September Encouragement
Be Great!
One day the disciples were arguing about who was going to be the greatest. They didn’t really understand what it meant to be great. Jesus chimes in and in that Jesus way He grabs a child and said this is it. Your greatness is tied into your ability to welcome others. Now Jesus is not talking about your favorite cousin or the popular person on your block. No, Jesus is talking about the people who the world tends to push away. That word 'welcome' is interesting. It comes from 2 old English words ‘wil’ and ‘cuman’. ‘wil’ means desire or pleasure and ‘cuman’ means come. It means to make a person feel like they are a desired guest.
You don’t have to know much about Jesus to know He was really good at that. He welcomed the woman caught in adultery, He welcomed the man with the withered hand, He welcomed Zacchaeus the tax collector. But more than that God has designed all of creation and He has invited us to feel welcomed here. Calvary’s cross upon which our Lord was crucified has a welcome mat you should look for the next time you take a mental spiritual pilgrimage there. Jesus died to welcome us into the family of God, and to welcome us into right relationship with God. Will you remember to be great? Remember your greatness, according to Christ, is tied into your ability to welcome others. You. Are. Welcome.
God Bless You,
Pastor Cox
9/25/21
Look at the Scoreboard
Sometimes in life it feels like you’re losing. It can feel that way when the opposition’s voices are louder, or when the enemy seems to be momentarily out front. You can also feel like you’re losing when the people around you say you are losing. It must have seemed like David was losing as he walked out to face Goliath. It must have seemed like the 3 Hebrew boys were losing when they were being marched to the fiery furnace. And it certainly seemed like Jesus was losing when He was being lowered and hauled off to Joseph’s tomb. But I want to remind you to look at the scoreboard.
It does not matter how much noise the opposition makes, or how frenzied the crowd may be. The scoreboard is only one place where winners are determined. You may have forgotten to look at the scoreboard in your life and that is why you are so crestfallen. I want to encourage you to look at the scoreboard and remember that you are actually winning. Look at the scoreboard and remember there is time remaining on the clock, it’s not too late. Look at the scoreboard and know that no matter how much the crowd may be against you the game is not won in the stands, it’s won on the field. Remember 1 John 5:4-5, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” You already have the victory, now act like it.
God Bless You,
Pastor Cox
9/19/2021
Be Encouraged
Life can be overwhelming. There are so many things to do, so many expectations to manage. There are so many moments when you may feel like you are not making any progress. Raising children, caring for aging parents, maintaining a healthy marriage, fostering friendships, building a business, managing your career are all full-time jobs. Most of us are doing all of these things at the same time, and it can be extremely overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to be perfect. You are doing your best and that is no small thing. You have been at this for a while and you are still going strong. There may have been moments when you considered throwing in the towel, but you didn’t. You stuck with it, you persevered.
Take a moment to step back and reflect on all you have accomplished. Be grateful for the progress you have made. Thank God for everyone who has helped you. Remember that God does not expect you to be perfect God just wants you to keep trying. Sometimes it is your turn to make a mistake, to fail at something. These moments do not define you. Keep going! Keep growing! Give God room to guide you and watch what God can do. God loves you, I love you, and remember to love yourself.
BE ENCOURAGED!
God Bless You,
Pastor Cox
9/12/2021
GIANTS Do Fall
This week I was running through Rock Creek Park after the storm. I noticed there were a few trees that had fallen. Some of these trees I had seen on my morning runs. They looked strong and sturdy like they had been there for years, like they would be around forever. But when this storm came those trees fell. Now that is not to say that there had not been other storms that these trees survived, but they would not survive this storm.
As I reflected on that I thought about some of the GIANTS we face in life. Some of them are on your job, at your school, or in your home. The GIANTS in your life may seem like they have been around forever. You may be convinced that you are no match for these intimidating figures. I just want to remind you that GIANTS are still falling. David taught us that when he successfully defeated Goliath. Like David you too can be victorious over your GIANTS with God’s help. Don’t let your GIANTS get you down, because one day in God’s time He will take care of your GIANTS.
Remember some of the storms you face in life are the very means by which God gets rid of your GIANTS. And when your GIANTS finally fall rejoice, praise God, and remember with God all things are possible.
God Bless You,
Pastor Cox
9/5/21