Christian Lifestyles Newsletter, Feb 2014

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Volume 2, Issue 8 Volume 2, Issue 8 Volume 2, Issue 8 February, 2014 February, 2014 February, 2014 Christian Lifestyles Christian Lifestyles Christian Lifestyles The Newsletter Celebrating The Newsletter Celebrating The Newsletter Celebrating Christian Life in Your Community Christian Life in Your Community Christian Life in Your Community During Black History Month, we celebrate the Courage Courage Courage of Black people who moved out of Bondage Bondage Bondage and Persevered Persevered Persevered through troubling times. Strong Family Family Family relationships, Faith Faith Faith and Love Love Love were essential factors of their lifestyles. But above all, faith in God lead to their Success Success Success. Please enjoy the scriptures mentioned within this month’s newsletter, which focus on these views. Scripture Readings for Black History Month, by Stephanie Powers, eHow contributor, http://www.ehow.com/way_5246278_scripture-readings-black-history-month.html

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The Newsletter Celebrating Christian Life in Your Community

Transcript of Christian Lifestyles Newsletter, Feb 2014

Page 1: Christian Lifestyles Newsletter, Feb 2014

Volume 2, Issue 8Volume 2, Issue 8Volume 2, Issue 8

February, 2014 February, 2014 February, 2014

Christian LifestylesChristian LifestylesChristian Lifestyles The Newsletter Celebrating The Newsletter Celebrating The Newsletter Celebrating

Christian Life in Your CommunityChristian Life in Your CommunityChristian Life in Your Community

During Black History Month, we celebrate the CourageCourageCourage of Black people who moved out of BondageBondageBondage and PerseveredPerseveredPersevered through troubling times. Strong FamilyFamilyFamily relationships, FaithFaithFaith and LoveLoveLove were essential factors of their lifestyles. But above all, faith in God lead to their SuccessSuccessSuccess. Please enjoy the scriptures mentioned within this month’s newsletter, which focus on these views.

Scripture Readings for Black History Month, by Stephanie Powers,

eHow contributor, http://www.ehow.com/way_5246278_scripture-readings-black-history-month.html

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meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in

it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be

strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord

your God will be with you wherever you go.‘‖ Joshua 1:1-9

“Joshua had attended upon Moses. He who was called to honor, had been

long used to business. Our Lord Jesus took upon him the form of a servant. Josh-

ua was trained up under command. Those are fittest to rule, who have learned

to obey. The removal of useful men should quicken survivors to be the more

diligent in doing good. Arise, go over Jordan. At this place and at this time the

banks were overflowed. Joshua had no bridge or boats, and yet he must be-

lieve that God, having ordered the people over, would open a way.

Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. He is charged to meditate therein

day and night, that he might understand it. Whatever affairs of this world we

have to mind, we must not neglect the one thing needful. All his orders to the

people, and his judgments, must be according to the law of God. Joshua must

himself be under command; no man's dignity or dominion sets him above the

law of God. He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God.

Let not the sense of thine own infirmities dishearten thee; God is all-sufficient. I

have commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it, and will be sure to

bear thee out in it.”

Matthew Henry’s Commentary excerpt, http://biblehub.com/commentaries/joshua/1-1.htm

CourageCourageCourage

―After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua, son of

Nun, Moses‘ aide: ‗Moses my servant is dead, now then, you and all these people,

get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land and I am about to give to them –

to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised

Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great

river, the Euphrates – all the Hittite country – to the Great Sea on the west.

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was

with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong

and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to

their forefathers to give them.‘

‗Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Mo-

ses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be suc-

cessful wherever you go. Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth;

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―Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.‖

2 Corinthians 3:17

“In 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:8, the word τοπνευμα, spirit, evidently signifies the Gospel; so called because it points out the spiritual nature and

meaning of the law; because it produces spiritual effects; and because it is es-

pecially the dispensation of the Spirit of God. Here Jesus Christ is represented

as that Spirit, because he is the end of the law for justification to every one that

believes; and because the residue of the Spirit is with him, and he is the dis-

penser of all its gifts, graces, and influences.

And where the Spirit of the Lord is - Wherever this Gospel is received, there

the Spirit of the Lord is given; and wherever that Spirit lives and works, there is

liberty, not only from Jewish bondage, but from the slavery of sin - from its pow-

er, its guilt, and its pollution.” Adam Clarke’s Commentary, http://biblehub.com/commentaries/2_corinthians/3-17.htm

“Now the Lord - Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the

letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is

liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear,

liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face

the glory of the Lord.” John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible; http://biblehub.com/wesley

―To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‗If you hold to my teachings, you

are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you

free.‖ John 8:31-32

“If ye continue in my word - Or, in this doctrine of mine. It is not enough to

receive God's truth - we must retain and walk in it. And it is only when we re-

ceive the truth, love it, keep it, and walk in it, that we are the genuine disciples

of Christ.

Ye shall know the truth-Shall have a constant experimental knowledge of its

power and efficacy. And the truth shall make you free - It was a maxim of the

Jews, „That no man was free, but he who exercised himself in the meditation of

the law.‟ No man is truly free, but he in whose heart the power of sin is de-

stroyed, and who has received the Spirit of adoption, through which he cries,

Abba! Father! (see Romans 8:15). The bondage of sin is the most grievous bond-

age; and freedom from its guilt and influence is the greater liberty.” Adam Clarke’s Commentary, http://biblehub.com/commentaries/clarke/john/8.htm

Out of BondageOut of BondageOut of Bondage

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Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman

born Araminta Harriet Rossborn Araminta Harriet Rossborn Araminta Harriet Ross And And And

Oprah Gail WinfreyOprah Gail WinfreyOprah Gail Winfrey

“Are Cut From The Same Cloth” “Are Cut From The Same Cloth” “Are Cut From The Same Cloth”

Perseverance Perseverance Perseverance

while they go about their business.‖ James 1:1-11

“Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercises are sent

from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and

our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not pas-

sion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying

and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is

necessary for our Christian race and warfare.

We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to

make a right use of it. And who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials,

both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs? Here is some-

thing in answer to every discouraging turn of the mind, when we go to God un-

der a sense of our own weakness and folly. If, after all, any should say, This may

be the case with some, but I fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that

asketh, it shall be given. --- 4 Girls Killed in The 1963 Church Bombing, Birmingham, AL4 Girls Killed in The 1963 Church Bombing, Birmingham, AL4 Girls Killed in The 1963 Church Bombing, Birmingham, AL

A mind that has single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal inter-

est, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions,

will continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions. When

our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be unsteadiness

in our words and actions. This may not always expose men to contempt in the

world, but such ways cannot please God.

No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree

may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of

God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, that lead to a humble

and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let

him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him hum-

ble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and

from God, not from perishing enjoyments.”

Matthew Henry’s Commentary, http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/james/1.htm

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many

kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let

perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking

anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to

all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must

believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,

blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything

from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But

the rich should take pride in their humiliation-since they will pass away like a wild

flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom

falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I Have A Dream” “I Have A Dream” “I Have A Dream”

President Barack Hussein Obama II President Barack Hussein Obama II President Barack Hussein Obama II

“I Am The Dream”“I Am The Dream”“I Am The Dream”

Jack Johnson & Mohammed Ali Jack Johnson & Mohammed Ali Jack Johnson & Mohammed Ali

“Fight On!”“Fight On!”“Fight On!”

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FamilyFamilyFamily ―Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord

watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and

stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. Children

are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands

of a warrior are children born in one‘s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is

full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents

in court.‖ Psalm 127:1-5

“The value of the Divine blessing. - Let us always look to God's providence. In

all the affairs and business of a family we must depend upon his blessing. 1. For

raising a family. If God be not acknowledged, we have no reason to expect his

blessing; and the best-laid plans fail, unless he crowns them with success. 2. For

the safety of a family or a city. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen,

though they neither slumber nor sleep, wake but in vain; mischief may break

out, which even early discoveries may not be able to prevent. 3. For enriching a

family. Some are so eager upon the world, that they are continually full of care,

which makes their comforts bitter, and their lives a burden. All this is to get

money; but all in vain, except God prosper them: while those who love the Lord,

using due diligence in their lawful callings, and casting all their care upon him,

have needful success, without uneasiness or vexation.

Our care must be to keep ourselves in the love of God; then we may be easy,

whether we have little or much of this world. But we must use the proper means

very diligently. Children are God's gifts, a heritage, and a reward; and are to be

accounted blessings, and not burdens: he who sends mouths, will send meat, if

we trust in him. They are a great support and defense to a family. Children who

are young, may be directed aright to the mark, God's glory, and the service of

their generation; but when they are gone into the world, they are arrows out of

the hand, it is too late to direct them then. But these arrows in the hand too often

prove arrows in the heart, a grief to godly parents. Yet, if trained according to

God's word, they generally prove the best defense in declining years, remem-

bering their obligations to their parents, and taking care of them in old age. All

earthly comforts are uncertain, but the Lord will assuredly comfort and bless

those who serve him; and those who seek the conversion of sinners, will find

that their spiritual children are their joy and crown in the day of Jesus Christ.” Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, http://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/127-5.htm

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trouble of its own.‖ Matthew 6:25-34

―There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disci-

ples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life.

This often in snares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. But

there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not

carry these lawful cares too far. Take no thought for your life. Not about the

length of it; but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; our times

are in his hand, and they are in a good hand. Not about the comforts of this life;

but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases.

Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them. Take no

thought for the morrow, for the time to come. Be not anxious for the future, how

you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind

you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for tomorrow, or the

events of it.

God has given us life, and has given us the body. And what can he not do for

us, who did that? If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are

more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us food

and raiment, which are less. Improve this as an encouragement to trust in God.

We must reconcile ourselves to our worldly estate, as we do to our stature. We

cannot alter the disposals of Providence, therefore we must submit and resign

ourselves to them. Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtful-

ness for the world. Seek first the kingdom of God, and make religion your busi-

ness: say not that this is the way to starve; no, it is the way to be well provided

for, even in this world.

The conclusion of the whole matter is, that it is the will and command of the

Lord Jesus, that by daily prayers we may get strength to bear us up under our

daily troubles, and to arm us against the temptations that attend them, and then

let none of these things move us. Happy are those who take the Lord for their

God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal.

Let thy Spirit convince us of sin in the want of this disposition, and take away the

worldliness of our hearts.”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/6-31.htm

FaithFaithFaith

―Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or

about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more

than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in

barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable

than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They

do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was

dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is

here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe

you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‗What shall we eat?‘ or ‗What shall

we drink?‘ or ‗What shall we wear?‘ For the pagans run after all these things, and

your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his

righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not

worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough

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―‗At that time,‘ declares the Lord, ‗I will be the God of all the families of Israel,

and they will be my people.‘ This is what the Lord says: ‗The people who survive

the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.‘ The

Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‗I have loved you with an everlasting love; I

have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin

Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance

with the joyful. Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers

will plant them and enjoy their fruit.‘‖

There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‗Come, let us

go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.‘ This is what the Lord says: ‗Sing with joy for

Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say,

‗Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.‘ See, I will bring them from the land

of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the

blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will

return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will

lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, be-

cause I am Israel‘s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.‘‖ Jeremiah 31:1-9

“God assures his people that he will again take them into covenant relation to

himself. When brought very low, and difficulties appear, it is good to remember

that it has been so with the church formerly. But it is hard under present frowns

to take comfort from former smiles; yet it is the happiness of those who, through

grace, are interested in the love of God, that it is an everlasting love, from ever-

lasting in the counsels, to everlasting in the continuance. Those whom God loves

with this love, he will draw to himself, by the influences of his Spirit upon their

souls.

When praising God for what he has done, we must call upon him for the favors

his church needs and expects. When the Lord calls, we must not plead that we

cannot come; for he that calls us, will help us, will strengthen us. The goodness

of God shall lead them to repentance. And they shall weep for sin with more bit-

terness, and more tenderness, when delivered out of their captivity, than when

groaning under it. If we take God for our Father, and join the church of the first-

born, we shall want nothing that is good for us. These predictions doubtless re-

fer also to a future gathering of the Israelites from all quarters of the globe. And

they figuratively describe the conversion of sinners to Christ, and the plain and

safe way in which they are led.” http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jeremiah+31&version=NIV

LoveLoveLove

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“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you,

and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heav-

en, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who

were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you. This is a

personal application of what has just preceded. Some of

those who listened were reviled by the Jews, and perse-

cuted unto death. For my sake. In Mt 5:10, it is said for

righteousness' sake. The two expressions mean the same.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad. On account of persecu-

tion. The reason why they may justly rejoice is given:

Great is your reward in heaven. So they persecuted the

prophets. Isaiah is said to have been sawed asunder; Jere-

miah was thrown into a dungeon and threatened with

death; Elijah was hunted by Ahab and Jezebel.”

People's New Testament, http://biblehub.com/commentaries/

matthew/5-12.htm

On The EdgeOn The EdgeOn The Edge

Thank You Lord for Your WordThank You Lord for Your WordThank You Lord for Your Word

Our Human Condition On “The Dream Restored”

“Now, and who we are now, is what matters. We can‟t live in

the past—in fact, we want to be free of the past. Besides, people

who look backward tend to sentimentalize the ‟good old days,‟

offering us little of value for our own time. We want no claim on

us by either the past or the future. Free to be, in the here and

now! That‟s us!”

- from Disciple Study Manual, 4th Edition

“Say to my servant David: … I declare to you that the Lord will

build you a house. When your days are fulfilled to go to be with

your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of

your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a

house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.”

1 Chronicles 17:7, 10-12

“Happy are those whom you choose, whom you bring to live in

your sanctuary. We shall be satisfied with the good things of

your house, the blessings of your sacred Temple.” Psalm 65:4

“And say you, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us

together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give

thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.”

1 Chronicles 16:35

Christian HumorChristian HumorChristian Humor

Christ ian Lifestyles

SuccessSuccessSuccess

The Newsletter Celebrating Christian Life in Your Community

8

A man fell into a pit and couldn‟t get himself out. A subjective

person came along and said, „I feel for you down there.‟ An ob-

jective person walked by and said, „It‟s logical that someone

would fall down there.‟ A Pharisee said, „Only bad people fall

into a pit.‟ A mathematician calculated how he fell into the pit. A

news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit. An IRS

agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit. A self-pitying per-

son said, ‟You haven‟t seen anything until you‟ve seen my pit!‟ A

fire-and-brimstone preacher said, ‟You deserve your pit!‟ A

Christian Scientist observed, ‟The pit is just in your mind.‟ A

psychologist noted, ‟Your mother and father are to blame for

you being in that pit.‟ A self-esteem therapist said, „Believe in

yourself and you can get out of that pit.‟ An optimist said,

„Things could be worse.‟ A pessimist claimed, „Things will get

worse. Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted

him out of the pit!

A backsliding father constantly took his 5 year old son with him

to baseball games on Sundays. ‟The Star-Spangled Banner‟ was

always sung before the start of the games. One Sunday, the fa-

ther and son were forced by the wife and mother to attend

Church on the Sunday just before Independence Day. The con-

gregation sang „The Star-Spangled Banner;‟ and after everyone

sat down, the son jumped up suddenly and yelled, ‟Play Ball!‟

A pastor joined a local service club where most of his congre-

gation were also members. Upon being assigned the task of

making name tags for the group, the members of his congrega-

tion decided to play a practical joke on the pastor, and labeled

his tag, „Hog Caller.‟ When the pastor saw his name tag, he

laughed uncontrollably. Gaining his composure, he said openly,

‟You usually call me the ’Shepherd of the Sheep,‟ he quipped,

‟but I suppose you members know yourselves better than I do!‟

The eldest minister of a local church had pastored there for

more than 50 years. He was asked the secret of his longevity and

staying power. He replied, ‟I stayed when they wanted me to

stay; I stayed when they wanted me to go; I stayed when I want-

ed to stay, and I stayed when I wanted to go!‟

Veggie Tortilla Veggie Tortilla Veggie Tortilla

RollRollRoll---UpsUpsUps

Ingredients

4(7-inch) Whole-

Wheat Tortilla

8 Tbs. non-fat Cream

Cheese

2 Cups shredded ro-

maine lettuce or spi-

nach

1 Cup chopped tomato

1/2 Cup chopped bell pe-

per (red, green, yellow,

orange or mixture)

1/2 Cup chopped cucumber

1/4 Cup diced green chilies

1/4 Cup sliced ripe olives,

drained

Preparation

1. Spread each tortilla with

2 Tbs. of cream cheese.

2. Top with equal amounts

of vegetables.

3. Roll up tightly to enclose

filling and serve.

Makes 4 servings

Prep time: 20 minutes

Farmers’ TableFarmers’ TableFarmers’ Table