Jonah 3:10 NIV
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.”
Sounds a little strange, doesn’t it? Jonah got angry when God showed mercy. The issue wasn’t that God showed mercy, it was the people to whom God was showing mercy. They were Ninevites, enemies of Israel. Jonah felt that God should only be loving toward His chosen people, the Israelites. When God opened to door to a foreign nation Jonah became resentful.
I know, it seems like some people don’t deserve God’s mercy, but you and I don’t deserve it either. It’s a gift given freely because God loves us. And God loves all people. By the power of the Holy Spirit, working through God’s Word, you and I have come to faith in Jesus and God’s mercy is ours. God desires the same for all people and He’s given us the privilege of being His messengers to those people. Start in your circle of influence.
Relient K has a line in one of their songs that states, “The beauty of grace is that it makes life ‘not fair’. It may seem unfair to us that God would want to share His grace and forgiveness with people so much ‘worse’ than us, but none of us are ‘good’ in God’s eyes apart from Jesus. Share Jesus with others so they can share in the same blessings that we don’t deserve!
Peace,
Pastor Prigge
This Sunday at Victory
8 and 10:45 a.m. Worship – Jonah part 2 – ‘God Relents, Jonah Resents’
(Followed by a Congregational update from the Board of Directors)
9:30 a.m. Bible study – Does the Bible contradict Itself?
See you Sunday! Bring a friend!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Vitamin- August 20, 2009
Jonah 1:12 NIV
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea.”
Those were Jonah’s words to the crew of the ship upon which he was sailing. Why? What could possibly cause someone to request that they be thrown over board?
Long story short…Jonah had disobeyed a direct order from God. God said, “Go to Nineveh.”, Jonah headed for Tarshish. Not a good idea. The LORD caused a storm to strike the boat and it put the lives of everyone on board in danger. Because of Jonah’s stupidity and sinfulness, others were in danger of dying.
When faced with the harsh reality, Jonah accepted responsibility and said, “Throw me into the sea.” Better that one die than everyone on board! When Jonah went overboard, the sea was calm…
Ever wonder how your sins adversely affect those around you? Think about it.
Thankfully, Jesus paid the price for those sins. Again, better than one die than all of us. God loves you. You are forgiven. You have been sent to share that love and forgiveness with others. Don’t ‘go to Tarshish’, ‘go to Nineveh’. Start now, with the first person you see.
Hey, read through Jonah chapters 1-2 before worship on Sunday. It’ll take about 7 minutes and will be great preparation for the message this Sunday. Thanks!
Pastor Prigge
THIS (Saturday and) SUNDAY AT VICTORY
Saturday: 6 pm Grown up Get Together at Pastors – We’ll be throwin bean bags. Bring a snacky item or veggies and dip and your beverage of choice.
Sunday: 8 and 10:45 a.m. – worship – “Jonah: Lessons From A Man Who Ran”
9:30 a.m. – Bible study – “Does the Bible Contradict Itself?”
Noon – CHURCH PICNIC! BACKYARD! JUST COME!
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea.”
Those were Jonah’s words to the crew of the ship upon which he was sailing. Why? What could possibly cause someone to request that they be thrown over board?
Long story short…Jonah had disobeyed a direct order from God. God said, “Go to Nineveh.”, Jonah headed for Tarshish. Not a good idea. The LORD caused a storm to strike the boat and it put the lives of everyone on board in danger. Because of Jonah’s stupidity and sinfulness, others were in danger of dying.
When faced with the harsh reality, Jonah accepted responsibility and said, “Throw me into the sea.” Better that one die than everyone on board! When Jonah went overboard, the sea was calm…
Ever wonder how your sins adversely affect those around you? Think about it.
Thankfully, Jesus paid the price for those sins. Again, better than one die than all of us. God loves you. You are forgiven. You have been sent to share that love and forgiveness with others. Don’t ‘go to Tarshish’, ‘go to Nineveh’. Start now, with the first person you see.
Hey, read through Jonah chapters 1-2 before worship on Sunday. It’ll take about 7 minutes and will be great preparation for the message this Sunday. Thanks!
Pastor Prigge
THIS (Saturday and) SUNDAY AT VICTORY
Saturday: 6 pm Grown up Get Together at Pastors – We’ll be throwin bean bags. Bring a snacky item or veggies and dip and your beverage of choice.
Sunday: 8 and 10:45 a.m. – worship – “Jonah: Lessons From A Man Who Ran”
9:30 a.m. – Bible study – “Does the Bible Contradict Itself?”
Noon – CHURCH PICNIC! BACKYARD! JUST COME!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Grown Up GTG on Aug 22nd
Don’t miss the “Grown-Up Gathering” at Pastor Prigge’s house on Saturday, August 22nd, at 6:00pm. Conveniently located at 18020 Evenston Road in Eden Prairie, come for an evening of hanging out with your goofy church friends, drinking your BYOB (or the ones you manage to bum off your goofy friends) and playing bean bags. Just bring a bag of chips (or something more substantial if you think you may get hungrier than the Fritos you brought (or the Cheetos you bummed off your above mentioned friends.) For more info, call the fine church offices at 952-934-0956 or email revbprigge@victorylcms.org
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Vitamin- August 6, 2009
John 8:12 NIV
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. {15} Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. {16} In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to see things in the light? No, duh. That’s why we have lights in every room, headlights for our cars, streetlights for the streets. We have lights in the oven fridge and garage, and God has made YOU to be a light wherever you go so that others will see the love, mercy and forgiveness of God in you.
That doesn’t mean we always have to be in a good mood. It doesn’t mean we have to fake a smile all the time. It does mean that in every interaction and in every situation we display mercy, grace, humility, patience and forgiveness. When we do that, Christ is shining through us.
Let others see and experience God’s love through you. Shine!
Brightly,
Pastor Prigge
This Sunday at Victory
8 and 10:45 a.m. Worship – Big Hearts, Willing Hands – Let Your Light Shine!
9:30 a.m. Bible study – Review of Small group study – Matthew 6
When it comes to worship during these dog days of Summer, “Come”. “Sit”. “ Stay”.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. {15} Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. {16} In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to see things in the light? No, duh. That’s why we have lights in every room, headlights for our cars, streetlights for the streets. We have lights in the oven fridge and garage, and God has made YOU to be a light wherever you go so that others will see the love, mercy and forgiveness of God in you.
That doesn’t mean we always have to be in a good mood. It doesn’t mean we have to fake a smile all the time. It does mean that in every interaction and in every situation we display mercy, grace, humility, patience and forgiveness. When we do that, Christ is shining through us.
Let others see and experience God’s love through you. Shine!
Brightly,
Pastor Prigge
This Sunday at Victory
8 and 10:45 a.m. Worship – Big Hearts, Willing Hands – Let Your Light Shine!
9:30 a.m. Bible study – Review of Small group study – Matthew 6
When it comes to worship during these dog days of Summer, “Come”. “Sit”. “ Stay”.
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