(CLICK THE PICTURE) Good morning everyone. Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good yes He is good. On this Sunday morning, when believers are traditionally headed to their place of worship, the word “LEADERSHIP” dropped into my spirit. That’s the direction the spirit is leading and that’s where we will go today.
Today’s Prayer
Father, for many generations the churches of our nation were considered “the keepers of our morals.” Today, we are seeing many leaders of the hierarchy of some of our mainline denominations re-interpreting Your Word to appease society’s “sins.” Many of these have not consulted You or their lay constituency. Help us all, Lord, who consider ourselves Your people, to see our waywardness and to seek Your forgiveness before it is too late, for fear that we become a party to bringing down our nation. Remind us that You have said: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”* Help us to prayerfully consider our personal responsibility to encourage and support those religious and government leaders who are trying to lead our people in a direction that will be pleasing to You. It’s in the wonderful name of Jesus we pray and give thanks, Amen and Amen.
Let’s eat.
The Preacher and His Message
Isaiah 61:1-11 –
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. “For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.
The Prepared Preacher – “Anointed me to preach”
Acts 10:38 –
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
The Divine Message – “Good tidings”
Luke 2:10 –
but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
Acts 13:32-33 –
“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. This is what the second psalm says about Jesus: ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.
The Great Deliverance – “Liberty to the Captives”
Romans 1:16 –
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
John 8:36 –
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
The Favored Time – “The Acceptable Year”
Luke 4:19 –
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
2 Corinthians 6:2 –
for God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Quote of the Day
Some people are so cynical about free gifts that they refuse to visit stores that offer such extras. Many in our world reject the free gift from God and they refuse the good things He has to offer. God will provide for your every need, and as you grow in faith and trust, He will fill your heart with the desire for the good things in life. Jesus Christ is the bread of life. He is the Word made flesh. He was sent from heaven to live, die and rise again to new life so we can freely live in the love and glory of the Most High God. It costs us nothing. Eat and drink the gift of eternal life. Partake in the bread and living water that is Christ Jesus, and be satisfied. Thanks be to God.
Peggy Hoppes
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY
James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.