Good morning church family,
In Revelation we read about the Preciousness of the Church, the bride of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven.
“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls;
each one of the gates was a single pearl.
And the street of the city was pure gold,
like transparent glass.”
Revelation 21:21
GIVING THANKS:
* Praise God and give thanks for our savior Jesus Christ, and for his bride, the church of Christ.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Simone Beans is having several health challenges. Pray for her wellness all around.
* Prayers for Jinxia Lin, Zach Saracino's close friend, whose Grandmother passed away after a long illness.
* Prayers for Karen Ohrenberger whose parents were moved to an assisted living center yesterday. They are also in the process of selling her Parent's home.
* Continue to pray for truth seekers.
* Pray for the lost
CONGRATULATIONS:
* Rebecca Ruiz was baptized on Tuesday evening! The angels in heaven are rejoicing as we all are as well! May God be with you Rebecca as you begin your new walk with Him! Know that we are all here for you as well.
* Kenny Pancoast got engaged to Jess Charron this past week.
* Prayers for Emille and Jenna's wedding to go smoothly and for all of the family who are traveling.
COMING UP:
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is only 14 days away. Thanks to all who have contributed to this effort.
Please see the food sign up sheet for what you can contribute and Jayden for outstanding items.
REMINDER:
* There is a bin in the foyer for anyone who would like to donate school supplies to the children in Ghana. See Esther Aggrey with any questions.
* Spooner House continues to be in need of non-perishable food, pasta, etc.
THE PEARL
Here are some interesting facts about pearls, their value and how they are made.
“Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defense against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell or damage to their fragile body.
The oyster or mussel slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, materials that also make up its shell. This creates a material called nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, which encases the irritant and protects the mollusk from it.
When pearls are cultured commercially, an irritant is manually inserted into a mollusk to promote the production of mother-of-pearl. Nacre can form naturally around almost any irritant that gets inside the shell, creating some unique and precious pearls. Other bivalve mollusks and gastropods can produce pearls, but these aren't made of nacre.
The formation of a natural pearl inside an oyster begins when a foreign substance slips into the oyster between the mantle and the shell, which irritates the mantle. It's kind of like the oyster getting a splinter. The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant by encapsulating the interloper, thereby protecting itself. The mantle covers the irritant with layers of the same nacre substance that is used to create the shell, and these concentric layers of nacre will eventually form a pearl.
Most pearls that we see in jewelry stores are nicely rounded objects, and they are the most valuable, particularly if they are natural pearls formed inside an oyster. Both saltwater and freshwater natural pearls have the same value, and are graded based on a variety of factors such as luster, nacre thickness, shape, surface quality, size and color. Pearls come in a variety of various colors, including white, black, gray, red, blue and green.”
Isn't it interesting, that when an “irritant” slips into the oyster, something of incredible beauty is created. This refining process is a bit like us and our journey in life. We are all flawed and fall short of the Glory of God, yet He works within us, molding us and shaping us to create something beautiful! In Christ, we are made perfect!
Jesus spoke about pearls in his sermon on the mount and said, “The Father's kingdom is like a merchant who had a supply of merchandise and found a pearl. That merchant was prudent; he sold the merchandise and bought the single pearl for himself. So also with you, seek his treasure that is unfailing, that is enduring, where no moth comes to eat and no worm destroys.” Matthew 13:45-46
The pearl Jesus was speaking about, illustrates the great value of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The value of God's Kingdom is explained by Jesus as a treasure. Something to be greatly valued. Priceless.
Additional scriptures highlighting the incredible value of a pearl are…
1 Timothy 2:9
“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments..“
Revelation 17:4
“The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality..“
Revelation 18:12
“cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble..”
Job 28:18
“Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned;
And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls.”
Jesus goes on in his sermon and advised, “Do not give dogs what is sacred.”
As we share the gospel message, we must remember to be discerning.
Jesus uses dogs and pigs as symbols of those who ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel once it is presented to them. Jesus shared, “Do not cast your pearls before swine” and as we read in Proverbs, 26:22 “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” . Strong and powerful words here.
We are not to expose the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have no other purpose than to trample it and reject it. Think about it…Pigs certainly can't appreciate pearls, and some people don’t care or appreciate what Christ has done for them. Our job is not to force conversions or cram the gospel down people’s throats; there’s no sense in preaching the value of pearls to swine. Jesus’ instruction to His apostles on how to handle this kind of rejection was to simply to go elsewhere.
There are other people who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it. Jesus gave to His apostles when He said, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.” Matthew 10:14
We are to share the gospel with all the world, but, when it becomes apparent that the gospel is not welcome, or rejected, we are to move on.
King Solomon asked God for wisdom. 1 Kings 3:9 “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. ”
Satan is at work and in opposition to the Christian message. As we mature in the faith, hopefully we become more discerning and live in a way that honors and glorifies Him.
In Christ, we are forgiven of all of our sins, and He will be with us until the end of time.
Cherish your faith as you would cherish a valuable pearl, and keep singing!
SEEK YE FIRST
Matthew 6:33
Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God
And His Righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you,
Singing Hale-lu- Hale-lu-jah
Ha-le-lu-jah,
Ha-le-lu-jah,
Ha-le-lu-jah,
Ha-le, Hale-lu-jah.
Man does not live by bread alone
But by every Word,
that proceeds from the mouth of God,
Singing Hale-lu-Hale-lu-jah.
Ha-le-lu-jah,
Ha-le-lu-jah,
Ha-le-lu-jah,
Ha-le, Hale-lu-jah.
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again” Luke 15:24
Something Beautiful
Something good;
All my confusion,
He understood;
All I had to offer Him,
Was brokenness and strife,
But He made some-thing,
Beautiful, 5 of my life.
Psalm 19:10
“The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving JOY to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure,
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold.“
In Him,
Bruce & Paula