Sunday's Message, April 18, 2021

Greetings Believers,

Sunday's message gives us a glimpse and a hope to allow ourselves to be built up in Jesus for a specific purpose.

God Bless!

Scripture References & Highlights

Prayer for 2021: This year will be a year of Light; that Light will shine and darkness will not dispel it.

In Jesus' Name

Message Scriptures

Background Scriptures:

Romans 8:36-37, Psalm 44:22
Focus Scripture: Romans 8:29

Acts 28:1-6

when Paul was bitten by the snake the reaction of the people immediately went to negative thoughts
Paul wasn't moved at all by the snake bit or thoughts of others but remained focused on the task of building - in this case, the fire. That's the result of having been built God tough

vs. 6

the islanders' mindset changed about Paul being a criminal

vs. 7-9

Paul gained favor with the governor of the island and stayed in his house for 3 days
the governor's father was sick
Paul prayed, laid hands on the sick and he was instantly healed
all of the sick on the island was brought before Paul and were healed

vs. 10

Paul left the island better than when he arrived; he left with everything needed for the journey

Exodus 12:31-36

the children of Israel left Egypt better off than when they went in

Acts 27:39-44

Paul arrived on the island via a shipwreck

Isaiah 43:1-13

list of challenges that God allows in our lives, but He is faithfully with us

vs. 10 - we have been chosen to be built God tough

Acts 28:11-13

south winds (God's pleasant, refreshing dealings with us) enabled Paul to get to the next destination

Song of Solomon 4:16

north winds (God's hidden ways) are also needful in the conforming to Christ's image in us

Acts 28:20-24, 28-31

Paul shared the message of the gospel with Jews in Rome, made possible because he allowed himself to be built God tough

Nuggets for the Week

shake off negative assumptions by others
people are watching us
even in the midst of us being built God tough, if we stay in the process, focused on Jesus, others' mindsets can change about our God.
a lifestyle of prayer led to healing
Built God Tough = being conformed to Jesus' image
Every challenge or opposition was part of God's plan to build Paul "God tough" or conform him to the image of His son Jesus
God's hidden ways, how He does what He does that we don't understand, we must trust that the outcome is good (Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 55:8-13, Romans 8:28)

Reflections

How many times in our own lives when opposition happens our thoughts turn negative? Our gaze shifts from God to the situation?
Is my relationship with God better off today than yesterday?
Is my family, job, or situation better off today than yesterday?
Are we following that example in our own lives of leaving people better off after they have encountered us?
Are we growing daily or going from glory to glory as a result of being built God tough?
How does God use both winds in our life to build us "God tough"?

Key Takeaway for the Body

The testimony of grace can lead to open doors to demonstrate the power of the Kingdom of God
Having a lifestyle of prayer is a result of being built God tough
Healing the sick is a sign of willfully being built God tough
Despite what may appear in our lives as a shipwreck, God gave a promise and purpose for our lives. Shipwrecks can serve God's purposes.
God promises to be with us despite what may arise
North winds and south winds are needed to bring out the fragrance of Christ's life in us and saturate us with His aroma (Song of Solomon 4:16, TPT)

Prayer Time

In your times of prayer this week (9am,12noon, and 6pm) we encourage you to include the following scriptures located below and in the article 7 Verses and 7 Prayers for your Pastor/

Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:16-17

Philippians 1:9-11

Colossians 1:10-12