Saturday, December 14, 2024

EXPECTING JESUS

 

   Cindy Hess Kasper- My friend Paul was awaiting the arrival of a technician to repair his refrigerator when he saw a text on his phone from the appliance company.  It read: "Jesus is on his way and is expected to arrive at approximately 11:35 a.m." Paul soon discovered the technician's name was indeed Jesus (hay-SOOS).

   But when can we expect Jesus the Son of God to arrive? When He came as a man two thousand years ago and suffered the penalty of our sin, He said that He'd be back—but only the Father knew the precise day or hour" of His return (Matt. 24:36).

   What a difference might it make in our day-to-day priorities if we did know the moment our Savior is coming back to earth? (John 14:1-3).

   Jesus cautioned us to be ready for His return: "the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Matt. 24:44). He reminded us to "keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (v. 42).

   On the day of Christ's return, we won't get an alert on our phone to give us a heads-up. So, through the power of the Spirit working through us, let's live each day with a perspective of eternity, serving God and taking advantage of every opportunity to share His message of love and hope with others.

Our Prayer: Father, as I pataiently wait, please help me to obey You, pursue holiness, and to live in expectation of Christ's return."  Amen

#65 Testimony- August H. Francke,  Luthern minister around 1700 and founder of the orphan homes at Halle, Germany.

    Dr. Francke needed a large sum of money. His treasurer came to him for the money. Francke told him to come after lunch, all the while praying earnestly. After lunch the treasurer came again for the money, and Francke asked him to come in the evening.
   In the meantime, a friend of Dr. Francke came to see him. The two men prayed together. When Francke began to pray, God led him to recall God's goodness to humankind, going back all the way to Creation.
   Francke praised God over and over for His goodness and faithfulness over the centuries but felt restrained from mentioning his urgent petition.
   When the friend left, Francke accompanied him to the door. There stood the treasurer waiting for the money, and beside him a man who then handed Dr. Francke a very large sum of money that fully met the need."


1351-1355 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 
1351- Pro. 11:20b "such as are upright in their way are his delight."
1352- Is. 33:15a "He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly."
1353- Ezra 1:6a "All they that were about them strengthened their hands."
1354- Ps. 21:6 "You give him blessings forever; you cheer him with joy in your                             presence."
1355- Pro. 3:33b "He blesseth the habitation of the just."


 #65 Hymn- (Was originally #16 Hymn-) How Great Thou Art


The following quote about this song, How Great Thou Art, is taken from THEN SINGS MY SOUL By Robert J. Morgan (pg. 213)

  "During the 1954 Billy Graham Crusade in Harringay Arena, George Beverly Shea was given a leaflet containing this hymn. He sang it to himself and shared it with other members of the Graham team. Though not used in London, it was introduced the following year to audiences in Toronto.
   In the New Your Crusade of 1957, it was sung by Bev Shea ninety-nine times with the choir joining the majestic refain: 
 
     Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, 
     How great Thou art! How great Thou art!"  


 Some encouraging words-

   "The faith that binds Satan is the faith that takes the offensive: it immobilies Satan's force and disarms his weapons (doubt, discouragement, fear, temptatioin). The prayer of faith applies the victory of Calvary.  It exercises the authority of the name of Jesus."
(pg. 275, MIGHTY PREVAILING PRAYER by Wesley L. Duewel).


   Mary Southerland  "I have come to realize that just knowing God’s plan for my life does not guarantee success. I must do the plan. That is where obedience comes in. An obedient heart is a “fixed” heart - the only gift God wants from us this holiday season." 


Church notes: 

God always has a plan and purpose for your lives. 
     If married:

1). Embrace the Bigness and Majesty of God,
2). Trust in His wisdom and timing, submitting to His plan,
3). Embrace with compassion the changes that come, always praying together,
4). Ask others to join in prayer to strengthen your marriage comittment.


Upcoming posts:  (I will be off the computer and no texting, (excepting for emergencies), from the 18th through the 22nd of December)

12/28th- THE JOY OF TRIALS- Sandi Arenburg
1/4th-    WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS (Second half) -Joyce Meyer
11th-     SEARCH ME, O GOD- Lois J. Stucky


The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 



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