SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – GOD’S GENEROSITY, GRACE, AND LOVE.

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. - Deuteronomy 8:17-18.

What do we have that wasn't given to us, either by God's generous grace, unexpected blessing, disciplining hardship, providential opportunity, or good health?

And when we stand before the throne of judgment, what will our claim to grace be? Our claimon grace is based only God's generous and loving gifts that have made us pure, holy, and whole! Nothing we possess, accomplish, or buy can give us such a claim.

Only God's generosity, grace, and love can bring heaven's greatest gifts to us.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for your wonderful and extravagant blessings. All that I have, all that I am, and all that I ever hope to be, exists only because of the mercy or grace you have lavished upon me. I thank you again, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!

Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. - Proverbs 3:31-32.

While many are seeking a cure for the rampaging violence that destroys lives, threatens schools, and makes our streets unsafe, why has no one bothered to remind us what God's wise servant taught us centuries ago?

Let's not let any person, real or fictional, be our hero if his or her fame is built on violence. The son of Israel's most famous warrior understood this better than anyone.

Surely the Son of the Most Powerful on High said it best: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Loving Heavenly Father, save us from the violence of our culture, and the worship of violence that pervades our land. Please give us heroes who are true peacemakers. In addition, by the power of the Holy Spirit, please give us eyes to see them, and the courage to honor them. In ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – LIVING WITH URGENCY!

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15.

Living with urgency doesn't mean living irresponsibly.

It means living with a holy abandon to honour God, and with a holy passion to make each moment count for righteousness.

That means we must be deliberate about our choices, taking care that we use our opportunities wisely as we live a life of character different from the world around us, because we are committed to Jesus.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, fill me with wisdom, that I may honour you with my choices, and use of time today and everyday. Protect me from the deceptive influences of the evil one, and grant me a holy and productive use, of the time you bless me with each day. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – DEMONSTRATE FOR GOD!

In their arrogance the wicked hunt down the weak, catching them in the schemes they devise. - Psalm 10:2.

God absolutely hates violence, intimidation, or any means used for the powerful to control, manipulate, or harass those who are weaker.

He loathes wickedness, which is based upon the strong and the mighty, plundering on the weak and powerless.

We should, by our actions and resources, demonstrate both to the weak and the powerless that there is a God of love.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, give me a heart that despises the abuse of power, and the misuse of wealth. Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus to save me when I was powerless to bring about my own salvation. My desire is to have a heart like Jesus, when I see others being taken advantage of. In the wonderful and mighty name Jesus, I ask this. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY