Planting Flowers

On Saturday, the youth from APG Chapel had the opportunity to plant flowers for the Shipley's. Let me tell you how much this humbled them! It was so good to see the youth so eager to help the older members of our church! Mrs. Amy was so amazed at them, it brought tears to her eyes, and to mine.

The thing that amazes me the most is the unity that God has brought in and given to us, making us a family. The church = On Body in Christ! Our love for each other is/should be a mirror picture of God's love for us.

"How good and pleasant is it when brothers live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1

Brothers and Sisters in Christ...

...stand FIRM. Let NOTHING Move you. Always give yourselves FULLY to the work of the LORD, because you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Psalm 73

I was reading in Psalm 73 this morning about the tragedy of the wicked, and the blessedness of trust in God. The Psalmist is a little envious of the wicked because of their prosperity. In a moment, he forgets his own blessings, only looking at all that the wicked have and the way of their hearts. Then, remembering his own life, he says, "When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me- until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end." (v. 16-17) The wicked and selfish at heart might have "riches" and "wealth" here on the earth, but what is that in all eternity? What satisfaction can worldly expenses have but temporal? Then the Psalmist does something else: he remembers how he came to The Lord. "Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You." (v. 21-22) We all have moments in our lives when we realize our own foolishness and sinfulness, but, thanks be to God, repentance is followed by a humbling forgiveness! "Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." (v. 23-24) Not only a realized forgiveness, but a hope of eternity worshiping GOD and that knowing that He is all that we need because He is all that can satisfy our every longing in life and after." Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (v. 25-26) Of course, it doesn't stop with the joy that God has given us with completed satisfaction in Him. No. Now we have a life to live on the earth in relationship with God, trusting and following Him, and telling others about Him. "But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works." (v. 28)

God is among us. He loved us first and from the beginning. He is the only satisfaction for our lives on earth and for eternity.

Godly Friendships

How are Christian friendships different from others?

David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20)

Jonathan’s willingness to do whatever David wanted (Philippians 2:3-4)
Jonathan loved David as he loved himself (20:17) even when his father, Saul, hated David (Proverbs 17:17a)
David wept when he had to leave Jonathan (20:41)

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." [1 Thess. 5:11]

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." [Heb. 3:13]

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." [Heb. 10:25]

God calls us to be encouraging one another DAILY.

Sometimes encouragements from friends can be painful

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (Proverbs 27:5-6)

Paul and his “Church Friends”

"I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." [Col. 2:1]

"...He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." [Col. 4:12]

Paul loved his “church friends.” He loved them so much to spread the Good News about Jesus to people and really disciple them!! Paul also prayed for his “church friends.” As Christian brothers and sisters, we should be praying for one another DAILY.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13]