Encouragement When You Need it the Most
Notes
Transcript
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
two men who were sent by a shoe manufacturer to a remote country to sell shoes? One wrote back: "I have terrible news. This is a God-forsaken country. Nobody here wears shoes. I'm coming home." The other man wrote: "This is a wonderful country. I am so grateful you sent me to this territory. Nobody here wears shoes. Send me 5,000 pairs."
Introduction
There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge." In response Socrates led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into the water. The he asked the young man, "Now tell me, what is it that you want?"
Introduction:
two men who were sent by a shoe manufacturer to a remote country to sell shoes? One wrote back: "I have terrible news. This is a God-forsaken country. Nobody here wears shoes. I'm coming home." The other man wrote: "This is a wonderful country. I am so grateful you sent me to this territory. Nobody here wears shoes. Send me 5,000 pairs."
Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
Or what of the two men who were sent by a shoe manufacturer to a remote country to sell shoes? One wrote back: "I have terrible news. This is a God-forsaken country. Nobody here wears shoes. I'm coming home." The other man wrote: "This is a wonderful country. I am so grateful you sent me to this territory. Nobody here wears shoes. Send me 5,000 pairs."
There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge." In response Socrates led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into the water. The he asked the young man, "Now tell me, what is it that you want?"
What about the day when attitude won't carry the day? What of the day when life's circumstances are simply overwhelming?
And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
"Knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.
That's when you need encouragement the most. Thankfully, that's also the moment you might realize that encouragement like that is actually available!
Message: This is what makes you so great, Master GOD! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we've heard with our own ears.
Socrates put his hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under the water. Thirty seconds later the wise philosopher lifted his pupil out of the water. "What is it again that you want?" he asked. "Wisdom, O great and wise Socrates" the young man said under labored breathing.
The peace that passes all understanding is one of the most precious forms of encouragement that God has ever given us. It's the solution for the pursuit of peace. It's the peace that comes when we avoid impure actions. And it's the satisfying answer in our chase for contentment, for the ability to actually enjoy life.
If you'd like to experience the peace God offers ...
Introduction:
Socrates again took the man and held him under water, this time longer. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five, forty, forty-five. Finally, Socrates let him up. The man gasped for air as Socrates asked him, "What do you want, young man?"
He labored to answer. "Knowledge, O wise and wonderful . . ." To this response Socrates then plunged the man under water, this time holding him for close to a minute. As the young man came up panting for oxygen, Socrates asked him, "What do you want?"
If we are honest we will admit that there is no one like our heavenly Father. He is an awesome God and he takes care of us.
I. Choose joy in times of anxiety
I. Choose joy in times of anxiety
We can seek to find other sources of joy and strength in this world, but we will fail to be fulfilled by those worldly sources. God is our all-sufficient Father and He is all we need. His goal is to get us to where He is all we want!
In what ways is our awesome God more sufficient for our needs than any other worldly source?
When Paul first visited Philippi, it didn't take him long to find trouble. He and Silas were arrested, stripped of their clothes in front of a crowd, and brutally beaten. () When Paul and Silas regained consciousness, they were in the most secure portion of the Philippian jail, surrounded by prisoners. Their wounds were fresh, and the dirt of the prison floor must have added to the torment. With their feet in stocks designed for discomfort, it made for a day when Paul and Silas needed encouragement about as badly as they ever had.
"Air!" the young man screamed. "I need air!"
Their reaction to a really bad day?
"When you desire wisdom as you have just desired air, then you will have it".
Why should our praise to God be, "There Is None Like You"?
(HCSB)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
I've always found that passage of scripture nearly unbelievable. Two men serving God were singing praise to God, on a day when God apparently took the day off. Paul had seen God's miracle-working hand before. In fact, a miracle of God was what led to all the trouble. So where was the miracle during the arrest, the humiliation, and the beating? Why had God let his missionaries sit in the rot of a prison dungeon all afternoon, and half the night?
Most people would probably say that they desire wisdom. Yet not many actually desire wisdom as that young man desired air. Wisdom something you identify when you see it but may have difficulty defining it. I would define wisdom as the ability to live in right relation to how things actually are. The Scriptures proclaim that such ability begins with fearing the Lord, but it does not end there.
I. There is none more True.
I. There is none more True.
I've always found that passage of scripture nearly unbelievable. Two men serving God were singing praise to God, on a day when God apparently took the day off.
1 Hear the word that the Lord has spoken to you, house of Israel. 2 This is what the Lord says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them, 3 for the customs of the peoples are worthless. Someone cuts down a tree from the forest; it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel. 4 He decorates it with silver and gold. It is fastened with hammer and nails, so it won’t totter. 5 Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them for they can do no harm— and they cannot do any good. 6 Lord, there is no one like you. You are great; your name is great in power. 7 Who should not fear you, King of the nations? It is what you deserve. For among all the wise people of the nations and among all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. 8 They are both stupid and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood! 9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. The work of a craftsman and of a goldsmith’s hands is clothed in blue and purple, all the work of skilled artisans. 10 But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at his wrath, and the nations cannot endure his rage.
Paul had seen God's miracle-working hand before. In fact, a miracle of God was what led to all the trouble. So where was the miracle during the arrest, the humiliation, and the beating? Why had God let his missionaries sit in the rot of a prison dungeon all afternoon, and half the night?
I. Wisdom comes from fearing the LORD ()
I. Wisdom comes from fearing the LORD ()
The bigger question: Why would God's missionaries sing praise to God under such conditions?
Message:
Now he writes to them again from prison.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Undoubtedly, you know someone that trusts his own internal compass better than his GPS unit. Perhaps you are that guy. This is the person who ends up in Idaho instead of Arizona because he thought he knew a shortcut. He trusts his own direction instead of his sure guide. tells us that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge". Fear of the LORD is like trusting in your GPS unit instead of your own shortcut.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
6 There is none like you, O Yahweh, you are great and your name is great in might.
All this is nothing compared to you, O GOD. You're wondrously great, famously great.
Message: All this is nothing compared to you, O GOD. You're wondrously great, famously great.
Could they have forgotten the innocent prisoner who sang at midnight?
r. "Rejoice in the Lord always," Paul wrote. Could they have forgotten the innocent prisoner who sang at midnight? "Don't be anxious about anything. Instead, pray. And God's peace will cover your heart."
When you hear the word "fear," what do you think of? For many people the idea of fear evokes thoughts of distressing emotions and terror. Fear is what happens when you sense danger. While such a fear might be a proper response for those that do not trust Christ, it does not capture what is meant in this text. Fear of the Lord means having an accurate view of God and ourselves in relation to Him.
There must be a connection between what happened to Paul in Philippi on his first visit, and what he wrote to the believers there several years later. "Rejoice in the Lord always," Paul wrote. Could they have forgotten the innocent prisoner who sang at midnight? "Don't be anxious about anything. Instead, pray. And God's peace will cover your heart."
All this is nothing compared to you, O GOD. You're wondrously great, famously great.
5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
If anxiety rules your day, turn the tables on your stress. Sing a praise song as if it's the best day of your life, and not the worst. Tell God how much you love Him, even if you feel quite unloved during an anxious season. Choosing joy in the midst of anxiety is faith lived out.
"Don't be anxious about anything. Instead, pray. And God's peace will cover your heart."
"Don't be anxious about anything. Instead, pray. And God's peace will cover your heart."
If anxiety rules your day, turn the tables on your stress. Sing a praise song as if it's the best day of your life, and not the worst. Tell God how much you love Him, even if you feel quite unloved during an anxious season. Choosing joy in the midst of anxiety is faith lived out.
The one who fears the Lord will say with that "His ways are higher than our ways." The fool will have too low a view of God and too high a view of self. You cannot live in right relationship to how things are if you miss on this fundamental point. You will think too highly of yourself. Your own heart will be the compass that guides you through life in a broken and rebellious world. God declares that the human heart is like a broken compass. It is not a sure guide. Only the LORD is a sure guide that will never fail.
Look at Jeremiah’s response to God’s truthfulness. He denounces worship of false gods and he exalts the worship and respect for the true and the living God.
Everybody worships something. Everybody picks who their gods will be.
II. Choose an intentional path towards Joy
II. Choose an intentional path towards Joy
Application: Do you trust in your own "wisdom" or the Lord's wisdom? What is your compass? The Wisdom literature of the Bible calls us to consider the LORD as our source of wisdom.
Who or what is your God?
Now when the conference was over, this couple got in their car and drove across several states to get back home. And late one evening, through a freakish event, they were almost hit head-on by a car. The older gentleman twisted his steering wheel and drove their car into a ditch, and, of all things, it wound up in a shallow ravine, just under a little bridge. This older man and wife, who had just committed themselves to following fully the Lord, decided in that moment that even this must be from God.
II. Wisdom continues by following the LORD ()
II. Wisdom continues by following the LORD ()
It seems that every few years Christendom is rocked by a scandal. One of her leaders is exposed when hidden sin becomes public. Frequently these are men and women that proclaim a biblical worldview. They appear to possess great wisdom. Yet, when the truth comes out it is evident that these leaders were living a double life. These sad tales serve as a constant reminder that wisdom extends beyond merely knowing the truth but in actually living it out.
So they quickly climbed out and stood on top of their car, put their arms around one another and began to sing, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow ..."
There were people already gathering on the bridge to see if they were OK, and now they were watching, the way those prisoners were watching Paul and Silas when they were singing. They sang the entire Doxology, and it had an unusual effect on people. The wife even said, "The policeman was there and he had his hat over his heart."
What is your response to God’s truthfulness? It should be, "There Is None Like You!"
II. There is none more Holy.
II. There is none more Holy.
When they finished singing the last "Amen," the husband shrugged his shoulders, looked up at the crowd and said, "You folks might have wondered why we called this meeting this afternoon." And then he told them about Christ - right there, standing on the top of their wrecked car in the middle of a shallow ravine. Rejoicing always.
Watch how intentional Paul is with his instructions:
The epistle of James serves as a wisdom book in the New Testament. In 1:22-25 James echoes the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament. It is never enough for the people of God to merely hear the Word of God. They must also be doers of the Word. Knowing that God is our source of wisdom is only part of our responsibility. We must also trust Him. The man that rejects the mirror of God's Word by not living accordingly decides to act upon a reality he knows is untrue.
1 Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is lifted up by the Lord. My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2 There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God.
II. In an immoral world, choose an intentional path of purity
II. In an immoral world, choose an intentional path of purity
Application: Are you a doer of the Word? It is one thing to know the truth about God, ourselves, and our world. It is quite another to act on that truth.
Message: Nothing and no one is holy like GOD, no rock mountain like our God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
One of the surest ways for a Christian to lose his peace is for him to intentionally choose a path of immorality. If he gives in to the temptation, he'll find that he can have only one of two options - the sin that violates God's Word - or the peace of God that follows an obedient lifestyle.
The sad story of humanity is that God created us with a proper knowledge of Him. Yet we humans trust our own moral compass rather than the one the LORD provides. We daily suffer the consequences of our lack of true wisdom. None of us has full knowledge of how things actually are. Even in areas where we do have knowledge of reality we frequently act contrary to it. Our only hope for wisdom is found in the embodiment of Wisdom - namely, Jesus the Christ. proclaims that Christ Jesus "became to us wisdom from God." Unbelievers must stop trusting their own compass and replace it with the sure foundation of Christ. Believers must trust in Him as our sole source of wisdom. To really desire wisdom means that I fully trust in Christ as my compass.
Watch how intentional Paul is with his instructions:
Message: Nothing and no one is holy like GOD, no rock mountain like our God.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (HCSB)
Dwell on these things.
Think on these things.
Concentrate on them.
Meditate on them.
Look at Hannah’s response to God’s holiness. She rejoiced in the Lord, she praised the Lord, she spread the Good News of the Lord and His salvation.
In a world o social media and 24hr news station usually the worst things get elevated. The worst stories, the most hateful people. Those things get more notice.
Dwell on these things.
Think on these things.
Concentrate on them.
Meditate on them.
What is your response to God’s holiness? It should be, "There Is None Like You!"
When we focus on the worst things of these world no wonder our joy is gone.
III. There is none Greater.
When we focus on the things of God, it only makes sense that the peace of God would follow. And when we choose the opposite focus of our thought life, we shouldn't be surprised at the unpeaceful results.
III. Learn contentment in every life situation
III. Learn contentment in every life situation
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
What can David speak more to thee for the honor of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
We should know by now that contentment isn't an automatic right, despite the fact that the pursuit of happiness is right at the top of our Declaration of Independence. Or maybe the founding fathers got it right.
Maybe they knew we'd frantically chase contentment, pursuing happiness, all the days of our American lives.
So many of us seem to be convinced that the next thing we buy, the next job we take, or the next hobby we tackle will bring happiness.
And so many of us are frustrated.
Message: There's none like you, GOD, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we've heard with our own ears.
And you'll have encouragement when you needed it the most.
Look at David’s response to God’s greatness. He was humbled, he was thankful, he was worshipful.
What is your response to God’s greatness? It should be, "There Is None Like You!"
Perhaps contentment and happiness are like butterflies. The more you chase them, the more they fly away and hide. Come to think of it, chasing butterflies is a worthless occupation. You can't eat one, and you can't sell one. It won't do your chores, and it won't keep you company late at night. So it's really a smart thing to put down the butterfly nets. Ironically, once you stop and busy yourself with things that have great value - like relationships with your family and friends - contentment and happiness will sneak up on you from behind and land on your shoulder.
And you'll have encouragement when you needed it the most.
IV. There is none more Merciful.
Paul had pulled it off through his persevering, life-long walk with the Lord.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forevermore.
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
(HCSB)
Message: There's no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord, and nothing to compare with your works.
Did you see his secret? He had learned contentment as a direct result of his walk with Christ. "I am able to do all things through Him ..." This was Paul's "secret of being content in every situation." He had cultivated a life of Christ-following discipleship.
Did you see his secret? He had learned contentment as a direct result of his walk with Christ. "I am able to do all things through Him ..." This was Paul's "secret of being content in every situation." He had cultivated a life of Christ-following discipleship.
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
Look at David’s response to God’s mercy. He was prayerful. He was confident of God’s answer to his prayers. He was submissive to God’s way. He was teachable. He was worshipful and thankful for God’s deliverance from hell.
If you pull this off, with intentional rejoicing, and intentional purity, and an intentional concentration on contentment, something wonderful will happen. God's peace - which is like no other peace - will be yours. Remember, Jesus once said, "My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives" (HCSB) It's the same kind of peace Paul gives here in a great word of encouragement. It's the peace that passes all understanding, taking away anxiety, guarding against impurity, and blessing us with contentment.
It's the same kind of peace Paul gives here in a great word of encouragement. It's the peace that passes all understanding.
What is your response to God’s mercy? It should be, "There Is None Like You!"
Conclusion
American Idol Video.
That's why a sentry worked through the night at Philippi. While people inside the city slept, the sentry kept watch. Knowing there was a guard on alert, people rested easily. The sentry - the "phulasso" - would watch for enemy soldiers, for a midnight thief, or even a destructive rabbit looking for a garden snack. The sentry was on guard, and that gave the Philippians reason to rest peacefully.
Conclusion:
When Paul talked about the peace of God, the kind of peace that was beyond human understanding, he capitalized on that imagery to communicate his message. "And the peace of God," Paul wrote (4:7), "will guard (like a phulasso will guard) your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The peace of God will be like that sentry, marching around your life, watching for things that might battle your peace of mind. When you need the encouragement the most, God's sentry-man of peace will be at its best.
What is your response to God’s truthfulness?
What is your response to God’s holiness?
What is your response to God’s greatness?
What is your response to God’s mercy?
What are you going to do this week because you serve the true and the living God?
One winter morning in Georgia I awoke to find that an ice storm had silently arrived during the night, knocking out our electric power in the process. Because I worked for an afternoon newspaper, I had to make every effort to get to work before daybreak. Since it was cold, I let my car warm up in the carport behind our home, and turned on the headlights so I could see my way in the dark. In a few moments, I headed for the road. As the headlights of the car swung around our property, the damage from the storm was obvious. Shrubbery and plants were frozen and broken. The trees glittered with their coats of ice. Countless limbs were fallen to the ground. Slowly, I drove around the house, only to discover that a tree had fallen across my driveway. It completely blocked my path to the road! Just at that moment, however, I saw some motion in the headlights. My next-door neighbor was already trying to move the tree! He knew about my job and had seen the tree on my driveway earlier that night. So when he saw the headlights of my car while it was warming up, he dressed for warmth, headed for the trouble and began clearing my path before I even knew I had a problem. We moved the tree away from the driveway, I thanked him for the help, and made it to work on time.
What are your going to do this week because your God is holy and He wants you to be holy?
That's the idea of God's peace that passes all understanding. Before we're aware of the fallen limbs across the paths of our lives - before we ever see the stumbling blocks before us - God is already working to provide care. When God works, it's impossible to describe the peace, which is why the Bible calls it a "peace that transcends understanding."
Conclusion
Conclusion
What are you going to do this week because your God is great and He does great things for you?
American Idol Video.
What are you going to do this week because your God is merciful and you are forgiven and you get a second chance and you have a home in heaven?
Mellis, who was the music director for the show, regularly amazed the television audiences with his versatility on the keyboard. One of the really fascinating things that Mellis would do was to invite Parr to come over to the piano and strike the keys in a completely arbitrary manner. Parr would strike a horrendous discord and then say to Mellis, "Okay, Jose, let's see what you can do with that."
Our response should be, "There Is None Like You!"
Mellis would respond by putting his fingers on the keys struck by Parr and blend the notes of the discord into a beautiful piece of music. He would not only start with the discord struck by Parr, he would come back to it time and time again, making it an integral part of the music. Something ugly was transformed into something beautiful while America watched and listened.
There's a great analogy there as to what God can do with our lives. With sin and pride and greed and mistakes, we sure have struck enough discordant notes ...
(NOTE: Integrity Worship has a video by Lenny LeBlanc with the song "There Is None Like You" that is perfect for opening or closing this sermon.)
There's a great analogy there as to what God can do with our lives. With sin and pride and greed and mistakes, we sure have struck enough discordant notes ... But God has the ability to reach into our lives - when we give Him the chance - and make beautiful music out of all our discord.
But God has the ability to reach into our lives - when we give Him the chance - and make beautiful music out of all our discord.
In your greatest need for encouragement right now? Choose joy. Choose purity. Choose trust. Reject anxiety. Forget the circumstances. Memorize and soak in scripture. Find the confidence that comes through knowing Jesus.
And the encouragement is yours.