Sunday Words of Encouragement November 28, 2021

We attended church in Illinois this morning with our son’s family. The Pastor’s message was continuing a series called Legacy. He explained that Legacy is: What we leave behind. What we do. What we sound like. What will be said about me when I’m gone?

Sometimes people feel they will be known by their errors or messes. But he explained that “Mess ups are the time to get up and get it right.”

What Motivates Me?
“Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.” Psalm 112:6.
Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Ephesians 4:1.
When you pass from this life to next, what do you want to be said about you?
How will you live to live up to your obituary?
Pastor suggests three important things.

1. Love God passionately. Acts 17:26-28 encourages us to reach out for Him and find Him for “’In Him we live and move and have our being.’”
You and I are one prayer away from God's purpose in our lives. “All things were created by Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16.

2. Serve Others Selflessly. Be rich in good deeds.

3. Live Life Internationally. Our lives should be lived so we are “exceeding and living beyond the limits of ordinary experience.”

Sometimes we need to listen better rather than expressing our own ‘important’ opinion. We need to WAIT: think “Why am I talking?”
We need to extend ourselves to finish the purpose God has set for us.

I think this song fits today! In the Blink of an Eye by MercyMe.

Verse for Today:
Colossians 1:16 NIV
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 25, 2015

Our Sunday School teacher did the final wrap-up on our two year study of Revelations. We still had questions about the timing of the rapture and tribulation but we all agreed that it wasn’t important as long as we live prepared. Then we had another awesome worship time!
Somewhat ironically – okay, not really, cause it is clearly a God thing– Pastor’s Sermon was “Rapture and Those Left Behind!”  According to certain scholars there are over 1800 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament with 17 books giving it prominence. There are 318 references, or 1 out of every 30 verses, in the New Testament. Twenty three of twenty seven New Testament books refer to the second advent.

Pastor described the rapture where believers will disappear from earth “in the blink of an eye”. He read a quote that noted that ‘Every country will be effected.’ People from communications, transportation and law enforcement are gone. Social systems and structures will be in chaos and mayhem as people experience panic and evil doers seize the opportunity to run amok
.
There are two separate events that occur at end times. First Jesus returns as the bridegroom, to receive His bride (the church or true believers), in the air, in an instant of time. Second Jesus comes as King of Kings to make war against the antichrist and Satan. He comes to earth, where everyone will see Him and with a multitude in His armies.

There are varying theories on the timing of the Rapture: preTribulation, mid Trib or post Trib. Many believe that the true Christian believers will leave earth before the seven seals mentioned in Revelation 6 and 7 are opened. Others believe that the believers may be on earth for the first three and one half years of the seven year tribulation period but will be taken away from earth before the wrath of the Lord is poured out in the seven bowls. Revelation 8. Pastor noted that the rapture is Imminent, Sudden and Transforming for every Redeemed child of God! 1 Corinthians 15 and Ephesians 1:13-14.

The important thing is that it comes as a thief in the night and we need to ready! Satan’s job is to deceive any he can by pulling us away from God through working on Sunday, missing church for family day, living in sin, failing to obey, etc. So we must “Choose who you will serve! Wake up to sin in your life and repent.” Will you be left behind? Or are you ready for eternity?

Here is a song to remind us we were created for a purpose
but we will be close to Him in the Blink of an Eye!

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Lord I pray that you reveal any wicked thing in me so that I may repent and put sin behind me. Help me to stay ready and be watching for your coming!

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 14, 2011

Our Pastor is out recovering from hip surgery so our youth Pastor gave a message today. He pointed out that followers of Christ have to be careful not to lose their light in a world that is increasingly dark.  He shared the story of King Josiah to encourage us to stand firm and do right in our behavior.

Josiah was a king of Israel whose grandfather, Manasseh, did evil in the eyes of the Lord; even more evil than the pagans the Lord drove out of the land. See 2 Kings 21:1-9.  Manasseh reigned 55 years spreading his evil among the people. Then his son, Amon, came to the throne and he also did evil for the two years of his reign. Josiah was only a boy when he became king. As Josiah matured he began to repair the temple of the Lord. He discovered the lost book - the Word of God. He read the book, humbled himself, determined to follow the Word and dedicated himself to God. 2 Kings 22 and 23.

Although the light of the world had gone out of the people during the wicked reigns of the evil kings, Josiah chose to do right. No matter that his background was evil, he was able to choose to be obedient and he brought the Word of God to the people.

Like Josiah, God looks for a way to reach each of us hoping that we will be obedient and share the Word with others. We are called to serve obediently in whatever station we are placed. One life doing the right thing will still have impact on others even if it is not openly recognized.

Once again I was searching for one song but found this one that I had never heard but fits this message!!
It also goes with Abby's story in the review I posted this morning. 

A Verse for Today:

Romans 16:19 (ESV)

¹⁹For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

We prayed this morning for healing for our pastor and I prayed for others I know from internet friends who need healing.I also pray that I may be obedient to serve in my station.