All Saints
Anglican
Church
Jackson, TN
Anglican
Church
Jackson, TN
| Last Updated May 5, 2008 9:30 a.m. |
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Phone: 731-660-2770
Sunday Service Times
10:00 Holy Communion
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 Christian Formation (all ages)
10:00 Holy Communion
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 Christian Formation (all ages)
| Read all of God's Word..in 2 years...one day at a time... Tuesday, May 6 Ephesians 3:14-21 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. (v.17) Several years ago, I started asking the Holy Spirit to guide me to specific scriptures to pray over loved ones. Why, you ask? First is Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power…” Second is Jeremiah 12:1, “…I am alert and active, watching over My Word to perform it.” How’s that for powerful truth? His Word is personal. He wrote it just for you, so take it and personalize it. These verses from Ephesians are things I want for my children. I’ll start—open your Bible and finish, adding the names of your loved ones. Father God, I lift Miles and Kyle to you. Please grant to them, out of Your rich treasury of Glory, to be strong and reinforced by the Holy Spirit in their inner man. Oh Lord Jesus, please make a permanent home in their hearts. Root them deeply and securely in your love… 1 Samuel 16:1-13a; Psalms 97, 99, 100; Matthew 8:18-27 Wednesday, May 7 Psalm 109 …my body is gaunt and has no fatness. (v.24b) Last month I spent almost 3 of the 4 weeks in the hospital. For most of the time, I was classified as a “nothing by mouth” patient. No food. No drink. So, the above verse perfectly described me at discharge. Two days after leaving the hospital, I ran into an acquaintance. I don’t even remember what he said, because I was so offended by his eyes. They were full of pity. Here I was too weak to stand, too exhausted to laugh, and too drained to talk, but I had no problem mustering up some pride. Yes, that’s what it was. Then pride turned to anger. I was angry with someone who was concerned about me. Ephesians 4 tells us to live with humility, meekness, patience, to bear with one another, and to make allowances for each other. That man didn’t reflect a knowledge of Christ’s healing works in today’s world. And because of pride, I walked away from him without sharing that good news. Please forgive me Lord. Isaiah 4:2-6; Psalm 101; Ephesians 4:1-16; Matthew 8:28-34 Thursday, May 8 Ephesians 4:17-32 But you did not so learn Christ! (v.20) As the redeemed of Christ, we do not live under condemnation. But sometimes a wrong choice forever affects the way we live. Many years ago, while recovering from surgery and facing more dire projections from doctors, a friend asked me to call a young woman. Like me, this woman was battling cancer. Like me, she had young children. At the moment, she was at home receiving hospice care and writing letters to her children that they could open at the big occasions of their lives—birthdays, graduations and weddings. Fear paralyzed me. I was face to face with my greatest fear. The similarities between us were too great and I allowed fear to win. I didn’t call. Later, an e-mail informed me she had died. I sat at my computer and sobbed. I wept for her, for her family, for her children, and for me—for my hard heart. I did not so learn Christ! I still make plenty of wrong choices, but I won’t make this one again. Zechariah 4:1-14; Psalm 105:1-22; Matthew 9:1-8 Birthday Today: Carlin Diffee Friday, May 9 Psalm 102 You will arise and have mercy and loving-kindness for Zion, for it is time to have pity and compassion for her; yes, the set time has come [the moment designated]. (v. 13) While I was preparing for a recent surgery, my mother shared with me that early one morning the Lord spoke into her spirit, “And God remembered Amanda.” If it sounds familiar, it’s because that phrase is used in Genesis—“And God [earnestly] remembered Noah” (8:1) and “Then God remembered Rachel” (30:22). It doesn’t mean that He had forgotten them. It means that He was about to do something in their lives—something powerful, wonderful and miraculous. The Sovereign Lord declared that it was the perfect time. Are you waiting? Like me, have you been waiting a long time? Are you discouraged? Are you starting to doubt the promises of God? Hold on. Your day of deliverance, your day of healing, your day of victory has a set time. The promises of God are not hoaxes or pipe dreams. They are promises from a covenant-keeping God, a God of truth, and a faithful God. Don’t give up. Your day is set. Your moment is designated. Keep believing. Stand fast. And one day, at the perfect time…and God remembered…you. Jeremiah 31:27-34; Ephesians 5:1-20; Matthew 9:9-17 Saturday, May 10 Psalm 108 Through and with God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries. (v.13) Once I announced at a healing service that I wasn’t going to allow cancer to come back. Can you believe the audacity? Somebody should have handed me one of those bumper stickers that says, “If God is your co-pilot, switch places.” He is the Redeemer. I am the redeemed. He is the Creator. I am the created. He is the Savior. I am the saved. He is the Healer. I am the healed. The reading from Ephesians says that in the face of battle, we are to do three things: put on God’s complete armor, stand firm, and pray constantly. He will do the rest. The battle is the Lord’s. On the surface, this seems difficult. I like to be pro-active. I am independent, stubborn, and strong-willed. I like to do thing myself—my way. But as I come before Him, this truth becomes crystal clear. He is the Lord who is able to do more than I can ask or imagine. I am the recipient of His grace. Our Lord is a warrior (Exodus 15:3). So, I follow His instructions. I’m dressed. I’m praying. I’m digging in my heels. Thank you Lord. Ezekiel 36:22-27; Psalm 107:33-43; Ephesians 6:10-24; Matthew 9:18-26 Anniversary Today: Edward and Camille Yarbro by Amanda Brown Sunday, May 11 Deuteronomy 16:9-12 And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. (v.12 NAS) My friend Martha wrote a song she calls “I will not go back to Egypt,” taken from this verse. Perhaps we all have our own “Egypt”—a place or circumstance or self-image that holds us in bondage. I remember when I couldn’t speak face-to-face with another person. I was not “naturally shy”; I was in bondage. Regardless of the cause of my problems, the effect was that I believed I had nothing to offer. I could not break away from a dysfunctional self-image. Not only was I shy, but I also could never get anywhere on time. The Lord led me out of bondage by the fire of His love and the cloud of His witnesses. I will not go back to Egypt. “When in my distress I called to the Lord, his answer was to set me free” (Psalm 118:5 NEB). A note to mothers: Please do not think that your dysfunctional children are always a result of your lack of wisdom. There are many influences that impact a child’s thinking. Psalm 118; Acts 4:18-21, 23-33; John 4:19-26 Monday, May 12 1 John 1:1-10 …but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His son cleanses us from all sin. (v.7) When Jesus freed me from the bondages of “late” and “shy” He led me into “fellowship” and “caring.” He turned my heart from an inward focus to an outward one. He is still teaching me in this area. Currently, He is showing me how to live from my servant heart (for others) instead of my arrogant heart (for self). I still have an arrogant heart with which to contend, but I am learning to identify its motives. I am learning to separate my needs from my wants. I know my needs will be met in many ways, but always involving others. As my needs are met, my wants are changing from self-serving to self-offering. My desire is for a servant heart. I have discovered there is a life-giving glow in living out of my servant heart. For me this is walking in the light with Jesus. Ezekiel 33:1-11; Psalm 106:1-18; Matthew 9: 27-34 Tuesday, May 13 1 John 2:1-11 The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. (v.10) How many times have you fumbled in the dark for the light switch? The arrogant heart (writer Jack Frost calls it our “Orphan Heart”), leaves us fumbling in the dark and stumbling over all kinds of faulty baggage—self-reliance, need for approval, the need to be right, competition and rivalry, spiritual ambition, shame and guilt, and a myriad of self- bashing thoughts: “It’s all my fault,” “I’ll never get it right,” “I’m not good enough,” and on and on. When the light of Christ enters that room in our heart we are suddenly aware of his love for us and our need to love others. In God’s light all that baggage is seen for what it is—an array of false notions and obstacles in our path. We can place them at the foot of the cross for His disposal or transformation. Ezekiel 33:21-33; Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123; Matthew 9:35—10:4 Birthday Today: Caroline Aninze Wednesday, May 14 Matthew 10:5-15 And as you enter the house, give it your greeting. And if the house is worthy, let your greeting of peace come upon it: but if it is not worthy, let your greeting of peace return to you. (vv.12-13) I create what I call “Scripture Paintings.” Several years ago I began asking the Lord to put His blessing upon each painting that it might bless those who purchase it. Since my work is an extension of me, I am entering their house with a greeting of peace. This I would explain to the buyer. Finally, it occurred to me that I also needed to ask the buyer if they will receive the blessing. I really don’t want my work hanging in a place where the owner rejects God’s blessing. Most people are delighted with the idea of receiving God’s blessing. Some even send photos showing where it is hanging in their home. Others don’t know quite what to say, but the blessing is free (although the painting is not) so they accept it. In a culture that blesses people every time they sneeze, there should be more teaching on the nature of God’s blessing in Holy Scripture. How often do we miss God’s blessing by being unaware? When Joseph was sold into slavery God blessed everything that he did in Egypt. The Lord even blessed the master’s house and all that he owned. My Bible concordance calls “blessing” the gift of God’s grace. Peace is the result of His blessing. We all want peace. According to Matthew’s gospel, preparation is required to be a bearer of His peace to others. Are we willing to come under such authority and discipline? Ezekiel 34:1-16; Psalm 119:145-176; 1 John 2:12-17 Thursday, May 15 Matthew 10:16-23 “And brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.” (v.21) My friend, David, has returned from Rwanda, Africa, where reconciliation has begun between feuding tribes and families. In their recent past, Matthew 10:21 became reality as thousands killed their own families and friends, even their own children. Genocide captured their minds and today they are still burying their dead. Out of this, the amazing stories of God’s grace brings reconciliation as killers ask for and receive forgiveness from survivors. I can hardly fathom that depth of death and forgiveness. It sure puts a new perspective on my own petty angst. How dare we question God’s ability to forgive our failures and wrong turns! How dare we withhold forgiveness from ourselves for stupid mistakes! How can we not forgive those who have fought against us? Lord, have mercy on us all. Ezekiel 37:21b-28; Psalms 131, 132, 133; 1 John 2:18-29 Birthday Today: JoAnn Gillingham Friday, May 16 Ezekiel 39:21-29 “And I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I shall have poured out My spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD. (v.29) After my husband died, I knew I needed to put my large house on the market. I had not the finances, the energy, or the incentive to maintain a 1925 house with multiple repair needs. Only God could have orchestrated the series of events that led to my property today being headquarters for various ministries. It is home to prayer groups, healing ministries, worship events, and art workshops. Repair and maintenance are under control, and I still have “my space” plus the fellowship of community. God has prepared me and my house for this new role. He surely can prepare the House of Israel to receive the outpouring of His Spirit. One of the speakers at my house this year was a woman who brings the Messiah Jesus to Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem. Dangerous business, but she is leading them one by one to their Savior. “Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 10:32). Psalms 140, 142; 1 John 3:1-10; Matthew 10:24-33 Birthdays Today: Bronson Doyle, Beth Moore Saturday, May 17 Matthew 10:34-42 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (v.34) I do not believe Jesus meant that peace is not desirable, but rather that we should avoid “peace at any price.” More to be desired than peace is a heart for God that is willing to take a stand on behalf of His plan. That presupposes that we can know His plan or at least follow His guidance. That means we should read His Word, listen to His voice and see His action in others. Jesus means to encourage us to stand in the face of discouragement and doubt. We are to battle satanic forces that would deceive and destroy. It is plain that Jesus did not intend his remarks to be an excuse for genocide or for turning family members in to the Gestapo. He is telling his disciples they have a hard road ahead of them; so hard that even friends and family may turn against them. For those expecting a military hero, He is an unacceptable Messiah. How many times do we miss present-day prophets because they do not fit our image? I knew a man 40 years ago who prophesied difficult times for the church of which he was a member. The people refused to listen and wanted to evict him from the premises, but the rector said no. The prophecy proved to be true. The church is intact today, but the congregation went through a hard period. It is true that we are not to listen to everyone crying in the wilderness because some are deceivers. But some are not. We are to seek Gods wisdom in all matters. Ezekiel 47:1-12; Psalms 137, 144; 1 John 3:11-18 Anniversary Today: Brad and Angie Box by Ellen M. Smith Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP P. O. Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790 |