Some Of The Reasons I'm Excited About Today

Here are some of the reasons I am excited about today...

***Worship this morning. We get to exalt our Lord.

***We will hear a testimony this morning of a family in our church who chose the path of faithfulness and discovered the blessings of the Lord.

***New message series starts today: How Smart Are You?

***Tonight for the first time, the junior high youth group will be leading the service. The junior high youth band has been practicing for this for weeks. It will be a great night.

***Tonight, following the service is the official meet and greet for the Pletcher's and their three new adopted children from the Ukraine.

***I have a leadership meeting today for final approval of the drawings and budget for the construction of our new preschool facility. Groundbreaking will be next week.

***I have a deacon's meeting today where we will be discussing a new Sunday night series that will begin on March 13 and culminate on March 27 with a very special evening for our church.

***I have a worship pastor search team meeting today where we will be praying about a very serious candidate for church.

That is just a start. I haven't spoken with Pastor Wally, but we probably have baptisms this morning... We will be promoting our New Member class today which already had a ton of people signed up... The preschoolers are working on something special that the church will see next week...

Don't miss this morning!

Pastor Noel

Bible Verses We Like To Hate

I know, that is an odd title for a blog post, but as I was studying this morning for an upcoming project, I kept running across these verses that made me squirm. I thought perhaps I should share them with you. They may make you squirm now, but if obeyed, they will make you rejoice later.

… Proverbs 24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

… Romans 12:17 (NLT) Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

… 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

… 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT) Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

… Proverbs 20:22 (NIV) Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Pastor Noel

Benefits of Obeying God's Word

In studying for an upcoming message this morning, I was reading through some different kinds of topical Bibles.  I ran across this article in one of them.  It encouraged me and I thought I would share it...

Benefits of Obeying God’s Word

Psalm 119:2 promises blessings for obeying God’s Word (or “testimonies”) and seeking the Lord with one’s whole heart. The psalm goes on to mention or allude to a number of these benefits:

• Avoiding sin and pursuing godliness (Ps. 119:3, 11, 36, 102, 133).
• A motivation and basis for praising God (Ps. 119:7, 171).
• A pure lifestyle (Ps. 119:9).
• Readjustments in our priorities (Ps. 119:14, 92) and values (Ps. 119:16, 20, 37, 48, 72, 103, 111, 127).\
• Insight into our purpose on earth (Ps. 119:19, 32, 125).
• Avoiding and learning from God’s rebuke (Ps. 119:21–22, 67, 71, 75, 118).
• A basis for evaluating criticism and opposition (Ps. 119:23, 41–42, 51, 61, 69, 84–88, 98, 161).
• A source of wisdom and guidance for day-to-day life (119:24, 66, 105, 130, 176).
• Encouragement, hope, and comfort (Ps. 119:25, 28, 41, 49–50, 52, 55, 61, 81–83, 114, 166). 
• Something valuable with which to occupy our minds (Ps. 119:27, 55, 62, 97, 147–148) and conversation (119:46, 164, 172). 
• A basis for truth, honesty, and integrity (Ps. 119:29–30, 99–100, 104, 163). 
• A sense of freedom (Ps. 119:45). 
• A source of new songs (Ps. 119:54). 
• An accurate basis for self-examination (Ps. 119:59). 
• Fellowship with like-minded believers (Ps. 119:63, 79). 
• A solid foundation for our faith (Ps. 119:66, 89–90). 
• Protection and peace (Ps. 119:114, 165). 
• The ability to discern right from wrong (Ps. 119:136, 138–139, 158). 
• A motivation and basis for prayer (Ps. 119:169–170). 
• The Lord’s help (Ps. 119:173–174).

Pastor Noel

Article from:  Thomas Nelson Publishers. (2001). What does the Bible say about... The ultimate A to Z resource fully illustrated. Nelson's A to Z series (280–281). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Audio Books

I enjoy listening to many audio books.  In fact, just today I finished "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile Vs. The Third Reich".  An excellent book about a great theologian I knew very little about before, but now am very inspired by.  (I know that was poor grammar.)

Today I ran across a free audio book of a great book I read a few weeks ago:  Adopted for Life by Russell Moore.  If you would like to listen to this book, you can download it for free here.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  You may be challenged and convicted, but not disappointed.

Pastor Noel

The Weekend and other Miscellaneous bits...

I'm looking forward to the weekend. (And not because it's Super Bowl weekend.) Today is my birthday, so what I've asked for is... a family night. It will be a good night at home. I have a suspicion that my wife is cooking some of her ought-to-be famous shrimp and grits, and Emily is cooking me a made-from-scratch cheesecake. We will probably play a game or maybe watch "Secretariat". I have a little bit of a surprise for them, maybe.

This morning started off bad/good. In my quiet time this morning I prayed for Bill Helms, a godly older man in our church. I knew he was close to passing away. I felt the Lord remind me during my prayer time that If Bill died today, he was going to have a much better weekend than me. His wife called about an hour later to share with me that he had just passed.

Tomorrow, Donna and I are going to go out, something we rarely do on Saturdays. For Christmas I had purchased cooking classes for her. That was the one thing I knew she needed least but would enjoy the most. So that is our date tomorrow, taking a cooking class together. Ironically, Jeff and Angela Salyer are going with us. Angela is the second least likely person in the world to need cooking classes. It will be interesting. Maybe Donna and Angela can just teach the class. Jeff and I can handle the eating.

I've been mum on my sermon focus this Sunday because this is going to be one of those difficult messages, but it is important, and I am ready to preach it. It's messages like these that will have the least positive-feedback, but perhaps the most significant impact.

We've got some new church members coming over for lunch Sunday and maybe also some prospects. Still mulling over my Super Bowl plans...

It will be a great weekend!

Noel

P.S.
The Pletchers, some friends who have been in Ukraine for the past two months trying to adopt three little kids, finally return to Ohio tonight. I think they are scheduled to land at CMH at 10:15 p.m.. I can't wait to meet their new children!

Proverbs on Parenting

In preparation for my Connect Group this week (we are studying the book of Proverbs), I went through Proverbs and pulled out all of the verses that dealt with parenting in some fashion or another.

Look through this list... How much better off would we all be if this became the guiding influence in how we raised our children?

Pastor Noel

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Proverbs on Parenting

Parents Have A Responsibility to Correct their Children

… Proverbs 1:8–9 8 My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.

… Proverbs 13:1 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

… Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

… Proverbs 15:5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

… Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.

… Proverbs 22:15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

… Proverbs 23:13–14 13 Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.

… Proverbs 29:15 To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

… Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.

Parents Have A Responsibility to Live a Wise Life as an Example

… Proverbs 5:1–2 1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. 2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.

… Proverbs 11:21 Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.

Parents Have A Responsibility to Teach their Children

… Proverbs 6:20–22 20 My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

… Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

… Proverbs 31:1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

Proverbs for the Children

… Proverbs 1:8–9 8 My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.

… Proverbs 5:1–2 1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. 2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.

… Proverbs 6:20–22 20 My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

… Proverbs 8:32–33 32 “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.

… Proverbs 13:1 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

… Proverbs 15:5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

… Proverbs 19:26 Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.

… Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

… Proverbs 23:24 The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

… Proverbs 23:25 So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

… Proverbs 28:24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer.

… Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocks a father and despises a mother’s instructions will be plucked out by ravens of the valley and eaten by vultures.

Miscellaneous

… Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

… Proverbs 13:22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.

… Proverbs 15:20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.

... Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

… Proverbs 17:21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

… Proverbs 17:25 Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

… Proverbs 19:13 A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.

… Proverbs 30:11 Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother.

… Proverbs 31:28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: