Beyond Sundays

John 20:19 (KJV) Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

When he resurrected, Jesus looked different in his new glorified body, but his voice remained the same. He grabbed Mary Magdalene's attention just by calling her name because she remembered the sound of his voice. Building a personal relationship with the Lord starts with being consistent in prayer. Having regular communication with him helps us to learn the sound of his voice. Being honest with ourselves during prayer gives God the opportunity to change our mental perspective about situations, correct negative attitudes and deliver us from unfavorable spirits in our hearts. The way we prepare our hearts and minds for the Lord at home through things like prayer, fasting and studying his word directly impacts the kind of touch we receive from him in church.

The goodness of the Lord is seen in how merciful he is to his people. Even if we make mistakes repeatedly, God shows his love towards us by touching us again to reassure us he is near. A huge way that the Lord shows that he is with us is by confirming his word in our lives. Whether it be through the preaching of his word, in a conversation with someone else or during prayer time, God will always speak back to us as long as we have ears to hear and hearts to receive his words. When our faith waivers in hard times, the Lord steps in to encourage us again without fail. Jesus goes out of his way to prove himself to us. He searches for people who desire to continuously know more about his word. God wants to be loved for not only the things he can and will do, but also for who he is. 

Sermon preached by Pastor J. Davidson and summarized by Sister Ginger Styers