Words of Encouragement -- Olu Talabi & Chetan Chadalavada -- July 4, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/words-of-encouragement River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that God speaks to us today through Jesus Christ, who is the culmination of all divine revelation. For making decisions, the speaker advises focusing on the goal of glorifying God's name, echoing Jesus' own desire. This focus should lead to a peace in the heart, rather than relying on audible signs, as the Spirit of Truth will guide us into all truth through Christ.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God speaks to us today through His Son JesusGod has spoken in these last days through His Son Jesus, and our primary walk as believers is to behold God in Christ and become more like Him.
How do we make decisions?When facing major or minor decisions, we can look to Jesus's example in John 12 and ask a simple yet searching question before choosing what to do.John 12:27–28
Asking "Father, glorify your name"The powerful test for any decision is whether it will truly bring glory to God, which cannot be faked if it is the genuine state of our heart.
Hearing the voice of peace behind youWhen our constant goal is to glorify God, we receive an inner assurance and peace—a quiet voice like the one described in Isaiah pointing out the path to walk in.
Taking spiritual warnings and subtle deception seriouslyBelievers are warned about how the enemy subtly deceives through media and internet, drawing people away from the Lord much like Adam and eve in the garden.
The danger of discouragement in Numbers 32The spies who reported on the land of Eshkol discouraged the sons of israel, leading them away from entering the land and promises God had given them.
We have a choice between discouragement and faithJust like the Israelites facing giants, we always have a choice when tempted to be discouraged: we can give into defeat, or trust in God's plan to make us like Jesus.
Gideon's 300 men and facing the impossibleIn the story of Gideon, God tested the army by sending away the trembling and afraid, leaving those who believed the Lord could perform an impossible victory.
Claiming God's light in the darkest daysEven in the darkest times of life, we can look to promises like Micah 7 to wait expectantly for God, trusting Him to lift us up and give us grace to move forward.
