Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday March 10TH 2024, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Last Sunday morning was my last formal appearance at my church home of the past 9 years – Living Waters Full Gospel Church. It was another wonderful Bible-based service in devotion to our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ.

I led Communion for the 79TH and final time. Here’s the transcript:

It’s good to be back here with you – my church family here in Homestead. It’s been 9 years – next week – when I first walked through those doors to enter this sanctuary – knowing only Marge. I attended that first service. I watched Pastor Bob preach for the first time. I’ve been coming back ever since over these past 9 years. Less often recently. It’s been 6 weeks since I was last here, and I may not be back for another 13 weeks – around the start of June. But – if I’m in Homestead on a Sunday – then I’ll be here – to celebrate our Lord with you.

Thank You – Pastor Bob – for giving me the opportunity to continue my ministry here at Living Waters.

I’m going to lead one last Communion here:

From the letter that Paul wrote to Titus (part of the New Testament):

Paul reassured Titus:

For the grace of God has been revealed – bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God – while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior – Jesus Christ – will be revealed. He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people – totally committed to doing good deeds. (2:11-14)

I like the start of that Scripture – “for the grace of God has been revealed – bringing salvation to all people.” I love that. Because of that – I stand before you here today. And you and I know each other today. If it weren’t for God’s grace and His salvation for me – I wouldn’t be here today !

It reminds me of another one of Paul’s letters – to the Ephesians – when he wrote:

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this. It is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

This is a good time to observe and rejoice and celebrate – our believer’s Communion. It’s an agreement that God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit is one God. It’s open for everyone who hears me – everyone who believes – that we live and die dependent on God’s grace. We cannot earn salvation. We cannot do a whole bunch of good things and work our way up to salvation. It is a gift from God that we received when we called on His holy name.

These elements on the table – I will bring them to you – where you are. As you receive them from me you may carefully remove the wrapping to reveal the bread and to open the juice. We will accept these elements together as a church family.

Let us take this bread, and know that it represents the sacred body of Christ that was given up for us on that cross. We take this bread in remembrance of Him.

Let us take this juice, and know that it represents the precious blood of Christ that was shed for us on that cross. We take this juice in honor of Him.

Let us pray:

Thank You God for loving us, and giving Yourself for us. We love You Lord. We need You Lord. We are nothing without You Lord.

Thank You God for your gifts. Thank You for Your awesome presence in our lives – and Your intentional purpose for our lives. May all of Your beautiful blessings and marvelous miracles constantly strengthen our faith in You, increase our love towards others, and unify our hearts and our souls. We praise You Lord. We worship You Lord. And all God’s people say – AMEN.

You know – God’s gifts are abundant. His gifts include:

His forgiveness
His grace and mercy
A personal relationship with Him
Acceptance into God’s family as His child
The Holy Spirit within us
And eternal living (now and from this point forth)

These are all gifts from God for those who He has chosen and made His own by His grace. He has chosen us, and we belong to Him. We must live in this evil world around us by proclaiming that we belong to God. Who do we belong to ? We belong to God. I belong to God. Say that every day. Say that first thing in the morning when you wake-up. Say – “I belong to You God. For this is the day that You have made. I will rejoice. I will be glad in it. I will continue to praise and worship You – always and forever.”

We owe Him everything. We are thankful for His grace. We look forward to that glorious day when Christ returns for His church.

Thank You for listening to me over these past 9 years. Thank You for allowing me to preach God’s Good News in this place.

Be blessed church family. May our God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Go forth. Go in peace. Go with God’s love in your heart. Love your neighbor.

[End of transcription]

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture whether it’s part of a sermon, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord, and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.