MATTHEW AND MARK

Today is Thursday.  What an eventful week we have had!  Sunday we did not get to have church because of the snow and ice; Tuesday, we had a major leak show up in our original building that flooded it and destroyed two rooms.  We had a clean up crew going to work on that when on Wednesday, another major leak broke free and flooded our new nursery and the offices and classrooms underneath.  We were working hard moving desks, computers, chairs, everything as water cascaded everywhere!  It was crazy.  The good news is that we are insured with only $1,000.00 deductible per incident, and that one member has already supplied the first $1,000.00 towards the deductible.  I kept my sanity and in perspective, there are only "things", and "things" that can be replaced in time.  For several weeks, work will go forward.  The good news is that we had church last night and had a great time.  People were so glad to have church and just seemed to linger for an hour afterward not wanting to go home.  God has been so good to give us such great people.  Now, here are a few thoughts from God's Word in Matthew and Mark.  1) KEEP BIDDING-  In Matthew 22, we have a parable of a king who invited guest.  There were "bidden to the wedding: and they would not come" (vs. 3)  The will of the King was for them to come to the wedding.  The will of the people was that they were not going to show up.  Again, the king sent servants in verse 4 saying that everything was ready and that they should "come unto the marriage".  In verse 5 it says: "But they made light of it".  They did not want to attend and even killed the servants who brought the message.  Then the servants were told to "Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage."  Now, that is what they did, and when some came not dressed appropriately for the wedding, they were cast out.  Now the whole story is a parable to teach us about how God's kingdom works.  He invites, some reject, some respond, and God knows who means business or not.  Our job is to "bid to the marriage" and find both bad and good as verse 10 tells us; God's job is to sort out who means what.  When I lead a lot of people to Christ, I cannot see their hearts, only God can.  He alone knows who is saved and who is not, but our job is to bid as many as we can!  Let's keep Bidding! 2) TWO TRUTHS ABOUT BIDDING- While we are bidding people to come to Christ, we need to remember two important truths that will keep us going.  In Matthew 28:18-20, we have the great commission.  We see that it is based upon Christ's power in verse 18; and supplies us with a promise in verse 20.  Our bases of service is that Christ has ALL POWER in heaven and earth; our PROMISE is that Christ is with us always, even unto the end of the world.  WE have Christ's Power and Christ's Presence... what more do we need? 3) IMMEDIATELY-  The Gospel of Mark is a gospel of action.  Thirty-five times the phrase "immediately" is used in some form or another.  Things happen fast when the LORD of Creation shows up on earth, and so it was in the ministry of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is a Savior of action and wants to work in our lives and will if we will yield to Him.  He will do the work, but He desires to use a yielded vessel.  Lord, help me to be just that today.  Help me to yield all that I am and all for your glory.  Use me I pray.  Thank you for this day O Lord, and let me say.... I love you!  Amen. Have a blessed day.  I'm looking forward to a day with no more leaks or destruction.  But, whatever the Lord has for us.... it's all good!!  Pastor Mike Mutchler