We enjoyed a lovely Sunday School and service today. Our substitute SS teacher provided a lesson from 1 Samuel 14 on Jonathan’s acknowledgment and trust in God to fight the Philistines. It also speaks to Saul’s foolishness and failures in leadership that impacted the people.
During service, we celebrated nine high school graduates. And then a fitting sermon from our youth pastor. First he noted that ‘we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities’. Ephesians 6:12. Pastor J focused his message on this quote by missionary (martyr) Jim Elliott: God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.
Pastor J went on to tell the story of how he met his future wife 10 or so years ago. He prayed to God for a special way to propose to her. He heard God tell him (twice because he wasn’t sure the first time) to propose on the stage of Rock the Desert in front of an audience of 3,000.00. He wasn’t sure of this because his wife was shy. After God reiterated the suggestion, Pastor emailed the organization and asked if they could help him. .The event organizer took it all and hand and it happened. Pastor J trusted God’s choice and God made the arrangements. His wife realized too that God had them in his plans! Instead of choosing his own way, Pastor J chose God's way.
The supporting scripture that Pastor J used is Proverbs 3:5-6. (See below the video.)
During service, we celebrated nine high school graduates. And then a fitting sermon from our youth pastor. First he noted that ‘we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities’. Ephesians 6:12. Pastor J focused his message on this quote by missionary (martyr) Jim Elliott: God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.
Pastor J went on to tell the story of how he met his future wife 10 or so years ago. He prayed to God for a special way to propose to her. He heard God tell him (twice because he wasn’t sure the first time) to propose on the stage of Rock the Desert in front of an audience of 3,000.00. He wasn’t sure of this because his wife was shy. After God reiterated the suggestion, Pastor emailed the organization and asked if they could help him. .The event organizer took it all and hand and it happened. Pastor J trusted God’s choice and God made the arrangements. His wife realized too that God had them in his plans! Instead of choosing his own way, Pastor J chose God's way.
The supporting scripture that Pastor J used is Proverbs 3:5-6. (See below the video.)
1. Trust the Lord with all your heart.
The heart is the seat of all emotions, not just a source of life. The Lord doesn't want us to trust in our own hearts, but to trust in the Lord with all our heart. We trust when we know and believe someone loves us. No one loves you more than God.
Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. We need to be ready to accept God’s love for us in all things.
Pastor J and his wife have suffered great loss. They have two daughters they love, but they lost two sons at ages 10 months and 8 months due to a rare genetic illness passed through sons. God has made all creation subject to Him (and the man He created). “Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them/Him”… Hebrews 2:8-9. Jesus paid for all healing when He was raised from death. All believers, and the children, will be healed when we/they are raised from death. We just haven’t seen it yet.
Pastor J shared what his mother shared with him during his hurt: ‘We don't always understand God’s hand, but we can always trust His heart (His love for us).’
Pastor J also shared an incident from the book Miracle of Courage by Monica Dickens. An three year old boy had to go through the extreme pain of a spinal tap. The mother explained that the doctor would have to hurt him in hopes of helping him. When the procedure was finished, the boy looked at the doctor and said, “Thank you for my hurting.”
Remember: God is good. We can trust who He is.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
We can (and should) pray: “God, help me to know how much you love me.”
Oh boy- What do you think about this song to fit today? Close.
Verses for Today:
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Lord, I do pray for you to give me wisdom and help me to trust you and to choose Your Way!
2. Lean on God.
Lean on God, not yourself. You cannot always protect yourself or know how tosolve the problem at hand. But you can lean on God. Pastor J told of a story of a child on the ladder who trusted his spiritual leader to catch him even when he heard his voice far away across the stage. The boy fell when told to and was caught by another helper who was there at the ladder. God is always there to catch us when we fall.
3. Acknowledge God.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him.” The world wants to restrict where God is. The enemy (the devil) tells lies saying, “Oh you might go to church but surely you can have a good time in the shadows during the week.”Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. We need to be ready to accept God’s love for us in all things.
Pastor J and his wife have suffered great loss. They have two daughters they love, but they lost two sons at ages 10 months and 8 months due to a rare genetic illness passed through sons. God has made all creation subject to Him (and the man He created). “Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them/Him”… Hebrews 2:8-9. Jesus paid for all healing when He was raised from death. All believers, and the children, will be healed when we/they are raised from death. We just haven’t seen it yet.
Pastor J shared what his mother shared with him during his hurt: ‘We don't always understand God’s hand, but we can always trust His heart (His love for us).’
Pastor J also shared an incident from the book Miracle of Courage by Monica Dickens. An three year old boy had to go through the extreme pain of a spinal tap. The mother explained that the doctor would have to hurt him in hopes of helping him. When the procedure was finished, the boy looked at the doctor and said, “Thank you for my hurting.”
Remember: God is good. We can trust who He is.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
We can (and should) pray: “God, help me to know how much you love me.”
Oh boy- What do you think about this song to fit today? Close.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Lord, I do pray for you to give me wisdom and help me to trust you and to choose Your Way!
