Rough Day?

  Are you having a rough day? Tell it to Someone who always cares. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7.

Finding Help in the Time of Grief

    <sup>During the past month, I have often needed help. My brother's passing has caused much grief in our family. We miss him terribly. And, we are not alone in our grief. During the past month, there have been four other families connected with my church or myself who have lost love ones. These families have been plunged into the grieving process. The shock, hurt and sadness of loss is at times overwhelming. But, I know from experience the very best place to go for help when this happens. Humbly, I  point those who are hurting to Hebrews 4:14-16.

Hebrews 4
14</sup> Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Saying Goodbye To My Brother

   Friday afternoon, January 4, 2013, my brother, Barry went home to be with the Lord. Oh how we miss him! But, he is in a much better place. He is no longer sick, suffering, tried or having difficulty getting around. The Lord has been so good in giving His presence and comfort in the midst of my family's grief. God truly is our Refuge and Strength and a very present Help in the time of trouble. He truly ministers to us through His people as they pray for us, cry with us, hug us, offer words of sympathy and tangible expressions of kindness.
  The town of Adamsville, Tennessee, where my brother lived for thirty-six years, was wonderful in their tribute to him as Assistant Fire Chief, Rescue Squad Leader and owner and operator of H and W Plumbing and Electrical Company. My family and I were deeply touched by the great love and respect poured out for Barry. The Home-going Service initiated and presented by Fire and Rescue was awesome and very comforting. We all appreciate the honors and kind words bestowed upon Barry. He would have been humbly dumfounded by it all. It made saying goodbye a little easier. The days ahead will be painful and sad for quite a while, but the prayers and support of faithful friends and our faithful God will see us through.
  If I could say anything to my brother right now, I 'd say, "I love you brother dear. Thanks for being my brother. I sure miss you, but because of our certain hope in Christ Jesus, I'll see you after a while."

Weight Lifting

   In Matthew 11: 28-30 Jesus said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, learn of me, for I am meek and lowly and you shall find rest for your souls." Do you need rest? Jesus promised rest ,so why don't we His children have it? Maybe, it's because we are trying to pull the whole load of our lives ourselves. We forget that Jesus invited us to yoke up with Him, so that He can help bear our life load.
   In 1 Peter 5:6-7, we are told to cast all of our cares upon Him for He cares for us watchfully. Peter tells us that the Lord is willing to bear the whole load of our cares. Paul reminds us in Philippians 4: 13  that we can do whatever we need to with Christ as our strength.
   Do you see that He offers to bear our burdens, provide strength of daily living, and be there to take the weight of our lives upon Him as we are willing to allow Him? It's up to you and me. Will you and I let Him be your weight lifter?

Have You Eaten Today?

   1 Peter 2:2 tells Christians to be like newborn babies and desire or crave the pure spiritual milk of God's work that they might grow thereby. Over a period of time, Christians should  take in so much of  God's work that they are chewing on the meat, and not just drinking the milk of God's Word. Hebrews 5: 12 instructs for when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.
     Have you eaten your spiritual food for today? Do you want to grow as a Christian? Get your Bible and eat.

Daily Dependence On The Lord

   I have been struggling with daily dependence on the Lord. I have also been trying to figure out why. I have come to the conclusion that I really do not feel worthy of the Lord sustaining me daily. However, when I look into the Scriptures, I cannot find anything about deserving it, but I do find the Lord's promises that He will daily care for His children.
  Psalm 55:22 reminds me to cast my  cares on the LORD and he will sustain me.
  Psalm 31:15 tells me that my times are in His hands.
  Psalm 68:19 reveals the truth that God daily loads his people with benefits. 
  
  Returning from Ecuador a few days ago, I revisited the above statements written the week before I left for the mission trip. I can report based on experience that the Lord is indeed faithful. He was very faithful in leading us and using the team in witnessing to people in the Andes around Patate. I was privileged to see the Lord work the miracle of conversion in the hearts of many and the miracle of physical healing in the lives of some.

  The Lord also ministered not only to the people through us, through the people to us, but also, through us to other members of the team. It was a glorious, refreshing eight days of ministry. I praised the Lord for it all. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless those with whom we worked, ministered with, and ministered to. May His name be uplifted and praised and may His glory fill the earth.

Set My Soul Afire Lord

May the words of this hymn written by Gene Bartlet in 1965 become the prayer of each Christian's heart.

     Set my soul afire Lord, for Thy Holy Word, Burn it deep within me, let Thy voice be heard
     Millions grope in darkness in this day and hour, I will be a witness, fill me with Thy power.
     Set my soul afire Lord, set my soul afire.
     Make my life a witness of Thy saving power. Millions grope in darkness, waiting for Thy Word. Set
     my soul afire, Lord, set my soul afire!
     Set my soul afire, Lord, for the lost in sin, Give to me a passion as I seek to win; Help me not to falter
     never let me fail, Fill me with Thy Spirit, let Thy will prevail.
     Make my life a witness of Thy saving power. Millions grope in darkness, waiting for Thy Word. Set
     my soul afire, Lord, set my soul afire!
     Set my soul afire, Lord, in my daily life. Far too long I've wandered in this day of strife; Nothing else will
     matter but to live for Thee, I will be a witness for Christ lives in me.
     Make my life a witness of Thy saving power. Millions grope in darkness, waiting for Thy Word. Set my
     soul afire, Lord, set my soul afire!

 Lord let it be so even now in my heart and the hearts of all Your people. In the Blessed Name of Jesus. Amen!