can't wait to see the pictures from your trip ". He just smiled. Tom certainly looked refreshed and his parishioners packed the church upon his arrival. They had missed their pastor a whole lot from what I could tell. He was enthusiastic and they were energized as a congregation. |
Reverend Patrick Vossen,
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