(USE SONG "His Eye Is On the Sparrow) Chester-born and raised in Philadelphia, Ethel Waters was an African-American jazz singer and actress of legendary stature. Born in horrendous conditions, she triumphed over all adversity with the sheer power of her will and talent to become both a Broadway and Hollywood star. her signature number,
- "His Eye is On the Sparrow." Used the title for her autobiography. - She sang it at a Billy Graham Crusade
- Ethel Waters sings Eyes On The Sparrow. Song from the 1952 movie "The Member of the Wedding"
Nebraskan State Senator Ernie Chambers brought suit against God to "cease certain harmful activities and making of terroristic threats."
Chambers claimed that God "directly and proximately has caused, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, plagues, famines, droughts, wars, birth defects, and the like." in order to inspire fear, dread, anxiety, terror and uncertainty, in order to force obedience to Defendant’s will."
On Tuesday, Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk ruled that under state law a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward.
“Given that this court finds that there can never be service effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice, (meaning the case is over, it can nerve be filed again)
❶ Mind Full
- We are mindful of floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, plagues, famines, droughts, wars, birth defects, fuel costs, home foreclosures unemployment, financial crises, next week election
- Being mindful is the problem
- We lose sleep because our minds are full.
- We’ve already got too much stuff in our heads.
- This leading to fearfulness & abandonment
- Reality IS tough
- People are suffering
- People are losing Future Security (retirement packages)
- People are losing Present Security (their home)
- People are turning to their own ways
Proverbs 14:12KJV
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Judges 21:25KJV
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Ruth 1:1KJV
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
- Moab an idolatress nation (Chemosh)
- Ruth listened to her mother-in-law council
Ruth 1:16KJV
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Philippians 4:8-9KJV
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
❷ Soul Full
1. BE PEACEFUL
- Know Your Standing – Psalm 8:5KJV
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
- “Little Lower” We are confined in and limited by flesh, and subject to death
REALIZE OUR GLORY
Better Feast – Only saints come to the Marriage Supper
Better Clothing – Clothed with the Grace of God
– Washed by the blood of God
Better Song – Angels will never experience Salvation
Better Position – Angels in the throne room
– Saints sit upon the throne
2. BE BOASTFUL
Philippians 4:13KJV
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Romans 8:37KJV
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
1 John 4:4KJV
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Matthew 10:29KJV
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Luke 12:6KJV
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
- Farthing. ‘A tenth of the Roman penny (the smallest copper coin)
- Sparrows were one of the cheapest items sold for poor people’s food in the marketplace, the cheapest of all birds.
- Less than an hours work
Matthew 10:29NASB95
29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
3. BE THANKFUL
- Of your Blessings:
- Are you basic needs being met? Food, shelter, love, friendship.
- If you have those things, and have nothing else, can you not be at peace and experience happiness?
Psalm 100:1-5KJV Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
4. BE JOYFUL
- Joy is greater than happiness
- Joy is not based on our circumstance
- We are capable of having peace and joy while in the center of the storm
- Joy is expressed through Praise
5. BE FAITHFUL
- Trust Him regardless
- The heaviness of life will be lighter
Matthew 11:28-30KJV
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 7:37-38KJV
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
- Think of friends and neighbors who may be experiencing a different kind of crises
- Through Prayer
- Encouragement
- Support
