Prayer Updates: Eddie had his lumbar injection yesterday, and everything went well. PTL! (The paperwork took longer than the procedure.) Also, Janet called this morning to find out about Eddie, and she said they had a rough night last night (Dick was still in ICU because there were no beds available), but that now he is in a regular room, off all the monitors, and they’re talking about the possibility of sending him home Sunday or Monday. Another PTL! God is good—all the time! ~ Donna Edwards
Pastor Lonnie’s sermon Sunday was titled “A First Look at Blessing.” The scripture reading was Genesis 1:26-28. The fact is we live in the midst of blessing and a curse. Blessed is the way it’s supposed to be. You were created for meaning, purpose, adventure and blessing. You were made in God’s image. You and I can choose: Either swim in the direction God intended, thus experiencing God’s blessing, Or we can go our own way, and pay the consequences.
The problem becomes the curse we’ve inherited. (Genesis 3) The natural consequences of the curse: we are struck with guilt, shame and intense regret, and start hiding from God, just as Adam and Eve did in the Garden. In the midst of the serpent’s curse (Gen. 3:14-15) we see the promise of Jesus.
The Christmas carol, “Joy to the World,” in verse 3, talks about the curse, and reminds us that as far as the effects of the curse can be felt, the power of God’s blessing will reach even further. (Romans 5:8) The voice that condemns you is not God’s!
In Christ your soul is blessed, not cursed. In the midst of anxiety we can still be blessed. Because you are blessed in Christ, you can be confident. His blessing overwhelms your fears. According to Proverbs 10 the blessing of the Lord is our greatest wealth.
Discipline—when your sin finds you out, and you are ashamed. You know you are blessed when your sin makes you sick.
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