I Am Who I Am Because The Great I Am Said I Am

It’s been a crazy week and when I sat down in my chair after flying all day Monday I turned on the TV and flipped the channel right to one of the greatest movies of all time Forrest Gump.

Forrest is sitting on a bench telling anyone who would listen to him all the things he did.

It went right to the scene when his mother was dying and Forrest said, “Momma, what is my destiny?”

She told him that, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you are going to get.”

The entire movie has Forrest running, literally and figuratively.

One of the things I love about his character is that he never tried to be anyone but Forrest and because he was so comfortable being himself, he accomplished great things.

He became a war hero, a ping pong champion and started the Bubba Gump Shrimp company just to name a few of his accomplishments.

Forrest spoke a little slow and was a simple-minded genius that did great things despite his obvious shortcomings.

The problem is that the movie is fiction.

But find me a person who knows who he or she is and is and they live in that identity, and I will show you a successful person. I’ll show you a confident person.

For generations, people have struggled with their identities.

We search and yearn for it. We strive and drive towards it. It’s that something we could never put our finger on but it is the one thing that keeps us on the journey always looking for it.

Who am I, and what is my destiny? 

Moses had to ask the same questions and this Friday we are going to look at how Moses encountered the great I AM and how it changed history forever. 

There has never been a time where so many people are confused about who they are.

The remedy for the confusion is really simple:

1.   Believe who God says He is.

2.   Believe who God says you are.

I hope you will join us this Friday so you can say with confidence, "I am who I am because the great I AM said I am."

Mandie Pinto will be leading us in worship and we are so blessed to have her back! There will be a special baptism, a great meal and a special teaching on Forrest Gump and Moses. You don't want to miss Encounter this Friday! 

Be Blessed and Encouraged

Bill Rieser

Encounter Pastor

bill@thehopeencounter.org  

 

No Encounter Service Tonight

Happy Good Friday Encounter! I wanted to remind you that we are not meeting tonight. Encounter is taking a week off for Easter weekend. I want to personally invite you to a special Good Friday service tonight at the Sanctuary church where Encounter normally meets from 7-8pm.

Encounter will resume meeting next Friday April 6th at our normal time and place.

Encounter is grateful for your support and I can’t thank you enough for your generosity. Taking a week off creates a financial burden for a ministry like ours so would you please pray about giving online this week at our website or text to give on our phone app by downloading the free Encounter app. Type in Encounter Hope in your APP search engine and look for our anchor.

Thank you again for all you do to keep this life changing chain-breaking ministry running so broken and hurting people can discover the free devoted life to Jesus Christ!

Have a blessed Easter and resurrection weekend! I can’t wait to see you all next Friday!

Be Blessed and Encouraged

 

Bill Rieser

Encounter Pastor

bill@thehopeencounter.org

www.thehopeencounter.org

www.facebook.com/thehopeencounter

Which Side Of The Cross Are You On?

Which Side Of The Cross Are You On?

The first thief makes a decision of hate. The second thief makes a decision of faith. Are you on the side of the man who only wanted Jesus for earthly deliverance and did not understand the eternal repercussions? Or are you on the side of the one who said I can’t fix myself, my problems, my sins, and I trust Jesus to be my redeemer?

TETELASTAI

TETELASTAI

When Jesus cried "TETELESTAI" on the cross, He was saying that anyone who places his trust in His sacrificial death on their behalf receives in essence a "certificate of debt" with the inscription of "TETELESTAI", indicating that all their "crimes" (past, present and future) against God have been PAID FOR IN FULL!

Encounter Special Celebration

Encounter is having a special "Celebration" event this Friday with The Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission.

 Here are 10 reasons why you should attend:

1.   Ken Craft, the founder and CEO of the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission will be our guest along with staff members.

2.   Ken is going to teach a special message titled, “Learning To Lean!”

3.   We are going to have the event catered with a special taco cart with dinner starting at 6pm sharp!

4.   We will celebrate and witness a graduation from the House of Hope, the 9-month men’s residential program of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission. Ken will lead the graduation service.

5.   Robert from the House of Hope will share a part of his testimony!

6.   Tacos, quesadillas, rice, beans, and more tacos.

7.   An inspiring worship set is planned.

8.   Extended café and fellowship time with cake for everyone.

9.   There will be no better place to be on a rainy, wet, or damp Friday night.

10.      Somebody needs to help Myra stay calm that we are having a taco cart!

See you all at Encounter this Friday at the Sanctuary Church 26444 Friendly Valley Parkway, Santa Clarita, 91321.

Bill Rieser

Encounter Pastor

bill@thehopeencounter.org