Sunday Words of Encouragement November 1, 2015

This morning our Sunday School teacher shared Romans chapters 5-8 in The Message. Although several members enjoyed it, I still liked it better in my New American Standard version. Our Pastor’s message was “Floods of Grace”. He noted that grace is undeserved, unmerited favor.

• God Floods us with His Protection.
Naham 1:8. Floods can cause damage but God's flood protects His children and damages or overwhelms the enemy. Isaiah 59:19. We need to be careful to acknowledge God’s protection and chose what we declare as strength in our life.

• God Floods us with His Provision.
God is a God of blessing, if we allow it, and we seek good things to use for His glory. God provided water to the Israelites in the desert. He told Moses to take the rod that he used to part the sea and strike the rock. Exodus 17:5-7. Moses stroke the rock and water will come out. But we have to be careful not to rely on the method or job as the source of provision, instead of being obedient. Later God told Moses to “speak to the rock”
Numbers 20:7-12 God said “speak to that rock” but Moses struck it instead. God still provided the water which rushed out. But God was unhappy that Moses disobeyed. v12 and Deuteronomy 32:51. God will not be angry with us always. He knows our heart and will provide. Do we recognize that the Lord is holy and we can trust in Him? To know Him means to seek to be obedient. God’s blessings flood into us to flow out to others.

• God Floods us with His Presence.
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38-39. “…[b]ut whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14. God gives the Holy Spirit, God dwelling in us. Through Him we are more than conquerors.

We need to ask ourselves: What do you have flowing from your heart and life? Are floods of grace flowing out to others?

I had another song in mind but I found this one instead.

May the Words of My Mouth

A Verse for Today:
2 Corinthians 8:7
7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Lord help me to be obedient to Your guidance and will. Help me to allow Your blessings to flow through me to others. Help my words always be uplifting and point others to You.