Sunday Words of Encouragement May 5, 2019

This morning we had a good Sunday School lesson continuing his teaching on The Resurrection. The church had ministry from Team Challenge. (Although their ministry is always wonderful we missed it this morning.)

Two months ago our Sunday School shared a lesson from 1 Corinthians 10 regarding temptation, testing and tragedy. Temptations are an ongoing issue, different from trials or tragedies in life.

We live in a fallen world with evil around us. Satan is intent on providing plenty of areas to draw our attention away from God. Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Things like sexual immorality, gossip or negative speaking, drugs, gluttony, greed, anger, envy, self-interest and pride.

God is our weight spotter when we are under pressure. He will show you a way out so you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Sometimes we face a situation that is beyond our ability to endure. It is then we need ‘God confidence’. The faith and courage to know that God will help you come through it. Paul went through lots of hardships that many men couldn't bear. So much that he would despair of life… but for God.

Don't allow yourself to be defeated spiritually.

Fleshly concerns hinder the Spirit. We need to stay close to God, study His Word (the Bible), be faithful in prayer. This will condition the Spirit, building strength in faith.

This is a song that fits today’s message.

A Verse for Today:
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Lord, I pray that I will always seek Your guidance and Your way out when ever I am faced with temptation.

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 20, 2014

This morning our Sunday School leader, “G”, concluded his messages regarding idol worship. As part of that lesson he reminded us how important it is for us to share the blessings that God gives to us with others.

We have a men's group, which started at our church but now consists of men from seven different churches. The Band of Brothers meets every Tuesday morning for prayer, bible discussion and breakfast. The group has been experiencing a strong growth and outpouring to help others in the community. “G” shared a testimony of God at work in our midst and in a Haiti minister, “E”, who had visited our church over the past several weeks.

“E” came to the United States seeking work so he could provide for his family and church in Haiti. He was directed to some farm labor in our town but then injured his neck so was unable to continue that work. “G” was led to give some financial help to “E” at the end of Sunday evening service.  The next evening “G” discovered “E” walking along the alley by his home. He called out “My brother!” and embraced “E”. “E” was startled and explained that he was staying at the motel across the street and was walking and praying, seeking God’s guidance. The money that “G” had given him was a God-send as it paid the motel bill and purchased food. “G” invited “E” to join the men on Tuesday morning. “E” was impressed with the warm welcome he received from the men especially because he is a black man and in his country the blacks and whites do not mingle. That day “E” agreed to work with one of the men, a French Canadian. They spent two days in physical labor praising God in French!

“E’ came by to tell “G” that God had directed him to return to Haiti to share the amazing experience of faith he had here. “E” wants to give testimony of how God provided his needs through love from the body of believers. “E” now is convinced that God will provide for him when he returns home and shares this testimony.

Isn’t that an exciting witness of God’s hands at work? How could some argue that all of these pieces were merely ‘coincidence’ rather than the carefully orchestrated steps of God?

We had a US missionary speak and we celebrated communion during service. Pastor shared a brief but powerful message on communing with the body of Christ. Perhaps I will share more of these another time.

I had found one song on service but I kept looking.

I think this song is for "E" and maybe someone else who needs to be reminded that:

God Will Make A Way.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 5:13-14 NIV
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Lord, Thank You for reminding us that Your love is alive and moving in those who seek You and wish to serve You. Help me to be a better servant, to Your Glory.