Sunday Words of Encouragement March 24, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher continued his lessons on the gifts of ministry, positional gifts and other spiritual gifts focusing on 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. This is continuing to be a good study.

Pastor continued the 5th message on The Bridge. He noted how bridges are amazing and collapses are frightening. Our greatest need is a bridge to our heavenly Father.
We often find it is frustrating to talk to middle man. Sometimes the middleman misinterprets or mixes the message but other times the middleman serves as a buffer.

Hebrews 5:1-10 tells us that Jesus was appointed by God as our High Priest... v9.

Point: Jesus is our perfect way and only way to right standing with God.

To understand the importance of Jesus as our High Priest, we have to understand the Old Testament role of High Priest. He was from the Levitical line and appointed by God. He was to live by a high standard with very strict requirements, including clothing. If the was disobedient, he would lose his life. The High Priest was the representative and intermediary for the people. He is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people. Verse 2. He offers sacrifice for his own sins as well as the people. Verse 3.

Jesus lived as man and suffered. Verse 8. He suffered through sorrow, betrayal, fatigue, frustration...He understands you. Jesus is qualified and absolutely can relate to us.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6. But salvation is not the end of our need.
1 John 5:20 tells us that “He is only true God, and He is eternal life.”
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5.
Jesus, who was Himself God, humbled himself to become human, and as a man he became obedient to death, even death on the cross. Philippians 2:5-11.

We need that continuing relationship of submitting to Christ. We need to stop trying to get into God graces by our own means and measures, but rather, surrender.
It is all about Him, not us. His love. His sacrifice, His Grace.
Give all your sense of accomplishment to Christ.
Because of who HE IS, not who I am.

I looked at several song videos but was led to use this one.

It gives me chills!

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.


Lord, I stand amazed and in awe at the sacrifice and gift your love has given to me. I praise and thank you!

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 19, 2014

We didn't get to church this morning but we both read our Bible readings. Ever church we past I was mindful of and said prayers for our church family at home. We don't have internet while driving and spotty internet at the RV campgrounds.  I didn't have internet until later today and then we were caring for the dogs and eating dinner.  I felt the need to post a Sunday post before I worked on my Monday Reading post.

Here is a song I set up a long time ago (as I have several in my draft files).
Every day I am thankful that: Your Grace Still Amazes Me!

Verses for today:
(These are verses from today's daily readings in the NLT One Year Bible. How nicely they fit together!)

Jeremiah 33:11

...the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, 'Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven's Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!' For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.

1 Timothy 4:8-10

8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Psalm 89:1-2

1I will sing of the LORD’s unfailing love forever!

Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.

2Your unfailing love will last forever.

Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

We are thankful for safe travel and nice weather on our trip so far. We are winding down and relaxing which is good. :-)

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 7, 2013

I didn’t have my tablet at church this morning but I still took written notes. Yet my thoughts took a tangent from the Sunday school teaching and Sermon.

Throughout both lessons and during worship I was reminded that I am a creation and a child through no power or doing of my own. I am nothing; I do not exist except by God’s powerful might: His hand and breath - the Father’s gift of creation. I do not think and reason but by His gifts to me. I may have applied myself in study but he gave me the ability.

I am a sinner. My human nature does things wrong and fails to do things that I should. I do not have hope for forgiveness without Jesus’ death on the cross which provided the blood sacrifice to cover my sin. I could never be good enough to earn my way into the presence of a Holy God. But God, with grace and mercy, provided the way for me to receive righteousness and inherit through Him.

I do not have hope to live a life of any worth or value without allowing the Spirit to work through me: to work through words, hands, finances and any other means available. I am compelled by an inner stirring to pass on and share of all the blessings I have been given. I was created for a purpose - to worship and serve my Creator. What other purpose would there be but selfish gain, then meaningless death?

I was searching for a song we sang in worship this morning but I couldn’t remember the name.
Instead the Spirit led me to this video which suits my spirit perfectly today!
Your Grace Still Amazes Me!


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A Verse for Today:
John 6:63 NIV  (you may want to read on through verse 69.)
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

My words today may be a repeat from some earlier Sunday. I would apologize but I realize I would not be sorry for this. I cannot help that this is a recurring theme in my heart and spirit. Sometimes it bubbles out. I pray that God enfuses others, as He graciously does me, with the joy of His Creation, the assurance of His salvation and the peace of His Spirit.