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Exodus 29

1 ”This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect.2 And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil.3 Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams.4 Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.5 Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.6 Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred emblem to the turban.7 Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics 9 and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance.

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God is directing the writer and His people how to prepare to meet with him.  In Jesus, we don’t need these elaborate things to meet with God.  We come under His blood.  But perhaps we must still make good preparations.  How might you be challenged to carefully and thoughtfully prepare for your life with God on this day?  What can you do to prepare yourself for God? 

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#fb, #waukee, #oneyearbible, #dailyscripture, #prepare

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Psalm 31

14 But I trust in you, lord;
I say, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.

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Following Jesus isn’t a ticket past the hard parts, is it.  But what it is- what it does, is reminds us that God is indeed God, our lives are in His care, and his face shines upon us.  His love is unfailing.  Are you being pursued by enemies?  What are your enemies?  How has God defeated your enemies in the past?  How might an act of service to God become His hand delivering you from your enemy? 

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#fb, #waukee, #dailyscripture, #oneyearbible, #pursued

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Matthew 25

14 ”Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

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Another glimpse into God’s character:  He is one who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.  He has given us great things, out of his wealth.  God gives out of His wealth, to enrich us, and also to enable us to do our missions.  What has he given you?  What does your gift tell you about your mission?  Are you doing it?  Or are you avoiding it?  

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#fb #waukee #westview #dailyscripture, #oneyearbible

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Exodus 23

20 ”See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.21 Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him.22 If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.

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Something about God’s character is revealed in this passage: He goes ahead.  He guards.  He delivers us to the place He has prepared for us in advance.  He speaks.  He empathizes with us against our enemies, pride, greed, and death.  Something about our character is revealed too: We have to choose to follow.  We must strive to listen.  We must seek obedience.  Listen & do.  Where is God leading us today?  What is God saying to us today?  Where must we go?  Where are we being challenged to listen and do?  To obey? 

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#fb #waukee #dailyscripture #oneyearbible #today

2-5-12

Pastor Tom teaches through Genesis 15. In Genesis 15 Abraham became anxious about the promise of a nation being found in his descendants.

Abraham’s response is the model of believing faith: “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” The rest of Genesis 15 consists of a ceremony between Abraham and God that was commonly used in the ancient world to formalize a covenant (Gen. 15:7-21).

Click on the arrow below to listen to the podcast…

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Exodus 18

17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you.

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My bible’s editor’s chose the heading “Jethro’s Wise Advice.”  God often speaks through our friends and mentors.  Do you have a friend who is a “wise counselor”?  What is God saying to you today through somebody’s wise advice?  How might He be guiding and refining your mission? 

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#fb #waukee #oneyearbible #dailyscripture #advice #mission

Consider one of these options!

Marriage Class – will meet in worship center
facilitated by Scott & Erica Obstarczyk – Feb. 12-Mar. 11 (five-week class)

Please join us for a 5-week class on marriage using the MarriedPeople curriculum.  We will look at what Scripture has to say about marriage and discuss the 4 Core Habits of a Great Marriage:

• Have Serious Fun
• Respect and Love
• Love God First
• Practice Your Promise

This class incorporates weekly video segments.  Participant Guide recommended: $8.

Ministry 101 (Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts) – will meet in lower level free clinic waiting room
facilitated by Susan Watson – Feb. 12-26 (three-week class)

God created you for a life of service – a life with a purpose.  Join us for this 3-week course as we explore the person God created you to be and discover how you can be fruitful and fulfilled in a meaningful place of service.

Christians commemorate the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. The purpose of Ash Wednesday is to reflect upon our frailty, our desperate need for forgiveness, and centrality to Jesus Christ’s last days. These themes are symbolized by the imposition of ashes. Ashes. Dark black ashes. Black ashes placed on our foreheads, with the words, “You are dust and to dust you shall return….” Be sure to attend our Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 22.

Many give up something for Lent to remind ourselves of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. But, what if, instead, we added something in Lent? Adding service to the food pantry, daily prayer, reading of scripture or giving one random acted of kindness to someone. By adding something to our life during Lent, we free ourselves from prohibition and engage instead in focusing on others rather than ourselves.

For those who do not follow Lent or some Christians who do not participate in Lent, they often ask what is the deal with marking these “special” days? Michael Horton, in his book The Gospel-Driven Life, suggested why Christians should care about Lent:

“…these special days are valuable chiefly as a teaching opportunity. To be sure, every Lord’s Day is a celebration of Christ’s saving work. Paul seems to have allowed freedom to celebrate old covenant feasts, but upbraided those who bound Christian consciences on the matter, especially with fasts and abstinence. I believe an evangelical celebration of Lent affords an opportunity to reinforce rather than undermine the significance of Christ’s person and work.”

Celebrating Ash Wednesday and Lent can be a meaningful way to encounter God’s love, grace, and mercy in our lives. Ash Wednesday is a day in which we examine ourselves, understand our morality, reflect on God reaching into our world in the person of Jesus and experience our need live out His forgiveness.

What are you adding for Lent?

Think about it.

See you Sunday,

Tom

Christians commemorate the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. The purpose of Ash Wednesday is to reflect upon our frailty, our desperate need for forgiveness, and centrality to Jesus Christ’s last days.  These themes are symbolized by the imposition of ashes. Ashes. Dark black ashes. Black ashes placed on our foreheads, with the words, “You are dust and to dust you shall return….”  Be sure to attend our Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 on February 22nd.

Many give up something for Lent to remind ourselves of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. But, what if, instead, we added something in Lent?  Adding service to the food pantry, daily prayer, reading of scripture or giving one random acted of kindness to someone.  By adding something to our life during Lent, we free ourselves from prohibition and engage instead in focusing on others rather than ourselves.

For those who do not follow Lent or some Christians who do not participate in Lent, they often ask what is the deal with marking these “special” days? Michael Horton, in his book The Gospel-Driven Life, suggested why Christians should care about Lent:

“…these special days are valuable chiefly as a teaching opportunity. To be sure, every Lord’s Day is a celebration of Christ’s saving work. Paul seems to have allowed freedom to celebrate old covenant feasts, but upbraided those who bound Christian consciences on the matter, especially with fasts and abstinence. I believe an evangelical celebration of Lent affords an opportunity to reinforce rather than undermine the significance of Christ’s person and work.”

Celebrating Ash Wednesday and Lent can be a meaningful way to encounter God’s love, grace, and mercy in our lives. Ash Wednesday is a day in which we examine ourselves, understand our morality, reflect on God reaching into our world in the person of Jesus and experience our need live out His forgiveness.

What are you adding for Lent?

Think about it.

See you Sunday,

Tom

Westview is also seeking a part-time Youth Director to oversee our Junior and Senior High Ministries.  The position description is here.

If you are interested in either of these positions, or would like more information, please contact Susan Watson at susan(at)westview(dot)org or 987-3220.

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Exodus 16:

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

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The people didn’t recognize God’s provision when it first appeared.  It was mysterious.  But it was enough.  How might God be surprising you with His provision?  How have you discovered when it was enough for you? 

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#fb #waukee #dailyscripture #oneyearbible

If you have not previously joined as a partner and are interested in doing so, please contact the church office at 987-3220 or Pastor Susan at susan(at)westview(dot)org.

Proverbs 6

16 There are six things the lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes,a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out liesand a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

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By looking at what God despises, we can gain insight into what He values.  What values do you find God cherishing?  How can your life be a magnifying glass for one of those values today?  

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#fb #waukee #oneyearbible #kingdomofheaven