John 5:1-17

 Hope is a powerful thing! It can keep us going and can help us to reach a goal. I love the story about the businessman who was out of town on a business trip in a small town. After checking into the hotel, he decided to walk around and breathe in some fresh air that evening. He could see the bright lights of a little league ballpark and decided to go and check it out for some good ol’ down-to-earth entertainment. He made his way to the field and leaned up against the outfield fence. It was a brutal first inning for the home team. They had given up 10 runs before the first out was recorded. Finally, the third out would come after giving up 15 runs. The businessman said to the little left fielder who had just caught the third out, “Things look hopeless for this game.” He asks the young outfielder, “Are you discouraged?” The young player replied, “No way! We haven’t gotten to bat yet.” Hope is a Game Changer!

 So much emphasis and expectation can be placed on everything but God. Jesus is a game changer. Can you sense the hope that is placed in the pool? If only the lame man can get to the pool. The hope and expectation to catch it at the right time and then get in and everything will be okay. Jesus comes in and does what the pool could not do – HEAL THIS MAN with His word.  

 Don’t forget to put your faith, trust and hope in Jesus. He is the Great Physician!

I am constantly amazed by your generosity! Collectively, you always meet a need when it is placed before you. Our Fulshear family is an extremely generous church by giving time, talents and money. Recently, I witnessed your generosity by helping support the Senior Citizens from our community, in the work of ministry, in benevolence, and in special contributions for the building, but It’s so much more. I have noticed that some of you are generous in sending cards to encourage others, preparing Bible classes to equip others, helping our girls to learn and serve generously, and by spending time encouraging those who are sick.

 The elders have asked for your generous support time and again in so many areas and your selflessness continues to rise to the top. The elders are committed to using our resources wisely and beneficially. However, their request has multiple blessings attached to it. We are blessed as we give because it honors the Lord’s statement, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). It also honors the Lord because we know “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). It honors the King because it communicates the respect we have for His spiritual shepherds, especially when they make a request and we respond as obedient sheep (1 Peter 5:1-5).

 Let’s remember to always keep our focus on serving, sharing, and supporting those who are in need as we wait for our Savior to return.

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”  (Proverbs 11:25)

The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me. (Psalm 118:6-7)

I know that you’ve probably noticed that the circumstances of life in this fallen world can bring us to the brink of collapse. However, we read in the Bible - and you have probably experienced this truth in your own life - that God always provides the strength we need to continue on His path.

Sometimes we are merely putting one foot forward at a time.  Sometimes that is all the light we can see on our path at the moment. (Psalm 119:105) 

Sometimes others are believing in God, His goodness, and His Power for us when we can’t believe for ourselves. 

Sometimes others are praying for us when we struggle to pray on our own.

When our God brings us through seasons like this - and He does indeed see us through them - we realize that He truly is the champion for His children. Then we can sing with the psalmist, ”The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14)

That song may not be on your lips right now, but I promise you it will be again someday as it has been in the past because the Lord is for us! Amen church!

John 4:1-26

 When you think about love, what does it look like? Does it look like a sweet lady teaching the wonderful stories of the Bible to a class full of kiddos? Does it look like a sweet older couple who appear to be madly in love with one another even though their faces are lined with wrinkles and their steps have shortened almost to a shuffle, walking hand in hand in full assurance of faith and love? Does it look like the heart of a faithful servant, serving with respect and diligence in a food pantry helping to put food on the table for hungry mouths and empty bellies? Does it look like the innocent face of a newborn baby who is so pure and sinless? Yes, on all accounts!!

 There are a lot of people who display selfless, active, and unconditional love each day by the way they live in love. Love is a decision that acts unselfishly, unconditionally, and nonjudgmentally. It’s a tough life but necessary to live out a lifestyle of love!

 Jesus Christ is LOVE...Jesus suffers long, He is kind, He does not envy, He does not parade Himself, He is not puffed up, He doesn't behave rudely, nor does He seek His own, and He is not easily provoked. He thinks NO EVIL and doesn't rejoice in iniquity! He bears, believes, hopes, and endures ALL THINGS. Jesus is love with flesh and bones. He is a compassionate heart with a loving nonjudgmental look for the worst of us and serves, cares, and sacrifices anyway! He is what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. 

 He displayed His love toward the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). He also displayed His love toward Matthew, a sinner (Matthew 9:9-13). He certainly shared His love with an untouchable group of lepers (Luke 17:11-19). There are so many people who are the recipients of Jesus's unconditional, unselfish, and nonjudgmental love. 

 Let's do all we can to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us love our neighbors the way Jesus loves them. 

 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” -- 1 John 2:6

John 4:1-26

 When you think about love, what does it look like? Does it look like a sweet lady teaching the wonderful stories of the Bible to a class full of kiddos? Does it look like a sweet older couple who appear to be madly in love with one another even though their faces are lined with wrinkles and their steps have shortened almost to a shuffle, walking hand in hand in full assurance of faith and love? Does it look like the heart of a faithful servant, serving with respect and diligence in a food pantry helping to put food on the table for hungry mouths and empty bellies? Does it look like the innocent face of a newborn baby who is so pure and sinless? Yes, on all accounts!!

 There are a lot of people who display selfless, active, and unconditional love each day by the way they live in love. Love is a decision that acts unselfishly, unconditionally, and nonjudgmentally. It’s a tough life but necessary to live out a lifestyle of love!

 Jesus Christ is LOVE...Jesus suffers long, He is kind, He does not envy, He does not parade Himself, He is not puffed up, He doesn't behave rudely, nor does He seek His own, and He is not easily provoked. He thinks NO EVIL and doesn't rejoice in iniquity! He bears, believes, hopes, and endures ALL THINGS. Jesus is love with flesh and bones. He is a compassionate heart with a loving nonjudgmental look for the worst of us and serves, cares, and sacrifices anyway! He is what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. 

 He displayed His love toward the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). He also displayed His love toward Matthew, a sinner (Matthew 9:9-13). He certainly shared His love with an untouchable group of lepers (Luke 17:11-19). There are so many people who are the recipients of Jesus's unconditional, unselfish, and nonjudgmental love. 

 Let's do all we can to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us love our neighbors the way Jesus loves them. 

 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” -- 1 John 2:6