God’s Word of Encouragement

God’s Words Of Encouragement Acts 18. 9 One night the LORD spoke to Paul in a vision:“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the Word (Logos=Jesus) of God. We all need encouragement from time to time. In times of challenge we need it all the more. My Coach, Paul Limmer, built great track and Cross Country Teams in Bellmore because the man knew how to encourage his runners. He believed in us before we believed in ourselves. I employed his technique when I coached Little League. He included everyone, the very talented and those with little ability. When it comes to running the Christian Race, working for the LORD, we all need to hear from Heaven once in a while. Psalm 46.1 Monday night Sink down, relax Sometimes that Word from the LORD is all we need. He gave Paul what he needed for this time. He does the same for us. Rebecca often prays for “that Word” from the LORD that people need.. Paul received it. It is for us too. I would venture to say we all need this today. * Don’t Be Afraid “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid” is 365 times in the Word of God. In this case of Paul, the Apostle it was fear of physical harm coming to him. In our case it is how our culture has changed from being fairly Christian to opposed to our faith. Take Sundays… 60 years ago, even 50. Today it is the majority. Fears Common to Man * Fear of Getting Old What is going to happen to me as I age? Where am I going to end up? In God’s Hands Psalm 48.14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. * Fear of the Future With all the changes we are facing today how will I adjust to the future? Change is definite. We see it happening each day. I know Who holds the future! Each day ordained for me. * Fear of being desolate. What happens if I use all my money and cannot support myself? A friend of mine wrote yesterday: ***How many more foreclosures will add to the 18 pages they already have due to the tax reassessment ( supposed to be done every 5 yrs and hasn’t been done in 40yrs) plus the electric Bill and in cases have seen people with a 300% plus bills compared to 3 months ago ? I hope it’s a warm winter***** * Fear of starving or being out of food Matthew 6.33 I have been young, and now I am old and I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. * Fear of being Abandoned I am losing friends and family. Will the few left leave me too? What if relationships I have now are no more. Hebrews 13.5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” We will never be abandoned by the LORD! You need to hear that today! * Fear of Death Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. He comes to us in Death’s Valley in so many ways! Many! Mark 5. 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the Teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jesus’ words to us about death whether they are raised from the dead or not. Have faith! A Christian’s view of death * Our last enemy I Corinthians 15.26. Final battle * Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see! * Those who believe in Him will never die John 11.25 Death does not have the final say over the Christian. In fact we face it and then we see Christ! * What we see/ What they see * Our last heartbeat, our last breathe in God’s Presence! John 11 God’s Son is glorified through it. -v.4 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 43 When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” * Keep On Speaking Do not stop doing what God has called you to do. Paul was sent to Macedonia. Acts 16.9 His call was reaffirmed. God will do that. He does through encouragement from others. What God calls us to do He encourages us to keep going. Opposition will come. Judases will arise once in a while. If God be for us who can stand against us? * Don’t Be Silent Places on Earth where it is against the law to preach the Gospel: China this week: China detains dozens of underground church pastors in crackdown -Reuters Hebrews 13.3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. When I pray for the Church in China I try to feel what some of my fellow pastors are feeling there in prison. Then there are Countries like Nigeria where Christians are being slaughtered this week. Reports from multiple human rights and religious freedom organizations confirm that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted and killed, particularly by extremist groups in the country's northern and Middle Belt regions. The violence has intensified in recent years, making Nigeria one of the deadliest places in the world to be a Christian, according to advocates.  * I am with you God is present in our down times. He promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. He is our refuge and strength Our strong tower Proverbs 18.10  The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. * No one is Going To Attack or Harm You. Not in all cases Acts 20.23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. Pressure, affliction, straits No physical suffering but mental anguish, stress, which we can, by His Grace, turn it over to Him. * He Tells us Things We Do Not Know. “I have many people in this city” Proverbs 3.32 He takes the righteous into His confidence. His secret counsel The LORD will show you things and tell you things that are just between you and Him. This is to help you serve Him. I love the way He does this… Yesterday, something came up in conversation in front of Target. What I had suspected was proved true. I didn’t ask. I just listened. God took me into His confidence. I have not shouted it from the rooftops but I am praying about confronting someone, here in Bay Shore. Mark 4. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you…” What a blessing! Then there are secrets like this one with Paul. That must have been so good for Paul to hear. God has people here! In this church, in His Church in Bay Shore, on Long Island… in this world!