ENCOURAGEMENT

In my devotions today I read Psalm 37, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to The Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.  Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him … do not fret.” WOW … these words encourage no matter what is going on in your life … but, especially for the one who is hopeless.  Mel Conrad feels God’s call to share what He is teaching her when life feels hopeless.  She has learned through life experiences, personal growth and educational training that there can be life after loss … death, divorce, career, relationships …whatever it is that has been taken. There are tremendous needs on many levels for those suffering loss … personal needs, healing from brokenness, discovery of unknowns … can God help? Even those who do not yet know God or embrace His Truth can experience moving from mourning to joy after loss.  Yes, God can help and Mel is part of a ministry here at First Baptist that joins with God to do just that.  One does not have to go far to discover families in pain – flawed – with fractured relationships, living in despair.   There are predictable stages that a person goes through during a loss before they arrive on the other side with hope -- hope comes from Jesus.   Grief Share and Divorce Care are ministries of need that touch, heal, restore and bring hope.  No one signs up for loss;  no one wants it to go the way shattered dreams.  Most struggle to persevere and make relationships work, make them last … but, reality is it takes at least three – the couple and Jesus.  Meditation, prayer and counseling can bring clarity but even then it is painful.  God allows loss not to cripple us but as a conduit to carry grace and mercy to one another.  Mel says, “I was called to share hope, understanding and the grief process with any who have experienced loss.”  She continues to show up to facilitate our “help groups” because she knows there is no hope or forward movement when we look back.  Only when we look forward at The WORD can a person discover salvation, hope and a glorious future.  No matter what the loss, Mel says she has learned a key piece to healing is in the opportunity to share with another going through a similar experience.  She has faced … death of a spouse, and loss through divorce…  both have been journeys that have propelled her to share with others.  We all want to belong to someone, to feel we are not alone, especially when experiencing a great loss.  Our “help groups” provide a safe place to process, to feel comfortable sharing, to find your voice, to come to a sense of balance, to explore doubts and fears and to express hope in moving forward. Referencing Isaiah 61:1-3, in the synagogue  Jesus’ interprets His mission but also reveals the ministry He wants His people to perform … I think I can safely say that Mel feels this is her call to serve those grieving a loss.  “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, to and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness … “  In this season of giving, could God be calling you to minister to His children who are hurting? Janice Adams

Open Our Eyes

Do you remember the story of the blind servant of God?  His story is recorded in 2 Kings 6:15-17.  He had the ability to see the strength of the opposing enemy, but was blind to the army of God.  It was Elisha who prayed, “O Lord open his eyes so he may see.”  That is a great prayer.  I pray it for myself, my family and our church regularly.  When I see the power of God all else seems different—even the challenges.  Today’s Focus story helps us to see God which changes how we face the bumps in the road.   

 

This morning we received an email from our daughter-in-law that our son was laid off his armed security job he has held for 3 years.  On January 1 he would receive the highest wage and three weeks’ vacation. In spite of having high seniority and good working reports he was informed this Friday will be his last day.  I immediately prayed and asked our Lord how to best pray for my son and assist him in this trial. I talked to my son and let him know I would be praying for him.  In the meantime I was reading one of the three daily devotions I receive through email.  One of these devotions seemed very appropriate to send to my son.  I asked my wife if she had read this devotion.  Not only had she read it but had sent it to my son via email. This was the little devotion and small commentary:

 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10

Ever will the Lord raise up His people from their troubles!  Ever will He seek to heal their hurts!  Ever will He redeem His people from wickedness!  And ever will the Lord Almighty strengthen the resolve of His children that they might proclaim His mercies forever!  Praise His name forever all you His people!  Hallelujah!

 

Now some people would say this devotion was just a coincidence and I was reading into this situation.  That would be the devil talking.  At first I did not realize what had just occurred.  I asked my Father God how to best pray and help my son.  Soon after starting to read my daily devotions I realized how my first devotion would be quite useful to my son.  Then I realized my Lord also answered my prayer request through His magnificent Word.  The timing was impeccable.  Not only did my Lord answer my prayer, He also allowed the same message to minister to my son. Then my God went the extra mile.  My wife who was in deep sorrow over this incident was strengthened in the Lord and not only found peace in the Lord, but permitted to relay this powerful message to our son and his wife. Thus my wonderful God met four people who were in great distress with the same encouraging Word.  WOW!  What a great God and He is greatly to be praised.

Be encouraged, God sees you and is mighty to save. 

 

Thanks to a brother in the church who sent me this note and allowed our body to be encouraged as well. 

“O Lord open our eyes so we may see.” 

-Pastor Mark

Due to computer glitch - this message didn't  make it on January 10.  Trying again today 1/12

Happy Birthday, Pastor Mark!