January 2014 Newsletter
January 5- Isaiah
60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
In the Northern Hemisphere, we are experiencing the darkness
of midwinter. Days are short and nights
long. But there are other forms of
darkness – poverty, war, injustice, oppression, hatred, prejudice, fear – forms
that also affect us just as they did the people of biblical times. In these passages, light breaks through the
darkness: a prophet calls us to arise
and see the light of liberation and peace, reconciliation and joy; the psalmist
prays for a ruler who will light the way of his people with righteousness,
prosperity, and an end to oppression and injustice. The writer of Ephesians lights the way
through mystery, with a message of the good news of Christ Jesus; and the Magi
follow the light of a star, finding more than they were looking for, to return
home transformed.
January 12 –Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew
3:13-17
Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, at the hands of John the
Baptizer, publicly identifies Jesus as the Christ- the Messiah, the Anointed,
the Chosen One of God. [Yeshua] This
baptism also marks the beginning of the ministry for the long-awaited Messiah,
whose coming is foretold in the Isaiah reading.
As Peter explains the Acts passage, we can trust in the saving work of
Jesus the Christ.
January 19 – Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; I Corinthians
1:1-9; John 1:29-42
God’s call emerges as a dominant theme in today’s
readings. Isaiah proclaims that God’s
call came even before he was born (Isaiah 49:1b). John clarifies his prophetic calling to
proclaim the coming of Christ (John 1:31b).
Jesus invites John and others to “Come and See” (John 1:39). Andrew calls to his brother Simon, “ We have
found the Messiah” (John 1:41b), and brings Simon to Jesus. Jesus calls Simon to discipleship and renames
him Cephas (Peter). As God has called
disciples since the beginning of time, so Christ calls us through these many
scriptures.
January 26 – Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; I Corinthians
1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
Themes of light and darkness focus the readings from Isaiah,
Psalm 27, and Matthew’s Gospel. In the
midst of loss (destruction of one’s homeland, the death of John the Baptist),
hope is not lost. God’s light shines in
the darkness: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those
who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).
[For the year 2014, listed below are a few books the Pastor
recommends.
Breaking the 12 Jewish
Codes that will Transform your Life, Family, Health, and Finances – Perry Stone
The Four Blood Moons
–Pastor John Hagee
The Seven Festivals of
the Messiah – Eddie Chumney (Thursday Night Bible Study – Belt Parsonage)
Who is the Bride of
Christ- Eddie Chumney
Restoring the Two
Houses of Israel-Eddie Chumney
Ponderings of the Pastor
Shared from the book- God Calling.
Between the Years
Our Lord and our God. We joy in Thee. Without Thy Help we could not face unafraid
the year before us.
I stand between the years. The Light of My Presence is flung across the
year to come – the radiance of Sun of Righteousness. Backward, over the past year, is My Shadow
thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment.
Dwell not on the past – only on the
present. Only use the past as the trees
use My Sunlight to absorb it, to make from it in after days the warming
fire-rays. So store only the blessings
from Me, the Light of the World.
Encourage yourselves by the thought of these.
Bury every fear of the future, of
poverty for those dear to you, of suffering , of loss. Bury all thought of unkindness and
bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments, your sense of failure, your
disappointment in others and in yourselves, your gloom, your despondency, and
let us leave them all, buried, and go forward to a new and risen life.
Remember that you must not see as
the world sees. I hold the year in My
Hands – in trust for you. But I shall
guide you one day at a time.
Leave the rest with Me. You must not anticipate the gift by fears or
thoughts of the days ahead.
And for each day I shall supply the
wisdom and the strength.
Blessings on the New Year 2014
Pastor Cleve
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