Mid-Week Encouragement for April 17th, 2024

Another week of beautiful weather, and summertime is almost here! I cannot wait for the cookouts and to get back outside to work on the yard and garden. Terri and I are planning a garden twice as big as last year, and I have my work cut out for me, reclaiming our yard from the woods and overgrowth.

One of the things I love about being outside and in the woods is the peace and quiet. You can think and pray, and although He is always near us, it is much easier to hear from the Lord. The exercise is good for us as well.

One of the great things I appreciate about the Spirit of God is the calm He gives during the storm. Things happen; this world is a mess, and many who claim to belong to the Lord are not His at all. We see the liars and cheats on the internet and TV, the scam artists who use God's name in vain for their own wealth and glory, charlatans who love prestige and titles, position and authority, all to build wealth and their kingdoms here on earth. Though terribly sad (mostly for those who follow these wolves because they do not read and study the word of God, rather, listen to what the wolves tell them it says), it is to be expected because times are drawing near to His return!

2 Timothy 3:1-7

"But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Keep away from such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and take captive weak women weighed down with sins, being led on by various desires, 7 always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth."

Therefore, if you have friends or family who do not know the Lord, tell them! Share the only gospel that saves, the gospel of Christ Jesus. If you have friends or family tied up with false teaching or false prophets, invite them away from the wolves to a true bible-believing / teaching church where they will get to know the Lord. Invite them to small group study, or to church where you attend. Don't watch as they are drained by the evangelical vampires trying their hardest to take every last dime from them.

We don't believe in the Lord because of signs and wonders, but because the Word is truth, and because of the atonement purchased with the blood of Jesus, we can be set free from the bondage of sin, and be received as sons and daughters of the Most High.

Matthew 24:24

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

Acts 20:28-30

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them."

SERMON FROM LAST SUNDAY

Here is the audio if you prefer to listen.

NEXT SUNDAY'S SERMON

Serving the Lord Part 10: The Assembly

UPCOMING EVENTS

Here are some calendar reminders of upcoming events. These are just for your calendar and to let you know the dates since most calendars do not show the Holy Days.

Passover Begins

April 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM – April 30, 2024 at 7:00 PM|Have a blessed Passover

Register Now

Feast of Unleavened Bread

April 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM – April 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM|Have a blessed feast.

Register Now

Feast of First Fruits

April 24, 2024, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM|Have a blessed Feast.

Register Now

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are having an event that all are invited to: The Iosco Ministerial Association's Annual National Day of Prayer in front of the courthouse! I hope you can attend! Register NOW to let us know if you are going to attend!

National Day of Prayer IMA Community Event

May 2, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00 PM|In front of the Court House

Register Now

CURRENT NEED

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

With Hebrew Scholar Chad Bird from 1517, a nonprofit organization that exists to declare and defend the Good News that you are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone.

https://www.1517.org/oneyear

PRAYER REQUESTS

Julie & Edward

For Pastor's right eye

Kari Seidel

Warren H

Linda W

Our nation & Israel

Lynnda F daughter

Unspoken for Rebekah

THIS MONTHS BIRTHDAYS

Julie Calhoun 4/17 (TODAY!!)