Sunday Words of Encouragement February 19, 2012

This was a morning where God spoke independently through three leaders to give the same message. That is always so awesome!

Our Sunday school leader had his message on Daniel prepared but was led instead to prepare a tangent lesson on "purification." We have been studying end times and Daniel's prophesies.  Daniel says in chapter 12 verse 10:  "Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand."

Our teacher explained the process of purifying or refining.  We actually had a man in class who used to be an iron smelter so he gave even more supporting detail.  The purifier sits before the crucible and monitors the heat of the fire and level of melted gold, adding the necessary flux (laundry soap/bleach), until the dross (waste) is removed and the smelter can see himself reflected in the gold. (See Malachi 3:1-4).  We may go through trials (the fire), but with the influence of the Holy Spirit, God's word, meditation, and church friends (the flux) we can give up the impurities (dross) in our life so that we become more like our Creator and Savior. We can have joy even in times of trouble as the trials prepare us to seek God more fully. James 1:2.

Our worship leader picked songs this morning included that included Get Ready for Revival, Days of Elijah ("And these are the days of great trial, Of famine and darkness and sword, So we are the voice in the desert crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord") and I Hunger and Thirst for You.

Our Pastor's message was entitled Rivers in the Desert. He reminded us not to be depressed or discouraged in difficult and dry times because God makes 'a new way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.' Is 43:19.

If we do not experience the desert then we may not recognize our need to seek God's help. Yet He is the only supply we ever truly need. The desert triggers the Divine supply. God is a God of transformation. The enemy brings desolation, desertion and dryness, but God will provide a way out and a new road. Only God (not drink, drugs or any other addiction) can fill the empty, dry places within us. We always have a hope if we have faith in God.

Thank you to my church team for being open to be led by the Spirit so that the word and message are affirmed!

I wish I could have found a different version of this song
but surprisingly I only found one other.

The speaker gives a nice invocation and the song starts at 1:40.

I Hunger And Thirst
Verse 1
I hunger and thirst for You
I hunger and thirst for You
In the desert of my need
You're the fountain that I seek
You're the Living Water I keep running to
I hunger and thirst for You
I hunger and thirst for You

Verse 2
I hunger and thirst for You 
I hunger and thirst for You 
Heaven's Manna Bread of Life 
Fill the emptiness inside
 Nothing else can satisfy me like You do
 I hunger and thirst for You
I hunger and thirst for You

Written by: David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith
CCLI Song No. 4290124

© Copyright 2004 New Spring, a division of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing; dba GreatWorshipSongs.com / CCTB Music (ASCAP)  Licensing through Music Services.

Verses for Today: 

Isaiah 43:18-19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;

   do not dwell on the past.

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!

   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

   and streams in the wasteland. 

I prayed this morning that I will always recognize my need for God and recognize that His Grace is sufficient for me in all things and all times.