2016 November « New Life For The Nations

Message for November 13, 2016 from Pastor Shirley

Therefore we do not lose heart. Thought outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

When you lose heart, you become discouraged. When you become discouraged, you lose your joy. To lose your joy is to lose your strength and the Word tells us the, “joy of the Lord is our strength.”

The greatest enemy of our souls can be discouragement. Just like God’s great servants in the Bible we also can become discouraged in our journey of life. James 5:17 tells us that Elijah was a man just like us.

1 Kings tells us the story of how Elijah became discouraged after things didn’t turn out the way he expected. God had just helped him win victory over the priests of Baal, and now Elijah expected that the idol-worshipping king and queen of israel would repent. Instead the queen swore that she would kill Elijah. Now this great man of God was running for his life. God did lead Elijah back to Mount Horeb where he met God face to face and then he obeyed God’s direction to go back and continue what God had called him to do.

It is easy to become discouraged when we are disappointed or tired. At such times we may feel like we cannot go on. No matter why we are discouraged, we can overcome with the help of the Lord.

Why did you come to church this morning?

Why did you come to church this morning?

Out of habit because it is Sunday. Well I wanted to see if so and so

would be there. My friends are there I wanted to visit with them. Everyone has their

reasons as to why and maybe without giving it much thought. Maybe we all should

take a moment to rethink why we come to church

Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching. Hebrews 10:23-27

Have we ever left our homes on Sunday morning and prayed Lord who may I minister a word of love to today. Who may be there that just needs a hug. A pat on the back with the promise to lift them up in prayer the following week. Let us make coming to church not all about us.

“Let us consider thoughtfully how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds.”

Message for November 6, 2016 from Pastor Shirley

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 Corinthians 5:17

When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior you are a new creation. We now live according to the new not the old. The old is dead and should be buried. Burying the dead things of the past is vital to moving on to new and greater things. If we continually treat or give attention to those dead things like they are still alive they will continue to influence our thoughts. Your thoughts will begin to be your actions.

Once we are born again we are not to look back. Stop feeling guilty on what was. The blood of Jesus has covered you and that blood cries out, “not guilty.” His blood makes you worthy to look forward to a brighter future. Get this settled in your heart “you are worthy.” As long as you feel unworthy you will never believe that God wants His best for you.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Our sins past, present and future have been washed away. We become righteous not by our doing but by the grace and the wonderful plan that God has already set up.