Sunday Words of Encouragement June 11, 2023 - Renewal for the Weary!

Our Sunday School teacher has returned from a wonderful trip. He spoke this morning on “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.” I will save that message for another day.

We enjoyed our worship and then shared in communion.
The message was from Isaiah 40:26-31, titled Renewal for the Weary.
The nation of Israel has been split in two. Although David had been promised that if he obeyed God there would always be a descendant on the thrown. His son Solomon became king after David. Although he was given wisdom over all others, Solomon allowed his many wives to lead him astray and the nation became spiritually bankrupt resulting in occupation by Assyria.

The people are questioning ‘Where are you, God?’ This passage in Isaiah reminds us that when everything looks hopeless, God is still in charge. Look up. Get your eyes off your issues and get your eyes on Him. There were those accusing Nehemiah of wrong motives, but he looked to God. Nehemiah 4:14.

It is important for us to stay grounded in the Word which builds our faith and focus.
“17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 NASB.

When we are weary, it helps to remember what God has done for His people… and us. It is better than multi-level marketing. God says He is there for us, and He is the antidote. He is not worn down by this world.

We are told that God cares for the sparrow but He cares even more for us.
“29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Matthew 10:29 NIV.
If we rely on God as we struggle through trials, we receive the crown of life. James 1:12.
We believe that every good and perfect gift comes from God. James 1:17.

When people are worn down they are susceptible to allowing lust to enter. We can recall that
God's mercies are new every morning. Some of us are workaholics, and we feel our plate is overloaded. We need to step back and put out hope and trust in Him.

Isaiah 55:2 tells us to ‘listen so our soul can live’: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Our scripture today says “wait upon the Lord.” Verse 31. This is more than just waiting. It is waiting with expectation. Faith is involved. Believe that God is going to show up.
Activate hope, remember what is good - His blessings - and wait with expectation.
He is the God of provision.
Recount, even to yourself, the deeds of the Lord.
Paul tells us: “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.” 1 Timothy 4:13 NLT
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When you wait, or anticipate God, you will not just get by, but your strength shall be renewed.
When you are struggling through circumstances that seem wrong in your life, don't forget to celebrate what is going right.

I had a couple of song choices and decided on this one for this message:
Look Up Child.

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 40:31 New King James Version
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.


Thank you, Lord, that I can wait on You in expectation, knowing You have all things in control.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 12, 2018

Our Sunday School teacher led an interesting discussion on 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 concerning married life. This was a good lesson. We had a nice worship service and then pastor continued his sermon series, Celebrate Christmas.

Last week the focus was on Wonder. Today the message focused on Waiting. There is always a time of build up to Christmas. There is Anticipation. Something exciting is coming. There is hopeful expectation.

When we are waiting do we fill our time with distractions or patient waiting? We should have a building expectation.

Luke 2:22-35 tells the story of two people who had waited patiently, anticipating and expecting a wonderful thing. Simeon was waiting to see the Messiah before he died, and the Holy Spirit urged him to go to the Temple that day. When he held the baby Jesus he proclaimed: ‘I have seen your salvation, prepared for all Nations’. Anna, the Prophetess, was eighty-four years old spending each day at the temple. She came to the child and parents; she gave thanks to God and “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Point: Waiting on God will lead us to the place God wants us at the time He wants us there.

Waiting will lead to the right time and place, just like Simeon. When we are following the Holy Spirit, God is speaking to us. If we will listen.

How well do you wait? Do you wait with a building grudge or do you wait with growing expectation?

God more often says “wait” for Him rather than “hurry”. Although He might say ‘hurry’ to accept the gift of Christ.

Isaiah 40:31 tells what will happen for those who wait upon the Lord...

We need to train ourselves to wait and enjoy the wait; allow our expectancy to grow.
Negative attitude toward waiting creates cynicism. A positive anticipation develops excitement.
Practice waiting on God. Pair your waiting with a growing expectancy.

What are you waiting for?
Don’t put the emphasis on the time of the wait but focus on the what.

Believers are waiting for salvation.
God is waiting for You to accept His precious gift.

This is a song we sang this morning.
We Wait for God and We Adore Him!

Verses for Today
Luke 2:29:32 NIV
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”