Sunday Words of Encouragement July 16, 2023 - The Right Priorities

Our Sunday School teacher continued the study in James with James 1:19-21. James was telling the people to seek wisdom from God and to control temptations. In this morning’s verses the message is to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Anger operates similar to an uncontrolled fire which is destructive, or a controlled fire which can provide maintenance.

Anger is natural, but people need to find a positive way to express their anger. There is too much anger present in our society today. Human anger doesn't produce justice. Righteous anger produces just action. Stay in your lane. Exercise Control.

Today’s sermon was based on Matthew 6:33 and could be titled “The Right Priorities”. Matthew 6:25-33.

Even if we don't plan it, we all have priorities. Pastor reminded us of the movie Up where the dog, Dug, would be totally distracted by the squirrel. Believers shouldn't be distracted by the things of the world.
Believers need to be eternally minded. Matthew 6:19-21.

God knows what we have need of. He takes care of the plants and birds who do what they are designed to do. He will take care of His people, but we too need to do our work. Matthew 6:25-32.

Sometimes we say I need something when it's really a want. Believers should not be preoccupied with earthly matters. “Your Will be done” is the first thing we are told to pray after recognizing God as our father who is entitled to worship. Matthew 6:5-15.

We need to seek His Kingdom, Peace, and Joy. We get entangled with things of the world that take our attention. But if we seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, then everything else will follow. Seeking God is putting emphasis on the right relationship. Asking “God lead me”.
Seek peace by being in right relationship.
Seek joy though the Holy Spirit.

Make God’s Kingdom a priority and blessings follow. God provides for and rewards his followers. Submit to God and let the “Main thing be the main thing.”

This song came to mind right away: First Thing First:

A Verse for Today:
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


Lord, Help me submit to You, to Seek You and Your Kingdom!

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 16, 2023 - A Spiritual House

I was a little slow this morning so I missed Sunday School. The only plus was I was early for church and got to greet many people.

Pastor finished up the sermon series started before Easter. The scripture was 1 Peter 2:1-6.
Sometimes independent people say they want “nothing to master me or control my life”. And sometimes God is speaking to us and we aren't listening. The question is whether we are willing to listen and allow God to guide our lives.

As a new baby longs for milk, so we should long for the things of God. 1 Peter 2:2. Each believer is a part of God's kingdom and church; part of the body of Christ. Once we accept Christ, we enter a building process. God is building a place for himself. He is weeding out the bad characteristics.

Our lives should change as we experience God. A person who must yield when they come to Jesus. It is more than a decision, it is an experience. There is a new beginning as the new believer is made new. Jesus works a transformation, from inside out. To be transformed, you must allow Christ control of your life.

The believer becomes a living stone. There will always be some people who will reject God. But Jesus is precious. He is worthy to be worshiped. To follow Jesus, He must become the centerpiece of our life.

The living stone will allow God to build a spiritual house. 1 Peter 2:5. God specializes in breathing life into death. It is essential to let God be the builder. As the contractor works with supplies, it isn’t enough just to buy the materials. The raw material needs to be cut and fit into the planned design. Each person is the equivalent of just a 2 x 4.

The destiny of a Christian is to live a life for God, not be the most popular on the Internet. It is not really important to get the credit as the credit really belongs to God. Do we let God direct our service?

God is building a Holy Church, a Holy people. We each should be seeking holiness, not worldliness. God created you to worship, to glorify Him. We each are to give spiritual sacrifice. 1 Peter:2:5. When we recognize that we are not satisfied to be on our own, then we become willing to sacrifice to be part of His Kingdom. Our Pastor had to lay down music to be what God wanted him to be – a preacher and a teacher.

Some people are looking for a church where they want to be instead of letting God use them where He wants them to fit. The Body of Christ needs each part. Are we willing to allow God to fit us where he wants us? Are we willing to be built into a spiritual house?

I found this song and think it is wonderful for today’s message. First Things First.

Verses for Today:
1 Peter 2:1-6 NIV
2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”


Lord, I pray that You remain the center of my life and fit me, use me, where You want me. You are worthy of my humble sacrifice.