March 11, 2010

This quarter’s Sabbath School lesson has been a powerful and practical reminder of our need for guidance and direction in our lives.  We want to know, as disciples of Jesus, that we are making good, sound decisions regarding, work, family, and friends.  We acknowledge the calling to be true witnesses for Christ.  We understand the term “ambassador” and seek to represent His kingdom by talking the talk and walking the walk. We take pride when we are successful in abstaining from anything that appears to be “unchristian.”  We enjoy rejoicing in our ability to be “good” Christians. Fortunately we don’t have a problem in recognizing our need for some help from time to time.  Unfortunately, however, we tend to become caught up in our knowledge and our past temporary successes, and make a serious judgment error in attempting to change and improve our lives by working in our own strength and power and then giving ourselves credit for being “nice.”

After some self examination, I have come to the conclusion that our greatest struggle does not appear to be our desire to be “good,” or “kind,” but the missing piece which is our lack of consistency. I really believe that because of who our Creator is, we have all been born with an innate tendency towards goodness, but unless we are willing to give ourselves over to God each and every day of our lives, the desire will be just that, a desire and nothing more. As the apostle Paul reminds us, we need to experience death on a “daily” basis. Not a sermon…but it is a good way to “live.” 

This Sabbath, my husband will present part two of his three-part series on the Temptations of Christ: Lessons from the Desert. Our passage for reflection is 1 Peter 5:6-8. Our worship in music will be provided by the Sligo Sanctuary Choir.

Finally, we would like to know if there are those of you who would like to share with us, in 100 words or less, a time when Sligo has ministered to you in a very profound way. Our goal is to share these stories with the congregation in the form of personal testimonies during our worship services. If you are interested, please contact the church office to let us know. May God bless you richly as we prepare to worship Him this Sabbath in spirit and in truth.