10/11/15
“The God Who Makes Promises”
On the day of your Salvation, you inherited all of God’s promises and became truly prosperous. However in order to benefit, you must cash them in. To live without claiming what God has for you is like being a millionaire who has a bankbook, but never writes a check. God’s Promises are like a treasure chest.
God’s presence is continually with you (Hebrews 13:5). You have the constant, faithful, unchanging presence of God, he has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, no matter what.
You have the Holy Spirit who is your helper. You have the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised he is the constant indwelling presence of Jesus himself to provide guidance and power to accomplish everything the Lord ask (John 14:16).
You have the assurance of God’s strength. When you are weak and helpless, you can rely upon the Sovereign Ruler of all things who has promised to strengthen you (Isaiah 41:10).
God Himself will supply all your needs. He knows your every need and has committed himself to provide it. (Matthew 6:31-32).
He hears and answers your Prayers. When you pray according to God’s will he answers. In fact, prayer is the means of asking in His promises (I John 5:14-15).
He comforts you in times of trouble. No matter what the difficulty may be God knows all about your troubles and he will come along side to provide comfort and encouragement (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
God gives you direction for life. He has traveled the road before us and knows the pitfalls and dangers that lie ahead and has promised to teach you which way to go (Psalm 32:8).
You can be strong and fruitful in old age. Retirement can be one of the most Spiritually productive times of your life if you remain strongly planted in the Lord, he desires you to be ever growing and producing until the day he calls you home (Psalm 92:12-15).
Rev. Jack L. Reed, Pastor
10/25/15
“Encouraging One Another”
Acts 9:19-30
As Christians, we cannot ignore our many responsibilities to other believers. The bible tells us specific commands about how we are to relate to one another. Scripture tells us to accept and comfort other believers. We are called to admonish one another. Confess our sins, and forgive graciously. The bible tells us to live in peace with others, we are to show each other Love and be hospitable, patient and tender hearted. God’s word tells us to faithfully pray for and encourage one another as we motivate each other to do good deeds.
What exactly does encourage mean? This word means to call to one’s side, to help, console or strengthen; or to instill courage in another person. The saints of the early church were willing to encourage each other, and their faithfulness demonstrated the powers of the gospel to their generation. God asked no less of you and me today. The bible gives us examples of those who encouraged others.
Barnabas whose name means “Son of Encouragement” knew how to support others. He was the first believer to trust that Paul had truly become a friend of the church, instead of it’s persecutor (Acts 9:19-30). He spoke up for the new convert and encouraged the others to accept Paul as a genuine follower of Christ.
The apostle Paul was also an encourager. Even after he was stoned and left for dead at Lystra, he chose to return to the area and encourage the believers there (Acts 14:19-22).
Jesus demonstrated a lifestyle of encouragement. Jesus was kind to people, the rest of society considered unimportant or unclean. For example when blind Bartimaeus called out to him, JESUS stopped and took time to heal him. The woman caught in adultery was going to be stoned to death, but JESUS intervened. Instead of condemning her to death or a life of shame he encouraged her to give up her Sin (John 8:11).
There are many ways to show encouragement. You can call someone, drop a postcard in the mail. You can also encourage others by being a good example to them, giving loving godly advice.
Rev. Jack L. Reed, Pastor