What a great day in the Lord we had this Sunday. Bro Todd, our beloved SS teacher has been off for a little break and Sister Deb Banta filled in for him. She is an evangelist, teacher, singer, plays drums, well, the list goes on and on. Oh, and a songwriter, too!! Jesus taught that we are to keep our "saltiness" in this world. How? To keep His commandments, pray, set a watch on our lips and our hearts. And, as Bro. Todd pointed out, the most important thing is to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. If anyone I know fits this example, it is Todd Scott. His LIFE is his testimony! Jesus asked His disciples "are you able to drink from that bitter cup that I drink?" How do we get to that place? His mercy is eternal and His grace is extended to help us get through the tough times. We must draw on those times when He has ministered to us in the past. That gives us strength to be still and reflect on His Great Love and Amazing Grace. The smallest thing a Christian does from a sincere heart and in the name of Jesus, that name that is above every name, will be rewarded.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Rosa's family says thank you for all the care shown to her and asks our continuing prayers. She has a home in Missouri and often wishes she could be there. That would be difficult for anyone, but don't feel you have no purpose. You are important and needed. You are needed to pray. That is why we are here, to bless others. Bro. Smith told of an old friend, Bro. Willie Johnson, a preacher/evangelist, who was blind the last 10 years of his life. This old saint recieved calls from D.C. to California, and he kept on evangelizing from his one room. Only in eternity will it be told the importance of what is done for the Master. YOU are important to God!!
Debra Banta met a lady in Walmart who asked for prayer, Ina Busby who is very sick and her husband, Benjamin, battling cancer. That dear lady asked for prayer. There is need all around us.
Our Sunday Morning Service began with one of those precious old hymns, "When We All Get to Heaven". Sometime, just flip through the songbook-it is uplifting to just read the sweet lines of those songs our parents and grandparents sang to worship the Father. "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"... through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the Light. Or, "We'll Soon Be done with Troubles and Trials". Anyone else having to encounter troubles and trials?
Bro. Mike Knight sang one of the most beautiful hymns of all time, "The Old Rugged Cross". It was annointed singing, and he did a great job, as always.
The message Sunday was taken from Luke 24. Jesus has been crucified and resurrected. He lives again. Christ wants us to come to Him for refuge. Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." He is forever with us and desires to dwell in our hearts if only we do not turn Him away. He has made the way clear for us, and tells us in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need". I can personally tell you that I have come to that mercy seat many times and found help and peace in the middle of storms. When we can truly trust and obey His Word, we can know real peace. Grace is an everyday walk-we have to go to where it's at. It's with God and He's everywhere all the time and all the time everywhere. He can bend time, He's in our past, present, and future!!! "Before the foundation of the world, Jesus was crucified", you don't have to understand it, just believe it, BELIEVE IT. Unbelief is folly, not to believe all the prophets is 'great folly'. Belief in the One True God is our strength and our protection. If Satan can conquer you, it will be through your mind. Go back and read 11 Corinthians 10:4 and 5. "....casting down imaginations, every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,....bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ". Make no mistake, there are demonic spirits at work today and they speak to the mind, tormenting us. We must release the past, and feelings of guilt and unworthiness-He is bigger than our sins and He tells us they are cast into the depths of the sea. If the great I AM casts away our most vile of sins, surely we can take Him at His Word!!!
Slowness of the heart to believe creeps into the people of God. We are not immune, we are sluggish to believe Christ, but quick to believe the News, advertising, some fantastic new product that will change our lives. We get suckered into 'man's ways' all the time. Yet, God's Holy Bible is mistrusted. Isaiah 53:1-who will believe our report? We pray, why not believe it? That is lack of faith, and we need to seek to trust Him more.
Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God. Isaiah 50:10
