I do not want to take much time with preliminaries today because the message Pastor gave us had a very strong impact on all who heard. I just hope that I can, in a small way, give you the picture of encouragement that he gave us. We do want to say we are thankful for all our visitors and the wonderful spirit-filled songs that blessed us. We truly felt the presence of the Lord throughout our service.
We often think that when things are going against what we feel they should be, God's just not there. So wrong!! We must always look for the end of the race, not the beginning. It is easy to give up when we run fast and lose sight of our goal. In the book of Samuel, David asked for guidance. He was looking for it from our Father, who is still on the throne. He encouraged himself through seeking the will of God. When God gives His word to His people, we must have an ear to hear what the Spirit tells us. All too often, we ask for direction and just turn a deaf ear because the words are not what we want to hear. Be encouraged, for our Lord will not give up on us because we are not always the follower that He wants us to be. We should be ready to step out by faith and obey; He knows what's ahead and the road we must trod.
Do you ever feel that your faith is lacking? We all do, and that's when we need to read the 11th chapter of Hebrews. This is often called the faith chapter. The first verse starts, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." In a world of instant this and that, we question about things that we cannot see! We can be encouraged in knowing that God has all in control. Look back at your life. How many times have you found a problem that had no answer? I have seen many of those times. Then, out of nowhere, the answer came. This is how we encourage ourselves and find strength in faith.
In verse 6, we read the statement that it is impossible to please God without an active faith. We must believe that he is and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The rest of this chapter tells of many times when people found the answer through faith. This should give us a real assurance that our Lord is with us in all circumstances. In the 10th chapter of this book, we find in the 23rd verse that we are to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful to His promises. We are to help one another as in the 24th verse, consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.
The 31st verse is one I often quote to my children: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." He is a God of love but expects us to walk uprightly before him. The 12th chapter reminds us again the we are to lay aside every weight and sin which doth so easily beset us and run with patience the race that is set before us. Verse 2 tells us to look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. We are to keep our heart right and our eyes upward looking for the call to his children to come home.
In closing, Pastor gave us 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 to let us know that we have the Word to instruct us and have no reason to be ignorant. We have a firm foundation, a spiritual rock, and that rock is Jesus Christ. Verse 10 warns against murmuring and complaining. Hold to His unchanging hand and be encouraged, for He will care for His own.
We again invite you to worship with us on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. We are in Lanagan, Mo., The Cove Mission of Hope. Pastor and Sister Cartwright are always there to greet you.
Religion on 01/28/2016