ZION NEWS: AUGUST

Standing Firm on God’s Holy Word

• “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16 Both the Old and New Testaments are Divinely inspired. Eternal truth with a Godly purpose. His teaching; His rebuking; His correcting; His training. His comprehensive course in why and how to abide in righteousness. No wonder Jesus quoted Deuteronomy when confronted by the devil, “ ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ “ Matthew 4:4
• “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12, 13 God’s Holy Word is alive and always working to accomplish His will. His Word is able to reach and reveal every part of our being. Knowing us fully as we are “predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Romans 8:29
• “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.” 1 John 2:20, 27 When we are born again each of us receives the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which comes from the Holy One. The Father (Job 6:10) or Jesus (John 6:69). We are able to receive direct revelation from God’s Holy Word, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals and teaches the truth of God the Father. The Holy Spirit reveals and teaches as we remain (abide) in Jesus. (John 15:1-17) The Holy Spirit is our personal trainer unto the righteousness of Christ as we stand firm on God’s Holy Word.
• “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20, 21 Let us submit to the Lordship of Jesus and yield to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, thereby fulfilling the will of our Heavenly Father as we acknowledge His Holy Word in our lives.
• We will continue our MZR daily Bible reading. The daily reading keeps us connected to the Lord and one another. The readings will vary in length depending on the subject and number of verses. For example Ruth is best read in one sitting and isn’t very long. I believe our daily reading together is an answer to Jesus prayer in John 17:17. “ ‘ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.’ “

His by Grace,

Chris

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August Message & Scripture

August 2-“Contemptuous”, Numbers 14:5-45

August 9-“Contemptuous 2”, Romans 11:11-24

August 16-“Hope”, Romans 11:25-36

August 23-“Visual Remembrance”, Numbers 15:37-41

August 30-“Interactive Message”, Numbers 16:1-50

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Patient Attention, Valuable Discoveries

For many people, the coronavirus pandemic has been a test of patience — or worse. Medically vulnerable people face an anxious time of hypervigilance. Furloughed workers wait on hold or in lines for assistance. Special events have been canceled or rescheduled. Those not impacted directly deal with assorted frustrations and inconveniences. Many people are learning the benefit of slowing down, being present (even virtually) to others and practicing patient attention. Interestingly, scientist Isaac Newton did some of his best work when the plague forced Cambridge University to close. At home, the inquisitive student invented calculus and developed groundbreaking theories of gravity and optics. Later Newton called 1666 his annus mirabilis (“year of wonders”) and reportedly said, “If I have made any valuable discoveries, it [owes] more to patient attention than to any other talent.” What have you discovered during the Covid-19 crisis? What appreciations have you developed for aspects of life you may have previously taken for granted? What has social distancing taught you about the value of neighbors, church, community volunteering? During the pandemic, what have you learned about persistence and God’s presence? What empathy do you now feel for writers of words such as “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5, NIV)?

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