Teaching Notes

A Pure Heart

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. - 2 Corinthians 7:1

First, let us look at the first part of Paul's message. He states, "since we have these promises". What are the promises Paul is writing about? If we go back and read the chapters before Paul urges the fellow workers to receive God's grace and he reminds them that about salvation. The promise is that God will save us and give us the help we need to follow him.

So, the promise you and I have is that God will save us and strengthen us to do what is right. Because of these promises, Paul encourages the reader to purify themselves of anything that keeps the body and the spirit from being in harmony with God.

The first place thing that must be different before actions can change is the heart. We must do like David did and ask God to give us a pure heart and give us a right spirit. If we change our hearts, or what is important to us we can see change in our lives and the things we do.

If someone is going to stay pure sexually, it has to be a matter of the heart. Your parents can tell you why not to be sexually active for all the right reasons, but if you have not decided within your heart that you desire to be obedient to God, you will not flee from sexual sin.

If someone is going to live a holy life in actions and deeds, if the heart has no desire for godly things, then no amount of coaxing a person to do right will make it happen. If you are going to live a life pleasing to God, the love for God and the love of God must be firmly planted in your heart.

This month of July, take a close look at your actions. Do the things that are important to you reflect God? If they do not, then how can you expect to live a life that reverences God without his help?  I pray for us this month that we would begin to do as David did and ask God to change our hearts.

We need God to give us a pure heart so that we can desire pure things. We need a pure heart so that what we do will not be sinful in the eyesight of God.

Let's pray: Lord, help me to receive and live in your promise of salvation and freedom from the sins that so easily captures mind, spirit and body.. Help me Lord to live a life that is pure. Help me so that my heart will be turned to you and your will. I desire Lord to live a life pleasing to you, but I also acknowledge that I am not able to do that by myself. I need your love dwelling in me. Help me is my prayer. Amen.

Teaching Notes

Is God Calling You?

1 Samuel 3:1-10

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Image if you would this young boy that is being called by God yet he doesn't understand who is calling him because he had never heard from the Lord before. So when he heard God calling he ran to Eli and asked him what he wanted. He was wrong it wasn't Eli calling him but God. He did this three times before he was directed to listen for God.

How many times have we misunderstood God speaking to us for our own voices or the voices of other people? How many times has God spoken to you but because you did not recognize his voice you thought you were having a good idea? So like Samuel we go running in the wrong direction, when what we need to do is stand still and respond to God's calling.

What should you do when you think you are having a "good thought"? Maybe it is God calling you. Just as Eli told Samuel to go back and if God called again, to say, here I am. This is what you should do. Go back or stop moving in the wrong directions and be still. Stop trying to figure things out or trying to work things out for yourself. Instead, ask God to speak to you and then listen to hear what he has to say.

As soon as he does, then it is your responsibility to take that lesson and move forward. Another question may be, how do I know God is speaking to me? That is a good question and it has more than one answers. In this scripture God spoke out loud to Samuel. Maybe God isn't calling you in this way, but he can be calling you through the Bible, through the messages preached Sunday after Sunday. He can reach you through your time of prayer or through others that encourage you, teach you or direct you through the word of God. None of these methods will be contrary to the word of God. Anything you hear should line up with God's word.

Is God calling you? I would have to say the answer to that is yes! God is calling all to first come to him and be saved and secondly to be used by him for his purpose.
 
Prayer: Lord help me to hear you voice among the many sounds in my world. Help me to hear and understand that I am hearing from you. Lord help me to not only hear you but to move as you direct. Allow me to follow your Spirit so that I can walk in the way you have called me. Help me to hear you in the midst all the areas of my life. Amen!

Teaching Notes

Friend of God

Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.'- Exodus 33:10-12

Moses was called by God to lead the people out of Egypt to a land that God had promises their forefathers. In this scripture God has told Moses that he would no go with the people because they were complainers and stiff-necked. Moses goes into the tent that he put outside of the camp so that the people could go seek the Lord.

Moses went into the tent to speak to God about the people. When he entered, the presence of God met him there. The Lord spoke to Moses as a friend. It was because of this relationship, that God told Moses he would go with the people because he knew Moses and Moses knew his name.

This is so important for us to understand this relationship and the benefits. God calls Moses his friend. That means God share important things with Moses. God took time to listen and speak to Moses. And Moses knew God by name. When someone is your friend, you know their name. You know some of the details about that friend.

We know that God already knows all about us because he created us, but how wonderful to say that we know someting about God. We know God in several ways. We know him through his word and through his spirit. His Holy Spirit helps us to understand God's word. We cannot really understand it without the help of the Lord. God's Spirit also helps us to under God's direction and his will.

As we allow ourselves to seek the presence of God as Moses did, we can find ourselves being blessed with a close relationship with God and benefit from a friendship. Don't you want to be able to talk to God and know that he wants to stand with you, help you and direct you? Don't you want God to think of you as his friend?

Prayer: Lord today we seek to have a face-to-face relationship with you. We want to know you more intimately as you know a true friend. We want to be able to tell you our secrets, those things that are special to us. We want to hear those hidden things about you that are only revealed to those that are your friend, those that walk with you, talk with you and grow to know you more intimately. Help us Lord, we pray. Amen.

Teaching Notes

Comfort for your heart

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. - Psalm 31:9

I have heard a lot of bad news lately. Many are trying to make sense of deaths of friends that were too young to be leaving this world.  Some are sleepless and have unrest in their hearts. Many don't talk about it because, well adults sometimes just don't understand.

I know sometimes we (I happen to be one of those adults) forget that we are not the only ones faced with difficulties, problems and news that just takes the wind out of us. Well today, I want someone to know that your hurt is important. Your grief over the lost of a friend, loved one or even a change in your life situation is something that God will give you comfort for.

Yes, God does often work through people to comfort, but he still can comfort you in through his spirit. The psalmist understood that. The psalmist was in distress, he speaks that his eyes were weak and his body was filled with grief. I understand having weak eyes. Have you cried so much that your eyes were puffy and you felt like you couldn't even keep them open any longer?

That is distress! Today, however I want to come and bring you encouragement. God knows your hurts and just like the psalmist you can turn that grief, confusion and hurt over to him. He is waiting and ready to comfort you in this time of need.

This month, I pray that those that have suffered lost (friends, family, loved one), that God would help you through. This situation does not have to take down. You can continue to stand regardless of what you are facing.

There are also some things you can do to help in the healing process:

1. Talk about it. - I've heard the saying, there is more room out, than in. You cannot keep all your feelings bottled up inside of you because they will eventually come out. They just may not come out in the way you want them to. They may come out in anger, frustration, etc. So find someone that will give you a listening ear and talk about it.

2. Don't deny how you feel. - You cannot pretend that you do not care or that the situation does not matter. You have to face your feelings head on. However, in dealing with your feelings you cannot let them tell you what to do. For example, you might be feeling sad, but you cannot let the sadness tell you that you have no hope. Feelings are "facts" but they are not "truth". Facts just tell you what something is. God's truth tells you that while the fact is you feel a certain way, that is not all there is.

3. Pray. - It is our most important tool. When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or distressed, pray. In fact pray when you feel happy. In fact, just pray all the time. Prayer helps you to be connected to God and helps you learn how to communicate with God. Try it.

4. Give yourself time. - Healing of emotional hurts take time. Grieving takes time. Don't be hard on yourself because you have a bad day. Get back up and start again. One day you'll find out that the pain isn't so painful and the hurt doesn't hurt as much. It is simply a process and you need to seek God the entire way so that you can have the victory.

Prayer: Lord today, we seek your help as we face hurts, disappointments and losses. We do not alway understand the reasons for these things, but we are sure that you can hear us and help us so we seek your help. Amen.

Look Who is in the Spotlight

Blog interview with Author, Fiadanantsoa Vonjimalala

(also known as Fia)

Fiadanantsoa is a remarkable young lady. She is a college student that has a desire to do great things for God. While I have not read her book yet, I have had the opportunity to see her and I have marvelled at her beautiful spirit. I like hearing about wonderful things our young people are doing. Read this interview from one of our young people striving to reach their dreams.

Fia: First of all let us give “Thanks” to God, for His Love and Mercy endures forever. Second, thank you Min. Jewel Williams for giving me the opportunity to share about my book while answering your questions. I am very grateful to God on how you support and mentor young people to follow the right path of Jesus Christ and to grow in the true faith, hope, and love in Christ, The Lord. To God Only Be the Glory! Amen.

Jewel: What's the title of your book and can you tell us a brief synopsis of your story.

Fia: The title is ‘Willing For Love’. The story concerns on the importance of family, friendship and about protecting and fighting for those who are dear ones.

In the story, two teenagers named Jake and Haley, with the help of Jake’s family, are uniting together against a mysterious organization named M.G.S, which is a dark organization that seeks to destroy the lives of two brothers named Edgar and Jimmy, who are Jake and Haley’s friends. To be under the power of this organization is dangerous and is putting people in harm’s way. The brothers are crying for help, also many more people, people very close to Jake and Haley. This situation calls for a brave hero to stand up for these oppressed people. Who would this hero be?

Jewel: Why was this book important to you to write at this time in your life?


Fia: This book is important to me, because it describes the strong power of selfless love, a love without boundary, ready for any challenge, maybe even sacrifice. In the society we live right now, it is rare to find this love; it is only in God that we find this kind of love. However, God can work through us; he can show us that loving our neighbors, enemies and humbling ourselves–this is the kind of love that he looks for.

In my book, this love is stressed when the people cry out and someone steps in, due to love and not profit, to protect them. In this book also, unity is stressed: the willingness of people to work together, to achieve a big goal and to make a tremendous change.

Jewel: Who do you want to reach with your book?

Fia: This book applies to everyone: adults, teens and children. The dark organization that oppresses us in this life is our different kind of problems: spiritual, financial, educational, social, etc. In this postmodernist time, people are crying out for help, because they feel oppressed, enslaved, threatened, shaken, and it seems like there is no way out. In the society, however, everyone has his or her own problems to face too. To whom should we turn? We know that we should turn to God, but God also mostly work through people. Would there be someone out there willing to step in for us? Willing out of love? Willing for Love?

This book, through the story of the friends and what they do for one another, would help us understand and see the pure power of this love and would even guide us and teach us to apply this love in our lives. This book also stresses the potential of unity and harmony, which is just what our society needs.

Jewel: What other plans do you have for the future? Do you plan to write any other books?

Fia: Willing For Love is my first book but it will not be the last. I enjoyed writing so much that I felt that I want to use this talent to honor God for the rest of my live.

There will be other stories in the future and they, like this one, will have messages for different kinds of people and for the society. Traveling along with the characters, each of us would find more meaning of our lives and will come to a closer interaction with dreams and ourselves.

Jewel: You are a young woman doing something that many young people would not believe they could do at this time in life, what would you say to someone else your age that wanted to write a book? How can you encourage someone else to reach out and begin to accomplish his or her goals even now in life?

Fia: I just want to say that if you want to write, write! Writing is not about showing off your ability in literature or writing; it is translating your dreams into words, that means making your dreams of wanting to share something–story, advices, suggestions, personal experience and testimony.

Write because you want to, not because you have to for various reasons. The only condition is to find happiness in what you do: to enjoy and have fun writing. This is the first step.

Do not worry about the professional side when you write; worry only about having what you want to write written down and finished. Do not worry about the reaction of the people around you either; this is something you want to do and thus believe in yourself. Surround yourself with encouragers and finish what you have started. If by any means, you meet with something that discourages you along the way, remember that many writers before you have faced the same things and have conquered it, meaning you can do it too. Be persistent and enjoy what you do! May God bless you while using your talent(s) to bless others!

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

http://www.fiavonji.com/

You can read some of Fia’s story on her page. This information is taken from that page:

Fiadanantsoa Vonjimalala has always loved books ever since she was little. Reading fiction is one of her favorite hobbies and it has been one of her greatest dreams to write her own book and share with the readers the pleasure and happiness she has always found in books.



She started by writing short stories and plays when she was nine years old. In junior high, the theater club she was part of decided to perform some of the plays she had written during school festivals. The audiences so loved their performances that the school awarded the club first prize for the excellence of the stories they played.

In High School and now in College, her love for reading only intensifies and she feels even more dedicated to write.



After writing various short stories, she is now starting to write real books with Willing For Love as her first one. She invites the readers to enjoy this touching story, which shows the value of family and friendship ruled by love, and she hopes that the readers will find their own places and roles in this story as well, as they travel along with the characters.

Teaching Notes

STAND REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU SEE

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,[a]' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. - Matthew 24:3-14

As I was preparing to write for this month, I wondered what would be a good topic. Then I read some one's post on Facebook. They wrote, "Earthquake felt around the world, 2012 here early." Many of you know about the 2012 rumor. It is mostly based on a movie that came out that says the earth will be ending in the year 2012. However, I wanted to remind us that even though we see these events, we should not be worried.
 
Why shouldn't we worry? Well worry is that these things are happening and no one is in control of the outcome. Yet there is someone in control, God. Jesus spoke in the scripture we are using this month to his disciples about his return.
 
Jesus tells them that in that time before his return, there would be famines, wars and rumors of wars. There would be earthquakes but he says even more importantly is that there will be those that will try to deceive you into believing they are the true Christ. Can I tell you we have that today? There are cults and religious movements that have said their leader is in fact "the Christ". Yet Jesus warns his disciples do not be tricked by these lies. He also warns do not let your hearts be "cool" toward the truth of God's word.
 
This is the most dangerous of all the things mentioned. If you or I allow our hearts to grow cold toward God, we will miss the reward of being with God eternally. What then is Jesus' message to his disciples then as well as now? He is first telling his disciples then, of the direct prosecution that would befall them. They lost their lives for the advancement of the Gospel that you and I now enjoy. He is also speaking to us today not to be deceived by individuals or religious groups telling you when the earth will end. Jesus let's us know these things we see all point to a time when God's perfect plan will be culminated, but only he knows. It could be in 12 years, 212 or 2112 years; only God has that date no one  else. More important for you and I to concern ourselves with is, when is our appointed time with God and if we are ready to meet him? Today is some one's appointed time to meet God, yet the entire world may not be aware of it. Daily people die and our concern as believers should be to make sure we tell as many people as we can about Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation.
 
If anyone tells you Christ has returned or that they know the exact time of Christ return, Jesus warns do not be deceived. What are we to do then when we see earthquakes, famines and events that are shattering the lives of people? We need to be Jesus in those times. We are to offer our help, our prayers and the witness that Jesus said these things would come but he promises to return to gather all those that live for him.
 
How can you be a light in this dark time? How can you give hope to those that suffer such events as earthquakes and such? How can you examine your life in comparison to this scripture? Have you allows this truth that Jesus spoke about people growing cold to be on that includes you? If you do not want to drawn into a coldness against God, what do you need to do to change that? These are some of the questions we need to ask ourselves this month and meditate on how we can be ready to stand for God no matter what we see or what we hear.
 
Prayer: Lord, this month we ask you to help us not to be afraid of the things we see. Help us to first make sure we are in a right standing with you. Then help us to be a light in this dark world. Help us to offer you to those suffering from the events of our world; famines and the such. Help us not to be deceived by those telling us you have already returned, or that they know the time and hour of the end. Only God knows that and he simply tells us to be ready at all times so that when you return we are ready to be with you. Help us and others learn to love you with our whole hearts. Amen.

Teaching Notes - Febrary 2010

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God.".... - Psalm 53:1a

Don't be foolish! Today there are so many different beliefs regarding God and his power that I cannot place them all in this short lesson. However, there is one believe that I want to touch on. You may have heard of an atheism. Did you know there are different types of atheist? The one I want talk about is "practical atheism".

What does that mean? An atheist believes that there is no God. Some believe there is a God, but his is hidden from view (Conceptual atheism). Practical atheism is applied to a person that believes there is a God, however he really doesn't have any use for him in his life.

Can I tell you there are some indivduals that call themselves believers, but are actually practical atheist? What do they look like? The are average people that go about their lives doing things, taking care of life's stuff, but not really acknowledging God in the process.

Oh, they may go to church on Easter, Christmas, and well they may even go even more often. But stuff like reading your Bible, praying, fellowship are not things that they think much about. God has a purpose surely in their lives? Yes he does, when things get to hard for them to handle or control, then the need for God arises. But as soon as everything goes back to normal, they God really doesn't exist.

What's the danger of that? The scripture for this month of February is a short but a powerful one. If we say there is no God, we are foolish. Well you might say the person presented before didn't really say God doesn't exist, so how does he/she qualify as a fool?

It is foolish to think that God is not the God of everyday. God does not want to be our God only when we face difficulty or things we cannot handle. We are really no better (in fact we are worse) than the atheist that says God does not exist. It is time to take an inventory of your actions. Do you spend time before God in your word? Do you spend time with God in prayer? Do you take time each day to try and encourage someone, or present the truth of the Gospel to some one? Are you ashamed to tell others you go to church or are a Christian? After you examine yourself, where do you find yourself standing?

Are you in a place where God is pleased, then continue to walk with him and allow him to use you. But what if you find yourself in a place where you are functioning as a "practical atheist", what should you do? It is time today to turn around from the path you are on and begin to live for God "actively". To say there is no God either in word or deed is foolish as the Bible says.  Seek God and ask him to help you in your walk with him.

Challenge: What will you do differently in February to jumpstart your growth in Christ?

My Prayer:  Lord we do not want to be like the foolish people that say you are not real. Help us to not only speak the truth about you, but help us to live it out. We do not want to live contrary to your word. Equipped us to speak to others that may feel likewise. Help us not to be afraid or to back down from your truth. Help us to speak it in love and allow your Spirit to touch the hearts of others so they too can know you surely are alive. Amen.