Weekly Devotional for 6/4/23

And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, ‘If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD’s …’” Judges 11:30-31. Much speculation has been given to whether or not would have given his daughter as a human sacrifice—and how would God have been pleased with such a burnt offering? Or did she remain ever a virgin instead? All this takes the focus off the terrible state of God’s leader seeking to make a deal with God—like someone with little faith might try to manipulate Him! God is not like the genie in Disney’s Aladdin, who could be tricked into giving more wishes. Nor is He a senile grandfather who’s forgotten that He’s already given his grandkids dollar bills. Rather, submitting to the sovereign and omnipotent Creator, we trust that there’s nothing He needs from us (Acts 17:24-27), and yet He is good and works for our good. We must not be like kids vowing to care for a puppy with promises they will never keep if only their father will buy it for them, but rather know that our heavenly Father knows best and will answer us with whatever is best for us. 

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“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11. It takes childlike faith to believe that if we ask we will receive, seek and we will find, and knock and the door will open—all by a Father who loves us. And that is what we see in the simple hymn, “Father, We Thank Thee.” Quoted in the 1882 book, “The Story of Patsy,” by the same author of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” the simple lyrics, later put to music by the widower Daniel J. Batchellor, were written by Rebecca (same one???) Weston for her kindergarten students in Boston: “Father, we thank Thee for the night, And for the pleasant morning light, For rest and food and loving care, And all that makes the day so fair. Help us to do the things we should, To be to others kind and good, In all we do, in work and play, To grow more loving ev’ry day.” What a great reminder this is even for adults that God has given us all good things and looks to give all His children good gifts. As Jesus reminds us: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 18:3. 

Search TV June Programs

JUNE 4 – WE NEED THE CHURCH
Many people think you can be a good Christian without being
a member of any church. Is church necessary? For an answer 
to that question, we must take time to examine what the 
New Testament says about the church.

JUNE 11 – YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE
The Bible is the best-selling book of all time and comes 
today in hundreds of languages. Some think the Bible is 
too hard to understand. We ask, “What does the
Bible say for itself? Can we understand the Bible?”

JUNE 18 – MORALITY
In a morally confused world, how can we know right from 
wrong? While many appeal to their feelings, experiences, 
and cultural norms, Christians turn to the Word of God 
as their standard for morality.

JUNE 25 – WHATEVER
Many people say there is a God, but they are not sure 
about the truth. Some today call this the “whatever” 
generation, because people accept whatever morals or 
ideas anyone suggests. 
Is it wise to believe whatever you hear?

Centennial Form

We are asking each member at 36th Street to fill out a Centennial information form.

Please click this link to access the form:

https://form.jotform.com/220774339453157

Also, if you know of former members or others connected to 36th Street in any way, please give them this link and request they fill out a form.

This is an automated form, so all you have to do is click 'submit'.

Thank you!

ONLINE GIVING IS NOW AVAILABLE (TITHE.LY)

We are now able to accept contributions and donations online. 

YOU CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OR DONATION HERE:

https://tithe.ly/give?c=1322070

DO YOU HAVE A MEMBER ACCOUNT?

Attention:  36th Street Members

Our website contains much useful information for you as a member of the 36th street congregation.  We are updating and improving www.36thstreetchurch.com on an ongoing basis.

In order for you to take advantage of the full (members-only) benefits of the site, you need to set up a personal account on the site.  It's easy to do - just go to the homepage of the website and click on the 'MEMBERS' tab and select 'REGISTER' from the drop-down menu.  You will need to complete the form there and set up a username and password.  Your request will be forwarded to a web administrator, who will review the form and set you up in the system.

We encourage you to access the website and see how it can benefit you.

Thursday, June 08, 2023