Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts

Monday, September 21, 2020

Grace, Mercy, Peace

 

Photo by Pr. Judy Mattson

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

 All the saints salute you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 
                                                                                     (2 Cor 13:11-14 KJV)

About two thousand years ago St. Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians with words of encouragement. He encouraged them to be of like minds and to live in peace. 

Today we need to hear and take heed of that same encouragement as we pray for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit to be with us all. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Use Those Gifts!

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:3-8 NIV

Evangelism seems to be a hot topic in the church on earth in this generation. It is a much talked about topic. (Emphasis on talked about!) Everyone wants to know how to do evangelism; what the best program might be. Here it is! The best program is not a program; rather, it is that every member of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, use the God given gifts for the good of the whole Body.

That being said, I admit that I do actually have an evangelism strategy. I call it the "3 P's," for Prayer, Praise and Proclamation. Pray for God's will to be done; for His Kingdom to come, on earth as it is in heaven. Praying involves listening, as well. Listen to God's direction on how best to use the gifts He has given you to do His will, to further His Kingdom.  Praise God often and not just in your head. Praise Him aloud so that others might know of how God has been blessing your life. Last of all and certainly not least: Proclaim His Word! Tell others what He has done for you and for them. Tell others of His promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Use those gifts that God has given you for His glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J