The Lesser Blessed the Greater

Transcription

1 in this issue Kingdom Schedule Dose of Laughter November Birthdays Monthly Devotional Yearly New Testament Reading Plan Volume 3 Issue 11 November 2011 Solomon s Temple Church Temple News Dr. K. D Shivers Pastor Minister E. R. Shivers Leading Lady The Lesser Blessed the Greater Today's Reading: Genesis 47:7-10 (also Jeremiah 22-23; Titus 1 Joseph brought his family to Egypt and introduced his father to Pharaoh. Pharaoh is the head guy he is the President, the Commander in Chief, the main man. In contrast, Jacob is a wanderer, a sojourner, the father of shepherds and a very old man who had to leave his homeland because he and his family would have died of starvation from the famine. But why do the Scriptures say two times: Jacob blessed Pharaoh? How does that happen? How does the empty bless the full? How does the lesser bless the greater? How does the poor possess more than the rich? How does the average overrule the superior? The answer GOD. God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. God reveals His will and His blessings to the childlike. God empowers everyday people to fulfill abundant promises with or without money, with or without power and with or without titles. The prayers and praises of the saints have higher ratings and rewards than the most powerful, self sufficient persons on earth. We have our logic all mixed up down here. If we really understood the ways of the Lord, we would not be held down by difficulty nor be lifted up with pride. When we fix our eyes on the things that matter, we understand that Jacob s evil years of pilgrimage have an eternal value that weighs more than this nameless Pharaoh who lived a life of luxury on earth. You are a child of God, just like Jacob. Jacob blessed Pharaoh because of Jacob s position in the heavenlies. He blessed Pharaoh because Jacob knew what being blessed really meant. Jacob blessed Pharaoh and today, his life still blesses us. Jacob has done more for me than Pharaoh because Jacob s family brought to us the greatest blessing of all Jesus. When we really know Jesus, we truly understand what it is to be blessed so that we can freely bless others. Ask the Lord to use you to bless someone today.

2 Yearly Reading Plan and Daily Devotion Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2:2) If you haven t begun this one year reading program of the New Testament, it is never too late! Come on and jump on board! This plan is designed to help us not only read through the new Testament in a year, but to help us apply God s word to our everyday life and develope a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father. Since this plan includes only the New Testament, each segment can be read in 5-8 minutes, and will allow you the opportunity to actually study the portion of Scripture you are reading, instead of reading only If you choose to dig deeper, (and hopefully you will!), a minute/day study can increase your knowledge of the Bible as well as your love for the Lord. The goal should not be quantity (how much you read), but quality in what you read, learn and apply. The reading plan is divided into 52 weeks, with readings for each day. Follow these steps in Bible study: Pray - confess sins before you begin; ask for the Holy Spirit's illumination of God's Word Observe - read the text over & over (repetition); take notes, ask questions Study - underline key words and/or phrases. Ask, "What is the passage saying?" Evaluate - cross-reference the text with other portions of Scripture. Find what others have said about the text (commentaries, Bible dictionaries) Meditate - what principle or command can be applied? Is there a promise or basic doctrinal truth to lay hold of? Remember, DO what you have learned. November Week 45 Week46 Week 47 Week 48 Saturday November I Timothy 6:1-21 November 12 Philemon 1-25 November 19 Hebrews 9:8-28 November 26 James 1:13 2:7 Sunday November 6 II Timothy 1:1-2:7 November 13 Hebrews 1:1-2:9 November 20 Hebrews 10:1-18 November 27 James 2:8-26 Monday November 7 II Timothy 2:8-26 November 14 Hebrews 2:10-3:19 November 21 Hebrews 10:19-39 November 28 James 3:1-18 Tuesday November 8 II Timothy 3:1-4:8 November 15 Hebrews 4:1-5:9 November 22 Hebrews 11:1-31 November 29 James 4:1-17 Wednesday November 9 II Timothy 4:9 - Titus 1:5 November 16 Hebrews 5:10-6:20 November 23 Hebrews 11:32-12:17 November 30 James 5:1 I Peter 1:2 Thursday November 10 Titus 1:6 2:10 November 17 Hebrews 7:1-28 November 24 Hebrews 12:18-13:17 December 1 I Peter 1:3-25 Friday November 11 Titus 2:11 3:15 November 18 Hebrews 8:1-9:7 November 25 Hebrews 13:18 James 1:12 December 2 I Peter 2:1-25

3 Up Coming Events November December 22 First day of winter 25 Christmas Day 31 New Year s Eve Service January 1 Happy New Years! 28 Men s Sing-A-Roma February 14 Valentines Day schedule of events 11/06 Daylight Savings Set your clocks back one hour at midnight (Sunday Morning) 11/08 Election Day 11/11 Veteran s Day 2:30PM Minister Shivers will preach at Higher Calling Ministry in Suffolk, VA. Praise Team is asked to serve. Following CID Session, there will be a family church meeting 7:30PM We will fellowship with Faith of Deliverance (on Holiday Street in Suffolk, VA) Mass Choir and Ushers are asked to serve. 11/12 3:00PM 5:00PM There will be a meeting with the young adults here at the chapel, ages Please bring a dish. 11/13 9:00am Dedication of baby Aniylah Nyjac Clarke during morning service. 2:00PM Pastor Shivers will minister at Mt. Sinai for their Men s Day Celebration. Sons of Solomon are asked to serve. 11/14 6:30PM Levite Ministry Meeting 7:30PM 6:30-8:30PM Assembly of Servants Meeting WOW Rehearsal 11/18 12:00 1:00PM Hour of Power Sylvia Gundy 6:30PM Women and Men s Ministry will meet 11/19 9:00 11:00AM WOW rehearsal November 20 21, 2011 Fall Harvest Revival Sunday Special Guest Minister will be Pastor H. Carlyle Church of Chapel Grove UCC. Dinner will begin at 1:00PM and the service will start at 2:00PM. Monday & Tuesday Special guest Minister will be Pastor Ricky Holly of St. John Baptist Church in Stoney Creek, Virginia. Thursday before 1 st Sunday 6:00pm- Praise Team 7:00pm- Mass Choir Thursday before 2 nd Sunday 7:00pm - Sons of Solomon 11/20 9:00AM Super Seed Sunday 11/24 Thanksgiving Day Choir Rehearsal Schedule 9:00AM Thanks giving Day Service at Triumph in Victory (Wakefield, VA) Thursday before 3 rd Sunday 6:30pm- Youth Choir Thursday before 4 th Sunday 6:00pm- Praise Team 7:00pm- Joyful Voices

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5 November Kingdom Schedule Scripture and Welcome 11/06 Zachary Robinson (Hebrews 4:14-16) Ebony Clarke (welcome) 11/13 Quenton Turner (Psalms 100:1-5) Nikia Robertson (welcome) 11/20 Krystle Daye (I Chronicles 16:8-12) Willie Turner Jr. (welcome) 11/27 Latoya Diggs (Colossians 3:15-17) Ruby Clarke (welcome) Worship Leader Schedule 11/06 Elder Margaret Shivers-Thomas 11/13 Khadedra Vaughan 11/20 Minister William Robinson 11/27 Elder Wayne Hatton Hour of Power November 18 st 2011 Sylvia Gundy Tuesday Altar Prayer 11/01 Donald Watkins 11/08 Ernest Ruffin 11/15 Wendy Green 11/22 Fall Harvest Revival (NO CIDS) 11/29 Michael Green November Door Opener Michael Green Children Fellowship Bro. Roger Gundy Servant Leader Schedule 11/06 Bro. Michael Green 11/13 Bro. Earl Moton 11/20 Bro. Donald Watkins 11/27 Sis. Turekia White November Teacher s Schedule (The date in parenthesis is the Sunday date of the lessons to be taught on Tuesday) Adult Teachers William Robinson (11-06) William Robinson (11-13) Minister Edith Shivers (11-20) Fall Harvest Revival (NO CIDS) Minister Edith Shivers (12-04) Teen Teacher Ernest Ruffin Intermediate Teachers Cynthia Edwards and Phyllis Duck Primary and Beginners Teacher Stacey Turner and Shenille Gray

6 Monthly Devotional Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. November's Inspiring Thought: Faith is the Key This chapter, Hebrews 11, is often called the Hall of Faith. In it we read of all the great men of faith recorded in the Scriptures. Here we learn that faith is the key to pleasing God. First, we need faith to come to God to believe he exists and then trust him for our salvation. Then, our continued abiding faith the kind that causes us to seek him daily offers the promise of a dynamic, rewarding walk with the Lord. The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:3 that as we grow in our knowledge of God, through his divine power he gives us everything we need for life and godliness. Jesus relied on the Word of God alone to overcome obstacles, including the devil. God's Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), useful for correcting us when we are wrong and teaching us what is right (2 Timothy 3:16). So, it makes sense for us to carry God's Word in our hearts through memorization, to be ready to face any problem, every difficulty, and whatsoever challenge that life can send our way. Faith Building Bible Verses Presented here are a number of problems, difficulties and challenges that we face in life, along with corresponding answers from God's Word: 1. Anxiety Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: Doubt I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20 3. Lacking Direction Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3: Temptation No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor. 10:13 5. Tiredness... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 6. Poverty And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Meditation & Prayer By Valerie Gray As you endeavor to read through the New Testament this year, continue to dig deeper to uncover the truths in God s Holy Word. Just as in Psalms, a verse of the Scripture says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto God," one of the best ways of study for me is to meditate and pray. Before studying, engulf yourself in worship through songs. Then, pray and ask God to open your heart and eyes so you are receptive to what the Holy Spirit is saying and what God want to speak to you through your reading. After studying, write down or underline the sentence of the Scripture or devotion that pierced/touched your heart. Pause at that point and pray. Afterwards start to meditate on that phrase or sentence. [e.g., John 15:4a, meditate on the word 'abide' in this verse, abide in me and I will abide in you. Continue to meditate and to pray along side with that Scripture whenever you remember until it comes alive and active in you. Seek for deeper explanation of that as you meditate on it. If you want to go further, use a concordance to find like scriptures and study the surrounding scriptures to find out more about the time period, the people and the situations surrounding that particular scripture. I think as you begin to meditate and study the Word of God, you will begin to do it more often and begin to make it a part of your daily routine.

7 Points to Ponder Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power. November Birthdays If your birthday is missing from the list or incorrect, let the office know. ~ Stephen Covey ~ "To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness." ~ Ecclesiastes 2:26 ~ Bid faith look through the keyhole of promise and see what God has laid up for those who love Him. You serve a God who keeps covenant forever. Having already bathed in the fountain of His tender mercies, how can you stand on this side of eternity, afraid to wet your feet with those shortlived sufferings which, like a little splash of water, run between you and glory? ~ William Gurnall~ Katherine Bond Tues., 11/15 Calvontae Blow Wed., 11/16 Khadeldra Vaughan Wed., 11/16 Willie Turner Jr. Sat., 11/19 Wendy Johnson Tues., 11/22 Antonio Dixon Wed., 11/23 Evelyn Moton Wed., 11/23 Jerrell Ralph Sun., 11/27 Mario Wilkerson Sun., 11/27 Jowanda Smith Mon., 11/28 Arlene Langhorne Wed., 11/30 Newsletter Submissions Do you know someone who is doing great things in the community, school, or church? Nominate them to be the Outstanding Disciple of the Month. This person can be a youth or an adult. Don t forget to recognize those celebrating an anniversary, graduation (from high school, college, or any other), or special occasion. We also want to know about those who have made the honor roll. Let s not forget baby announcements, bible humor, or recipes. If you have a story or idea that you would like to incorporate into the newsletter, forward the story to stsecretary@verizon.net or leave the idea on the secretary s desk.

8 Notes: 6. 2:30pm Minister Shivers will speak at Higher Calling Ministry 13. Pastor Shivers will speak at Mt. Sinai at 2pm 20. 9am Super Seed Sunday Homecoming Chapel Grove UCC (Windsor 27 Sunday Mario Wilkerson Jerrell Ralph Guest Minister: Pastor Ricky Holly 28. Monday Levite (6:30pm) Assembly of Servant (7:30pm) WOW rehearsal at 6:30 8:30pm Fall Harvest Revival Jowanda Smith November Election Day There will be a family church meeting after CID Session 15. Katherine Bond 22. Guest Minister: Pastor Ricky Holly Wendy Johnson 29. Tuesday Calvontae Blow Khadeldra Vaughan 23. Antonio Dixon Evelyn Moton 30. Wednesday Arlene Langhorne Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Service at Triumph in Victory (Wakefield, VA) 9am Notes: Thursday Veteran s Day We will fellowship with Faith Deliverance (Holiday Street in Suffolk, VA) 18. Hour of Power Women and Men s Ministry Meeting at 6:30pm 25 Friday pm There will be a meeting with the young adults here at the chapel, ages Please bring a dish. 19. WOW rehearsal from 9:00 11:00am Willie Turner Jr. 26. Saturday November 20 th -21 st