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Showing posts with label Stand in Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stand in Faith. Show all posts

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 27, 2022

Hubby made it to Sunday School with me today. We enjoyed the continuing study in Revelation then came home as he was out of oxygen and his second battery pack isn’t working. Unfortunately, it appears that church wasn’t able to share the service video today.

A few weeks ago, our substitute Sunday School teacher shared a message on God’s plans and whether we cooperate with them.

Genesis tells the story of how God created man in his image. He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden until they disobeyed and were shut out of the garden. Ten generations later the world was full of sin and God brought destruction through the flood during the life of Noah. Another 10 generations passed, and the people were still being disobedient. But God made a covenant with Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation – to make Israel his chosen people. Genesis 12.

Abraham was the father of Isaac and Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was father to twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel. During the years of Jacob, a fierce famine struck all the surrounding lands. How did God keep the Israelite family alive?

When the sons were younger, Joseph, had dreams that angered his brothers. The brothers resented Joseph as he was their father’s favored son, given a coat of many colors. Genesis 33. The coat represented the family birthright although Joseph was not Jacob’s first-born son. He was the first-born of Rachel, Jacob’s chosen wife. The brothers first plotted to kill Joseph but then, on the suggestion of Judah, sold Joseph to a passing caravan who then sold him into slavery to Potiphar, one of the Pharaoh's officials in Egypt. Genesis 37. Joseph became a favorite and loyal servant of Potiphar but ended up in jail after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Later, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams about the coming famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the grain and food supply. Genesis 41:41.

A few years later Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. We see in this story that the brothers had a change of heart as Judah offered to remain a slave to protect Joseph’s younger brother, Benjamin. Genesis 44.

After revealing himself, Joseph and Pharaoh, told the brothers to bring their father and family to Egypt so they would survive the famine. Joseph recognized that ‘what man meant for harm, God used for good.’ Genesis 50:19-21. Joseph was diligent and trusted God even while in prison. He sought God and was obedient to allow God to use him.

God wanted to grow Israel as a nation. He knew they would face enemies, so God placed them in a land where they were safe under the strongest ruler. Of course, two hundred years later, God had to arrange for them to leave Egypt and move on to the promised land.

From Genesis to Revelation, God directs events to restore the authority that man lost in the garden. 

God chooses imperfect people to complete His plan.
God gives us the ability to choose to be used by Him.
God looks at the heart. The order of birth doesn't determine destiny. A double portion of blessing was given to Joseph's sons.

God used the humble servant, the one willing to be used.

God seeks to strengthen the hearts of those who are committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9. A committed relationship with God and Jesus allows us to sing joyously of victory even in times of trouble.

God tarries in punishing man as he continues to seek to save each one. We must ask ourselves:
Are we going to cooperate with God and become obedient to His Will?


There is wickedness in the world. Lawlessness seems to be rising around us. But God directs us to “stand firm”, trusting in His Word. James 5:7-9. Christ is our deliverer and will one day take back the authority of power on Earth. That is the message in Revelation that we are studying.

I found this song video for today: Stand in Faith.
Verses for Today:
Genesis 50:19-21
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.


Bible Verses about genesis 50

Genesis 50:19-21...King James Version (KJV)...19 And Joseph said unto them,  Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you… | Psalms, Words,  Jesus quotes

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 29, 2021

We attended church online again this morning. After worship, we shared in prayer for Afghanistan, Louisiana (facing Hurricane Ida), Haiti (suffered earthquake earlier this month).
Pastor continued his sermon series with Part 4 of Rising.
1. Rising Champion (the Church)
2. Rising Power (of God in us)
3. Rising Faith
We perceive that we are in a season of hardship but God has planted seeds to deal with hard times. Sometimes we struggle with a race especially if it is uphill. But when we reach the flat straight away before the finish line, we are often motivated to push faster to the end.

Our community suffered through Hurricane Michael in October 2018, with the stunning numbness afterward. Then, as we were beginning to recover, we were hit by the pandemic, shutdowns, quarantines, illness, death, economic concerns, the 2020 election, renewed concerns with the Delta variant, now war issues. It is possible to become weary.

Strength can be in three stages: rising, maintaining or waning. Our strength must be Rising.
Some of us have allowed ourselves to be separated from the vine. We have to get back to our source of strength.

Serving itself is not evidence of rising strength. Our attitude of service grows when spiritual strength grows. Sharing your faith grows when spiritual strength grows.

Where does your strength come from?
From the Lord. Psalm 28:6-8: “The Lord is my strength and my shield.”

We need to draw our strength from God. We can start by entering into His courts with praise.
It is not time to be tired! Get to the finish line --- then you can rest.
Habakkuk prayed in times of trouble, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength”. Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Our strength is in the Lord and comes from the Lord.

We, as church members, are required to bring rising strength to our lives.
Ephesians 6:10-18 tells believers to “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Resist the evil and stand your ground!

If you want to have rising strength:
      Be in the Word of God (Bible)
      Be in conversation with God (Prayer)

Although I love searching for videos, I love when I have a video that fits: Stand in Faith

Verses for Today:
Psalm 28:6-8 NIV
6 Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.


I have many prayers today. Lord, help me rise in strength!


shield

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