Step into Greatness!

Today's sermon is about understanding greatness, being great, and utilizing our greatness to promote the Kingdom of God!

Consider the following quote from Marriane Williamson: 

“You're the faucet; you're not the water. Your human existence is a conduit for something much greater—the divine that lives within you. So start each day asking how you can serve your Creator; how you can put more love into the world; how you can be a more compassionate person. Those things are your greatness. Without a connection to our source, all of us are mediocre really. But connected to the One who lives within us, all of us can be great.”

Our text for the sermon is Psalm 145:1-14  ¹ I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. ² Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  ³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. ⁴ One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. ⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—  and I will meditate on your wonderful works. ⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. ⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. ⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. ⁹ The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. ¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. ¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, ¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. ¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. ¹⁴ The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

In substance we must realize that true greatness can only come from God!  In order for individuals to be great we must work to surrender our total beings to God so that God can work, move, and serve through us!  "God is great; God is Good!"  

Prayer Break: Wisdom

I Kings 3: ⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Dear God, Today I pray for wisdom.  At times I am overwhelmed because occasionally I feel inadequate.  Sometimes I feel like I do not have the skills, knowledge, or abilities to do what you have called me to do.  Sometimes I give up because I am so confused.  Please empower me to hold true to the saying that "where God guides, God provides."  Bless me to be wise.  Help me to have a discerning heart, mind, and spirit so that I have the ability to work and live in such a way that you will say well done.  I thank you for answering past prayers.  I thank you in advance for answering prayers yet prayed.  I Love you!  Amen.  

Prayer Break: I need thee!

Psalm 13- How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer, Lord my God.  Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,"  and my foes will rejoice when I fall.  But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Dear God,  Thank you!  Thank you for your love, your kindness, your mercy, and your favor.  You have always been good to me and I appreciate all that you have done for me in my life.  I pause today because I am feeling somewhat defeated.  I feel like I keep trying my best yet I'm still missing the mark.  God I want to make you proud but I am struggling so much.  You said that I should not worry but I am God.  I worry all day and all night.  I try to be alright.  I try to smile.  I try to pray without ceasing.  I try to fight the good fight God but sometimes I just feel so tired.  Physically, emotionally, and spiritually weak and tired of always feeling a day late and a dollar short.  I need you to help me remember God.  I need to remember what you've done, the ways you made, and the storms that you have calmed in my past.  I need to remember the tears you dried.  I need to remember the moments that I you carried me.  Thank you God for never giving up on me.  Thank you God for reminding me that you are always here for me.  I refuse to give up my joy.  I refuse to give up on your promises.  I refuse to give up on your love.  You have been good to me and I know that what I am going through right now will last but a season.  Thank you God.  I love you.  Amen