Sunday Words of Encouragment January 24, 2016

We had good Sunday School and church service this morning. Brother Hall continued his testimony sharing how God provided for medical and housing needs for his young family back in the 1960s.
Next we had an awesome, spirit-filled time of sharing in communion.

Pastor’s Sermon was titled: Will He Find Faith on Earth? It was based on the parable in Luke 18:3-8. Some of us know this as the parable of The Persistent Widow and others know it as the parable of The Unjust Judge. The message is “Perseverance pays off”. Do we have persistent faith? Are we standing on the promises of God by faith?

Our faith needs to be supported by action. In the time of Jesus, widows had no support; orphans had nothing. A man’s inheritance would go to a brother if there was no son. Woman and children had no voice. The children could be sold into slavery or left to starve. This widow woman had promises of support from her deceased husband and she was persistent seeking justice. She had faith that she could get what was due her. The Unjust Judge relented so he wouldn't get ‘a black eye’. But it was God who rewarded her perseverance. Jesus wants us to look after widows and orphans. James 1:27.

Pastor shared the story of Emmett Smith as an example of persistent. Smith became the NFL's all-time rushing leader over 13 years by running 9.5 miles. His average carry was 4.3 yards a run. This meant he was knocked down over 4,000 times but kept getting up.

George Mueller was an evangelist who said that we should never give up. He prayed 63 years for the salvation of a certain man, who in fact accepted Christ at Mueller’s death.  Our calendar may be different than God’s eternal calendar but He will bring justice quickly when it is His time.

Like the widow, we can stand on God’s promises. We can claim: “God said it, I believe it.”  We need to set “feet to our faith”. Do not allow yourself to be double minded. James 1:6-7. Our confidence is in His Will; we can trust Him. 1 John 5:14-15.

Never Give Up. Hold on. Keep the faith. Daily live and occupy this foreign world. Don't just wait until He comes.

I found this song which fits beautifully with this message!

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

Verses for Today: 1 John 5:14-15
14This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

It is my goal to be found faithful when He returns. I will not give up my faith and hope!