Reflecting God - "God Remembers His Children" at The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Sunday, 15 November 2015 - Embrace Holy Living - Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18

Reflecting God - "God Remembers His Children" at The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Sunday, 15 November 2015 - Embrace Holy Living - Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18

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Malachi 3:13 “You have spoken strongly against me,” says Adonai.

“Yet you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’

14 By saying, ‘There is no point in serving God.

What good is it to obey his orders

or to walk about as mourners

before Adonai-Tzva’ot?

15 We consider the arrogant happy;

also evildoers prosper;

they put God to the test;

nevertheless, they escape.’”

16 Then those who feared Adonai spoke together;

and Adonai listened and heard.

A record book was written in his presence

for those who feared Adonai

and had respect for his name.

17 “They will be mine,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot,

“on the day when I compose my own special treasure.

I will spare them as a man spares

his own son who serves him.

18 Then once again you will see the difference

between the righteous and the wicked,

between the person who serves God

and one that doesn’t serve him.

"God Remembers His Children" by Author: Rhonda Carrim
“I don’t see what good it does to go to church, read my Bible, or pray. I don’t feel God’s presence, and I certainly don’t see how trying to live the Christian life is an advantage over those who don’t care anything about God.”
Perhaps you’ve heard similar sentiments expressed–maybe even had such thoughts yourself. Harsh as it seems, Malachi 3attributes this attitude to arrogance. In other words, the people were “doing all the right things” but weren’t seeing desired results. Worse yet, those who weren’t even trying to honor God were prospering! If those who ignored God seemed to avoid punishment, why bother with offerings and worship? But God called these charges arrogant; they expected that bringing their offerings and participating in the worship services obligated God to bless them in a particular way.
God is clear: those who serve and worship God from the heart will be remembered. A day is coming when all will see the difference between those who honored God and those who refused. Let us us fix our eyes on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfector of faith" [Hebrews 12:2]. God remembers His children!
Hymn for Today: "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" by Civilla D. Martin

1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Thought for Today:

"remembered his grace and faithfulness

to the house of Isra’el.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the victory of our God." Psalm 98:3.
Please pray:
For the distribution of holiness literature in Mesoamerica.
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