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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 pantry conference 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

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

Exodus 13

8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the lord is to be on your lips. For the lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

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It is important to God not only that we remember to do the things He instructs, but also to remember why, and to deal with that knowledge.  Is there an old habit that you do without really remembering why as you do it?  Today, tie a string around your finger to help you remember why…

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#fb #oneyearbible #waukee #dailyscripture

Exodus 12:

7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.9 Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs.10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the lord’s Passover.

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To this day, the community of the Jewish faith still celebrate what is recorded here.  God provides us with these “religious acts” and habits to aid us in remember important things.  What new habit could you form to help you remember God’s provision for you?  Is there an old habit that needs rejuvenating?

#fb #dailyscripture #oneyearbible #waukee

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Exodus 6

6 ”Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”

9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

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God swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that He would provide for them.  Yet the Israelites were enslaved for 400 years.  When Moses reported all that had happened, and what God had said, they “did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” 

Is there harsh labor in your life that discourages you?  How can you lean more fully into the promise God makes to deliver you?  What must you endure and persevere through?  

#fb #waukee #dailyscripture #oneyearbible

Matthew 18

12 ”What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

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Jesus likens “the little children” to the one lost sheep, for whom the shepherd forsook the 99 to go in search of.  Perhaps it’s less about “the little children” than it is about those who are overlooked or taken for granted.  Is Jesus shepherding a lost lamb in your life somewhere?  Is there a flock of 99 somewhere in your life crowding out the little, lost 1? 

#fb #waukee #dailyscripture #oneyearbible

Exodus 3

10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, yout will worship God on this mountain.”

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God has sent us on a rescue mission too.  But He says not to rely on ourselves.  “I will be with you.”  What, or who, is God sending you out to rescue?  And how is He providing for your mission?

#yearlongbible #fb #waukee #dailyscripture