He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. – Psalm 147:4
“He who counts the stars and calls them by their names is in no danger of forgetting His own children.” – Charles Spurgeon
No danger…
Daily Encouragement
“Follow Me”
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. -Jesus, Luke 9:23
“To an unusual degree today, Christians mistakenly think that the freedom of Christian experience means that we no longer need to make any effort to be spiritual. We simply ‘do what we feel,’ and ‘be ourselves’. To live any other way—for example, to set aside definite and sacrificial amounts of money to do the Lord’s work, or to set aside specific time during the day for prayer, engage in deliberate acts of self-denial as we seek the Lord’s face— is seen as ‘legalism’ and ‘bondage.’ Jesus, on the other hand, assumes that these disciplines are basic to any spiritual vitality. And he was no legalist!” -Sinclair Ferguson
Jacob, Encountering God Through Trials
Encountering God through trials—“Bethel” — The House of God.
In our study of the life of Jacob this morning we read a story that’s familiar to most of us by personal experience.
Jacob found himself in a sad, low and lonely place. Partly because of the consequences of his own actions, partly the actions of others, and then partly just because of unfortunate circumstances. But when he was made aware of God’s presence and promises, Jacob’s place of great pain was transformed to what he named Bethel which means “The House of God.” Jacob then said:
“Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” (Gen 28:16)
This happens so often! The place of trial is the place of encounter with God. We can know about God through knowledge, but so often we come to know him personally by encountering him through hardship.
George Macdonald once said “Afflictions are but the shadows of his wings”
When we encounter God through trials it can change us. We see evidence of this in the life of Jacob in Genesis 28:16-22
Encountering God through trials can
Vs 16 build our faith
Vs 17 build our theology
Vs 18 build our worship!!!
V 22 make us thankful and generous
Whatever you are going through right now, like Jacob, you can be encouraged that we can encounter God through trials. We draw near to Him in the hard places and those places can become Bethel – The House of God. Like Jacob, we too can say “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” (Gen 28:16) Like Jacob, we too can face trials knowing and believing the promises of God—that by grace through faith in Jesus we are saved, called, loved, and kept!
Remember, “Afflictions are but the shadows of his wings.”
God bless you, and keep looking up!
I Have Decided…
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus,
My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus;
No turning back, No turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
‘I Have Decided To Follow Jesus’ (Author Unknown)
Preparing for the week ahead…
Hey friends!!! Some of us are already feeling worried, anxious, and uncertain about the week ahead. Don’t do it!!!
Here’s 6 R’s for finding certainty in “uncertain times”
1. Read the Bible 📖 🔥
Let the Word of God speak to your soul and emotions.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. – Isaiah 40:8
2. Recite the gospel 😌 📰
The God of the universe loves you so much that he sent his son to die for your sins. By grace through faith we’re forgiven and He calls us son or daughter for all eternity. Let the good news give you God’s perspective!
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
3. Reach out to God prayer 🙏🏼
Psalm 61:1 starts out, Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer.
He will hear you! He will listen! It has been said if you’re praying don’t worry, and if you’re worrying don’t pray! Be a prayer warrior not a weary worrier.
4. Relationships 🤝
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says encourage one another and build one another up…
Let a friend in Christ know that you’re struggling. We’ve all been there. Don’t struggle alone! The people in your care more than you realize.
5. Remember God’s faithfulness 💡
Psalm 33:4 says, all his work is done in faithfulness.
God is faithful. He has never failed, and He won’t start now.
6. Rid yourself of sources of anxiety. 👎🏼 😟
It may be time to turn off social media and the news. 2 Timothy 2:16 says, avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.
Be wise with your time and eliminate what’s causing you to get your blood pressure up!
That’s it friends! I hope these 6 R’s can help you go from feeling frantic and uncertain to feeling peaceful and assured!
💪🏼 ✝️ #LookUp
THE BIBLE: WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT
THE BIBLE: WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT
Church family I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the Bible in your life as a follower of Christ. We need to not only have a high regard for it, but also a consistent use of it. That includes reading it every day. This past Sunday, at the end of the service, I shared a simple but effective strategy to reading the Bible. It is as follows:
Find a readable translation. Then, find a starting spot. The gospel of John can be a great place to begin. With you’re Bible and pen in hand, pray and then read at least one paragraph. Read it slowly and attentively. Then answer these simple questions about what you just read.
- What does this say about God?
- What’s it say about me/us?
- What does it say about the relationship between God and us?
- How do I apply it to life?
Signs you’re growing in grace…
SIGNS YOUR GROWING IN GRACE
Followers of Christ are people of grace. This morning we talked about GRACE for our past, grace today, and grace to come. We can get a good indication of our grasp of grace in the way that we relate to others. I first shared the following back in 2013 and it seems like they are even more relevant today. Here’s 14 signs you’re growing in grace from Pastor Scotty Smith
- A sign you are growing in grace is that you are more disgusted with your critical spirit than offended by others’ sins.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: When you hear the word “sanctification,” you think about Jesus & his work, not yours.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: When speak about “the victorious Christian life” you’re referring to Jesus, not you.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: Your spouse marvels at how much better you are at listening than early in your marriage.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: Your neighbors are glad they are.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: You’re increasingly less quarrelsome, sarcastic and easily offended.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: It’s getting easier not to retaliate, get even, or even crave God’s vengeance.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: Less cynicism about other people’s sins and more tears over your own.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: You feel like you’re just beginning to appreciate all the riches and depth of John 3:16.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: You can enjoy God’s gifts without reservation & share God’s gifts without hesitation.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: Compliments don’t intoxicate you and criticism doesn’t decimate you.
- A sign you’re growing in grace: Your theology always leads to doxology, not merely to you being more right than others.
- A sign you’re growing in grace is that everybody notices it but you.
Chuck Swindoll said “Let’s make one resolution this year: to anchor ourselves to God’s grace.”
That sounds like a plan!
#GRACE2021
As you open your Bible…
As you open your Bible in 2021, pray:
I: “Incline my heart to your Word, not to selfish gain” (Ps 119:37)
O: “Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your law” (119:18)
U: “Unite my heart to fear your name” (86:11)
S: “Satisfy me with your unfailing love” (90:14)
—@JohnPiper H/T Matt Smethurst
Better Man In 2021
This morning as I was thinking about 2020 and looking forward to 2021, of all the things that could occupy my mind a less than spiritual but catchy song from 1989, Better Man by Clint Black. Check out these lyrics:
🎶 I know I’m leavin’ here a better man
For knowin’ you this way
Things I couldn’t do before now I think I can
And I’m leavin’ here a better man 🎶
#KidsDontKnow right? 😂
Like y’all, this year has been a challenge for our fam. I know it’s been MUCH harder for many of y’all. And the depth of hurt can’t be expressed on social media, even if you tried. But while the hurt’s been deep His grace has been deeper! We’re coming out of 2020 with our faith intact and with a deeper dependence on God by faith in Jesus. Better.
Clint Black’s song was about a relationship that’d gone bad, I was thinking of it in reference to a year that, by many measures, had gone bad. But has it gone bad? Of course when I look at the circumstances comparatively I’d have to say “oh that’s bad.” But since I believe in a sovereign, providential God, I also believe that it’s gone just as planned. And even when I don’t see how, everything happens for a purpose. And I believe that for those who love God all things work together for GOOD (Rom 8:28). I do love God, so much. I know He’s good. I hope and pray you do too. Because if so, we can look back and say we are leaving 2020 “a better man” and know that ultimately it’s been for good.
I like Clint Black, but God in His word says it so much better:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2-4
Bring it on, 2021. Whatever it holds, we know who holds the future!
#2020 #GodIsGood #BetterMan #KidsDontKnow
10 verses for New Year’s
New Year’s is a time for looking ahead with trust in God and seeking Him. Here’s 10 Bible verses to encourage us as we look forward to 2021:
- forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14 🏆 ⬆️ 📞✝️
- Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. – Proverbs 23:18 ⏳🌅
- fear not, for I am with you… – Isaiah 41:10 😱 🚫
- Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3 🛠 🗺
- Remember Lot’s wife. – Luke 17:32 😳🧂
- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105 🔦 🦶 💡🏞
- Be strong and courageous. – Joshua 1:9 🏋🏻 👨🏻🚒
- Follow me… (Jesus) – Matthew 4:19 ✝️🚶♂️
- I am the way the truth and the life (Jesus) – John 14:6 🛣 📖 🫁
- Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith… – Hebrews 12:1-2 ✝️ 🏃🏽
Pastor Roy Layman 