Word of Encouragement

The Aposte Paul is a brilliant man, well educated, articulate, organized, energetic and charismatic. All of these character traits make for a great leader, but there is only one trait Paul lifts high over and over again to the churches he started and served. It surfaces many times in his letters to the Corinthians, Jesus tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient in you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8 (beginning) The only thing Paul ever really brags about is his weakness, his trials, being shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, snake bit and imprisoned. Anything that is not a weakness is “garbage” he tells the Philippians. Why?

Being gifted, educated, articulate, energetic, charismatic are wonderful things to have for the humble. They are not so great for the proud. Paul understands that humility keeps us close to God. God blessed Paul with a “thorn in the side,” something that humbled him and would not go away. He asked God on several occasions to intervene, to remove the thorn. God said no, and that was a great blessing to Paul. It kept him humble. Sometimes we bemoan our difficulties in life, our own thorn. It is a far better choice to consider it a path to intimacy with God we would never otherwise have.

So stand with Paul, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8

~Grace & Peace~
Pastor Ernie

As we read through the New Testament together, I have added a new discipline for my personal study.  I am going to memorize one key verse each day and post it on my personal facebook.  If you would like to se it, just send me a friend request.  I expect this will be rather challenging for me.  Monday the verse was Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  This is an awesome challenge in theory until you come across someone who does not like you and goes out of their way to ruin your day or even your life.  When that happens, you quickly realize just how impossible this is without the Spirit of God giving you strength.  I guess that is the point of the whole sermon on the mount.  We really cannot do any of those things without help.  We sure so need Jesus.

Brenda and I evacuated to Winter Garden for the hurricane and of course the storm followed us.  A tornado touched down just a stone’s throw from my son’s home.  Matthew and I walked the neighborhood and helped where we could.  Then we got busy working at Matthew’s house cutting up the downed branches, putting his fence back in place.  We took a walk to see where the tornado touched down…tremendous damage.  What power the wind has to snap a three foot diameter oak tree.  Something good came out of the storm for me.  I have begun to gain strength in the hope that there are still a lot of good people in this world.

It felt really good to see my children and grandchildren all helping on projects alongside neighbors.  There really are some good people out there, and I was honored to be a part of it.

When Wesley GOES out into the community, it is with purpose.  When we work together like this, we reveal the kingdom of God–  the same kingdom Jesus died to get started.
 
My neighbor who live above me just asked where we went and told me he drove to North Carolina.  Up until now he had not even said hello.  We should all be very grateful things were not worse around here, and remember they were far worse in the islands.  Be prepared in season and out of season to offer a witness to our Lord.  Helping your neighbor is just such a witness.

As Irma approaches Florida, I got word of a mandatory evacuation for the Keys Wednesday.  I took a mission team to help after hurricane Katrina and stood in awe as I looked at the water mark left on the overpass for I 10 12 miles inland, 12 miles inland.  I was in shock.  Two entire blocks of Bay St Louis Mississippi were simply gone, only the concrete foundations were left.  If Irma comes our way, please have a plan to go somewhere.

“The Lord’s message rang out from you…”  There is a glorious affirmation in our lives when we are living on purpose.  As we grow in faith and learn what it means to be Christ in the world to others, we begin to realize that what God is doing in our lives has changed our attitudes and our behaviors and almost without really knowing how, people begin to say they are blessed to have us in their lives.  The Spirit of the living God begins to “ring out” from us.  This is a natural growth from the seed that was planted.

I have always tried to live my life according to God’s purpose for me.  When I make decisions, I seek God’s path.  Sometimes I have been right and sometimes I have been wrong, and I have learned to know the difference through this very verse.  When I am on target, my effort rings out God’s glory; the hard work is easy and the surprises of affirmation directed toward God are many.  My exhaustion is met with renewal.  When I am off target, my effort rings out self glory or runs to defeat.  The pats on the back stop with me and the surprises are more worldly.  The hard work is just hard and the exhaustion never ending.  

~Grace & Peace~

We are completing our series “Seed of Possibility” this week and I am asking everyone to read John 1:1-14 and Genesis 1:1-3 before coming to church. These passages are intimately connected and speak to the glory of our savior. I look forward to sharing with you this week just how much God cares about you and your life. Be encouraged and know that God has a plan for you and your life and your eternity. Before the world was even created he made a decision about each one of us. He decided we were worth the price of the cross. He paid for our mistakes and as believers, we get to live in the hope of a never ending relationship with Him.

I pray that you draw near to Jesus as He desires to draw near to you. It is far easier to live according to our created purpose than it is to fight against our maker. So run to God, Learn form Jesus, for His yoke is easy and His peace is certain.

~Grace & Peace~
Pastor Ernie