Preach the
Word
Read:
2 Timothy 1:8-14
My
cousin lives in Florida and did not attend church much for the last
decade or more. Now she has begun to enjoy the fellowship of a large
non-denominational church and has become involved in its activities.
I am happy that she is on a better spiritual path, but there is a
small problem. Several times she has emailed links to the video of
their Sunday sermon, and I have dutifully watched them, wishing to
encourage her new interest in spiritual growth.
Over
time I have watched several of the Florida services and have been
struck by the pastor’s psychological emphasis rather than any
Biblical tie-ins. Yes, the message probably gave the congregation a
pleasant mood lift, but were they led to a closer walk with Jesus by
the sermon? Psychological help can often bring people to needed
changes in their lives but how effective is it in guiding the hungry
soul looking for deeper meaning in life?
Last
Sunday my heart was filled with renewed gladness at the message
Pastor Judy shared with our congregation. As always, the theme was
straight from the Word of God. The topic was WATER, and that was
woven into Biblical references on baptism and how we as followers of
Christ can continuously grow in His love which we are taught to share
with the world in many different ways.
We
are so blessed to have guidance from pastors who are confident in
sharing wonderful Biblical teachings each Sunday! Our individual
lives can be made fuller and richer as we, however imperfectly,
strive to share God’s presence through the way we live our lives.
One
of my favorite Bible verses is this, from Philippians 1:6: “Being
confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it
on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
How grateful we at GPUMC can be, to experience the teachings that can
guide us to be fertile fields for Christ’s love, enabling us to
grow until completion.
Joy
Baker
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