- Amy Welborn
Two things stood out to me this morning:
Obedience brings blessings
* Genesis 22:17a, 18b, "I will bless you abundantly.......all this because you obeyed My command.
Encouragement from above
* Mark 9:7, "Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."
1. Blessings always follow obedience!
* Luke 5:5-6, "Master,” Simon (Peter) replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if You (Jesus) say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!"
* Jame 1:25, "But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."
2. The last time God the Father said that was at the beginning of Jesus' ministry during His baptism. Even Jesus needs encouragement from His Father at the beginning and the end of His ministry!
* Matthew 3:17, "And a voice from heaven said, “This is My dearly loved Son, Who brings Me great joy.”
* Mark 1:11, "And a voice from heaven said, “You are My dearly loved Son, and You bring Me great joy.”
O LORD Jesus, I am your servant; You have loosed my bonds. To You will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, Jesus! I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. If You are for me, who can be against me? If You have acquitted me, who will condemn me? You are seated at the right hand side of the Father interceding and praying for me! I love You! Amen!
Indeed, Gregg :-) I remember some sermon notes....
* Don't conform, be transformed!
* If I conform, I give up the power to be transformed!
* If I conform, then I was born an original, but I will die a copy!
Amen Salina, upon reflection I’m also led to:
Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Let Go, Let God, true believers know what this means.
We can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us. Let’s focus on the sins in our lives that we can control and ask GOD for his help with all of the others things that pulls us from what is good.
This lent let us remind ourselves that we cannot take this journey alone and let us come to GOD to not only walk hand in hand with him but also ask for his help and direction for our lives.
May everyone have a most blessed Sunday.
God Bless.
Tim thanks for your great comments...one of the beautiful Scriptures Philippians 4:13...thx!
Yes! I’ve noticed recently, as I ask the Lord for help with this same thing, that when a thought, situation, or encounter with someone makes me uncomfortable the Lord reminds me not to leave but stay in the moment and quietly see what unfolds! Sometimes it’s harder than others but so far, although scary, it’s also been exciting and rewarding. Especially in conversation with others, instead of cringing at a missed or unfortunate discussion I find I’m more frequently looking back lately feeling good about my part. God is good!
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Amen.