Sermon Notes - "God Is Love"

What a beautiful way to start our day...

After the choir sang the above anthem this morning our Pastor shared with us the following message:

Scripture Lesson:

I John 4:7-14

7.  "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; 

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

8.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

9.  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, 

that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, 

that we might live through Him.

10.  In this is love, not that we loved God, 

but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11.  Beloved, If God so loved us,

we also ought to love one another.

12.  No one has seen God at any time.

If we love on another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

13.  By this we know that we abide in Him,

and He in us,

because He has given us of His Spirit.

14.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."

Here are the highlights of this message given to us today. The Pastor started out by saying that there are some things we need to hear from God,

and #1 is "Chill Out!"

• Relax! Stop trying so hard to make things work out the way you want it to work.
• We are not in control!
• God is in control!
• God is good!
• See and understand God's plan is 1,000 times better than our plans.
• God's plan has been written since day one!
• God's plan is much better!
• God is not looking for qualified, "rock star" people
• God is looking for those who are willing and available.
• God calls us to do something amazing for Him.
• Surrender your plans...God will lift you up...God's plan is better!!
• Nothing is wasted when it comes to God's plan. 
• He doesn't want anything from us...HE JUST WANTS US!!...
• He wants us...to worship, show love to one another...to Him...
• He loved us before we were created.
• He wants us to love Him.
• When we humble ourselves and listen to what He's telling us to do, He will guide and lead us to do what is best.
• God calls us to pray for others...we need to humble ourselves and listen for that voice of God...

One of God's beautiful places

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge."

Psalm 46:10-11

Tonight's sky

As usual, I left the service this morning feeling like the message was preached especially for me...with all of our great "plans" we are making, we have to remember that God's plan is always the best plan...and sometimes His plan may be different than what we thought or dreamed...but it is always the best plan!

And so, with that in mind, I look forward to whatever way the Lord will lead us in the coming days and weeks. We are placing our future completely in His loving, capable hands...and know that He is God...and He will do what is right and best for us.

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given.  I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously.  Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said.  Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear...  That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts.  So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.

Sermon Notes, FUMC Interlachen, FL., Pastor AC Myers, October 7, 2018

The Secret Garden Chronicles Day 19-Be Still Pam

It's been a busy day, Lord.  We have company (actually family...my brother and wife from out of state!) coming for lunch tomorrow after church, so I've been trying to prepare things ahead today since we have church here in the house in the morning. We are looking forward to their visit as we don't get to see each other very often any more!

So, it is already 4:00 p.m., and I must admit I am a little tired.  It feels good to sit out here in the Secret Garden for a few minutes before I have to go back inside and start supper!  It is very pleasant today...the sun is shining, and it has warmed up into a lovely day.

"Be Still, Pam, and KNOW that I AM God." 

Yes, Lord.  Although I am a little nervous right now, as there is a bumblebee buzzing around out here, and he keeps looking at me, trying to decide if I'm a flower or something to sting!  So, Lord, I hope You will understand if I have to suddenly jump up and get out of here!

The only picture I could get of this bee, as he was in perpetual motion the whole time...that is why it is kind of fuzzy.

"Pam, BE STILL, and know that I Am GOD!"

Yes, Lord...I'm trying...but that bee.....

"Pam, Do you trust Me?"

Yes, Lord, I trust You.

"Then please, BE STILL!  I am with you.

You do not need to fear the bee or any other creature...

or any other circumstance!"

Read what I've told you through the prophet Isaiah 40:21-23 

21.  "Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning?

Have you not understood from the foundation of the earth?

22.  It is He (GOD) Who sits above the circle of the earth,

and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.

Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,

and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

23.  He brings the princes to nothing;

He makes the judges of the earth useless."

I think I am getting the "bigger picture" here Lord...

Why should I be concerned about this little bumblebee- when I am sitting in the Presence of the Creator of the whole universe?  And why should I be concerned about the future or any other event on the earth...when God has promised to take care of me?

Isaiah 40:27 says:

Why do you say, O Jacob, (PAM!) and speak, O Israel:

"My way is hidden from the Lord ,

and my just claim is passed over by my God"?

28.  Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

29.  He gives power to the weak,

and to those who have no might 

He increases strength.

30.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

31.  But those who wait on the Lord

shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles;

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

Thank You, Lord, for this lesson today.  You know everything that is really on my mind...

You understand my concerns...and You have taken the time to show me that You are here with me...and You are in control...even over this bumblebee!!!

Thank you!  The bumblebee seems to have lost interest in me now anyway...and I know that I can trust You to take care of everything else in my life as well!

This picture was from last summer. So glad these bees have something to occupy their time!

What kind of "bumblebees" do you need to give over to God today?