God’s Shaping Hand  Jeremiah 18

Think about all the different types of containers in our world today.  All different shapes, sizes, they are made for different purposes, to hold almost anything… we seemingly have containers for everything!

Containers actually are quite useful, right, for preserving things-- separating things, organizing. A container helps us to transport things-- or save them for a later time.   With technology and our modern culture today, we basically take a lot of this activity for granted.  But not so much in the time of the Old Testament.  The primary container of that day was-- pottery.  Pottery was a very valuable commodity because of the advantage it gave it’s owner.  However, back then, and even today,  pottery is often seen as a piece of artwork also.  Each container was hand crafted by someone. A multitude of shapes, sizes, curves and unique colors, designs and markings.  We need to be reminded that we are being shaped by God for a specific and beautiful purpose.  Also, we are being used by God as a shaping force in the lives of others!

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Repentance or Regret

Two men, two betrayals, two dramatic scenes from the last days of Jesus’ life here on earth--  These two men are very similar in many ways, they had walked with Jesus, talked and listened, learned from him, they were key partners in his ministry and his closest friends- and the results of their actions during these critical last hours of Thursday and Friday of the Holy week were tragic in so many ways.  But the story doesn’t end with the disastrous decisions and actions that these men made… in fact the story actually becomes even worse for one of these men-- but ends in a glorious restoration for the other.

Judas and Peter were two of Jesus’ closest friends, two partners that traveled with Jesus with ten other men from various backgrounds, for three spectacular years.

Three major differences between the two stories:

-Peter rejoined his peers and fellowship was part of his healing.  Judas attempted to reconcile himself with the law, and was left alone and hopeless.

-Peter was willing to rush toward Jesus when he saw him.  Judas retreated and ended his own life in loneliness and despair.

-Peter probably came to a great understanding of Jesus' true mission, which was to seek and save the lost!

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Encourage Everybody is a paper goods & gifts brand that creates unforgettable products that allow you to be creative, have fun and encourage everybody! We believe in the energy and the warmth of the written word to change the world one letter at a time! From a simple sentence to a palace of paragraphs, pick up a card and encourage a loved one!

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You Are a Masterpiece

Intro story can be found here:

https://nypost.com/2021/04/02/couple-accidentally-paints-over-500000-work-of-art/

Today, friend, I would like to talk to you about a very important person.  A person that is unique and skillful, gifted and talented-- a person who is so special, that there isn’t anyone else in the entire universe just like them---They have the potential to change the world-- in small ways-- or even in big ways…  They are truly a masterpiece of a creation.  You know who that person is--  It’s you.      I’m here today to remind you (I think we often need to be reminded) that you are unique and extraordinarily valuable!  You are indeed this priceless piece of artwork.

Another great project that I’m working on:

Verse a Day podcast-- a daily scripture reading, brief devotional thought, and prayer-- its a free audio compliment to the verseoftheday.com website.  I’m working with another pastor named Phil Ware and his team to produce his writing in a daily dose of inspiration.  Please check it out and join me for this small, but powerful  reflection.

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7 Attributes of a Soul That Is “Passionate” About God.

Psalm 63 reminds us that nothing should hinder our passion for God. King David found himself in a wilderness fleeing from his own son Absalom, but he remained passionate about God.

The word “passion” means to be animated, vivacious or enthusiastic. “Enthusiasm” comes from the word; en theos...which means; in God or possessed by God. All other enthusiasm follows our enthusiasm for God. Who or what are you passionate about?

7 marks of a soul passionate towards God:

I. Makes God a priority (vs 1-2)

II. Gives praise to God! (vs 3-4)

III. Finds pleasure in God (vs 5)

IV. Is preoccupied with God! (vs 6-7)

V. It pursues after God (vs 8)

VI. perseveres with God (vs 8) (Thy right hand upholds me)

VII. positioned under God (vs 9-11)

More explanation may be found on the show notes blog for this episode:

https://www.charlesrgrimes.com/blog/7-characteristics-of-a-soul-passionate-about-god

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Hard times come to Christians because our reactions in bad times may inspire others to turn to the Lord themselves. Just as Jesus is a witness to the world through his suffering, death, burial and resurrection, we can be a witness in the midst of our own pain and frustrations.

The message of Jeremiah 12 is a dialogue between the prophet Jeremiah and God.  Jeremiah is frustrated and wants God to fix it!  God has a very challenging answer for his servant, and we can learn a great deal from it also!

The point is this: the Lord sometimes allows the overcoming of his people for three reasons: 

First, so in the end, those who see the reactions of believers in bad times may be inspired to turn to the Lord and seek a relationship with Him. Just as Jesus was a witness to the world through his suffering, we can be a witness to ours. 

Second, God allows our overcoming as a way for us to draw closer to him in this life to remind us of our reliance on him and the hope we have in him.  Tough times create tough people--  I have to step back and see God’s ultimate plan for the hardship-- and get stronger through him! 

With that in mind, I think the third reason he allows us to suffer-- is really to teach us that there is NEVER a reason to whine, only to rejoice in what Jesus did for us when He suffered, died and rose again.  That’s a discipline that needs to be practiced and developed.

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The Emmaus Road   Luke 24:13-35             

The Resurrection story continues as two of the disciples of Jesus discouraged and frustrated begin to travel to Emmaus their home. As they walked, they talked of the events of the week, and then Jesus came along side of them.

For whatever reason, their eyes were kept from recognizing this third person as Jesus, the Risen Lord.

Perhaps they were so preoccupied with their own disappointments and problems.

This wonderful interaction emphasizes that Jesus want to give us companionship, conversation, and challenge!

Opening drama audio was produced by Destiny Church Quebec Specials, and is used with thanksgiving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb6sKgft2Hw

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Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12 all record the “impromptu Worship service” that breaks out when people who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast hear of Jesus, coming into the city as well.

We are very familiar with this passage, as it is our custom to revisit the story each year on Palm Sunday.  This year, I have the great honor to bring the message about this powerful event-- a parade of worship perhaps-- but it has a deep application to not only our understanding of Who Jesus really was then-- but we read the passages knowing the “rest of the story”-- not just these last 6 days of Jesus’ earthly life-- not just of his death, burial, and glorious resurrection-- but the rest of the story as it applies to our own worship services today-- and Who Jesus IS today-- but also the rest of the history of the entire universe, when Jesus will triumphantly return and be recognized as the Lamb who is absolutely worthy of all praise and worship forever. We must understand not only who Jesus was-- but also who he is, and who He will be.   I want us to examine together the Triumphal entry with these three dimensions of time in mind...

Many thanks to the Dayspring Christian Fellowship worship team (featuring Heather Curtis) for performing the David Brymer song, "Worthy of it all".

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In the book of 2 Kings chapter 7 we see the story of four leprous men that stayed at the entrance of the city gate during a famine in Samaria. Leprosy is a skin disease and often meant those who had it were unclean and were outcasts from society. It was contagious, so they were not allowed to mingle with the rest of the community. No doubt because of their condition, they begged for handouts, were mocked, pitied, insulted and looked down upon. In all of this turmoil, these lepers stayed at the gate. Now, the gate in scripture is a significant place. Nothing went in or out the city except through the city gate. These lepers would have a better chance for a handout or for some help if they stayed by the entrance to the city.   But with the onset of famine, they find themselves in an even vulnerable and dangerous position.  So they start to do some reasoning.

Nuggets of wisdom from the lepers:

1. They got momentum through God's leading.

2. They did not allow fear of the unknown to cripple them.

3. The rejection and abandonment did not weaken them, it strengthened their resolve to make it.

4. Radical Faith reaps radical results.  When we take a big chance, by trusting God with everything, He can finally and fully use us to display His glory!

5. A heart that remembers others will be blessed.  Start where you are, take what you have, and do what you can!

Many thanks to Jeffery Kinnick from Word of Grace youth, and Kevin Cooley of Harvest Mobile Church for their work in creating the opening clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTewoVY9NS0

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1 Samuel 5:1-12

INTRODUCTION: In the old testament of the bible, the ark of the covenant was a wooden chest overlaid with gold about four feet long, two feet wide and two feet high. Its cover was made of pure gold with two cherubim hammered out of gold on top. The ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

But the ark was more than just a chest. The ark was the visible symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites. So when the Israelites lost the ark in battle, it was as if they had lost God himself. Today I want look at what happened when the Philistines brought the ark back to their own land.  May we all be inspired today by this episode of the Encouragers United Podcast!

http://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/1-samuel/god-can-take-care-of-himself/

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Encourage Everybody is a paper goods & gifts brand that creates unforgettable products that allow you to be creative, have fun and encourage everybody! We believe in the energy and the warmth of the written word to change the world one letter at a time! From a simple sentence to a palace of paragraphs, pick up a card and encourage a loved one!

encourageeverybody.com

It all started in 2017 when chief encourager and card creator Mackenzie Joy dreamt up her ideal multi-purpose greeting card that would beautifully & unforgettably encourage everybody and the journey has lead to over 10,000 people being encouraged via the art of handwritten greeting card giving. She and her new Co Chief Encourager and Head Designer Norman are just getting started - watch out world encouragement is coming! 

In today's episode, Charlie and Mackenzie talk about the business, the power of an encouraging note, and a special 20% discount for all Encouragers United listeners!

Mother Teresa

The intro clip is respectfully borrowed from the 2008 Disney movie "Bolt"

Encouragement

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