Returning to God

Sermon:

Feeling

I didn’t know trying to do life apart from God would lead to me feeling so overwhelmed and like a massive failure.

Prayer

God, I praise the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, and bless his righteous kingdom for ever and ever on earth as it is in heaven. Please, let Jesus fight for me. I need his victory in me. I pray over my debts please, Jesus, pay them. I am in a state of need, only you can help me, now.

confession

God, forgive my sins. Let me repent from trying to solve my problems without you’re help and turn to receiving your help, in everything, Amen.

Scripture

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch that does not bear fruit, he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 1-5 NASB 1995

Benediction

Let the Lord give me wisdom.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding” Proverbs 2:6 ESV

Second Scripture

“Remember also your creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’; before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim” Ecc 12:2-3

Thoughts

It seems to me the world has entered into an evil day and many mighty people tremble and stoop low in fatigued from the darkening, from heaviness, from the struggles of the times. But God is never far away. He hears those who call on him. He delights in mercy. He calls me by name, and I am counted as his sheep, to come and go as I please in green pasture. I will know joy in the land of the living. God has neither disappeared, nor turned his back on humanity. And Jesus calls all men to himself, so that any one of us who wants his help, he brings salvation and healing. I will remember God, and he will be my refuge.

There is a whispering in my being that testifies rest is real, rest is worth the risk of letting things fall apart because if I will let God help me then all things will be taken care of, not by me but by Him. And so, my rest will equate to wisdom and trust in God. And the whisper encourages me that He is always there. And the truth is, He’s always been there, already. I want to believe. I want to trust in God. I want to remember Him, from my youth, whom I rejected. I want to believe that he still smiles at the sight of me. I want to believe that he still loves me. I want to believe that he plans to see me complete in joy.

Prayer

God, I’m not sure how much I’ve ever relied on you, but I am interested in receiving your help in my life, in the daily life. I forgive all who have wronged me. Please, help me forgive those that I don’t how to forgive. I cannot bear the weight of the world or my life. I am ready to let you help me. I praise your Holy Name, Jesus of Nazareth, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, for your enduring love, always.

Thank you, God, that you are faithful, and you make amazing promises in your word, and for speaking to me, in my life, so I can know you, personally. I want to be taken care of my you more than anything I could gain in the world. For peace, I give you the world.

scripture applied

I remember God’s love and so I abide in the true vine. I remember Jesus and I grow in rest and joy. God loves me. I love Jesus. I am the bride of Christ. I am beloved. I am the apple of his eye. He still smiles upon me. I am loved. I am cherished. I helped. And more help is coming. I am joy in my Father’s heart. I have hope because he takes care of me.