HEARING AN INSPIRING MESSAGE

By Vernalee

Sunday after Sunday, we gather to hear a message from God. We listen as our pastors speak to us. We want to leave with a inkling of encouragement in our souls; words that will make us better; words that will uplift us; words that will shed light on our experiences; words that will help us make it successfully through another day. Some pastor are fiery, some are theatrical, and others are quiet. Some are great storytellers and others favor a more direct exposition of the scriptures. Some can sing spiritual melodies that resonate through your soul. But no matter what the style or ability of the preacher, God can work through sermons to transform people’s lives. Bible scholars agree that the Sermon on the Mount is the greatest sermon ever preached. In His discourse about “kingdom living,” recorded in Matthew 5—7, Jesus presented to His disciples the way of righteous living for those who are in God’s family. "The Sermon on the Mount is the longest continuous section of Jesus speaking found in the New Testament, and has been one of the most widely quoted elements of the Canonical Gospels. It includes some of the best known teachings of Jesus, such as the Beatitudes, and the widely recited Lord’s Prayer. In addition, The Sermon on the Mount contains the central tenets of Christian discipleship. This sermon is still applicable to us today because God’s Word is never outdated. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.” When we hear great biblical based sermons, we should prayerfully ask God to use His Word to speak directly into our lives. It is hopeful that the words and teachings will have the power to bring about authentic transformations in our lives.” If you think back to those sermons that left a meaningful impact, messages that transformed you – that is the emotional and spiritual place where you need to be. When I hear a sermon and it seems as if the pastor is talking directly to me as if no one is sitting in the church but the two of us, I know that it‘s the message that I need to hear. It is those times that I feel that The Lord has spoken to me through his messenger in such a manner that I could receive it in my heart. God always knows our needs! The timing and his message are always right on time and the exact nourishment that is needed for our souls. Happy Sunday! Blessings!

LET THEM GO

By Vernalee

Today is s a day of reflection.

Said simply and shortly. Sometimes - we have to let things go - plain and simple.

Moving on without the weight of being held down may be best for our soul.

Let them go and go on with your life!

WHEN GOD IS IN THE PLAN

Miraculous things have happened, happen, and will continue to happen….when God is in the plan!

To our eyes, it may seem impossible, but all things are possible with God!

For a young shepherd boy named David with only a slingshot and rocks to overthrow a mighty warrior named Goliath who was a mighty giant warrior, God was in the plan!

For Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt by parting the Red Sea, God was in the plan!

For the walls of Jericho to fall at God's command, God was in the plan!

For Balaam's Donkey to speak, God was in the plan!

For Samson to use a jawbone as a weapon and annihilate thousands, God was in the plan!

For Noah to build an ark when it had never rain, God was in the plan!

For Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego to escape the fiery furnace, God was in the plan!

For Jonah to survive three days and safely come out of the belly of a whale, God was in the plan!

For Daniel to be thrown to hungry lions and walk out of the lion's den, God was in the plan!

For Solomon to impart his wisdom by ordering the splitting of a baby to determine the true Mother, God was in the plan!

For the miraculous conception of our Lord and Savior to be born of the virgin Mary, God was in the plan!

To give his only begotten son to save mankind, God was in the plan!

For Jesus healing many... and raising the dead...to Jesus feeding a multitude of over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, God was in the plan!

For Jesus to turn water to wine... and to walk on water, God was in the plan!

For over 126 recorded miracles from the creation to the resurrection and beyond, God was in the plan!

Yes, I am thankful for God to be involved in the intricate details of every aspect of my life; to be in the plan!

For God to wake you and me up this morning and order our steps, we are blessed that God is in the plan! Photo credit: www.fastcompany.com