A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

Dear Sunset Wood Family,                                                   March 23, 2020

I realize that it has only been a short time that I have been a part of your community, but you welcomed me as family. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your truly beautiful and warm community. I really miss chatting with all of you and serving you in person.

I hope that the following message you find uplifting and comforting. I encourage you to call a friend and read through the liturgy and inspirational message together. Reflect on it and maybe discuss how it applies to your lives at the time you are reading it. We need to remember that there is always hope in our Lord.

I am also going to ask that together we help this world to heal through prayer. Please take time during the day to pray with someone on the phone, before you go to bed, or sometime during the day. Prayer is the best thing that we have to give hope to a broken world. We need to PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens!

Please know that I am praying for all of you. I realize that this is a very difficult time, but together we can get through it. I am here for you if you wish to chat.

Stay blessed and be a blessing,

Pastor Elizabeth

 

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my Shepherd,” – That’s about Relationship!

Now is a great time to renew, become more intimate, and share via email, social media, and phone your relationship with God with others. What a comfort and a blessing we can be to each other.

“I shall not want” - That’s about Supply!

There are so many verses in the Bible that share that God is our supply, our rock, the corner stone, the foundation for our lives. Jesus had no food for forty days in the wilderness. His supply was His Father. We need that supply and our supply should be the Bible, prayer, and our Father.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” – That’s about Rest!

The earth that God created needs rest just like we do. This is a time of rest and rebirth. As spring is beginning, we should be mindful of the lesson that is being taught. Stop! Think! What more can we do to help our groaning earth? This is the only home we have. This time of rest can give us an opportunity to assess the things in our lives, as well as, other ways to help our earth.

“He leadeth me beside the still waters,” – That’s about  Refreshment!

Cool water on a warm day. What a refreshing and nourishing thought! We have been given all we need to live on this planet by our wonderful Gardener. Let us always give thanks in remembrance of our baptism by Him who is our Living Water.

“He restoreth my soul” – That’s about Healing!

God is the great physician. Through the resurrection of His Son the healing began. We need to be plugged into His word so our healing, as well as the world’s healing, can become repaired and mended for the new things that God is doing in this time.

“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” – That’s about Guidance!

To know that we are guided at all times if we are still and listen (with our ears, heart, and soul) is contentment and security. As the Psalmist stated, He is our Shepherd, let Him lead. It takes a lot of weight off of our shoulders.

“For His name sake.” – That’s about Purpose!

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are committed to us because our Creator chose to bring us into this world to make it more colorful and beautiful. He was resolved with forethought to do this. Because of this, we have our families, friends, and relationships. Praise Him!

“Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” – That’s about Testing!

God wants to make sure that we are listening and paying attention to what is happening around us and the world. Are we starting to get the picture? He is our guide and wishes only blessings upon us. Can we not take time to wait for Him to speak to us?

“I will fear no evil,” – That’s about Protection!

If He took time to create us, would He not want to protect His creation as well? Not only we who are human, but the terra firma below our feet, this garden of Eden that we live on. No need to fear when God is near!

“For thou art with me.” – That’s about Faithfulness!

In His Word, God has told us that He is forever faithful! He says that He will never leave or forsake us! We need to believe that, pray on that, and share that with others.

“Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,” – That’s about Discipline!

Hasn’t God been the one to teach us self-control? He has taught us to be reasonable through two guidelines; one is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And two; love your neighbor as yourself. Let us all strive to do these two things better.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” – That’s about Hope!

“ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25

“Thou annointest my head with oil,” – That’s about  Consecration!

We, who believe, are sanctified, set apart, declared Holy by our Risen Lord. We are FAMILY!! We are His daughters and sons, princes and princesses to the Most High King! Halleluiah!

“My cup runneth over.” – That’s about Abundance!

He gives us all of the provision we need. Think about it! What more could you need, not want, but need! We should rejoice more in having the things that we need than what we want.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,” – That’s about Blessing!

Compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and generosity. These are the attributes that should be shown as God’s children and disciples. Carry these qualities with you at all times and show others to whom you belong.

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord” – That’s about Security!
That’s where we want to be… in the house of the Lord! It is guaranteed and insured! In this we are sure! Hurray! Three Cheers!

“Forever!” – That’s about Eternity!

Infinity, people! Forever and always! That’s some really great news! Don’t give up! Be persistent, know that God doesn’t give up on us! Love, enjoy, appreciate all that is around you! Remember how loved by God you are!