Sunday Words of Encouragement September 1, 2019

We shared prayer concerns this week and then our Sunday School teacher shared a lesson based on the story of Gideon in Judges 6 and 7. The youth led an engaging time of praise and worship.

Pastor continued his sermon series on Culture Shift.
The first we looked outside the church to note the Point: We must lead people by our lives, to the real Jesus of the Bible. Last week he discussed the need for shift within: the Point: Every person most positively contribute to a culture of KINDNESS.

Pastor recalled when he and his wife were young newlyweds that had very little. They were more than happy to accept the hand-downs from family and friends. After a number of years they decided they could upgrade by replacing grandma’s slow cooker with a new one. They had three yard sales where they got a lesson on the value of their items. It became clear that their time was more valuable than the amount they gained at the sales.

We have to make choices every day on how we use our time. Some choose to go to Sunday School as more important than staying in bed. Some choose to go to Church as more important than going to the beach. (Some could choose to go to church on the beach.)

What value do we give to God? Do we truly worship our God or do we push Him to the sidelines and only seek Him when we are desperate? Is our promise of satisfaction in God or something or someone else?

Church events are only part of worship. When do we commit to unconditional worship? Nothing compares to God and being in His presence. Can we, will we remove what hinders our unconditional worship?

John 4 tells the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman. The woman asks about worship in v19 and Jesus discusses worship in v20-24 concluding: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.

A lifestyle of worship. We need to hear God's voice. It has been said: Worship is an expression of God's worth in our lives.

The Point: The only way to truly worship God is to find all our satisfaction in Him.

Paul urges us to offer our “bodies as a living sacrifice,…” Romans 12: 1-2.
We may have to change how we think. We did to commit that God is above everything else. It may change our values, our priorities.
Everyday we have a choice.
Do you need to adjust your priorities in your life? Who or what do you find satisfaction in before God?

This was one of our worship songs this morning and it certainly fits the message: 

Build My Life.

Verses for Today:
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


I pray Lord that you will help me every morning to remember that You alone deserve the first place in my life and time.