Service Reflection

After some short fellowship, worship was underway. Then brother Alex said a short first word, leading us in prayer afterward. He reminded us of Matthew 5:13:

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall it's saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."

     Great verse huh? We are to be the salt of the world, and not only that, but the light of the world (v.14).
It was a time to anaylze our hearts in prayer, and time for those struggling to renew their focus.

     A very touching poem was said today also. It was about how God is merciful and forgiving despite our sin. Sure, I'm sure all of you heard about that many times. I have. But the vivid language and examples touched me today and gave me a different outlook than I had before.

     Finally, the meat of the service, the main message. Today's sermon was the coninueing of the James series. Today, our Pastor continued in James 5:7-11. The theme of the message: The coming of the Lord. Or more specifically, the Second coming of the Lord.

     One important aspect of us waiting for the coming of the Lord is patience. Long patience.

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord...you also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

     The coming of the Lord is at hand. We are to live in expectancy of the coming of the Lord. For example: The teacher has left class. All students are left alone (Elementary school). Of course, one student gets up to do something. Afterall, no one was watching. He takes a mini ball and throws it at a nearby friend. Then he gets on his desk and plays catch with his friends. The class gets rowdy and just as the kid on the desk gets ready to jump; the teacher walks in. That boy, was someone I know (name wont be mentioned). He was punished, of course.

     Now the point is: that young boy would not have jumped on the desk and threw a ball across the room if he knew the teacher was about to come quickly back. Now take the point to us as Christians. The coming of the Lord is at hand. He is going to be quickly back. He really is. That knowledge should filter our actions and filter our way of living. Our teacher, Christ, will quickly be back.

Are you ready?