March 8, 2022 Animals

Animals

1 John 4:7-12 (NIV) 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

I have had some requests for the characteristics of the personality animals and so for my first blog I am posting the lists as found in the The Treasure Tree by John and Cindy Trent and Gary and Norma Smalley.


Lion
  1. Daring and Unafraid in new situations.
  2. Likes to be a leader. Often tells others how to do things.
  3. Ready to take on any kind of challenge.
  4. Is firm and serious about what is expected.
  5. Makes decisions quickly.
Otter
  1. Talks a lot and tells wild stories.
  2. Like to do all kinds of fun things.
  3. Enjoys being in groups. Likes to preform.
  4. Full of energy and always eager to play.
  5. Always happy and sees the good part of everything.
Beaver
  1. Is neat and tidy and notices little details.
  2. Sticks with something until it is done. Doesn’t like to quit in the middle of a game.
  3. Asks a lot of questions.
  4. Likes things done the same way.
  5. Tells things just the way they are.
Golden Retriever
  1. Always loyal and faithful to friends.
  2. Listens carefully to others.
  3. Likes to help others. Feels sad when others are hurt.
  4. Is a peacemaker. Doesn’t like it when others argue.
  5. Patient and willing to wait for something.

Let us love one another and show God’s love to Johnston County by how we love one another.

May 23, 2022Philip the evangelist

Philip the evangelist - Acts 8:26-40

Ambassadors pay attention for God’s direction
Things are going well in Samaria but God says go and Philip goes. One never knows where God may direct, expect the unexpected. We are God’s children and must listen for God to direct us.

Ambassadors go where God tells them to go
In 8:26; 29 Philip listens and obeys, case closed. Do we listen? Do we obey?

Ambassadors don’t let cultural barriers get in the way
This is an Ethiopian eunuch from the treasury of Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. He is a trusted worker of a royal court. His riding in a Chariot. He actually has a copy of the book of Isaiah. He can read. This is one impressive man, but he is not Jewish. Philip, who is a Jew, does not let any culture barriers get in the way, he engages. (c.f. Isaiah 56:3-8) Do we let cultural or racial barriers get in the way of who we connect with?

Ambassadors find common ground
He is reading Isaiah 53 and Philip knows about that passage, the entire message of Jesus, and how the two connect. The Ethiopian desires to understand and Philip can provide answers. Do we take opportunities to find ways to build relationships with the hopes of sharing the gospel?

Ambassadors ask good questions
Philip listen’s and engages. Questions let the other person know that you care about them. If asked questions, make sure to answer only the ones you know. Please stay away from, “Now what should I say to them to convince them?” Please proceed like this, “What question could I ask them to get them to think?”

Ambassadors know the story of Christ and know how to communicate that story
It’s time to pick up our bible and read one of the gospels. It’s time to read one of Paul’s epistles. I would suggest Romans. Take a walk down the Romans road 3:23; 6:23: 5:8; 10:9-10.

Ambassadors are ready to close the deal
If someone was to ask you, “What must I do to become a follower of Jesus?” What would you say?

Ambassadors are ready for the next assignment
We are back to the beginning. Continue to pay attention to where God is leading us.

The multiplication Factor - the next ambassador
Irenaeus writes that the Ethiopian became a missionary to his people. Tradition tells us that Queen Candace was converted to Christ through the eunuch's testimony, and that her conversion caused her to use her office to promote Christianity in Ethiopia and the surrounding countries. She and her husband reigned c. 25-41 A.D.

-- "Women in the Early Church," Christian History, Issue 17.