Elle is very sensitive to air pollution, and Bangkok registers high on the pollution scale. She has an interesting app that reports air quality called AirVisual. Anyway, she has been coughing despite wearing a mask.
Elle needed to rest and stay indoors to improve her health. William agreed to be available to assist her. William and Elle fly to Chiang Mai this evening and Amy flies back to Cincinnati later tonight.
Speaking of apps, we will return to the Evangelical Church of Bangkok, and they encourage their congregation to download their app for announcements, sermon notes and weekly prayer guides. So I went to the Play Store and downloaded the app before Rob, Amy and I walked about 15 minutes to church. (I love walking to church and hope that we can find a Bible church near us in Virginia Beach. That is my prayer.)
This App is going to be appreciated by readers since I am able to copy and paste organized sermon notes!!!
We found our seats, and I notice this time that sections are roped off so that all of the seats are filled before another row is opened.
This is really smart because it facilitates closeness. In America there are lots of spaces between families and couples and people tend to sit in the back.
Prayer
Father, be the center of everything. Give us ears to hear and lips to answer. Fix our eyes only on You. May our souls find rest in You and You alone.
Forgive us for taking things in our own hands. Encourage us to be the first to yield in an argument. Show us that the quickest way isn’t always the best way.
We need You more than we can ask or know especially when things don’t make sense.
When we are lost, give us direction. Thank you for giving us Jesus. May we never forget that He paid it all.
Thank you for never leaving us, and for providing for us. Gold and silver belong to you.
May You find fertile soil in our hearts. Teach us and show us how we can bring honor to you.
Amen.
Psalms 84:11-12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Offering
Last time they played an upbeat topical video. This week we were encouraged to pray during this time. It was very quiet. Often when there is silent prayer, people get distracted. I liked that these rotating screens kept us on the task of prayer.
Prayer is so important. Protestant churches in South Korea attribute their growth to prayer services every morning at 6am before work. They call it God’s gift to the day.
After all the monies were collected, the pastor remarked that quiet is a gift that we don’t get often. Sometimes it makes us uncomfortable and we try to fill it. Resist and hear the still small voice of God.
(Personally, I LOVE the quiet. When I was working, the radio felt like a noise machine. It set me on edge. Could I be a misophone?)
I think that it is important to mix things up to keep things fresh. An offering will always be collected but what is done during that time can always be a surprise and something that the congregation looks forward to.
The following are the sermon notes taken from the ECB App.
Sermon
Jesus Asks: What Do You Want Me To Do For You?
Scripture – Mark 10:35-52
We were asked to find the scripture on our Bible apps, our Bibles or even on the screen and say Amen when we have located the passage.
James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.”
But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.
Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”