Sunday Words of Encouragement June 18, 2017

Happy Father’s Day to all the father’s out there! 

Our Sunday School teacher lost his father last Friday. He shared part of the eulogy he gave for his father which was lovely. Although he and his family were sad, they had the comfort of knowing his father was a committed follower of Jesus and his hope was in eternal life. 2 Corinthians 5: 1-5.

He then asked for everyone to share characteristics of a father that earthly fathers share with our heavenly father. These are the characteristics that were shared: Love, discipline, forgiveness, grace, encourager, teacher, provider, protector, strong, faithful, trustworthy, kind, patient, giving, compassionate, rewarder, understanding, counselor, wise, they sacrificed for us and they want to talk to us and hear from us.

Those traits that our earthly fathers don’t have are: omniscience, omnipotent and omnipresent.

Pastor continued his Sermon on ‘Dependent’ from James 4:11-17. He noted that as soon as men become fathers they discover they need to become expert at various things. Expert at loving spouse, leadership, managing stress; building, fixing and becoming a prayer warrior. To be an expert we must always learn and improve. (Kids see fathers as heroes and don’t learn until they grow that their fathers are just human.)

But there are two major dangers in becoming 'expert'. First, we look down on others and more importantly, we trust ourselves instead of God. James tell us that we can’t judge others. God never tells men to compare themselves. If you criticize others then you are criticizing God and you may discover that God will defend them against you.

The Point: God is THE expert! This is an indisputable law.

God knows more than we do. He knows what to say. He knows how to use our resources.

Proverbs 3:3-10 tells us to Trust in God… We must learn to surrender to God; to obey Him and cast our nets where He directs.

Trust in God with all your heart; Obey God; cast the net when and where He directs and he will pour out blessings on you. Honor God with your first fruits.
God loves you. Trust Him.

This song fits perfectly for me today:

Verses For Today:
Proverbs 3:7-10 (NIV)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.


Lord, I thank you for the many blessings you have poured out on me and I pray that you help me to submit to You in all things, every day.