Sunday Words of Encouragement December 5, 2021

We arrived home safely late Saturday afternoon, but hubby is fighting a bit of a cold now. He had two bad nights of sleep and won’t sleep in the car while I am driving. (I haven’t had a ticket since 1978 and have never caused an accident, but I don’t drive just as he would like so he is a side passenger driver.) We attended our church services online this morning. (Illinois and local church for him and local for me.)

Our church hosted a husband and wife team ministry to homeless in New Orleans. Their ministry is in an old bar on Bourbon Street. They are meeting a physical need and, more importantly, a spiritual need. They are sharing the testimony of Jesus of reconciliation, redemption, and revival. There are those seeking, needing to hear the mercy of God, and the love and gift of Jesus. The ministers are discipling them into the family of Christ as sons and daughters; explaining that people are grafted into the family of Christ by faith.

We are ambassadors of Christ. Ephesians 6:19-20. We must be ready and responsive to the voice of the Holy Spirit to reach those who are lost, the unchurched and dechurched. An ambassador takes residence in another land and shares the message of their nation to other nations. We share the message of the Kingdom, the message of reconciliation to God! Ministry often happens when we are on the way to somewhere else, like Jesus being tired but stopping to share with a Samaritan woman. John 4:5-10.

Ambassadors have a unique position. The enemy has no authority over Christ’s ambassadors. They are under the laws of God, not under the cover of darkness. When we resist the enemy, he will not just leave us alone, but he will flee. The enemy trembles and runs from those who know who they are as sons and daughters of God. Be fearless and empowered to take the message to the people. Be sensitive to the Spirit to speak when He urges you to reach the one that God is reaching out to. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” Luke 15:4-6.

We sang this song in worship this morning and it fits the message: Reckless Love.

Verses for today:
Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Lord, I pray that you make me a better ambassador, particularly more sensitive to speak when the Holy Spirit urges me.

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 15, 2020

We shared church again online. Although we were sorry we couldn’t share physically in the celebration of communion, we remembered His sacrifice through prayer.

Pastor’s message was titled “Shattered”. He noted that God’s beautiful creation was shattered by sin. This is more than simple damage.

When there are cracks or chips you might be able to repair or work with the minor damage. But when something is shattered – you can’t fix it. God had to provide a way to fix our shattered lives, our separation from Him.

We get calls that make us feel vulnerable – from the doctor or the school, work, a spouse or a friend. Where do we find our strength and comfort?

Romans 5 tell us that justification brings comfort.
V1 Peace with God is more than toleration.
V2 Undeserved privilege: Grace.
V3-4 Endurance (theme repeated in James and Peter) with help of Holy Spirit V5.
V6 When we are lost and powerless, God steps in and offers us salvation/reconciliation.
V9-11 We are reconciled and can be called a friend of God.

THE POINT: YOU CAN LIVE IN PEACE WITH GOD, IN HIS GRACE AND BE CALLED FRIEND, BUT YOU MUST RESPOND AND RECEIVE HIS INVITATION.

Hebrews 23 – required a blood sacrifice; blood = a violent horrific death. The Bible uses the term “Kattalage” which means a reconciliation or exchange. Christ gave His life so we could be reconciled to God; so, our shattered lives could be restored.

This is a song we sang this morning, and it is so fitting!
Overwhelming Neverending Reckless Love of God

Verses for Today:
Romans 5:1-6 (NIV)
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Lord – I give thanks that you choose me and provided a way of reconciliation.

 

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 9, 2018

We had a nice Sunday School lesson covering 1 Corinthians 1 verse 2. Our SS teacher says he will get moving along, otherwise, at this rate, it would take over 8 years to go through 1 Corinthians!

This morning we had a Youth Movement service where our youth took over with music, video and sermon. It was very good. I really enjoyed the music and the message. Our youth pastor shared that he is leading the youth in a series called “Following Jesus in the 21st Century”.
He noted that it isn’t easy to be a young Christian in this age of free living.
Christian youth (and adults) must learn to “Fix your focus”.

There is great cost for following Christ. Luke 9:57-62. It is life changing. We must recognize what is most important, which is the kingdom of God; investing in the eternal; adding to the Kingdom, not just going along for the ride. Momentary things of the world are unimportant.
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14.
Our lives are a fleeting shadow. Psalm 144:3-4.

We must strive to live showing God's characteristics. We are meant to live for more than worldly gain. God put you here for a purpose. God intends that we be something much greater than who we are individually. We must correct our focus from life to eternity.

The youth pastor shared the story image of a man with a long white rope that extends around the room. At the end is a tiny price of red tape. The white cord signifies Eternity compared to the red which is our tiny time on Earth.

Fix your focus. Remember that heaven and hell are reality --- forever. It isn’t easy.

They shared a video with the youth talking about the things they face in school and among the other students: temptations, ridicule, harassment. Sad to hear that the schools smell of pot and that so many use drugs and alcohol. They also shared their faith that gives them strength to stand against the evils of the world!

Pastor then reminded us that we are here to be the church. To win souls. The greatest chance to win a soul is before age 16. The church people need to encourage the youth; to let them stand on our shoulders.

Even in our small community, even in the ‘Bible belt’, there are hundreds of students who have no one in their lives to point them to Christ. Adults and students need to be a beacon, a light in darkness. A lighthouse to the unchurched.

The youth sang this song this morning which is new to me. I LOVE the words!

Reckless Love!

Verses for Today:
Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow.

My comment/addition: I was impressed how the words to this song can be a prayer, not just for me, but for loved ones who need to know Jesus. I will substitute their name for the word “me”.