July 2008
This month's scripture:
"whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28, NIV
Sermon:
"Beloved, grace and peace to you in the name of our lord, redeemer, and savior Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that the warmer summer days we're now enjoying allot you sufficient opportunity to spend quality time outside enjoying the beauty that our creator's bestowed upon us, and to be increasingly thankful for everything He's done for us (since it's from Him directly that all blessings flow from).
Everyone encounters arrogant people from time to time, and finds their attitude to be annoying, because-when we're immorally subjected to that abuse-we know they're hurting us in cruel ways which are in alignment with what Satan wants (which is never the right way for things to be). It's especially frustrating to have to be around such people when they seem to be receiving abundant prosperity (despite failing to exhibit holy character) and we-who selflessly seek to be righteous-are stuggling far more than them with a lack of our appropriate share from the gifts of the tree of life.
Our Lord desires for these challenging scenarios to be tests for our ability to persevere against (and conquer) the whims of the devil, so consistently gather your strength and improve the worth of your stable faith in Christ as these horrific days arise (in accordance with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as always, who will pull His own through anything and not allow the burden to be too much for us as we endure). Though it's tempting to begin to also have a negative attitude and to even start producing behavior which matches that of the arrogant person before us, instead obey our heavenly father (who alone is who we answer to) by being humble, compassionate, loving, and helpful to those around you. The purpose of our existence isn't to strive to necessarily be the richest and/or most powerful and accomplished (in ways which allow those results to be bogus idols in our lives which sinfully detract from our sacred relationship with the Lord), but instead to walk in the shadow of the Master by graciously and affectionately providing constructive contributions to this world of darkness which extinguish the fruits of the worthless devil's labor (which include murder, hate, adultery, theft, abuse, etc.) and force those doomed pursuits to turn around and become abundant life in the Spirit, unity, admirable marriage life which honors our spouses as fully as Christ adored the church, giving too much instead of taking what isn't ours, and treating others as we wish to be treated (while reading our Bibles & praying & witnessing for Christ daily, as well as attending worship every Sunday). God bless!"
