Sunday Words of Encouragement August 2, 2015

I missed church again this morning as was coughing and dragging after an interrupted night with about four hours sleep. This week our daily Bible readings have been in 2 Chronicles 19-30, Psalm 21-25 75, Romans 10-16 and Proverbs 20. One of my prior studies, Through the Bible in One Year, notes that Chronicles is a retrospective review of the history of the people of Israel and provides a vital lesson from them and for us: “a nations’ response to God is the decisive factor in its history.” (Page 49.)

God blessed Israel, His chosen nation, but punished them to the point of removing His protections and blessings, even allowing them to be carried off, because they turned away from His commands, worshiped idols and allowed sin to run rampant. I have no reason to think He will not bring similar punishment on America as it’s people scorn His blessings and turn more and more to their selfish desires, allowing wickedness to abound.

What can we do?? We are called to be watchmen. We can pray and we share God’s Good News.
[Related posts: The Harbinger, The Mystery of the Shemitah, Four Blood Moons, and If My People Prayer Guide.]

This is a powerful praise song we have been singing at Church: Victor’s Crown.
I think it fits for this message.

Verses for Today:
2 Chronicles 30:8-9
8 Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. 9 If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”

Lord, I thank You for Your blessings and guidance. I thank You for Your Glory. I trust in Your plans. I trust Your faithfulness, mercy and grace.

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 16, 2014

We had another lovely service this morning. Pastor's sermon started while the choir was changing from our robes so I missed the beginning. The gist of the message is that we can not really live a Christian life, or succeed in God's Will on our own efforts. But God is ready to help us in all things. We can defeat temptation and walk uprightly only when we allow the Spirit to direct us. We cannot do it on our own. We must surrender and turn our issues over to God. When I am in Christ I am strong. I am victorious because I allow Christ to work through me.  1 John 4:17 (ASV) Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, even so are we in this world.

This is a worship song we sang new this morning

that fits the message - Victor's Crown.

A Verse for Today
John 16:33  (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I am weak in my own will. I must remember each morning to seek God's Will first and allow Him to work through me each day. I give you praise, Lord, for being there to help me in all things.