Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Apr 18th Rejoicing in the Goodness of God

Sunday Afternoon

I am praising the Lord for a great service this morning.  The church was full; the spirit was good; and I felt extraordinary liberty to preach the Word of God.  Many people came to the altar and one man received Christ as his Saviour.  We are looking forward to a great service tonight.  We have four people scheduled to be baptized at the close of the service.  I am starting a new series tonight entitled, “Why I Am A Baptist”.  Sometimes when I reflect on what God had done and is doing, I am overwhelmed by his goodness in using someone like me in His ministry.  Praise the Lord for His mercy and his grace!

Todays Reading – 1 Kings 1 – 3

This morning I preached from 1 Kings 3 about the wisdom of Solomon; but I would also like to express just another thought from chapter 1 of 1 Kings.  As you read the passage, notice how Adonijah, Abiathar the priest, Joab, and many others ignore the will of God and the wishes of the king (David) when they take it upon themselves to annoint Adonijah as the king.  It never ceases to amaze me how God’s people will resort to worldly and carnal means to get their way.  

Christian, you and I only have to look to God in order to accomplish His will.  Anything that is done in the flesh will surely come to nought.  Let’s find out what God has for our lives: whether it be a prominent, public position; or a spot behind the scenes where nobody but God sees us.  Oh that we would see that God is the only one that we have to impress with our lives.