Sunday Words of Encouragement July 8, 2018

It was really nice to be back to our church home and family. Our Sunday School lesson was on Faith and healing – as always, a good message in itself.

Praise and Worship music helped prepare us for Pastor’s sermon. He has started a new series based on 1 Peter, titled The Strong. Last week he was discussing Honor and he decided to continue on that element today. He noted that “The strong live different (than the world)”. We honor others. It is an ongoing attitude. Honor is born out of love, not respect. In the world we look for affirmation. Many do our chores or jobs well because we want approval.

But there are some times when we should just serve. We should be giving honor instead of receiving. And if/when people ask “Why are you doing this?” we should be ready to respond that ‘we are showing love by service’. We are The Strong.

One of the ten commandments is to Honor father and mother. Honor and love are synonymous. We need to pursue honoring God. Three points today provide the same message.

Point One: Living for the honor of the world sets us up to be an enemy of God. James 4:4.
Our motives mean something. (I think that was part of last week’s message.) The proud seek honor from the world but God honors the humble. James 4:6.

Solomon said at a later time in his life: “Everything under the sun is meaningless”. Ecclesiastes 1:14. We have to be careful in our daily living not to rob God of honor. Whoever purses righteousness and unfailing love will find life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21-27. The Godly love to give. v26. The humble are honored. Proverbs 29:23.

Point Two: Honoring God with my life makes me a friend of God.
Be careful not to honor yourself as you may be brought low. Instead seek the lower seat and accept the honor of being brought forward. Luke 14:8-10; John 14:23.

Point Three: God honors those who live for Him. 1 Samuel 2:30.
Christ disciples bring honor to God and others; not to themselves. John 15:8.

Indifference is a dangerous ingredient. We should always be prepared to give an answer to why we serve. 1 Peter 3:15. We can share that Jesus is all that truly matters in this world.

What is in the way of our honoring God? Sin? Good helps remove. Attitude? The Spirit can change. We need to live our lives to give honor to God and others. Let the Spirit point out what is in the way. Pride? Attitude of self importance? Be humble. Ask God to purify our hearts.

It took me a bit of time to find the song I wanted today. 

A Verse for Today:
Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity and honor.

Lord, I pray that you help me be a humble servant to show others Your love.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 15, 2016

(We were away in our RV again this weekend for a family event. I had trouble getting the internet to work on my computer when we arrived home so this is particularly late. But -- better late than never.)

A month or so ago the Brother we are helping in Haiti shared words about the BOB’s (Band of Brothers) ministry to Haiti. When the men went to Haiti to build the church/school with the supplies that were donated and sent by the cargo ship, that showed the love of Christ to others. When we share the Bible, especially in action, we share the message and hope of everlasting life.

We are blessed in our country and sometimes don’t recognize the needs beyond. There are children who have no school to attend and have limited food and clean water. Our God is omniscient; Psalm 139. He prepared our Haitian Brother to teach. He was hungry for learning and now he leads by taking care of his brothers and sisters first. Acts 11:27-30.

The church/school we helped can only take 100 children to start. They already have a youth club with 175 youths!

Our Brother noted that we all have fingers that are different. They are short and long but together they function as a hand that can work. It is our privilege and blessing to help each other and pray for each other. We do God’s work, not by our own power but by the Spirit.
God is the source of provision but He uses men as a conduit to share the water and the word of God. We must be careful not to stop up the pipeline of provision by our disobedience.
He noted the top five needs for the people he is ministering to in Haiti:
1. God
2. Education
3. Health / food
4. Water
5. Sanitation
Please help us by praying for this ministry.

I found this song for today's message:

Live Like That!

Verses for Today:
Acts 11:27-30
29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Lord-- please use me to help spread Your Love and the word of Your salvation.