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Have you been hurt? Harsh words spoken to you. Falsely accused of wrongdoing. Being physically hurt is rarely as hard to endure as the harshness of being rejected.

Rejection is never easy. But rejection from people we care about really hurts. Maybe it’s the rejection of losing your job or having a spouse walk out on you. Sometimes rejection can be so devastating that we’re not sure we are going to recover.

Here are a few thoughts that may help:

Jesus understands! On the cross, He faced the rejection of the whole world. Be honest with God about your feelings. He understands.

Don’t seek revenge. Trust God to bring about ultimate justice. Ask God to help you forgive. After all, Jesus forgave us for rejecting Him on the cross.

Don’t confuse forgiveness with a lack of accountability. Holding wrong-doers accountable is good – for them, for us, and for others.

Choose to get better, not bitter! The best way to get even in a good way is to get better. Someone said it well when they said, “bitterness is the poison we swallow while hoping the other person dies.”

These four insights can help you overcome rejection. Put them into practice and rejection will not defeat you.

Rejection is never easy, but overcoming rejection is a key to successful living. Romans 12:21 says “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Christ was rejected by those He loved and cared for. Yet, He overcame through His love for the very ones who rejected Him. We, too, can overcome as we walk in His love.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.12. Live for God, on purpose, knowing that Jesus will never leave you, never forsake you, and be the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

The Cry of Provision

Have you ever thought about the Pyramids in Egypt? People have debated for centuries as to how they were made. Regardless of what methods were used to create them, it is obvious that they were made because the people who were buried in them believed strongly in some kind of afterlife, which was far more important than their life on this earth.

Even though their efforts were foolish, their recognition of a life after death is quite valid.

I have been told that there is an old tombstone in Indiana upon which the following words engraved:

Pause Stranger, when you pass me by,
As you are now, so once was I
As I am now, so you will be,
So prepare for death and follow me.

Underneath that engraved poem, someone has scratched these words:

To follow you I’m not content,
Until I know which way you went!

As Christ hung on the Cross, two thieves hung on either side. One was totally unrepentant, not concerned at all about the fate momentarily awaiting him. The other recognized Jesus as the Son of the living God, and upon his word of confession, asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in Paradise!”

In our continuing series of messages about Christ’s final words from the Cross, we come now to this third “cry” – a cry of provision.

The Bible clearly confirms to us that we are all sinners, for all have sinned. Further, it tells us that the penalty of sin is death. There is surely a life after this earthly life. The question for each and every person is where he or she will spend eternity. You cannot prepare for eternity by building a huge edifice in which to stockpile goods to take into eternity. There is only One who has made provision for our eternal life!

Be sure to join us this Sunday as we look at Jesus’ third Cry from the Cross – “The Cry of Provision!”

WFA Podcast!

Miss a message at WFA? Want to hear one again that spoke to you in a special way? Want to share one with a friend? It’s easy to do! WFA is podcasting all of our sermons. Here’s how to do it:

Have an iPod or iPhone? Then it’s a simple thing to subscribe to the podcast using your iTunes. Just search for Wilmington First Assembly, and you will be taken to the link to subscribe to the podcast. Once you subscribe, as soon as our message is available, your iTunes will automatically download it, and load it onto your iPod. You can also listen right in iTunes.

Download from your web browser! Open Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or whatever web browser you use, and go to this address – http://wfa.org/sermons/index.html. From there, just click on the “Download” button to download it to your computer to listen at your convenience.

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Don’t Let Worry Fill Your Work

Imagine a dense fog blanketing seven city blocks to a depth of one hundred feet. All that fog condensed, scientists say, fills one single water tumbler. And there’s a picture of worry: in the heat of fear and anxiety, a half glass of worry expands to cloud everything in our vision.

Someone has estimated that 40 percent of our worries never occur... 30 percent are already past... 12 percent are needless health concerns... 10 percent are petty. Only 8 percent of our worries deserve our attention.

Don’t wander in the fog of the 92-percent-needless worry... and miss the 8 percent worth your trouble. It’s the high calling of our daily work.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34)

The Difference Between
Strength and Courage

It takes strength to be firm. It takes courage to be gentle.

It takes strength to stand guard. It takes courage to let down your guard.

It takes strength to conquer. It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to be certain. It takes courage to have doubt.

It takes strength to fit in. It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend’s pain. It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to hide feelings. It takes courage to show them.

It takes strength to endure abuse. It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone. It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love. It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive. It takes courage to live.

“...as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage...” – Joshua 1:5b-6a

Tax Assessor

A tax assessor came one day to a poor pastor to determine the amount of taxes the pastor would have to pay. The following conversation took place:

“What property do you possess?” asked the assessor.

“I am a very wealthy man,” replied the minister.

“List your possessions, please,” the assessor instructed.

“First, I have everlasting life (John 3:16).

“Second, I have a mansion in heaven (John 14:2).

“Third, I have peace that passeth understanding (Philippians 4:7).

“Fourth, I have joy unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8).

“Fifth, I have divine love which never faileth (1 Corinthians 13:8).

“Sixth, I have a faithful precious wife (Proverbs 31:10).

“Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children (Exodus 20:12).

“Eighth, I have true, loyal friend (Proverbs 18:24).

“Ninth, I have songs in the night (Psalms 42:8).

“Tenth, I have a crown of life (James 1:12).”

The tax assessor closed his book, and said, “Truly you are a very rich man, but your wealth is not subject to taxation.

All-Points Bulletin

Thousands of cars are stolen every year in California, but in 1981, there was one car theft that made all the local papers and was the lead story on the evening news. The police had issued an all-points bulletin to find the missing car and to make contact with the person who stole it.

Why was this car theft getting so much attention?

The owner of the stolen car had informed the police that on the front seat of the car was a box of crackers laced with a deadly poison. The car owner had planned to use the crackers as rat bait. So the police were desperately trying to find the thief not to punish him, but to save his life. They were afraid he would eat one of the crackers and die.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father pursues us — not because he wants to punish us but because he wants to save us. You may be running away from God because — like the car thief—you are a sinner. You have broken God’s law. But what you may not realize is that God is trying to rescue you, not condemn you. The penalty for your sin has been paid by Jesus Christ on the cross, and God wants to give you your freedom. So stop running and turn yourself in. Your life is at stake!

The Last Impression

Early Sunday morning, Rev. Smith was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask his congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick, and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute.

The substitute wanted to know what to play. “Here’s a copy of the service,” the pastor said impatiently. “But, you’ll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances.”

During the service, the minister paused and said, “Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up.”

At that moment, the substitute organist played “The Star Spangled Banner.”

And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

We won’t be singing our national anthem this Sunday at WFA, but we will surely be standing as we sing praises to God and worship our Lord Jesus Christ! God continues to do great things each week as we look to Christ’s last words to us as He hung on the cross. I am confident that the Lord will visit us in a special way this week! Looking forward to worshiping together with you this Sunday! See you here at WFA!