Sunday Words of Encouragement February 2, 2020

Our Sunday School teacher continued his lesson, this week titled “What is behind the door?”
Cain knew God's word but he overrode it and murdered his brother.
Genesis 4:3 reads: “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord…” Cain brought some of his crop, not the best, and he made his offering “in due course of time”. When he got around to it, rather than as a first priority. God said, ‘do the right thing’… “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7.

Cain had a heart issue; he was jealous of his younger brother. Cain let his thoughts motivate the sin, fueling his anger. What comes out of the heart defiles you. Mark 7:20. 1 John 3:4-8.
The heart can and will deceive us. Enticement is lying in wait for us if we yield; if we allow it. Sin wants to control. We have to resist, subdue the thought, control the temptation.

Satan uses sin to cause sinful action because sin separates us from God. Sin grows in the thought life. Sin results in spiritual death. Cain left the Lord's presence. Genesis 4:16.
Satan, the enemy, makes you think you can't control the sin. But we are the ones who allow sin; therefore we can guard against sin.
We must take control of thoughts; it is a battle of the mind fought with prayer and the help of God. Don't give stronghold. The heart determines the course of our lives. Don't get sidetracked by distractions.
Subdue means bring under control. Be intentional and consistent. It is a constant battle. James 4:1. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to worry. Worry is a thought. Verse 7 tells us that the result of controlling our thoughts is the peace of God. His peace will guard your heart and mind. Fix your thoughts on what is true, right, and pure.

Titus 2:12 teaches us to say no to worldly passions. Beware of your desires and wrong motives. James 4:1-3. Resist the devil. Peter 5:8-9.
Refuse to let the world corrupt you. Win the battle with God’s love and faith. 1 John 5:3-5.

I thought this song would fit today: Good Fight.

Verses for Today:
Mark 7:20-23 NIV
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 11, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher had a message planned but we never got to it. We discussed the loss of morality, lack of absolutes and lack of self-control in our country that have led to the current tragedies. We believe that it is not an issue of gun control (although certain specific limitations should be in place) but it is an issue of lack of right and wrong boundaries and lack of self-control. There is a spirit of lawlessness that is overtaking our society.

We had lovely praise/worship service leading to the Sermon. Our pastor delivered the final message in his Resolution series. This was based on Hebrews 12.

We've been given power-- the Holy Spirit. That power is not so we can sit at home. Power is wasted if it is revved up but not leaving the starting line. We are equipped to go into battle with others, with strength of numbers.  Matthew 16:18 states: the Gates of hell will not overpower it [the Church].

Hebrews 12 shows Christians involved in a race and racing means competition, going fast, not just walking. When rushing or trying to move forward we find obstacles. Sometimes God chooses to slow you down. So how are we to live this life, and live it for Christ?
In the book of Hebrews, the new Christians were hindered, pulled back by two thousand years of traditions.

We are in a race which God put us in. Hebrews 12:1. Each race has a Start and Finish. We are equipped with endurance for the race. The race takes priority. We must run a race as a disciple with God as our ultimate coach.

Is the church healthy? Are we properly prepared for the race? Hebrews 12:15-16. As we properly prepare (eat, work out, study the word), there will be changes in the body.

What is the race? To be true Representatives of Christ.
God says: Watch what I do; follow my instructions and my example.
God pursued us, loved us, and is continuing to perfect us. To win the race must drop every weight of sin; lay them down.

The Point: to run your race, set down, release, remove ALL that hinders you.

The battle is between Christ followers and the Gates of Hell.
Will you put down the hindrances that hold you back, that weaken your race?
Whatever it is, set it aside.
Fix your eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2.

Hard Choice today as I found two good choices. I selected this one:

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 12:1-4 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Lord, I need your Spirit to guide and direct me to keep running the race, fighting the good fight, every day.