THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST & THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST

Transcription

1 A PLACE TO CALL HOME November 25, 2018 THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST & THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST I pray that the peace & mercy given by Father God, King Jesus & the Holy Spirit flows into each of your lives. Luke 13:30 And indeed, some who are last will be first & some who are first will be last. Every time the phrase last shall be first & the first last occurs in scripture, it refers to the fact that one s position in their life does not give them an advantage in gaining eternal life or salvation. Matthew 19:30 & Mark 10:31 But many who are first will be last & the last will be first. Jesus used the parable of the workers in the field in Matthew 20 to emphasize the fact that even though some men worked longer than others, they were all given the same pay. Jesus was actually talking about salvation. Some people come to God early in their lives & some come later, but we are all granted the same salvation through His grace & love. Matthew 20:14 16 Take your pay & go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous? So, the last will be first & the first will be last. You can liken this to praying as well. There are some people who can pray the Bible inside out & there are some people who pray simply & from their heart. God hears all prayers the same. Do not let someone else s ability to pray eloquently stifle your prayers to God. They are the same as you in God s eyes, so do not be hesitant in what & how you say your prayers. Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism. What is important is that you talk to God; He wants you to talk to Him, to glorify Him, to trust Him, to rely on Him, to honor Him. You should pray so that He knows that you know that He knows your needs & wants. In praying & having conversations with Him we honor & worship Him knowing He is King of Kings & Lord of Lords. You can also liken it to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Not everyone has all the gifts. Some people may have one, some may have more than one, but again, God does not play favorites. The Holy Spirit decides which gifts He wants each person to have for glory of God. We are here to fulfill His purpose. 1 Corinthians 12: Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, & the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, & to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 & to another the effecting of miracles, & to another prophecy, & to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, & to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one & the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. Regardless of which gift or gifts the Holy Spirit has given you, do not let it frustrate you if you do not have the same as someone else. God gives as He pleases & He knows what is best for each of us. No one is any better than anyone else, so knowing Jesus said, the first shall be last & the last shall be first should bring everyone comfort knowing they will receive the same blessing of eternal life. No need to push & shove to get there. Your angel will make sure you get to your destination to be co-heirs with Jesus & live with God forever & ever in His kingdom. Thank you, Holy Spirit for providing the lesson that God set on my heart this week. Mary Bowden

2 THANKING GOD FOR EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE First, we must understand that we really own nothing; everything belongs to God. He allows us to live on His earth & appreciate those things that are beautiful. He lends it to us while we are here & we should be good stewards of His possessions. He loves us so much that He gave us His Son to die for our sins. He gives us skills so that we can afford to have homes, food, transportation, etc.we should thank Him everyday for the use of His possessions. Of course we are one of His greatest possessions on this earth. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. Life s circumstances will be good and bad at various times, but God works them all for our good to refine us, to become more precious than gold. Romans 8:27-28 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise & glory & honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. What else are you thankful for? How about family? There are so many people in the world that have lost a loved one or even a child. There are people who cannot even have children & to see how many children are abused & ignored grieves them. Tell your child you love them, protect them & set a good example for them to emulate you. Do not make them feel they are not wanted by ignoring them or saying hateful things to them. We need to protect our children & make sure they know that they are loved even though there are times when we have to discipline them. Even God disciplines us at times. Hebrews 12:5-7 - And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves & He chastises everyone He receives as a son. So, we thank you God for sunrises, sunsets & rainbows. For your flowers, trees & mountains. For the seas & oceans & all the life that you created, before man, to inhabit Your earth. PSALM 91 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge & my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 3 Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, & from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, & under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield & buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day; 6 nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at your side, & ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shalt you behold & see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come nigh your dwelling. 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12 They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 Thou shall tread upon the lion & adder: the young lion & the dragon shall thou trample under feet. 14 Because He has set His love upon me, therefore will I deliver Him: I will set Him on high, because He has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, & I will answer Him: I will be with Him in trouble; I will deliver Him, & honor Him. 16 With long life will I satisfy Him, and shew Him my salvation. This Psalm also has a double meaning as it was a reference that the devil made to Jesus in the wilderness when he told Him that the angels would not allow his foot to be dashed against a stone. Matthew 4:6 If you are the Son of God, he said, throw yourself down for it is written, He will command His angels concerning you & they will lift You up in their hands so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.

3 For more information about Western Star Cowboy Church, our ministries or spiritual guidance; please contact one of our church leaders. For Benevolence call one of the Elders. Western Star Cowboy Church P.O. Box 276 -Springtown Pastor Bobby Bowden WOLF Pack Minister & Newsletter Mary Bowden Elders Garry Tebbens Wes Robinson James Fraizer Tye Kinnibrugh Lay Pastors Kenny Woodruff David King Manny Cuevas David Sneed Wranglers Ministry (ages 1-12) Mary Bowden; Coordinator Open Gate Ministry (ages 13 to young adult) Sundays at 2:00 pm at the Bunkhouse Manny Cuevas WOLF Ministry (Woman Of Love & Faith) WOLF Pack Leadership Mary Bowden Cyndi Sneed PRAYER REQUESTS Please keep the church & all WSCC members in your daily prayers. Additional prayers are needed for: *ALL our church family & their extended families who are sick. *Pray for families who have lost a beloved animal. *Pray for our Pastor Bobby, the Elders, Lay Pastors, Bible study teachers & our youth. *Pray for WSCC & for God to bring others to His church. *Pray for God to lead & protect our government, military members, fire, police & emergency responders & their families. Glenda Smith is at Garden Terrace Nursing Home at 7500 Oakmont Blvd. in Fort Worth off of Bryant Irving. ANNOUNCEMENTS Wed Nights - Fellowship Hall: 6:00 PM Prayer Group 7:00 PM Bible study - Battlefield of the Mind (Final discussion - Mary Bowden) & beginning study on book of John (film & discussions Pastor Bobby) Every 3 rd Saturday of the month from 7PM to 9PM Worship night at WSCC Church Weather permitting Friday nights at WSCC Arena Fellowship. The gate is open at 6 PM. Nov 25 th : Pastor Bobby to preach Dec 1 st : Saturday: Christmas Party/Masquerade Costumes/Dance/Chinese gift event ($10 limit) Santa Claus for Children. Location: Berryhill s Barn from 6 PM to 10 PM. More info to follow. Please bring finger foods for this event. Bring a hand-made ornament for tree. $10.00 spending limit Bring a homemade ornament Dec 2 nd : Pastor Bobby to preach Communion by Tye Kinnibrugh Dec. 8 th : Saturday WOLF Pack visit Children s home at 11:30 then lunch Dec 9 th : Elder Garry Tebbens to preach Dec 16 th : Pastor Bobby to preach Dec 22 nd : Saturday night 7 PM Christmas Cantada - WSCC Band The Story of Jesus Candlelight Silent Night Dec 23 rd : Sunday 10 AM Service Repeat of Saturday night The Story of Jesus Dec 30 th : Pastor Bobby to preach Your monetary gifts to God are used to cover the various monthly & annual expenses/missions of WSCC. God in His ultimate wisdom brought us together to worship & praise Him. Pro 3:9-10 tells us we will be blessed for blessing God. Sunday, Nov.18, 2018 attendance: 94 Donations $1,167.00

4 WSCC NEWS Harper at nativity scene Shane, Tye, James & Manny celebrating James birthday Beautiful picture Teresa Kenny & Barbara at home a wonderful couple! So glad that David is back home after his surgery with his loving wife Cyndi Happy Birthday Jim Deal! Loving His Grandchildren Even Santa knows the real meaning of Christmas The motto of Don t Mess with Texas has a whole new meaning now.! Faith created the Grinch outside of her house who is stealing the Christmas lights. Lol.. way to go Faith!

5 JOHN SAW Pastor Bobby sings John saw jasper walls, oh my, oh my what a vision. John told of shining streets of gold where all God s saints shall forever stroll. I ve wondered time & again how could it have been to gaze upon that heavenly throne. But I ll wonder no more when I step on that shore to walk upon the golden ground that John saw. John saw a lamb (I know I ll see), he saw a river (flowing there), John tell me more (John tell me more, John tell it all). John saw a throne (so bright & fair), he saw a gate (with beauty rare), someday I ll want to walk the golden ground that John saw. C. John heard a voice (I heard Him say), I ll brush your tears (your tears away), John tell me more (John tell me more, John tell it all). He said no death (shall enter there), no grief or pain (for us to bare), Oh, how I long to walk the golden ground that John saw. Just in the midst (of Paradise), John saw a tree (a tree of life). John tell me more, (John tell me more, John tell it all). The sun & moon (no longer shine), the Lamb of God (shall give the light), forever shining on the golden ground that John saw. C. BLESSED - Brenda sings I call Your name & I find comfort just to know that You care. I walk each day a path that s peaceful every step I take You re there. What a blessing just to know when I rise each day that You are guiding me in Your gentle-handed way. As I go about my day, til I lay my head to rest. Just to know You love me Lord, I am blessed. Just to know You love me Lord, I am blessed. You made the stars that shine with wonder, the sky s so blue majesty. You gave the rain its mighty thunder yet, You still look down on me. C. JESUS ON THE MAINLINE Debbie sings Jesus on the main line, tell Him what you want. Jesus on the main line, tell Him what you want. Jesus on the main line, tell Him what you want. You can call Him up & tell Him what you want. You can call Him up, call Him up & tell Him what you want. You can call Him up, call Him up & tell Him what you want. Call Him up, call Him up & tell Him what you want. Go on, call Him up & tell Him what you want. C. His line ain t ever busy, tell Him what you want. His line ain t ever busy, tell Him what you want. No, His line ain t ever busy, tell Him what you want. Go on, call Him up & tell Him what you want. C. You can call Him up, call Him up & tell Him what you want. You can call Him up, call Him up & tell Him what you want. Call Him up, call Him up & tell Him what you want. Go on, call Him up & tell Him what you want. C. SEA OF LIFE Janie sings We are on the sea of life sailing to a better home where the saved of all the earth shall abide. Leaving all our trials here many pleasures wait us there when we cross the foam & reach the other side. Sailing..Home..Sailing..To the other side. Many millions now abide in that home beyond the tide where the ransomed pilgrims wait free from care. There is room on board for all who will heed the captain s call & take ship for Heaven s country bright & fair.cc

6 JESUS LEAD ME TO YOUR HEALING WATERS Adam sings Jesus lead me to your healing waters. Take me down to Your healing stream. Jesus lead me to Your healing waters. Take me down & wash me clean. Many days have gone since I first loved You. Now I m out here wanderin on my own. Never have I known more that I need You than out here wanderin all alone. C. Jesus purify me in Your fire, burn me up until I see. Jesus purify me in Your fire, burn me up until I believe. Many days have gone yet still I loved You. Never would I make it on my own. This life here & now is where I need You. And then up there is where I m finally home. Jesus, oh sweet heavenly Father, take me up & give me wings. Jesus, oh sweet heavenly Father, take me up & set me free. SAIL ON TOWARD HOME Rick sings Sailing on toward a home in Heaven, tossed about on the mighty deep, sin waves covered our tiny vessel & the billows round us sweep. All thru the night we toiled & struggled, praying for the coming of eternal dawn. On the winds of love we hear Him whisper, Don t give up my child, sail on. Sail on though the tempest rages. Sail on though the waves roll high. Keep your sights alone on Heaven our eternal home up in the sky. Though our boat is tossed & driven till our strength is almost gone. We can hear the Master gently whisper don t give up my child sail on. Live for the Lord though the world may mock you. Live for Him though your friends forsake. Keep your faith & trust in Jesus; He ll supply the strength it takes. Then when the world is reelin & rockin & the day of grace is passed & gone He ll gather us in His arms & whisper Children of mine, let s all sail home. C. C. HE SAID Mary sings Once there was an old-time preacher who had a church on the outskirts of town. You d never call him a mildmannered teacher; he was a shouter right down to the ground. He had a red-letter King James Bible; it opened up to John 3:16. I first heard him at a summer revival; he rolled up his sleeves & he started to sing. He said, You must confess your sins. He said, You must be born again. He preached Jesus, crucified & risen from the dead. He said, You gotta make it right. He said, You need to come tonight. The Spirit moved stronger with every single passage he read. I got saved when I heard what that old-time preacher said. Well, I m a member of that little church now, but the preacher died a long time ago. He was preaching on the street when God called him. Now he s a shouting up in Heaven I know. We re still moving in the right direction & we re following the way that he led. We ve got that old-time preacher s conviction & I still remember just what he said,.c.c.