Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
b8f8f168-1642-2cd0-ce41-4acb44e25563@yahoo.com>”>GIVING THANKS:
* Thanks to everyone who helped with our Pot Luck last Sunday!
* Thanks to all who are helping with donations and volunteering for our upcoming Vacation Bible School!
* Pat Keller gives thanks for the first week of camp that went great!
The week has gone well he said that they had 23 campers! Next week they have 42 registered! Praise God! Here are some photos:
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b9e425b1-0e5d-2fd8-0ebb-eea7de6266af@yahoo.com>”>PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Mick McReanor asked for prayers for his friend Jerry who is in the final stages of cancer. Prayers for Jerry, his family and for Mick at this difficult time.
* Pamela Pimpton asked for prayers for her son who is having a CT scan and dealing with a medical issue. She also asked for prayers for her Aunt Baylor Herring.
* Nadine asked for prayers for her cousin Ashani Henry who is only 40 years old and who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Ashani has young children so prayers for the whole family.
2fef1de3-ac22-a5c0-170f-5670fcf9742c@yahoo.com>”>Marion & Maurie Samaha’s daughter Monica gave birth to a new baby girl on Tuesday (which happens to be the day of her sister Sophia’s 2nd birthday). Her name is Lilliana. Both Mom and baby are doing well. Marion and Maurie have 8 grandchildren now…7 girls and 1 boy!
COMING UP:
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY- July 20th
A sign up sheet has been posted in the auditorium for food & craft donations. Thanks to all who have signed up already!
Please save all cardboard paper towel rolls and put any supplies for VBS in the bin in the foyer.
Tents are also needed. Please see Derin or Kristen if you have a tent we can borrow for that day.
They still need someone to run the Bounce House.
Flyers on the back table so please invite friends and neighbors!
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69d07d83-8ad6-9c63-ea8f-49a2e7e8c2ed@yahoo.com>”>FRIDAY, JULY 12th at 6:30 the Young Adults will have a devotional, singing and cook out at our home 479 Elm Street, Monroe, CT
4d7ac1d6-1333-9dd6-c959-4005e794e2cd@yahoo.com>”>Friday nights in September – Flo Repecko will be teaching a series on Biblical boundaries: “What the Bible teaches about Boundaries” There will be 4 lessons total, held every Friday in September, starting September 6th – 6:30 pm for Fellowship, 7:00 pm lesson. Refreshments will be provided.
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The 4th of July Holiday represents our freedom from Great Britain’s rule.
The United States of America is known as the “Land of the Free”. Our freedom here in the U.S. is one of the incredible blessings we have in this country. We can worship freely without persecution along with many other civil liberties.
We must remember that this freedom is only temporary, and will pass away.
Our freedom in Christ, is eternal and will last forever!
Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom, where a king or queen is Head of state. The monarch undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history.
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The current King has had a crown passed down to him for hundreds of years by his successors. The crown which is know as the St. Edwards Crown, weighs nearly 5 pounds and is worth millions of dollars.
e67a860d-3c62-c5b8-71f0-2821ca045414@yahoo.com>”>Crowns are reserved for members of royalty to wear that symbolize triumph, honor and glory. Succession to the throne is regulated through descent, and by Parliamentary statute. The privilege of wearing this crown is exclusive to only those in the succession.
We serve a God who loves ALL of mankind. His incredible, sacrificial and gift of the Prince of Glory, allows anyone and everyone to become an heir to His throne!
As all earthly rulers are crowned and pass away, God is the only King with eternal rules and everlasting rewards.
“Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown,
but we for an imperishable crown.”
1 Corinthians 9:25
It’s hard to comprehend that God, our sovereign LORD shares His glory with us!
Romans 8:16-17
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children,
then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in his sufferings
in order that we may also share in his glory.“
1 John 5:4 ” For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…”
The New Testament sets forth the rules for the believer & followers of Jesus, who enter this race: must deny himself or anything that might weigh him down and hold him back. Hebrews 12:1
We must keep our eyes on the Savior at all times and not look to the left or to the right. Hebrews 12:2
We must find our strength in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10-18
We must, by faith, refuse anything that would impede our spiritual growth. Hebrews 11:24-29
We must be obedient to God’s commands.
Believe – Acts 16:31
Repent – Acts 3:19
Confess our sins – Matthew 10:32,33; Romans 10:9
Be Baptized for the forgiveness of sins – Mark 16: 15, 16; Acts 2:38
Be faithful unto death – Rev 2:10
Clothed in Christ’s own righteousness, one day we will receive rewards for every good work we have accomplished in His name.
We look forward to the heavenly crowns and Heaven that God has in store for those who remain righteous…
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- The Crown of Life
- James 1:12
Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death.
In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10.
Just as we require air, food, and water which are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” John 4:10, 6:35.
This life is finite and our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus Christ: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life”
1 John 2:25.
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- An Imperishable Crown. 1 Corinthians 9:24,25
- “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” .
- All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish, including all man-made crowns! Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” Matthew 6:19. This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” 1 Peter 1:4
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- Crown of Righteousness.
The Crown of Righteousness 2 Timothy 4:8
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
We will inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return.
Through our enduring discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity Philippians 3:20 .
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- Crown of Glory.
1 Peter 5:4 “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” Peter addresses the elders here, but we must remember that the crown will be rewarded to all who long for, and who love Him and await His coming. The word “glory” refers to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness.
Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God Acts 7:55-56.
The Glory of God also refers to the praise and honor we bestow to God alone, which is due Him because of who He is. Isaiah 42:8; 48:11 & Galatians 1:5.
We as believers, are incredibly blessed to look forward to entering into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. For as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Romans 8:18.
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- Crown of Rejoicing. 1 Thessalonians 2:19
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us.
As Christians we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else!
Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven Luke 15:7.
The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4.
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Jesus achieved what no other king could have possibly accomplished, and he did it by taking the path of humility, even unto death. Not with aggression, not with might, but with humility and love.
Jesus Christ brings us together in a beautiful relationship with the Father, with love at the helm. This sacrificial love trumps all.
Love conquers hate. Peace rises triumphant over war and justice.
Jesus wore a crown of thorns, so that we may wear the Crowns of Righteousness!
HOW AWESOME IS THAT????
Let us focus our minds on the eternal prize that awaits us in heaven. We work toward an imperishable crown, a crown of righteousness and eternal reward.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles ,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him,
endured the cross,
scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
KEEP SINGING:
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
| On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame, And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best For a world of lost sinners was slain. |
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| So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown. |
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| Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above, To bear it to dark Calvary. |
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| In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see; For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me. |
The Greatest reward will be standing before our LORD and SAVIOR face to face one day. God made this statement to Abraham in Genesis 15:1
“I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward“.
Let us lay down our trophies and press on in doing good works out of love as Jesus commanded.
Galatians 6:7-10
“Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.“
Let us cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown!
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