Lesson from Sunday January 10, 2010

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Discussion focused on reasons why we pray. Sheets teaches that no one is born a prayer hero. They are shaped and refined on the practice field of life.

In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.”

Sheets makes his claim based upon Galatians 6 which says to pray for one another and to be persistent in doing so.

• 2Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (NASB)
• 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (NASB)

Lesson from Sunday January 31, 2010

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The five passages for this week all come from the book of Exodus. The title Exodus comes from a Greek word (exodus) which means departure. In the Hebrew Bible the book is known by the first two words of the text, a common practice for labeling a book at that time, and so its title is “these are the names,” or simply, “names.” In any case, this is the dramatic account of how God brought his people out of their slavery in Egypt. The book ends with the Israelites on their way to the Promise Land, though difficult days lay ahead.

Lesson from Sunday January 24, 2010

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The series of passages from this last week provide a beautiful example of how God’s sovereignty and human choice work together. They are also interesting because of the way they demonstrate the incredible power of jealousy and how it motivates Joseph’s brothers to first attempt to kill him and then sell him into slavery. Not surprisingly, this act then leads down an ugly path including the desire for revenge, but then sets the stage for us to see the incredible power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Lesson from Sunday January 17, 2010

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This week the E100 takes us squarely into the presentation of salvation history.  Though the promise of God’s saving work is found as early as Genesis 3:15, with the call of Abraham God’s unfolding plan becomes particular and specific in Abraham and his descendents.  It is instructive to notice that God’s call arises out of and in the barrenness of Abraham and Sarah:  “Now Sarai was barren, she had no children” (11:30).  Abraham is 75 years old at this point and he and Sarah have spent decades childless.  It is no wonder that Abraham struggles to trust God (Gen. 12:10-20; 20:1-18)  and Sarah laughed when told of the promise of a child/ heir (Gen. 18:12). 

As you already know, a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Port au-Prince, Haiti on Tuesday affecting the nine million people who live in that country. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% living on less than $1 a day.

You have likely been inundated with lots of information about how you can help, but I thought I would provide some additional information on two Christian organizations that I have had personal contact with and trust.

Covenant World Relief
http://www.covchurch.org/cwr