Sunday Words of Encouragement July 3, 2016

I enjoyed Sunday School and church services this morning. My new tablet wasn’t set up yet to take notes so I had to use old fashion paper and pencil again. Our SS teacher shared various quotes on freedom as well as a short video which I hope to share tomorrow for Independence day.

Our Pastor’s message was titled “Living in Freedom; Which Way Will You Live?” The message showed how, throughout the old and new testaments, God used ordinary people who were willing to be used and who were obedient (even when reluctant like Jonah and Moses). We are sheep in God’s pasture (Psalm 100:3). What do sheep do besides eating and sleeping? They make and raise more sheep. We should do likewise. As we walk in liberty, we should be leading other sheep. There are three ingredients to help with this: 1) we should be excited about the Lord and His daily hand in our lives; 2) we should be available; and 3) we should be prepared and willing to do as God directs. We should always be prayed up, read up (in the scriptures) and ready to allow God to equip us for the purposes He has planned. This is the best way to live in freedom.

I was very sad to hear the negative responses to the actions of Tim Tebow who prayed for a wife whose husband had a heart attack during a plane journey recently. The lashback is a sad statement of the state of the minds and hearts of many in America. I am pleased he took a stand and has the freedom to do so.

I chose this song to go along with a message of Freedom.
“I Am Free (to Dance)”.

A Verse for Today:
Galatians 5:13 (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.

I give thanks today that God has brought my husband safely through heart surgery. I am thankful for caring nursing staff, many of whom have affirmed our assurances in God’s grace and healing powers.