EXPERIENCE JESUS. REALLY: LOVE AND TRUTH

This Sunday, we return to daylight saving time!  We set our clocks forward for 1 hour (spring forward).  This is always a barrier to the first Sunday in March because it is hard to remember to adjust our schedule to compensate for the lost hour of sleep.  Certainly, our technology helps because the mobile phones automatically change their times, but our bodies may take a little more time to make the adjustment.  Despite this minor obstacle, join us for worship at 9:00 am and 11:00 to Experience Jesus. Really.  We are quickly approaching Easter morning and the resurrection!  However, this Lent study is helping us to experience new life as we seek to experience Jesus. In our series, the sermon is Love and Truth.  God is our refuge, but love and truth are the pathways to finding God’s shelter in our lives.  Our scripture is Philippians 4:4-13.  Paul is so thankful to the Philippians for their support, especially since he is imprisoned and isolated.  Yet, as we read these words, we sense that Paul has found a refuge from anxiety and uncertainty.  He speaks with a confidence and a strength that is stronger that the dark cell, than the armor of the Roman guard, or fear that is all around him.  This confidence and strength are a possibility for us in order to confront the anxiety, uncertainty, and fear that has become our prison.  As you read these words, we pray that you will sense that you are empowered to be set free from this prison by the love and truth of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:4-13: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)