November 2019 Newsletter
SAVE THE DATE | NOVEMBER
11/11 | Veterans Day
11/28 | Thanksgiving Day
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK NOVEMBER 18 - 25 | BRING YOUR SHOEBOXES! SEE DETAILS INSIDE FOR LIVE REMOTE CHICK-FIL-A SCHEDULE
PRAYER CORNER |Join us Thursday mornings at 9 am for prayer
As we turn the corner toward the holiday season, please pray for generous hearts throughout our communities as various churches and para-church ministries collect for Thanksgiving meals and for stocking their food pantries. Please pray also for a successful collection week for Operation Christmas Child and for doors to open for more people to hear the good news about Jesus. As we observe Veterans’ Day, please pray the Lord’s blessings on all the veterans of our country for their service and sacrifice. Finally, may we overflow with thanksgiving to One who gave and gives so much to us!
WHAT MATTERS
by Bill Powell
This morning the subject on the program we air on WMFJ called, “The Briefing”, centered around a Pew research study. The crux of the study was that the number of people who profess to be Christians in our country is on the decline. The stats were in many categories like church attendance, professions and especially among the younger generations. When polled concerning what is your faith, the category called None seemed to be growing the most.
Many would say the church has to become more relevant to the society this will cause more to believe and church attendance will grow. This approach has been the shift for the last decade, yet the numbers continue to shrink. The truth of the matter is that from Adam our nature is bent to sin which is why Jesus came and died on the cross to save us from our sins. We can either follow our nature which is bent to sin or follow Jesus Christ who is the God who made heaven and earth.
Ask yourself the question as Christianity has gone down in numbers, has sin in our country gone up? You would have to be blind to not see that sin is on the rise. The solution is not to become more like the world but to become more like Christ. How do we become more like Jesus? To be more like Him is to know Him and that is done through reading the Bible. (Joh 5:39 ESV) You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness
about me,
As I searched for the scripture that says be not of the world, I noticed the book of John had more to say about the world, more than I have space for. I suggest you read the book of John. To be like the world is to follow the sin of the world. To follow Christ is the way the truth and the life. The world can’t even figure out the difference between males and females. Too many would say. “as long as we love that is what matters”. Is that what Jesus taught? Should we dress immodest, drill holes all over our body and engage in every sexually immoral act? Should we protest, hate, rebel and entertain ourselves into happiness. Just love one another? I think not. To follow Christ and use the scriptures to mold us and shape our society that is the way to happiness and eternal life. Yes, we are to love but we are also to conform. (Rom 8:29) For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
We are in a culture war, and our battle cry is onward Christian soldiers. (Eph 6:13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Let your light shine, read, learn, and understand the Scriptures. Be more like Christ. He is the one who holds the keys to eternal life. What good is it if we gain the whole world but lose our soul? It’s not about numbers. It's about being like Jesus.
(Joh 14:6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
TURKEY, STUFFING, & THANKSGIVING
by Chris Johnson
“Let’s see, I’ll have a little turkey, some of that yummy stuffing, green bean casserole, I can’t miss the yams and I’ve gotta have few of these deviled eggs.” Those are just some of the thoughts roaming though my mind when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. I say “some” intentionally because if truth be told there’s only so much room on the plate so I’ve got to find some extra space or make a double decker out of a few items.
I love food! If you know me well or have listened to me on the radio then you already know that to be a fact. I enjoy all kinds of food and for me it’s not necessarily about the quantity but the quality, the taste and the presentation. This is one of the reasons I enjoy cooking so much, I’m all into presentation. The Thanksgiving dinner will surely be a big part of our celebration this year as family and friends assemble together to rejoice and thank God for His many blessings that he continually pours out on us.
The Psalmist wrote, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing.”
Here at the Cornerstone, we give thanks for each and every one of our listeners! We join the Apostle Paul in saying, “{we} do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in {our} prayers.” What a wonderful joy we have to minister each day to thousands of people around our listening area bringing encouragement and wisdom through the music and the Bible teaching. We pray your holiday season is filled with the joy of the Lord and much thanksgiving!
SOME SMART SQUIRRELS!
by Denisha Stearns
Have you ever tried to imagine the conversation of squirrels in winter? “Sabrina, it’s getting pretty chilly outside this den with not a nut left on the trees. How’re we gonna feed them young’uns of ours?”
“Oh, Sammy, you ol’ salty squirrel! Don’t you remember? We stored up that mess of acorns in all them places in the field. We’ll just go dig us up some, and we’ll be swell.”
Ok, maybe they aren’t really communicating those ideas to each other. Maybe they don’t even worry. But one thing is for sure- our Heavenly Father created them in some special way so that by instinct or thought, they prepare for winter. A recent study about squirrels described the sophistication of their nut gathering, how squirrels organize their caches by quality, variety, and possibly preference. They remember the caches’ locations and return to them when food sources dwindle . How smart!
Human preparation for winter looks just a bit different. Because we live in Florida, we don’t have the winterizing preparations like changing to snow tires and insulating pipes. We do have winters and winter storms, though, that blow into our lives in other ways- as difficulties, adverse circumstances, or sadly, tragedies. I’ve been through quite a few “biggies” in my lifetime, and when on the back side of the storm, I usually wish I had been more prepared. The last thing I may want to do In the middle of the storm is get my Bible and try to meditate on God’s Word through my tears or in anger. Thankfully, consolation and clarity seems to come from a verse or a truth in Scripture I had hidden in my heart at some earlier time, which the Holy Spirit then dug up for me when I most needed it.
Similar to the squirrels’ nuts, I am learning that an adequate cache of spiritual food helps to prepare for the storm’s devastation- emotional distress, despair, and even nearly inconsolable grief. Sinclair Ferguson in his book, Deserted by God? explains, “A mind well stocked with the knowledge of Scripture is a great preservative from overmuch discouragement.” I agree. Currently, nut-gathering is a joint effort as Hubby and I help each other memorize Philippians 4:4-9 in our morning Bible time. We may have to keep at it a while, but this verse may be what the Holy Spirit consoles us with in our next storm.
If gathering Scripture verses into your heart and mind is difficult or daunting by yourself, could I suggest gathering a friend or two for encouragement? Whether we store up God’s Word in our hearts, our minds, with friends, or alone, our time and efforts in preparing for winter will prove to be a smart idea.
A THANKFUL HEART THIS SEASON
by Christina Hutchinson
Well, well, well, if it isn’t November… One of my FAVORITE months. Not only because we really start to feel a difference in the weather here in the good ol sunshine state, but also because it’s mine and my husband’s anniversary! We’ve been married 7 years on the 17th. The fact that it is has been 7 years is truly remarkable. Time continues to fly by whether we’re ready or not. With that being said, all of the holiday festivities are going to come barreling at us. Through all the busyness, special dates and basking in the sweet fragrance of turkey dinner and pine, let us not forget to thank our Heavenly Father for all of His blessings.
Each year I tell myself I’m going to slow down, breathe, and be present in the moment the Lord has me in. I end up failing. I get preoccupied, impatient, and then before I know it the days have past and we’re in a whole new year. Throughout the next couple months I’m going to remind myself to really focus on a heart of thankfulness. To take my time through each day and really live an intentional life of thankfulness is glorifying to Christ. The season isn’t really about me, my anniversary, or my wants as far as holiday plans. It’s about using this time to share the gospel by showing that I am thankful for a God who saw me in my sins and transgressions, sent His only Son to be born of a virgin, and died on the cross for me so that I might be saved and live in eternity with Him. Lord, help me to see each and every moment of every day, no matter the season or time of year that it is all about you, to be thankful for the moments you’ve put me in, whether mundane or full of exciting new adventures. Most of all, help other to see you glorified through a heart of thanksgiving! Amen.
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The Cornertsone is thankful to have Might As Well Jump Inflatables to our growing number of sponsors. They are an inflatables slide, bounce house, and obstacle course rental business. They host birthdays and other fun events. Their website is www.mightaswelljumpinflatables.com. We are grateful for their support. Their number is 386.846.4837. John 1:3 All things came into being through Him and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
