Encountering August
Over the month of August we are looking to extend the theme of 'Encountering Jesus' to more than just our sermon time.
And to do that we are looking to partner with you in helping our church Encounter Jesus. We are believing that August will be a month of encouragement and the prophetic.
We believe that God speaks to his children, and sometimes He speaks to His children for His children. And we believe that in the month of August, God is going to speak to us. So we are asking you to invite God to speak to you for His church.
Then, if you recieve a word from the Lord please pass it along fill out the form below so we can share it with our entire church family.
AUGUST 1
Deuteronomy 3.22 - Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.
God says to us today :
I know the world is scary sometimes and it's easy to be afraid. But remember, I will fight for you. So you can be brave by trusting Me. When you feel afraid, say 'I trust You, Jesus'.
AUGUST 5
Psalm 86:6 – Please listen, Lord! Answer my prayer for help.
God says to us today :
I love to hear your prayers. Come and tell me what you want. I know just what you need, and I will answer your prayers. And as you see Me work in your life, your faith will grow stronger. Come to me with a thankful heart and trust me to do what is best.
AUGUST 6
James 2:23 – And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.'
God says to us today :
I want my children to know that they can trust Me. Always. With all things. I will take care of you. I will be the best friend you could even have. Believe that I love you – because I do!
AUGUST 17
John 15:13 – 'There is no greater love than this - that a man should lay down his life for his friends.'
God says to us today :
I love you with a love that never ends. I loved you before you were born, and I will continue to love you forever. On that dark night so long ago, I allowed myself to be killed on a cross because of my unstoppable love for you. When you feel afraid or alone, remember this, say it outloud to yourself - 'Jesus, you are always with me and you will never stop loving me'.
AUGUST 18
Judges 11-23
I would like to encourage you with this word which is based on the story of Gideon in Judges : 11—23.
I believe it for us as a body at this time and it has greatly encouraged me which I hope it will also do for you. It is understood that the ‘Angel of the Lord’ spoken of here is the pre-incarnate Christ… so it would be that Gideon had an encounter with Jesus!
As we all know the story, I would like to highlight what the Lord was showing me and know that you will fill in the context as required. It may be that the Lord will have more to say to you. Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding it for fear of it being stolen by the Midianites The wheat was God’s provision for the family and yet it was hidden out of fear. God’s gift of provision for the family was hidden. Do we have gifts of provision for the family of God that we are hiding because of fear?
When the Angel of the Lord addressed Gideon He declared “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior!” He did not use his given name but, rather gave him a new name – one that reflected how God saw him instead of what he felt about himself. He called him ‘Valiant Warrior’… Gideon didn’t see himself that way.
God saw Gideon as He knew he really was, how he would become and God saw his heart and knew His plan for him. How does God see us individually? How do we see ourselves? What name would God use to address you with do you think? The Lord is with us – even in our fear.
In verse 13 we see that Gideon had some legitimate questions to ask God. God did not despise him for this but met him miraculously where he was at. We, too, have questions. God is not fazed by them but has His own way of answering them.
God answered Gideon by turning to him (turning His face to him) and saying: “Go in this your strength (in the strength you have) and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian.” I bet Gideon would have thought, “What strength?”
BUT we read that the Angel of the Lord (Jesus) looked at him, turned toward him and said these words …which at first glance might mean “Whatever little strength you have I will increase it, giving you what you need when you need it” which is what God does. I believe the Lord showed that there is more to this than at first meets the eye. It is not a small thing that it was recorded that Jesus turned to him and looked at him. This would put them face to face.
When God turns His face to us it is very significant. In the Aaronic blessing as found in Numbers 6:24-26 we read in verses 25 - 26 “The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” And in Psalm 44:3 we read “For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them.”
When Aaron blessed the Israelites in this way God said “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27 God’s name is Omnipotent … Jesus has the Highest name of all – there is no higher! His name in Mighty, Conqueror, Overcoming One! I firmly believe that in that moment of intimacy when Jesus looked at him Gideon received an impartation of strength and power from the Lord. He also had the assurance that the Lord would be with him. We have the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us.
Jesus asks the question of Gideon – “Have I not sent you?” verse 14 I would like to emphasize the word ‘I’ here. God will equip those He calls and sends. Gideon was quite comfortable asking the Angel of the Lord to give him a sign that this was really from God. This confirmation was all important to him and is also to us. God knows we need to be sure.
I believe we should hear the words of Mary again as she spoke to the servants at the wedding in Cana as recorded in John 2:5 “WHATEVER HE SAYS TO YOU, DO IT”
WHATEVER – no matter what, however small or big, difficult or easy, weird or expected
HE SAYS – It has to be the word of the Lord – not from any other source - whether it be our own desire, or a friend’s suggestion. Maybe a feeling of duty or a captivating teaching.
TO YOU – a personal word – an intimacy with Him
DO IT – obey completely – don’t procrastinate.
AUGUST 21
Today our word of prophetic encouragement is just a scripture and it is 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
AUGUST 25
Today our word of prophetic encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 5.17 - 'pray continually'
God says to us today :
Talk to Me. Talk to Me in good times. Talk to Me in bad times. Talk to Me all the time. Talk to Me about the things you need. Talk to Me about what's happening. Talk to me all the time. Talk to Me in the morning. Talk to Me in the evening. Talk to Me all the time. Talk to Me all the time and look for all the ways I will answer your prayers.