"Oh Yeah, Don't Forget

Pastor Terry White welcomed us and found reasons to rejoice, despite the sudden snow in the aftermath of yesterday's fabulous sunshine Saturday.

Announcements
--Next Sunday is 5th Sunday, and Pastor While would like to give us opportunity to share what God is doing in your lives.
--This Wednesday is the last Wednesday evening Supper, Kids Club and Youth gathering till Fall.
--Bake Sale and Rummage Sale, Saturday May 13. Can use volunteers to help coordinate donations, pricing, etc.

After a lively time of worship, an offering was taken as the worship team performed a song about the alabaster jar that was given to Jesus as an offering of devotion.

Cheryl Borndal led us in a time of praise and intercession for the needs in our church family.

"Oh Yeah, Don't Forget

II Timothy 4:9-22

We've been talking about leadership and parenting.

How many of you have a "lost drawer"? That is, a drawer full of stuff and junk, and whatever you put in there will never be found again. What's the solution? This is the way the end of II Timothy feels, a hodgepodge of elements all thrown together.

In the midst of all this there are some interesting insights. Paul cites some of the failings of some people close to him, but God knows what it is like to be abandoned. Jesus has lived amongst us. He, too, was betrayed and abandoned by friends.

The world is not perfect. In the midst of living on earth there are heartaches and letdowns, so we need to learn how to live in forgiveness.

Paul also sends Timothy some warnings about some people. Forgiveness does not mean that we automatically trust.

Terry then singled out a verse that he considered of special importance, verse 17. Paul, after stating that he had been deserted by friends he trusted, states, "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth."

God is present in our times of need. He does not abandon us when we're down. He is present and by our side. Trust that God will do what He has promised.

Here is what the Lord wishes to do for us. Verse 18: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Paul's confidence was not in his own strength. His confidence was in God. Likewise for us, our ability to be leaders is not about feeling competent, feeling ready. If we wait till we are ready, we will never be leaders.

Pastor Terry closed with some comments about the Kingdom of God. To better understand the Kingdom of God we should read, study, the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7.

Refuse to waste your life. Seek God's agenda for you. There will be difficulties, but God stands beside us, and that is more than enough. "Let's build God's kingdom together."

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