Sunday Words of Encouragement

Today is the Second Sunday in Advent when we light the candle of the shepherds who were given the announcement of the glad tidings that brought Joy to Bethlehem.

What an awesome morning in church! Our Sunday School teacher continued with the lessons in Revelation noting a timely Advent/Christmas connection with Isaiah 9:6-7. Isaiah prophesies: ‘unto us a Child is born...and the government will be upon His shoulder.’ The baby is born as a King, but He doesn’t get to reign as King during His lifetime. The ruling portion of the prophesy is yet to come as described in Revelation 20 and 21.

We had a wonderful guest preacher who shares with our congregation every December. Today his message was a timely message for Advent and any time during our lives. The relevant scripture is Luke 2:22-36 that describes how Simeon had waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise that he, Simeon, would see the promised salvation. Anna, an 84 year old prophetess who was still serving at God’s temple, was speaking of Him to all who were looking for redemption.

These two show the righteousness spirit and devoted commitment needed to properly wait on God.
Waiting on God does not mean sitting still on the sidelines. Waiting involves action as noted in Isaiah 40:31 - those who wait will renew, mount up, run... As we wait properly, our waiting will be rewarded. The best will come from God's plans. God fulfills ALL His promises. Have you committed to accept the promise in God's timing? Hold on to the promise but continue to seek and serve while you wait.

Although this is not a Christmas Carol it fits well with the message that was shared. 

Our visiting preacher had never heard this praise song before this morning.
He was impressed because it fit his message. 

It is wonderfully affirming when God does things like that!

Verses for Today:
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

I was particularly excited by the messages this morning as they also fit right in with the Advent study I am reading in Every Valley.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 13, 2013

We are still early in a new year so I am inclined to focus on new or renewed commitment.

This morning we shared communion and I am reminded that I am unworthy, undeserving of forgiveness - each week I do things I shouldn't and don't do things that I should. Pastor noted that it doesn't make much sense to come to the table to eat unless we are hungry. Are we hungry for God in our lives?

Our Pastor's message this morning went along well with the message from last week that we are here to be with God first and then to share His message. God desires that His people be Holy so that He will not be offended when He shares time with us. Deut 23:14. We can never be holy through our own actions or strengths. Holy living is from the inside out. We need not work at being holy but, rather, we need to learn to yield to the Spirit who will guide us in all ways to holiness.

We have to ask ourselves: "Would I want the Spirit to hear what I am saying, hearing, seeing, doing?"  God gives us freedom to act as we might but there will always be consequences. If we tell lies or do misdeeds, we will always be looking over our shoulder. At some point God will correct us...someone will discover that which we wish to hide.  We can do right or get left. We can live on the good side if we chose to YIELD.

I thought this was another good song for January as it starts:

"I have decided, I have resolved....
(I chose this video because it has the words on screen.)

Verses for Today:
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (New Living Translation)
7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Once again I come, in humility Lord, to ask you to help me seek you first and help me each day to yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 26, 2012

Sometimes God speaks through His presence with few words! This morning we had a lovely communion service. A word of the Lord was shared declaring that He had all things - future, past and present - in His control.
Pastor ended up summarizing his sermon and I only had one paragraph of notes!

Whatever trail or tribulation you are facing, God is in control. He is with you in it and through it.  Physical, mental, spiritual, our financial. He can and will handle it if you allow him control. Have you released your concerns to Him? As Paul says: 'His grace is sufficient...His Power is effective through my weakness' (see the verse below).  God's Power rests on you; He has tented His presence over you. Satan, take notice: these are God's  protected children.

This is a new worship song we have been singing.
It touches my spirit.

A Verse for Today

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

May I always acknowledge that I am weak (after all, I am nothing without the Creator's touch) and any strength I have is from God.  May I give thanks and praise Him for His mercies and blessings.