Sunday Words of Encouragement October 22, 2017

We enjoyed another lovely Sunday of fellowship and message. Our substitute Sunday School teacher shared a youtube video of Jonathan Cahn sharing highlights from his newest book, The Paradigm. I will be looking to pick this book up soon, probably at Audible.

We had nice praise and worship music and pastor started a new series: Illuminate, a Galatians Series.

Pastor shared two experiences from his youth when he went through some tunnels - literally. If you have ever ridden a bike or even walked through a dark tunnel you know the relief when you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

When Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians it was intended to provide clarity on the Christian teachings of the day. Believers have been admonished to make sure that the preaching and teaching they are receiving measures up to God’s Word. It should always be consistent with the Bible.

Paul had preached to the Galatians before leaving to preach elsewhere. There were a group of Judaizing teachers who were trying to pull the Christians back to the law insisting that converts to Christianity must first be circumcised to comply with the Law of Moses.

Paul addresses two issues in the first chapter of Galatians. He reminds the believers that his (Paul’s) authority to speak and teach came from Jesus as a direct revelation (Acts 9). His teaching was not by human authority. This gives him authority to challenge contrary teachings. Galatians 1:1-2, 11-24.

The second and more important issue he discusses is the purity of the gospel message. Galatians 1:6-7.

Satan is always at work to distort the message. Humans are always drawn back toward two things: the law and/or the flesh. But the Gospel is incredibly simple: Salvation is found only in Jesus.

The Point: The purity of the simple Gospel is primary. Everything else is secondary.

We need to fall in love with the simple Gospel again! Loving the gospel means loving Jesus. We were given the awesome, greatest gift. Christ continues to stand at the door and knock to call sinners. When we open the door of our heart we are taken from being a slave of sin to become a child of God. God opens the future, the mission He has for you.

Ask yourself: Why am I here this day? Our purpose is found in the Gospel!

This song came to my mind as a perfect fit for today’s message.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 1:3-4 (NIV)
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord, I thank you for the simplicity of the Gospel: Jesus died for my sins and when I accepted the gift of His salvation I became a child of God!

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 1, 2012

First - let me wish one and all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Over the Christmas week I had planned out a post for Sunday. God had other plans - of course!
We had an awesome Sunday School lesson followed by a spirit-filled communion service with a good New Year's message from our pastor. There is too much material for one post so I am choosing the Sunday School message first.
I will condense and paraphrase the lesson that was written by our wonderful teacher.

Imagine yourself a soldier and this message is coming from your commanding officer.

Troops! I have gathered you together to pass on a message from our Supreme Commander in Chief.  You need to be prepared for the War of 2012!

Our enemy has been prowling to and fro to find weaknesses where he will attack. He is going on the offensive as he fears his time may be growing short! Be aware of his camouflage: deception, distraction and misdirection. He has an arsenal of weapons he will use wherever and whenever possible: doubt, confusion, fear of the future, fear of failure, fear of loss, lust, greed, depression, threats, intimidation, shame, guilt, loneliness, disease and more. Note that many of these are mental weapons although there are physical weapons too.
He will use booby traps, mine fields and roadside bombs - ieds to wound us and weaken our troops.
Use your personal guide to discern the camouflage and dangers.
The enemy will set up blockades to supplies so make sure you are prepared physically and mentally. Work together; be a band of brothers; let the strong help the weak; do not allow any friendly fire and leave no one behind.
If you hear reports make sure you authenticate them with your manual. If you get caught in a bad situation don't hesitate to call for backup.  Dig in your line, stand firm and wait for reinforcements. Do not retreat.

We have fire power to help us in the fight. Be aggressive, not passive. Use the powerful name and influence of our Supreme Commander in Chief.  Don't fear the enemy but make sure you put on all of your armor (Ephesians 6) every day so that you have the necessary protection and weapons for this fight.
Then move forward with assurance that, with your Supreme Commander in Chief in charge, you will have peace and spiritual victory in 2012!

What a great message!

Here is a song we sang in service that fits this message better 

than the one I had picked out ahead of time.

A verse for today:

Romans 13:11-12 New International Version (NIV) The Day Is Near

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

I am praying that in 2012 I will be more 'God conscience' in every moment of every day.

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 10, 2011

I vacillated today between two messages - one from the morning sermon or one from this week's Bible readings. I decided to go with the sermon and save the other thoughts for another day.

This morning our youth Pastor delivered a message entitiled The Cross: The Center of God's Message.  Paul wrote that although the message of the cross may seem foolishness to men who are dying, to those who [believe and] are being saved, it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18-20. What man sees as foolish, God share's as wisdom.

Remember the story of Naaman who thought it was foolish to go wash himself seven times in the Jordan to be cured of leprosy. But his servant questioned him saying wouldn't you do what the man of God directed if he told you to do something important then why not try what he tells you to do? When Naaman did as directed, he was cured. 2 Kings 5.

People are always seeking salvation, the fountain of youth which is ultimately eternal life. Man cannot save himself by his own works; man can never be good enough. The only way to God is through the Cross, the death and resurrection of Christ. We might wonder: why do atheists argue so strongly against something they say does not exist?

As often happens,
I was looking for one song but was led to
another that fits the message for me. :-)

A Verse for Today:

1 Corinthians 2:2

New International Version (NIV)

2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 

There seems to a lot of confusion, even in religious communities, regarding the wisdom of the Bible and the gospel message. This morning we prayed for God's wisdom to reach the minds and hearts of people and leaders in our world.