(CLICK THE TITLE) Good morning everyone. This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. There are people reading this message right now who have had some strange twist happen in their lives over the past few days and I’m here to let you know that God closes doors in our lives sometimes to get use to move in another direction. So let Him drive and enjoy the ride.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, continue to teach us how we should pray each day, in the same way that You taught Your disciples —
“‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.'” (Matthew 6:12)
Help us to see that we can only experience your forgiveness after we have forgiven those who have wronged us, for our hearts can’t hold Your complete forgiveness if we reserve one section for bitterness. When we forgive others, then we won’t be the ones to suffer illness — either mentally, physically, or both. We must not condone another’s sin, but we do need to forgive the sinner, because You truly do know what is best for us!
“‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. *[For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen]'” (Verse 13)
Don’t let us be tempted beyond our strength, Lord. Help us, to resist Satan’s enticements, as You, Lord Jesus, resisted them in the desert wilderness. Remind us of the commitments that we made when we accepted You as our Lord and Savior; to God the Father, to You, and to the Holy Spirit, who is our connection with You, our comforter, and our guide to Your truth.** In Your holy name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Three past Things
Past Life in Sin
Ephesians 2:1-4
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
The Believer Past Feeling
Ephesians 4:17-19
With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
The Hardened Sinner Past Harvest
Jeremiah 8:20
My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken. Listen to the weeping of my people; it can be heard all across the land. “Has the Lord abandoned Jerusalem?” the people ask. “Is her King no longer there?” “Oh, why have they provoked my anger with their carved idols and their worthless foreign gods?” says the Lord. “The harvest is finished, and the summer is gone,” the people cry, “yet we are not saved!”
Quote of the Day
We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it.
(Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis
WITH HOPE AND FAITH
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY