The Difference One Word Can Make
A seemingly random mention was anything but.
So, I have a confession.
Writing about this month’s verse and promise felt daunting to me.
John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
This is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. I pondered for a while what I could write that hasn’t already been said. Also, I wasn’t sure I could do this verse justice.
As I studied this verse more – and after reading what Pastor Matt, Pastor Denny and Melissa Ball shared about this verse in their Blogs this month – I felt compelled what to share.
In the past, when I’ve heard or read this verse, I usually focused on what the Lord did for me…for us. He died for our sins so we, as believers, could have eternal life with Him.
And of course – this is absolutely amazing and foundational to our faith.
Yet I hadn’t really pondered Pastor Matt’s point that the truth in this verse should impact how we live every day because of what Jesus did for us.
Do you know the Lord sees you right now?
A story that guest speaker Tim Enloe shared this past Sunday really drove this point home. His message was titled Understanding His Presence.
At the end of his message, Tim shared a story about a time he was preaching at a church and felt compelled to say the word “yellow.” He felt strange saying it and even apologized to the pastor afterward. The pastor agreed it was a bit odd to say, but they moved on.
After the service, Tim was talking to a mom with a daughter with significant special needs. The mom had been feeling discouraged and quite defeated, and she had been questioning if the Lord even saw and knew her daughter.
At that moment, Tim said the word “yellow,” which happened to be her daughter’s favorite color. This seemingly random word actually meant so much. And it wasn’t random, was it? The Lord shared that word with Tim who was obedient in saying it, which blessed and encouraged this mom so much.
No matter what you’re facing, remember that the God of the universe is aware of every aspect of your life and cares deeply about you. Even if you’re facing something that’s made you question this truth, I hope the story of the word “yellow” will encourage you like it did me.
Which brings me to another quick story. I was at a conference for church leaders earlier this week, and one of the speakers, a local pastor, shared that he’d gone through a period of time earlier this year where he was just trying to make it through. His heart was heavy with the weight of a number of things but, in the midst of it, he was reminded that God didn’t give His one and only Son for us as believers to just “get by.”
Yes, we may face challenging times, but the Lord wants for us to thrive…not live stressed and downtrodden.
As John 10:10 says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
The Lord loves you, sees you and wants you to live life to the fullest in Him!
Writing about this month’s verse and promise felt daunting to me.
John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
This is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. I pondered for a while what I could write that hasn’t already been said. Also, I wasn’t sure I could do this verse justice.
As I studied this verse more – and after reading what Pastor Matt, Pastor Denny and Melissa Ball shared about this verse in their Blogs this month – I felt compelled what to share.
In the past, when I’ve heard or read this verse, I usually focused on what the Lord did for me…for us. He died for our sins so we, as believers, could have eternal life with Him.
And of course – this is absolutely amazing and foundational to our faith.
Yet I hadn’t really pondered Pastor Matt’s point that the truth in this verse should impact how we live every day because of what Jesus did for us.
Do you know the Lord sees you right now?
A story that guest speaker Tim Enloe shared this past Sunday really drove this point home. His message was titled Understanding His Presence.
At the end of his message, Tim shared a story about a time he was preaching at a church and felt compelled to say the word “yellow.” He felt strange saying it and even apologized to the pastor afterward. The pastor agreed it was a bit odd to say, but they moved on.
After the service, Tim was talking to a mom with a daughter with significant special needs. The mom had been feeling discouraged and quite defeated, and she had been questioning if the Lord even saw and knew her daughter.
At that moment, Tim said the word “yellow,” which happened to be her daughter’s favorite color. This seemingly random word actually meant so much. And it wasn’t random, was it? The Lord shared that word with Tim who was obedient in saying it, which blessed and encouraged this mom so much.
No matter what you’re facing, remember that the God of the universe is aware of every aspect of your life and cares deeply about you. Even if you’re facing something that’s made you question this truth, I hope the story of the word “yellow” will encourage you like it did me.
Which brings me to another quick story. I was at a conference for church leaders earlier this week, and one of the speakers, a local pastor, shared that he’d gone through a period of time earlier this year where he was just trying to make it through. His heart was heavy with the weight of a number of things but, in the midst of it, he was reminded that God didn’t give His one and only Son for us as believers to just “get by.”
Yes, we may face challenging times, but the Lord wants for us to thrive…not live stressed and downtrodden.
As John 10:10 says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
The Lord loves you, sees you and wants you to live life to the fullest in Him!
Verse to Memorize
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Pursue the Promises
Throughout 2024, every Monday morning by 7:00 AM, we will post a new video from Pastor Shane or an article written by a member of our staff that connects to that month's featured promise. Learn more.
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