Sunday Words of Encouragement February 7, 2021

Our church celebrated communion this morning. We can participate with a cracker and juice, but it isn’t the same. Pastor continued his series called “Battle On”.

We all have unexpected interruptions or experiences during our lives. How do we respond? With anger and frustration or with grace and patience? Are we a pessimist, an optimist or somewhere in between? In Romans chapter 8 Paul explains that believers have a special hope, a special assurance of the future.
Romans 8:14-25:
Believers are adopted in as God’s children. Verses 14-16.
But if we share the Glory, we will also have suffering! Verse 17.
We have reasons to be confident:
We are children of God. Verses 14-16.
God has already been there and gives assurance of victory as God’s heirs. Verses 17 and 23.
We are not alone. All creation is waiting for God’s freedom from death and decay. Verse 21.
Our suffering is temporary. Verse 18.

These assurances are spelled out more clearly in Revelation 2 and 3 which contain seven promises for those who endure to the end.
To those who are victorious will be given:
Revelation 2:7. …fruit from the tree of life....
2:11. … will not be harmed by the second death.
2:17. … manna from heaven and a white stone* with secret name…. (*Evidence of acquittal).
2:26. … authority over all the nations.
Revelation 3:5. …clothed in white… names never erased from the book of life… Jesus will announce you are His.
3:12. … become a pillar in the temple of God…. …will belong with the name of God written on you….
3:21. … will sit with Jesus on the heavenly throne….

Have you accepted the gift of salvation that gives you hope? Are you pressing on with Christ to be victorious in the end?

Sometimes I search through song videos until I find the one that my heart says it right. Even though this is a video I shared last year, it is the one I came to today. In times of uncertainty I am thankful that I know there is victory if we hold on to God’s promises!

Verses for Today:
Romans 8:18-22 (NLT)
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

Lord, Thank you for Your promises. Help me to hold on to win the victory with Christ!

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 5, 2020

Our church opened this morning for Sunday School as well as church service. We look forward to our SS classes when we return to Florida. We shared church online from out of state today.
My husband has been enjoying church online as he visits our son’s church in Illinois, the church we attended in South Florida, and at least two services in the town where we live.

Pastor’s message centered on Independence and Freedom. He noted how America allows open, free worship which isn’t true of all countries. He expressed concern at the increased effort to take God out of our country and the increased divisions among our society. We used to be able to share diverse opinions and remain friends and family. Sadly, not so much anymore.

There is something bigger at work. Satan seeks to stop the Gospel and he will use whatever he can, especially division. The real battle isn’t about America. It is about the eternal soul. The chaos that is around us is about The End Game. The highway to hell is broad, but the gateway to life is narrow. Matthew 7:13-14.

In John Chapter 17 Jesus prays for the disciples and includes us in the prayer. John 17:14-21.
How do we live in perilous times: Stay prayed up. Stay in the word. Find instructions on how to live by reading Ephesians. See Ephesians 4:17-31.

Difficult and perilous times are not unprecedented. Follow the example of Jesus. We are citizens of Heaven first. Our identity is found in Christ. The cause of Christ is not popular in this world but it is all for Christ-followers. We know who holds our future. We can trust God to handle the enemy.

God made a way for everyone to have freedom; to receive eternal life. God provided redemption through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. What are we willing to commit? To surrender?

I found this song which I like for our current situations. This We Know.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 7:12-14 (NIV)
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

My Heavenly Father - I give you thanks for creation and salvation. Help me daily to live by Your example.