Morganton Wesleyan Church

The Word of God

Beth — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:08:01 +0000

The other day I saw a car with a bumper-sticker that said “if it ain’t King James, it ain’t the Bible”.
Now, I’ve heard people say that before but something about that struck me funny this time.
See, Muslims believe that unless you are reading the Koran in its original language of Arabic this it isn’t really the Koran, you have to read it in its original language, a Koran in any other language would never be able to hold all of the true meaning held in the original. (I also thought about this because I had JUST had a conversation with a co-worker about the Koran)
But God speaks every language! FLUENTLY! As a matter of fact, He created every language! You don’t have to speak a certain tongue for you to understand him. He comes to each of us in ways we can relate to and understand; relevant to our culture and speech.
There’s a reason we are able to translate the Bible into so many dialects and languages, because His word is relevant and true all around the world
2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” (ESV)

', width: 0, height: 0, id: 'tippy_tip1337555882_1825', title: 'Acts 2:1-12', event: event });" onmouseout="Tippy.fadeTippyOut();">Acts 2:1-12 talks about the day of Pentecost and how the apostles preached the message of Jesus in the languages of all the people around them in Jerusalem. My favorite parts are vs. 7-8 “They were completely amazed. ‘How can this be?’ they exclaimed. ‘These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!’” vs. 11b “And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” and vs. 6 “when they heard the loud noise, everyone came running and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers”.
One thing I always love to hear is people pray in another language. We Americans tend to forget that we really aren’t the big leaders in Christianity (hate to tell you this but Jesus wasn’t American) and it seems like we make American Christianity the standard for others to follow (how dare we).
But God speaks every language and is relevant in every culture! You don’t have to change who you are to be with him!! I LOVE it when I’m in a group of people praying and someone starts praying in another language! I have NO idea what they are saying but that doesn’t matter, they are talking to God and He understands them perfectly.
God desires to reach everyone in any way they understand and He can and does every day.
So if you ever think that God isn’t a big deal, you have no way to apply Him to your life, maybe you’re just reading the wrong translation

Happy 40 Days of Suffering

Beth — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:43:47 +0000

Well, yesterday was Ash Wednesday; if you didn’t celebrate this Christian holiday yourself you just might have seen a few people walking around with a spot on their forehead. One time I saw a lady and I honestly thought it was a bruise on her head. It’s actually ash and it’s supposed to be in the shape of a cross but after awhile it kind of becomes just a big smudge.

So what is Ash Wednesday? Why are people walking around with a spot on their forehead?

Ash Wednesday marks 40 days till Easter (minus the Sundays) and is a time of remembering the sacrifices and sufferings of Jesus. We celebrate this for 40 days because Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting a praying after He was baptized. During this time of Lent (the 40 days) we give up something like, one meal a day, chocolate, caffeine, video games, movies, facebook (sorry, it can’t be homework or brushing your teeth), it could be just about anything. Now since these 40 days don’t include Sundays you don’t have fast on Sundays but some people still choose to anyways.

Growing up I don’t think I ever heard of someone giving up something for 40 days before Easter; then when I did hear about Lent and tried to give up something I kept forgetting. It was usually something simple, like chocolate, but I would forget until I was already eating chocolate and then I would think “it’s already in my mouth, might as well go ahead and finish it”. This year I’m giving up sweat tea and it just might be 40 days of suffering unless I drink it on Sundays (I know, I’m pathetic).

Oh yeah, and you might have heard of Mardi gras? Or Fat Tuesday? yeah, that’s the day before Ash Wednesday and as the last day to do whatever it is you’re giving up for 40 days, people like to go a little overboard and have one last party.

Even if you didn’t go to an Ash Wednesday service, or choose to give up something, you can still do it. And every time you would be eating that pit of chocolate or getting on facebook, think about everything that Christ gave up for us, think of all the suffering He went through and how insignificant our sacrifice of sweat tea is in comparison. And take a moment to pray.

Are you up to it?

Who God Made You to Be

Beth — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:30:43 +0000

Think about yourself for a moment; think about what kind of family you have, what friends you have, where you live; they all have helped shape you. But they don’t define you, they’re just part of your story.

Now don’t say it, just think it to yourself, but if there was something you could change, just ONE thing you could change about yourself, what would it be? Now read

13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them. (ESV)

', width: 0, height: 0, id: 'tippy_tip1337555882_2737', title: 'Psalm 139:13-16', event: event });" onmouseout="Tippy.fadeTippyOut();">Psalm 139:13-16, what did this Bible verse say about you? It says that God made you!

God has seen your life since the beginning and He knows every little detail of it. He hasn’t wanted bad things to happen but He knew they were going to happen and is working through them. God has an amazing ability to make good outcomes from bad situations.

But that’s not really what this post is about,

This passage that you just read says that God MADE YOU (read vs. 13-14 again). He knew that you were going to be the way you are right now and He knows what you’re going to be like when you’re 22, 62, and 102.

Have you ever made something? Made some pottery? Written a poem or a song? How did it turn out? Was it perfect? Was it exactly
like you wanted it to be? Unless you’re a professional, probably not, but that’s because we’re humans. But you know what? God doesn’t make mistakes. He loves you just the way you are.

What’s the line they always say at the end of VeggieTales movies? “God made you special and He loves you very much”.

God made each of us for a special reason. We each have different things we’re good at, and things we care about. What good would it do for us all to be the same? What good does it do for each of us to be different?

Now read 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way. (ESV)

', width: 0, height: 0, id: 'tippy_tip1337555882_8285', title: '1 Corinthians 12', event: event });" onmouseout="Tippy.fadeTippyOut();">1 Corinthians 12: 12, 18-21, 27-30. Actually, just go ahead and read 12:12-30, the whole thing is good

God made each of us with different combinations of talents and passions because He made each of us to do different things. When we each do what we were created to do as a part of God’s body, it all works out. Just like our bodies work best when every part works like it’s supposed to. It wouldn’t do much good for your eyes to try and be your mouth hu? And it would look weird if your feet tried to be your hands. The body of Christ does best when we all do our part.

God made no mistakes when He made you and He loves you

Don’t try to be someone you aren’t, let God use you for what you were created to be and do

Our Deepest Fear

Beth — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:19:31 +0000

There is a poem by Marianne Williamson that says “our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure”. I have heard this quote a lot and I love it, but my
personal reaction to it is actually the opposite. MY deepest fear is not that I
am powerful beyond measure, but that I am inadequate, that people expect me to
be powerful beyond measure and I am just not enough.

So, what do you
think about it?

Further on in the
poem it says that “you are a child of God” and “we were born to make manifest
the glory of God within us, It is not just in some, it is in everyone”. As I
was thinking about this today, and why I seem to have such a personal issue
with it, I realized something. Actually I realized 2 things, the first of which
is that I probably have higher expectations on myself than other people do on
me which is something that I need to work on. The other thing is realized is
that, we ARE powerful beyond measure but it is BECAUSE we are children of God! It
is God’s power within us that makes us powerful. He didn’t just put this stamp
of approval on us and walk away, He filled us and keeps filling us every day we
allow Him to with HIS power, to be used for HIS glory.

There is no greater loss in the world than when someone,
for one reason or another, never reaches their full potential.

So what is the ability (greatness) that God has put into
you? Are you using it? For what purpose? By all means, use your gifts; but we
were given these gifts to bring glory to God, not ourselves.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ (yes, I know
Christmas was last week, but it’s too great a holiday to only celebrate for a
day!) and look forward to the new year ahead, take some time to talk with God
and allow Him to show you where and how to use the gifts He has given you. And
shine as a child of God, “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same”

to save a life

Beth — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:18:17 +0000

A few days ago someone opened fire on the Virginia Tech. campus, killing someone and then killing himself. Something tells me this story won’t be in the news nearly as much as the last shooting at Virginia Tech. in 2007. Right now, around the world, there are people in Japan whose houses are under water from a tsunami; children in Uganda are walking miles every night to find a safe place to sleep, and then walk back at dawn to get to school, they do this so that they aren’t taken from their homes and made into soldiers or slaves. People are dying from starvation and dirty water while other people wonder when they can take a vacation to all five of their houses; does any of this bother us? It might bother us a little, but how many of us are upset enough about any of this to actually do something about it? How much do we value a human life? Not just our own or people we know and love, but everyone. What are you willing to do for another person?
In the Christmas season I think about how much Christ sacrificed for us. He gave up heaven to come to earth and be born in a barn and live His life totally misunderstood and then brutally killed while the people He came to save mocked Him. As His people, we are called to sacrifice for others and to show them God’s love just as Jesus did for us. It’s hard, and takes everything, but God is always with us and will help us.
So what are you willing to give to save a life?

Happy Thanksgiving

Jim — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:15:16 +0000

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at MWC. We had a Great time even the Youth Minister joined in.

a life of love

Beth — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:35:19 +0000

I was talking with a pastor the other day about issues we
see happening in Church; people fighting about things that don’t even matter,
people refusing to work together; and it was annoying. Don’t get me wrong, it’s
good to be able to talk about real issues with someone, but these problems
shouldn’t even be there to talk about. And as I read the Bible I see that this
isn’t an old issues, you see it throughout Church history of people arguing
about things, refusing to bet a long, and acting like kids who would be
spanked. But why? Why do we say we have the spirit of Christ, who is holy and wants
to make us more like Him, and yet we act nothing like him at all! Why is that? Could
it be that we don’t really have the Spirit of Christ in us?

Real quick, read
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (ESV)

', width: 0, height: 0, id: 'tippy_tip1337555882_5169', title: 'Ephesians 4:3', event: event });" onmouseout="Tippy.fadeTippyOut();">Ephesians 4:3 and then 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

And I will show you a still more excellent way. (ESV)

', width: 0, height: 0, id: 'tippy_tip1337555882_4279', title: '1 Corinthians 12', event: event });" onmouseout="Tippy.fadeTippyOut();">1 Corinthians 12, don’t worry, I’ll wait…

There is a quote that isn’t in the Bible but it just
about could be. It’s a song but Carolyn Arends that says “They well know we are
Christians by our Love”. I say it could be in the Bible because people quote it
enough and because there are multiple passages to support what it says. God has
called us to a life of love, as well as peace; and no matter how hard we try we
will never achieve these without the work of Christ in our hearts. Trying to
achieve true peace and love in your life is noble, but unachievable, it can
only be reached with total surrender to Christ.

What’s really amazing is that, not only is it impossible
to live in true peace with others without God’s help, but God WANTS to help us!
How easy is it to forget that God is LOVE and desires to fill us with that
love?

In the book of Acts it talks about the first Church in
the world, the Body of Believers, those first filled with the Holy Spirit after
Jesus returned to Heaven. This group of normal humans with an abnormal Love
lived in total unity, they gave of themselves so that no one in the group had
unmet needs, and they stayed focused on the reason they were there which was to
bring others to Christ. I love the book of Acts because it shows that this life
that God calls us to is actually reachable! It isn’t impossible with God’s help
and it is what God wants for all of us.

So when was the last time you asked God to fill you with
His Love and allowed Him to do as He wished with your life?

Happy Veterans Day

Jim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:13:41 +0000

Happy Veterans Day Thank God for all the men and Women who have Served.

Halloween Festival at MWC

Jim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:35:01 +0000

Church member joined in the Fun at our Halloween Festival. The Ladies Served Free Hot dogs to everyone that came out. There was prizes for the Dart throw and the Bean bag toss.

New Life

Beth — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:11:27 +0000

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “I am SO excited to be back in the mountains!” I am a nature person and I LOVE snow! Winter time in the valley where brown and dead is the norm just doesn’t cut it for me. The mountains really are my home.
Well it’s still fall outside and while watching the leaves change colors and fall I’ve been thinking about life and how perfectly nature seems to represent it. In Fall everything starts to die, leaves change into the brightest colors as if to say “I’m not going to just die, I’m going down with a fight” (and whoever decided that Fall was a time to wear dark colors hasn’t spent much time outside). In the winter every bit of earth gets covered in a giant, warm, white blanket of snow, putting everything in a peaceful sleep before the next big show. Spring time brings life and beauty, some of the most brilliant examples of new life displayed in baby animals, flowers and in plants coming back to life. And summer shows life moving on, things no longer really new but still very much alive.
It’s hard to decide which season is my favorite but I’m going to focus on Fall right now because a) we’re in it, and b) it shows how death is necessary for life. When a tree lets go of its leaves it is making room for new leaves, for growth, the old has to be let go of if something new is to grow. Remember the verse “the old has gone, the new has come” (17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (ESV)

', width: 0, height: 0, id: 'tippy_tip1337555882_2757', title: '2 Cor. 5:17', event: event });" onmouseout="Tippy.fadeTippyOut();">2 Cor. 5:17)? The Bible is full of examples of God making things new; new names, new life, new laws. God desires to make us new, but we have to let go of the old if we are truly going to embrace the new. 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV)

', width: 0, height: 0, id: 'tippy_tip1337555882_6223', title: 'Eph. 4', event: event });" onmouseout="Tippy.fadeTippyOut();">Eph. 4: 22-24 says “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” I know that there are times when I know that God has something great in store for me and I’m excited and ready for the next thing, ready to move on. But I can’t move on to the new without first letting go of the old. Ever tried wearing 2 pair of pants at the same time? It just doesn’t work.
So what are we not letting go of? What is God calling you to let go of in order for Him to bring you to something new? Isn’t it funny how we want things to change, we want better things, but we have gotten so used to how things have been and we don’t know for sure what’s next; it’s like we’re so used to it that we don’t want to let go.
So this is my challenge to you: be like a tree in the Fall, let go of old and get ready for the New Life God just can’t wait to give you
~Know Love
Beth