Festus Church

Join Us at Festus Church | 1020 Central Ave | Festus MO | 63028 | 636-937-6615 . Sundays 10am Wednesdays 7pm .... All Are Welcome at Festus Church! See more

Storm Proof Jesus used the image of building a house atop a faulty foundation to explain the far riskier danger of building our lives on unsteady ground. He explained how some of us construct our life on sturdy rock, ensuring that we hold solid when we face fierce storms. Others of us, however, erect our lives on sand; and when the tempests rage, our lives tumble with a great crash (Matthew 7:27).... The one distinction between building on an unshakable foundation and a crumbling one is whether or not put God’s word into practice (V.26). The question isn’t whether or not we hear His words, but whether we practice them as He enables us. There’s much knowledge offered to us in this worldplus lots of advice and helpand much of it is good and beneficial. If base our life on any foundation other than humble obedience to God’s truth, we invite trouble. In His strength, doing what God says is the ONLY way to have a house, a life, built on rock. We must become storm proof with His word and practice It daily! Ask yourself: Whose wisdom, insights, or opinions do I listen to the most? How can I better build my life’s foundation and become storm proof by putting God’s words into practice? A personal prayer: God, this world experience feels unsteady and temporary, a life built on sand. I want a solid storm proof life with You. Help me to obey You and Your word and practice daily. Matthew 7:2429

A Culture of Rush The demand for fast service often takes a toll when we’re the one expected to deliver it. So many of us today feel rushed doing our jobs, working long hours, checking emails multiple times a day, and feeling pressured to meet tighter and tighter deadlines, creating a culture of rush. When God told the Israelites to keep a Sabbath, He added an important reason: And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). There they’d b...een forced to work ceaselessly under Pharaoh’s excessive time constraints (Exodus 5:69). Now freed, they were to give themselves a whole day each week to ensure they and those who served them could rest (Deuteronomy 5:14). Under God’s rule, there were to be no flush-faced, out-of-breath people. How often do you work to the point of exhaustion or get impatient with people who keep you waiting? Let’s give ourselves and each other a break. A culture of rush is Pharaoh’s doing, not God’s. Ask yourself: How can I resist the urge to overwork? How will I be patient this week with people who keep me waiting? A personal prayer: God of the Sabbath, thank You for commanding me to rest so I can be whole. Deuteronomy 5:1215. Exodus 5:69.

Wearing Our Courage Elijah refused to be intimidated, even when the king of Israel sent fifty soldiers to arrest him (2 Kings 1:9). The prophet knew God was with him, and he called down fire that consumed the platoon. The king sent more soldiers, and Elijah did it again (V.12). The king sent more, but the third platoon had heard about the others. The captain begged Elijah to spare his soldiers’ lives. They were more afraid of him than he’d ever been of them, so the angel of... the Lord told Elijah it was safe to go with them (VV.1315). Jesus doesn’t want us to call down fire on our enemies. When the disciples asked if they could call down fire on a Samaritan village, Jesus rebuked them (Luke 9:5155). We’re living in a different time. But Jesus does want us to have Elijah’s boldnessto be ready to tell everyone about the Savior who died for them. It may seem like one person taking on fifty, but it’s actually One on fifty. Jesus provides what we need to courageously love and reach out to others. Ask yourself: How does Jesus provide what I need to be courageous? What does God want me to know and do? A personal prayer: God, thank You for living in me. Fill me with heavenly boldness as I tell others about You. 2 Kings 1:915

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30

Mighty It’s powerful to hear stories of those who beat the odds. The Bible tells one of these stories. David, a shepherd boy, volunteered to fight Goliatha mammoth warrior who defamed God and threatened Israel. King Saul thought David was ridiculous: Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth (1 Samuel 17:33). And when the boy David stepped onto the battlefield, Goliath looked about,... and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth (V.42). However, David didn’t step into battle alone. He came in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel (V.45). And when the day was done, a victorious David stood above a dead Goliath. No matter how enormous the problem, when God is with us there’s NOTHING that we need to fear. With His strength, we’re also mighty. Ask yourself: When do I feel small and insignificant? How can I see God present with me and strengthening me despite insurmountable odds? A personal prayer: Lord, I trust You to be with me and guide me when the enemy (situations, trials, circumstances) seem big, YOU ARE BIGGER and MIGHTIER! Thank You, for always being with me! 1 Samuel 17:31, 4147.