Everyone Needs Appreciation

Posted by on February 18, 2001 under Bulletin Articles

Sunday was special! It was special for many reasons. It was special because of decisions made by Christian men and women over twenty years ago; because of the sacrifices, commitment, and dedication of Christ-serving Christian men and women in that period. It was special because of those who had dreams and visions, gave time and effort, provided leadership, taught classes, preached sermons, served in ministries, loved, and trusted God. Without all of them, Sunday would never have happened.

It was special because so many made the day possible. We appreciate Jack Harriman and his family returning and sharing. We appreciate Will Ed Warren returning and sharing. We appreciate everyone who helped make worship a time to praise God and lift our hearts. We appreciate all who came early and worked hard to prepare the meal. We appreciate all those who stayed to clean up and put up.

We appreciate all the love and the rewarding bonds of fellowship. We thanked those who were the avenue of blessing, but we understand God gave the blessings. In both the twenty years and Sunday, each opportunity for good came from God who created those opportunities in Christ. God made it all possible by giving us Jesus and letting His Spirit live in us so we can be His temple. Nothing was or is possible without God.

God gave us His Son to reconcile us to Himself. He gave us His Spirit to make us His living temple. Jesus showed us what God wants in human existence. He taught us the meaning of love from God’s perspective and showed us how to be God’s servants. Because of Jesus, we learn the meaning of compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice. Jesus intercedes for us before God, and the Spirit helps us express ourselves to God when words fail us.

Where would we be if God had not re-created us in Christ Jesus? Where would we be if Jesus was not Lord? Where would we be without the Spirit’s encouragement? Where would we be if God refused to reconcile? Where would we be if Jesus refused to give the atoning blood? Where would we be if we had no access to the Comforter? Where would we be without “new birth” and “re-creation”? Where would we be if God did not clothe us in Christ? Where would we be without the purity, the holiness, and cleansing God provides us in Jesus every day we live?

Where would we be without Jesus’ cross and resurrection? Where would we be without our God who accepted Jesus’ death and provided the power of Jesus’ resurrection?

Where would we be? No where–except in the pits of inescapable, hopeless despair.

Always, always, always appreciate God.