The Pastor Speaks
5/3/15
God’s An-ti-dote for Stress
Matthew 14:22-23, Mark 1:35
Stress is a robber of Our Joy, Our hope, Our peace of mind and it is also a killer, but we can’t escape it. Since we are surrounded by distressing situations of all kinds,such as sickness, loneliness, relationships, death etc.
The question is: how are we to handle it? Many people try to escape their anxious feelings with medications, drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, or whatever they think will bring relief. But none of these will work. The ultimate solution Only comes from God, and he’s freely provided it to every one of his children.
JESUS is Our example in handling Stress you remember the event in the life of Our Lord, after feeding 5,000 plus people, JESUS sent the disciples away in the boat and he went up on the mountain by himself to pray (Matthew 14:22-23) seeking Solitude with his father was his customary practice.
The Practice of Solitude, the purpose of Solitude is private time with God, no distractions, No T.V., P.C.’s, telephones conversations, but it’s just you and the Lord alone together, that’s when the chokehold of Stress is broken, and all Our tensions subside. This doesn’t mean we’ll never experience Stress again, but solitude teaches us how to deal with it in God’s way when it comes.
Reasons for Solitude, for a relationship, God created us in his image because he wanted to have a relationship with us for all eternity (Genesis 1:26). He wants to live in Us-work through Us to accomplish His will-No other creature has such a privilege.
For Preparation, Solitude is also God’s way of preparing Us for the day ahead. That’s why we should begin each morning with time alone with him. That’s when he reveals himself in un-mistakable ways so we can know him.
Rev. Jack L. Reed, Pastor
5/17/15
God’s An-ti-dote for Stress, Part 2
Matthew 14:22-23, Mark 1:35
Time spent with God is time well spent, first of all Spending time alone with the Lord sets us free from stress. This kind of isolation is not the same as loneliness. Solitude is a choice to be alone, to Voluntarily separate ourselves from others there are benefits.
Benefits To Solitude if we practice Solitude, Our lives will be changed in the following ways:
Makes Our Busy Days More Fruitful, if we begin each day in devotion to Our Lord, it sets us up by setting our minds and hearts on his Will, listening for his voice he’ll enable us to carry out the task he has set for the day.
Repairs Damage, after a hard day, when we just can’t handle anymore, a time of Solitude with the Lord rekindles us emotionally. All the troubles of the day are released, refreshed and renewed.
Equips Us To Face Tough Days, time alone with the Lord enables Us to face the trials, heartaches and burdens each will bring, but there is the calm assurance and confidence in his promise that “I will never leave you” (Hebrew 13:5).
Makes A Difference In Relationship, when we’ve released Our Stress to the Lord, our relationships with others improve.
Receiving Greater Strength From The Lord, he enables us to say “My Help Comes from the Lord”.
Produces Greater Trust In God, be not dismayed whatever comes Or goes God will take take care of you.
Develops A Deeper Relationship With The Lord, in those quiet times and the Lord, we learn to know Him more intimately.
Rev. Jack L. Reed, Pastor
5/31/15
John 14:26, Hebrews 1:1-2
The God of all creation who Sits high Sees all hears all knows all. The OMNIPOTENCE, OMNIPRESENCE and OMNISCIENCE God, He wants to Speak to Us, communicate with Us has been speaking ever Since creation. In the O.T. He spoke through prophets. In The N.T. he speaks through his Son (Hebrew 1:1-2). He continues to speak through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). But the issue is are you listening. Our hearts Our minds and ears seemingly have been captivated by our electronic generation of instant communication, information and entertainment, is anyone listening to God. Three things I believe are important for listening to God’s Voice.
First, Thing is INDENTIFY GOD’S VOICE How, his voice will be consistent with his word, what he speaks in Our heart must match his word. The Lord challenges Our Faith because he wants us to grow in Faith, God sometimes calls us to face our fears and trust him more (Proverb 3:5-6). He always speaks specifically, because the Lord loves Us So much. He wants us to know exactly what he’s saying.
Second, What Are the consequences of Failing to listen to God?
1.) We’ll be easily deceived by all other Voices.
2.) We’ll make costly choices based on human reasoning rather than divine guidance.
3.) We’ll miss out on the way of God for our lives and Suffer consequences that could affect us for years to come.
Thirdly, Why do we need to listen to the Lord? To make decisions because what matters to you matters to God he wants to guide each choice we make (Psalm 32:8).
To be encouraged, No one can encourage Our hearts like Our God, but you must listen to him or we’ll miss it. To receive comfort Sometimes we just need to be reminded of his unconditional love.
Rev. Jack L. Reed, Pastor