Weekly Encouragement
1/4/26
written by Frank Gupton
Well we made it to the new year by the Grace of God! I don't know what's in store for tomorrow, but I do know who holds tomorrow in His hands! No matter happens, I challenge you to place your hope fully in Christ! Just remember that He is with you continually and will never forsake you! Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope.
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” –Ecclesiastes 1:2
The words of a disillusioned king who always looked for satisfaction where it could not be found. What we learn from Solomon’s frustrations and disappointments is to look beyond the sun to the only one who can satisfy the forlorn soul, Jesus Christ.
Straight to the point: Life without God will have no meaning.
Life is like walking on a treadmill. You can count the years, (miles), but we really never move beyond where we are or what we believe it is that we are “supposed” to do.
We fill our lives with labor and activity. Learning, observing and doing. And when you are old, remembering, (hopefully). Seems the evilest of reductions.
Ask a man why he works, he’ll say it’s to get money. Nowadays most of us are in a battle just to have money at the end of the month. We can hardly make ends meet because somebody comes along and moves the ends.
Now. Why do we need money? To buy food. Why do we buy food? To eat that we maintain physical strength.
Finally, why do we want strength? So we can work.
Thus the cycle, begins again. Ultimately and always, we are right back to where we started. Work, money, food, strength, work, money, food, strength.
The treadmill. Sounds…boring.
One writer said, "The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom." I believe that. It’s usually a choice. A bored person either can’t do or won’t. That’s when the pain sets in. We busy ourselves with things that are valueless, (meaningless). And where there’s no flex, you can see how much time you’ve wasted.
It’s the interjection of the spiritual nature that is the only thing that actually adds life…to life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Success in life is better suited to short term accomplishments than long term goals. Kind of like making the bed every day. Doesn’t make sense, I know. We’re bound to crawl back in at some time but it’s the idea that no matter what, you’ve accomplished something.
What we find is that living is not an exercise in futility. It is a privilege. You may not see at this moment how God’s plan comes together for you but I guarantee it will. If you’ll look prayerfully, you can see the parts. He’s provided hope and healing, restoration and rejuvenation, foundation and a future.
So grab yours and do something with it.
-Pastor Butch
No amount will help you if you can’t control the words that come out of your mouth.
Proverbs 10:19
"When words are many, sin is unavoidable; but he who restrains his lips is wise".
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
-Hebrews 10:23-25
From today’s message :
Let me tell you of some promises of God that come with seeking a life with Jesus….there’s freedom from sin’s dominion….through faith in Jesus, you never again have to be held in the bondage of sin….Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you…” The promise of grace that is sufficient, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” He gives us the power to be obedient, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He has told us in His word how to have victory over the devil, James 4:7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” He gives us a way to escape temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” God provides forgiveness when we confess our sin, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And with that, forgetfulness, Jeremiah 31:34, “No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Now this clean slate in no way means that you have the liberty to make a new list. And finally, a response when we call upon Him, Psalms 50:15, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
For the true believer, when urges to sin come, claim the promises. When pain comes, claim the promises. When deception comes, claim the promises. When testing and temptation comes, claim the promises. It’s these promises that enable us to escape the world’s corruption. Sexual sin, drunkenness, filth, misery…it will all come calling. And when it does…
Just claim God’s promises.
-Pastor Butch
The sunset behind our church.
Photo taken by Scott Sexton
135 Winstead Dr.
Danville VA
(434) -792-5999