Sunday Words of Encouragement June 29, 2014

Pastor's Sermon this morning was based on the example of Zaccheus in Luke 19:1-10.  Zaccheus was a chief tax gatherer with the unpleasant reputation that went along with that position. Although he had power he knew something was missing in his life. He was a short man who had to make an effort to climb a tree to seek Jesus. God fore-knew Zaccheus' circumstances and placed a tree where it was needed. Jesus knows our needs and will meet our needs where and when we seek Him.

When the religious leaders and others grumbled about Jesus meeting with sinners like the tax collector, Jesus said:  “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” v 9-10.

God can use anything and anyone who submits. We need to want to know Jesus. We need to know that we are in this world but not of it. Zaccheus made a choice, a decision to seek Jesus and then to turn from his wicked greed. We must choose, make a decision each day, to seek Jesus, to live as He wants us to and to show His love to others.

Consider your lifestyle and possessions. Are you self sufficient or are you relying on God?  If you own something that you can't give away, it owns you; it is the equivalent of an idol. If God doesn't have you're resources, He doesn't have you.

This is a fairly simple praise song but it says a lot.
Make Me a Servant

Verses for Today:
Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV)
26 "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I pray that the Lord will remind me each day to be a servant.