Here are the details I mentioned for the Fellowship-Peace Offering forms we passed out in church on Sunday 8/15 for the special evening service on 9/19.  If you need a copy of the form send your request to jdevore@cornerstonelittlerock.org.  or check the bottom of this post.

Remember it’s based on Leviticus chapters 3 and 7.

I Thank God that  . .

Ephesians 1 & 2,  Galatians 5:19-23

James 1:17-18,  2nd Timothy 3:16-17

New baby, Christian marriage, new job,

rescue from health issues

Here is the Vow I fulfilled for God’s  Glory.

BEFORE 9/19

Maybe a giving of time, talent or money.

Baptism (on 9/19)

Begin a reconciliation process,

Actively tackle a bad habit.

Read your Bible more. (be specific.  Pick time and how much reading.)

Daily Prayer time. (Be specific.  How long, how often.)

Read a Christian marriage book all the way through out loud with your wife. (Guys do not wait for your wife to suggest this!  Yes, she wants you to read to her!  I have free books in my office.)

My Free Will (Yeah God!  Just Because!) Offering is

Money,

Some gift of appreciation to be used or given away such as a car, a room in your house, a free service.

Statement of praise.

Here is the link for the form to fill out.  Call or email if you have questions!

9-19 -Fellowship-Peace Offerings

I cannot wait until September 19th when we celebrate together!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Jim

Cornerstone Church of Littlerock presents  Son Quest Vacation Bible School June 28-July 2 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 8533 E. Avenue T.  All children going into the 1st-6th grade are encouraged to attend.  Using the jungle as our theme we will present a drama of a war in the animal kingdom.  There will be water games, great snacks, crafts, and prizes for everybody.  And of course there will be Bible teaching!  This year we will focus on some of the parables, the stories that Jesus told, that we have written in the Bible.

Now that you know what it is, WHY SEND YOUR CHILDREN?  It is a wonderful opportunity for them to be out of the house, play with friends, have fun, meet new friends, learn more about Jesus and the Bible, and have fun, fun, fun!  So, if you want to put a smile on your child’s face, and eternity in their heart, then send them on this quest, SonQuest VBS at Cornerstone Church of Littlerock!  Join us for the VBS kick off Cornerstone Country Festival Sunday June 27 from 1-5 p.m.  For more information call us at 661-944-1880.

Lord,

What does your church; the people of God do, to bring light into darkness that is so dark that it no longer looks like darkness?

D. Krzyzopolski

This morning the news spoke of the Gulf Oil Spill and the company BP responsible.  200,000 lawyers gathered to discuss how to litigate the situation.  Everyone is lining up for lawsuits, from restaurant owners, tourist attractions, and excursion boats, whatever.  Quote “This is the worst spill at the worst timing.”  In other words, it comes right before the summer tourist season.  Like there is a good time for 11 people to die and this massive of an oil spill.

The problem is that the mentality is not how will we survive and move on.  The mentality is that somebody has to pay for this.  There is no such thing as an accident and forgiveness.  It is no longer one for all; it is really all for one.  This response will only spread strife, discrimination, selfishness, distrust, jealousy.

Everything else is situational ethics.  If we rescued the automobile and banking industry because of what it caused the economy, then why not rescue BP and the surrounding communities?

Who do you trust, the economy?  It will pick up for the summer tourist season and we’ll make it.  You can always count on the tourists.

The oil industry – They provide good paying jobs, oil to run the economy, security and $$.  We can trust them.

The government – they will always find a solution and come to our rescue.

God’s response.

Does the word of God deal with oil spills?

Psalms 146:3-6 NIV 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them– the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

Matthew 5:21-26 NIV 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ‘is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Christian, don’t be angry and seek revenge with with BP and think your offering to God is a blessing to Him.

How should BP handle lawsuits?

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 5:39-44 NIV 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Imagine how run over you would be if you handled it this way.  Imagine how quickly things would be resolved, and how free you would be of the situation.  Maybe not financially secure, or rich, but free.

Here’s the problem

Matthew 6:22-34 NIV 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

We have wrong solutions because we have bad vision.  The light we use to light our lives is the darkness of the world’s thinking.

Here’s the solution.

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

If BP is not the enemy, or even if he is the enemy, then I come along side and help him.  I pitch in, and not pitch at.  Just imagine how “run over” we would be if we lived like that.  Maybe being run over by people is better than being run over by God!

We the church need to see the value of the word of God and trusting in him.  But we will only trust God as much as we actively pursue Him.  The light we pursue will be the light that guides.  Oh, that the light we pursue would not be the “light” of the world for “how great is that darkness!”

Do not put the Lord your God to the test, but . . . Psalms 34:8 NIV 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Notice all of the active verbs in this passage.

Psalms 34:1-22 NIV 1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

D. Krzyzopolski

What about it Psalm 1, what are the promises there for a man who actively seeks God?  I dare you, “taste and see that the Lord is good. “He’s good in the first century, and in the 21^st.  His word is good at the beginning of time, until the end.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I encourage all of you to read the passages over and over again the week before each message!
Thanks for your faithfulness as God chooses the foolishness of preaching to reach the world! Pastor Jim

and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

(Luke 3:22)

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

(Luke 9:35)

Though there is no recorded statement from God at the resurrection, (As if the resurrection wasn’t statement enough!) you can imagine God shouting “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:22)  I so look forward to us rejoicing with God on the resurrection of His Beloved Son this Easter and for all eternity!  There are so many opportunities this coming week to celebrate so be sure to join us for all of them, from the special communion service on Thursday, to Good Friday Service, and finally to Easter Sunday at 8, 9:30, or 11!.  And of course, bring friends and family!   On Easter Sunday if you are bringing guests then come to whatever service is best for them.  If you are coming without guests then we encourage you to attend the 8 a.m. service!  WE are offering a full children’s program each service.  Take you babies and preschoolers to the nursery and bring your grade-schoolers into the service with you.  After the second song we will exit them to children’s church.

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Cornerstone Church 2010 Bible Reading Program

Get your Bible, and a journal, a notebook, a diary or a computer, and something to write with or type on!  Then set your appointment to be discipled by Jesus this year.  Pick the time and quiet place.  No TV, no radio, no cell phone!  You’re with Jesus, the interruption can wait!

Read a chapter a day from the Gospels using the schedule below. When you finish the book before the month ends just start in the same book again!  Using the questions below, record your answers after each reading.  List your comments, questions, prayer requests and thankfulness as well.  Enjoy your discipleship with Jesus this year!

1. What does this passage tell me about Jesus himself?
2. What is Jesus teaching me in this passage?
3. What should I do as a result of this teaching?

v Additional Study Option – When an Old Testament passage is discussed, look it up for additional study.

v If you are not sure about a passage, look up some insight in a trusted commentary.  Your Sunday School teachers or Pastors can give you some suggestions and books to borrow.

Matthew – January,      May,        September

Mark -      February,    June,        October

Luke -      March,         July,         November

John -       April,          August,     December

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. (Luke 16:8 NIV)
In Luke 16:8 Jesus says that the people of light, Christians, do not put as much effort into things of the light as people of the world put into their own efforts. So if Christians are not putting their effort into the “people of light”, then where are they putting their efforts? . . . . . Into the things of the world.

The challenge for us is to then place our efforts into the things of light, into the things of Jesus. How do we do that? Sit down today with your Bible and a notebook and read Matthew Chapters 5,6, and 7. That’s the Sermon on the Mount. Every time you come to a verse that states something you are not doing or need to be doing better, write down some ideas as to how you can put more effort into that area. Ask the Lord to help you! Remember you put in the effort and leave the results up to God. Remember this also, you put in the effort for righteousness, and you will be satisfied! “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 NIV)