Pastor’s Thoughts March 14,2024 through Mar 21-2024 from my God Squad group post and others see citations that accompany the post.
When we become a Child of God, through faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, He loves us in spite of our failures – in spite of the way we stumble and sometimes fall. But what type of love do we give in return? Do we have a continual love which remains through good and bad…or do we love only during our “scheduled” times and only when the conditions of our life are favorable for worship?
We know there will be times when the world around us seems to fall apart…times when our life begins to crumble and the heat of the furnace seems very real. There will also be many times when we just don’t understand God’s plan or timing.
Our path may seem unclear and His timing painfully slow. When this occurs, we must strive for a love that doesn’t fade or waver…a love which isn’t weakened by heat or torn by the force of the wind…a love which is pure and not conditioned by external circumstances.
Our Heavenly Father is our only true source of comfort and strength; “He alone is my rock and my salvation: He is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:2). He has given His very best, and we ought to return our very best with a life of unbroken worship.
Let’s truly rejoice that He is God…and faithfully give Him our unconditional love. ❤️❤️
–Steve Troxel
PSALM 5
Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies.
Psalm 5:8
Life doesn’t always go our way from the looks of things. Satan attacks us in ways we can hardly discern…problems arise from nowhere…burdens descend in multiples…and sometimes our own emotions work against us, causing layers of sadness, weariness, or discouragement to radiate through us.
That’s when we need Psalm 5! David begins by asking God to hear his voice (verses 1-3). He reminds the Lord of His righteous power (verses 4-6), and offers himself as a worshiper who prays, “Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies” (verses 7-8). David describes his enemies to the Lord, and then he exhorts himself and all of us to rejoice and put our trust in our Almighty God (verses 9-12).
When we find ourselves attacked by the enemies of God, we should remember our Lord is in control! We can do that today by turning Psalm 5 into a personal prayer.
Let’s remember God’s character of faithfulness…and remind ourselves of His constant care…and make up our mind to REJOICE TODAY!! ❤️❤️
–David Jeremiah
”In singing these verses, and praying them over, we must engage and stir up ourselves to the duty of prayer, and encourage ourselves in it, because we shall not seek the Lord in vain.”
–Matthew Henry
”I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.“
(Ephesians 1:18-21)
God’s promises are true. When we stumble or fall…when we are tired and grow weary…we know we can trust in the Lord to sustain us. To keep us firm when times are tough. To keep us faithful even when challenges come our way.
He calls us to repent and turn to Him…and to live by faith and not by sight.
He renews the strength of those that wait upon Him, by faith.
Regardless of how weary we may become, His grace is sufficient for us…for His power is perfected in our weakness.
When we believe in our Saviour and trust in Christ, it is then that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness; He carries us and lifts us up through life’s challenges and circumstances, in the power of His Holy Spirit.
And the faithful say AMEN!! ❤️
—Liz Nova
”Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.“
Isaiah 40:31
Afraid you’re too much of a mess to approach God?
As if you’re hiding something…
Let me assure you, He already knows.
Go broken…
Go dirty…
Go addicted…
Go writhing in pain…
Go holding on by the thinnest of threads…
JUST GO!
He’s waiting…
With arms wide open.
If the church told you that you need to be all buttoned up to fall at the feet of your Savior…
Find another church…
They’ve got it backwards.
Come to Jesus…
Just as you are…
He will wash you clean…
And make you new! ❤️
—Matthew Deibler
Hallelujah…that is so good!!
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. — Ephesians 4:4-6
The apostle Paul emphasizes that despite our diverse backgrounds and traditions, we are all part of one body—the body of Christ. We share one Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides us. Our hope, faith, and baptism are all centered on one Lord, Jesus Christ. And above all, we worship one God and Father, who is sovereign over all creation.
The call to unity is a call to set aside our differences and focus on what binds us together. It is a reminder that our identity in Christ is more significant than any denominational or cultural distinctions. As members of one body, we are called to support, love, and edify one another, working together to advance God’s kingdom.
Three Ways to Live Out Our Unity in Christ:
- Foster Respect and Understanding: Take the time to learn about and appreciate the beliefs and practices of other denominations and fellowships. This can help build mutual respect and understanding.
- Collaborate in Ministry: Seek opportunities to work together with believers from different backgrounds in community outreach, mission projects, or joint worship services. This demonstrates the unity of the body of Christ in action.
- Pray for Unity: Regularly pray for the unity of the church, asking God to break down barriers and to help us live out the oneness we have in Christ. Pray for a spirit of love and humility that values unity over division.
From 2 Minute Devotion for March 21,24