Viewpoint - July 7, 2008
By Pastor Steve Harris

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. KJV

Coughing and sputtering, his arms flailed wildly as he fought desperately to stay afloat. His strength waned while he continued to struggle, not noticing the life preserver that had been thrown to him by an attentive lifeguard. Meanwhile, the lifeguard kept his eyes fixed on the struggling man, ready to spring into action the moment the life preserver was grasped. Nothing could be done to help the drowning man until he stopped struggling, took hold of the life preserver, and allowed himself to be pulled to safety.

This illustration is analogous to our lives. God knows our struggles and our inability to overcome them on our own. He has extended to us His powerful grace. Yet, we must first stop depending on our own efforts before He will demonstrate His power and might in our lives.

Only when we recognize and acknowledge our total weakness can we ask for and receive the power of God’s grace.

If we were totally honest with ourselves, most of us would probably acknowledge that we try to live for God to the best of our abilities, and then when special problems come we ask God for the strength to get through them. However, herein lies the problem! Living for the Lord is not our works plus God’s grace; it is completely a work of God’s grace in our weaknesses. In order to remind us of our inability to do any acceptable work for God apart from His grace, He gives us inborn weaknesses.

Three times the Apostle Paul appealed to God to remove his particular weakness, which he called a “thorn in the flesh.” However, God explained: 2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. KJV

The Greek word translated as strength in this verse is dunamis. It means “force … power.” The phrase is made perfect is a translation of teleioo, which means “to complete … accomplish.” It denotes “to bring to the end (goal) proposed.”

When Paul comprehended the great potential of God’s power being perfected in his weakness, he exclaimed: 2 Cor 12:9 … Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. KJV

The Greek word translated may rest means “to tent upon.” It carries the idea of abiding and dwelling with. As long as we are in the “tent” of God’s grace, we are enabled to accomplish great things for Him. However, if we try to live the Christian life in our own energy, frustration and failure will be the results.

Paul discovered that when he became weak, he was strong in the power of God.

God’s grace is His divine favor toward us, and it gives us the desire and power to do His will. Jesus declared, “I can of mine own self do nothing …” (John 5:30 ). Yet, He was “full of grace and truth” to carry out His heavenly Father’s will. Paul stated the same thing: 1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. KJV

Let’s recognize and embrace our total inability to do anything for God apart from His grace, and Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” KJV

(Steve Harris is pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church of Center, Texas and host of the Morning Manna Devotions heard Monday-Friday @ 8:45 a.m. on KDET 930 AM & KQSI 92.5 FM. For more information go online at www.centerfirstupc.com or call 936.598.3646)

Faith and Love- June 23, 2008
By Tom Barthel , Arcadia Church of Christ

When Paul concluded his "more excellent way", he wrote, "And now abideth faith, hope and charity, these three; and the greatest of these is charity" (1 Cor.13:13). As great as faith is, and the Hebrew writer says it is impossible to please him (God) without it(Heb.11:6), Paul says that love or charity is greater. Faith without love is vain and useless just as love without faith. One cannot please God without faith, and one cannot please God without love. Yet, love is greater than faith.

James says that a verbalized faith ONLY cannot feed or clothe a needy brother and sister(Jas.2:14-16). If that kind of faith will not feed a brother, what about a non-Christian? We are told to do good unto ALL men, especially those of the household of God(Gal.6:10). What about the command, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"(Matt.7:12)? No doubt, we are to be benevolent, to car both the widows and fatherless(Jas.1:27). If our faith is void of works, how could we prove we had faith? Without works our faith is vain and useless (Jas.2:17).

The greatest commandments are, loving the Lord God with all thy heart, mind and soul. And loving thy neighbor as thyself.(Matt.22:36-40). No commands are greater than these. Our love is to be so strong and genuine that we even love our enemies also (Matt.5:44). "Love suffers long, and is kind, love envieth not, love vaunted not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things")Cor.13:4-7). Paul said, "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore is the fulfilling of the law (Rom13:10).

Peter says that we are to love one another with a pure heart fervently (1 Pet. 1:22). But John asked, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him: (1John 3:17)? "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truthe" (1 John 3:18). Here John says verbalizing our love ONLY will not help a needy brother. It's easy to mouth our love, but much harder to prove our love in deed and truth.

Thank God for his great love, mercy, and grace! Thank God for proving his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). Christ demonstrated his love by deed and truth. Where would man be today if Christ had demonstrated the same kind of love toward man, that man demonstrates toward God? Many say they love God and refuse to obey his commands. Even Jesus asked of some, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say: (Luke 6:46)? John says, that if a man says he loves God and hates his brother, he is a liar (1 John 4:20). Let us demonstrate the same love toward God and one another that God demonstrated toward us.

Happenings at FUMCJ - July 7, 2008
By Randy Smith, Pastor

Grace and peace from our brother Jesus,Amen. Sue and I got back home from two weeks in the Midwest. We went to two family reunions’ one in Missouri and the other in Illinois. Both little towns were right on the Mississippi River. The destruction caused by the flooding has been devastating. Wednesday evening the church had its July 4th Cookout. We had a good crowd and Glenn and P. A. cooked hamburgers, sausages, hotdogs, and Stacy Taylor brought ribs. Everyone had plenty to eat and it sure was good seeing everyone.
Sunday was the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost and the Gospel Lesson was Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30 and the Epistle Lesson was Romans 7: 15-25a.
In the Epistle Lesson, Paul was telling the faithful in Rome how difficult he found it to do what was right and that he often did what was wrong. In this way, Paul is “every person” who struggles with faith and living a faithful life. In the Gospel Lesson, Jesus almost seems
to answering the problems that Paul is talking about. He urges his friends to let him carry their burdens so that they do not have to be so worried and anxious. The whole sermon is posted on the church website under “Links”.
We had a good crowd Sunday and had several visitors. Harold and Mildred, Frank and Martha’s kinfolks were in town. It is always good to see them. Debbie and Bailey Dockens were in town and came to Sunday
School and church. It was great to see both of them. Jenny Taylor and her children, Justin, Hailey, Rory, and Rowdy also came to Sunday School and church.
Simone, Hailey, Teddy, Tammy, and Ted are visiting relatives in Kansas but are expected back this week. I hope they had a good visit but I am sure they will be happy to get back home. The church email address is
joaquinumc@hotmail.com and our website is www.joaquinumc.com. Jason emailed that we have had 3, 312 hits on our website since February 15th. If you would like a ride to FUMC just call and leave your phone number and we will arrange a ride for you. If you would like a copy of our monthly newsletter, just call the church at 269-3661. God’s speed