Words of Encouragement — Olu Talabi & Santosh Poonen— February 26, 2023
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker encourages listeners to find rest in the assurance that God provides for their daily needs, drawing parallels from God's care for animals and the Israelites. He emphasizes that true entry into God's Kingdom is impossible by human strength and requires profound humility, echoing the story of Hezekiah. Ultimately, the message calls for believers to maintain a posture of humility, trusting in God's provision even when He seems to withdraw to test them.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God cares for our daily provisionWhen God commanded in the Old Testament not to muzzle the ox, his primary concern was providing for human needs.
Psalm 34: Trusting God in uncertaintyThose who fear God and seek him will not lack any good thing, even when young lions suffer hunger.Psalm 34:8–10
Entering God's kingdom requires humilityJust as it is impossible for a rich man or any person to enter God's kingdom by their own strength, salvation requires coming to Jesus in humility.
Hezekiah's pride and humilityAfter God brought victory to Hezekiah, his heart became proud, but he humbled himself to avoid the wrath of the Lord.
Being both a lion and a lambBelievers are called to be bold as a lion yet meek and dependent as a lamb, following the example of Jesus Christ.
Seeing the nearness of God in disciplineInstead of running away from trials, believers should recognize that the Lord's discipline is a sign of his nearness as a loving father.Hebrews 12:5
Leah and the God of redemptionGod uses overlooked and broken people, such as Leah who shifted her focus from her husband's love to praising the Lord.Genesis 29:16
Judah's transformation and willingness to sacrificeJudah changed from a man who sold his brother into slavery to someone willing to become a slave himself to save Benjamin.Genesis 37:26
God's redemptive hope for the discouragedThrough Tamar and other broken figures in the genealogy of Jesus, God proves he is a god of redemption for anyone feeling hopeless.
