MY JOY AND HOPE

IN TROUBLED TIMES

Do you need encouragement today, my friends?  Are the struggles of each day bringing tears of discouragement?  Your heart is heavy with the burdens you bear.  You may be suffering in your body right now.  You may be grieved over a wayward son or daughter or other family member.  Whatever the need God’s Word brings encouragement and hope.

“Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” I Peter 1:3-5.

Peter’s words offer joy and hope in your time of trouble.  And we see here that he bases that hope in what God has done for us through our Wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We live day by day with the expectation of eternal life.  And that expectation is not only for the future, eternal life begins when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.  God will help us to stand strong in our faith through whatever difficulties we face.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

 I Peter 1:6-7.

Peter mentions trials and suffering several times in his letter (1:6, 7; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9).  All of us will face trials and suffering in this life.  But think of the joy ahead, and I think of the old hymn, “It Will be Worth It All When We See Jesus.”

“Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear; we’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair; but Christ will soon appear, to catch His bride away, all tears forever over, in God’s eternal day.

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus; life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ; one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race til we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark, with not a ray of light; we’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight; but there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care, let Jesus solve your problem, just go to Him in pray’r.

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past; we’ll cross the great divide to glory safe at last’ we’ll share the joys of heav’n, a harp, a home, a crown; the tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.”

Esther Kerr Rustoi

Yes, we will lay our burdens down forever, as we look upon His Wonderful face, and know that it was worth it all!

These trials that we face here on our journey “home” are part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us for the day we meet Christ.  As gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off.  These trials we face refine and strengthen our faith.  So how do we respond to these storms and trials that come into our lives? 

First of all we respond with confidence that God knows the pain we are going through and He understands, and has great compassion for you.  And during these times He always provides His love and strength.

Secondly, we respond with perseverance.  We must “hang in there” when facing grief, sorrow and pain.  Yes, we will grieve but we must not give in to bitterness and despair.

And finally, we respond with courage, because Jesus is our brother and Savior and He tells us not to be afraid and that He will never leave us.   He who suffered for us will not abandon us.  He will carry us through everything we have to go through.

And then when we gather with Him on that great day, and our faith has remained strong through these many trials, we will receive much praise and honor, and especially when we see Jesus Christ revealed to the world and we see Him crowned King of kings and Lord of lords!  Praise the Lord!

I pray that you will be encouraged with these words of hope.  We live in a troubled world, but Jesus said:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

HELP ME, LORD

I AM SO TROUBLED

In this day and time there seems to be so many troubled people.  As a Pastor, I hear of people’s heartaches, and sometimes their troubles never seem to end.  One crisis comes, the Lord answers prayer, and then another problems surfaces.  People are in deep despair, seeing no way out of the storms that come into their lives.  Some are losing hope.  Marriages are failing.  Many are losing their homes, their jobs, and many have lost their health, their bodies are failing, and many suffer from cancer, heart problems.

But we do have hope, and that hope is only in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Word.  So I want to bring to you some precious promises that will encourage your heart this day.  Only God has the answer to all that is going on in your life.  Sometimes in these situations with hurting people, I don’t have words to say.  My heart is so overwhelmed by the hurts of God’s people.  And I am deeply discouraged when I meet someone who is in great pain and refuses to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, their only hope in this life and for eternity.

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” Nahum 1:7

He is a strong refuge to you in the day of trouble, and He knows your name and where you are and the hurts and despair of your life.  There is a wonderful promise is Isaiah 49:16, that He has inscribed your name on the palms of His hands.  Everytime He looks at His nail scarred hands, He sees you, sees your name.  There is so much love for you that He willingly gave His life on the cross for you and even today He bears those scars, for you for me.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14:1-3

Jesus’ disciples were greatly troubled, and this promise reaches down the centuries to us today who are “greatly troubled.”  Here is our hope for troubled times, painful times, discouraging times.  Jesus promises us that we have a home prepared for us and He will come again to receive us into that heavenly home.  When things get really down, that someday we will be where He is.  In a place of no pain or tears, just joy in the presence of our Lord.  Praise the Lord!

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” Isaiah 43:2

I am reminded of the chorus to the song “God Leads Us Along:”  “Some thro’ the waters, some thro’ the flood, some thro’ the fire, but all thro’ the blood; some thru great sorrow, but God gives a song; in the night season and all the day long.” (G.A. Young)

Yes, we go through great sorrows and suffering, but God is there leading and guiding us through the wind and the rain, the floods which seem to overwhelm our very souls.  But He gives a song, a song of victory, because He is going before us.  It is hard right now and we don’t see the light ahead of us, but His promise is:  “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5.

We may weep for a season, the tears will come, but just think of the joy in the morning.  When the burdens are lifted, the way seems bright again, He will give you a song of Praise!

“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.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace to help in time of need” Hebrews: 14-15.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we a high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has been there in all our suffering?  He became a man, walking on this earth and experiencing pain and suffering so he could feel our pain.  So He calls us to come boldly to Him in our time of need, so we can obtain His mercy and grace.  What a wonderful God we serve!

One final promise to you today, because He loves you so much:  “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” I Peter 5:7.

Yes, my friend He cares, and He listens and sends forth His love and His Presence to you today where ever you are, whatever the difficulty of this day.  Praise the Lord!

In His Name,

Pastor Sharon

IS THE WIND ROCKING

YOUR SHIP?

As I look back over this past week, and the beginning of this year, I sense that many people are being tossed by the wind and waves, and they feel like they are going to sink.  It is dark in their lives and the storms are fierce.  There are deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, and not enough hours in the day.  Sometimes we are tossed about all day long, and the struggles never seem to cease.  We grieve because a beloved friend or loved one is taken in death.  We are frantic when the bills come due and there is more month then there is money, especially after the holidays. 

Some suffer pain in their bodies and they never seem to find relief.  Some receive a frightening doctor’s report after having medical tests.  Some dear ones that I know as a Pastor are crippled in their bodies, pain never ceases.  Some feel like loved ones have forsaken them, and they are so alone.  I know of people who were once well and strong in mind and body, now have dementia and live in a world of confusion.  Yes, their ship is being battered about and they feel as if they are going to go under.  You may be one of those situations today or some deep time of trouble.  But take heart today, my friend, look out there over the troubled waters and there is someone walking on the water looking straight at you, He is Jesus the Christ, the Lord of All.

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves; for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out in fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” Matthew 14:23-27.

In this chapter of Matthew we read of the feeding of the 5,000 men, including women and children.  After the twelve baskets were taken up, Jesus sent the multitudes away, put the disciples on the ship to go to the other side of the lake, and He himself went up on the mountain to pray.  He had had a very busy day breaking bread, ministering to the sick with great compassion and He had also heard about the death of John the Baptist by Herod and Jesus needed to pray and receive strength from His Father.

Now the disciples set out across the lake and the wind came up strongly, battering and tossing their ship, and they were much frightened.  And all of a sudden they saw someone walking on the water, and they cried out in fear, thinking it was a spirit, and it was Jesus!  And what does Jesus say to them, and to us in our great times of fear and trouble?  “Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.”  And when Jesus walks into the midst of our deepest trials, He brings a great calm and peace to our souls.

Yes, our Majestic Lord walks on water, calms the storms.  He is the Lord of Glory, the creator of this vast and beautiful universe.

“He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.  He made all the stars – the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky.  He great works are too marvelous to understand.  He performs miracles without number” Job 9:8-10. (NLT)

This is the God we serve, our Mighty Lord.  Look out at the heavens and the stars.  And yes, He marches on the waves of the sea, as we see in this beautiful passage in Matthew.  What an Awesome God we serve!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul.  O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.  Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh on the wings of the wind: who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever” Psalm 104:1-5.

How can we fathom this Mighty God?  This God whose garment is as light, and He walks “on the wings of the wind.”  This Jesus who walked on the water, calmed their storm and their fears, is the God who laid the foundations of the earth and stretched out the heavens like a curtain.  Oh, Praise the Lord!  Jesus is the “Master of the Wind.” 

"My boat of life sails on a troubled sea whenever there’s a wind in my sail.  But I have a friend who watches over me when the breeze turns into a gale.

I know the Master of the wind.  I know the Maker of the rain.  He can calm a storm, make the sun shine again.  I know the Master of the wind.

Sometimes I soar like an eagle through the sky above the peaks my soul can be found.  An unexpected storm may drive me from the heights, brings me low, but never brings me down.

I know the Master of the wind.  I know the Maker of the rain.  He can calm a storm, make the sun shine again.  I know the Master of the wind.  (Recorded by the Hemphills)

Do you know this “Master of the Wind?”  This Jesus, the Lord of Glory, is also your Savior, who came to this earth to die for you, to forgive your sins, and give you eternal life with Him forever.  He is calling you right now in the midst of your stormy sea of life.  He still walks on the water in the midst of troubled seas in our lives.  Come to Him now, cry out to Him, ask Him to forgive your sins, and make you a new “creature in Christ Jesus.”  And yes, we will have struggles and trials, but as we belong to Jesus, He is always there is the midst, never leaving us, always bring peace and joy.  Turn to Him now, my friends, He is waiting for you!

Peace and Blessing,

Pastor Sharon

COME RIGHT IN!

As I look around me in these days after the holidays, I see stress on many faces.  Christmas just wasn’t all it was expected to be for some.  Now there are debts to pay for all the Christmas gifts that were bought, and many of those gifts are already broken or returned.  We go through a month or more of great hype for Christmas and anticipation grows.  Then in one day, Christmas is over and we put away all the decorations for another year and life goes on into the New Year.  Many go through this holiday forgetting the Lord who came to save them.  Did you know the suicide rates go up tremendously right after the holidays?

During this month of January, at the start of this New Year, there are many sick among us.  There are many who are going through great trials and can hardly bear to face this New Year.  Some went through the holidays grieving a loved one who passed on this year.  And Christmas was one of past memories and joys shared in past years with that loved one.  I even hear of a beloved friend who at death’s door.

But God’s Word, in these dark and cloudy days of January brings joy, hope and peace.  And we  remember why our Lord came.  He came to become one of us, walking this earth for thirty three years, dying on the cruel cross, was resurrected on the third day, and now is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.  And He is interceding for you and for me.  And He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, Praise the Lord!

Now let us look into His Word and see that He hears your cries, even the smallest cries and is waiting with open arms for you to run into them.

“Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications” Psalm 28:6.

In other words David is saying:  “Lord, while I have been praying, Your Holy Spirit has given me that wonderful inner assurance that my supplications have been heard and answered, and I bless you for it.”  Oh, that wonderful assurance that God hears and answers prayer.  And no matter what the situation is in your life right now, God hears!  He knows your deepest pain as you cry out to Him.  He knows your desperation!  It is a matter of faith, just stepping out, believing that God will do the impossible for you, whatever the problem.  Praise His Holy Name!

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:15-16.

Our Lord’s great heart is touched by our infirmities or are weaknesses, as He Himself was “a man of sorrows.” Other verses in the Gospels say that He was moved with great compassion as He saw the hurts of the crowds gathered around Him.

And the Word tells us to come BOLDLY, to walk right up the throne of grace to receive His mercy and grace in our times of need.  He calls us to bring all our needs to Him in prayer, big and small.  He is concerned about even the smallest of needs on our hearts.

I am reminded of how blessed we are to live this side of the cross, with Jesus having finished the work of our salvation.  Back in the days when the Law was given to the Children of Israel by Moses, we read in the book of Leviticus, chapter 21:17-23, that no man, who was a son of Aaron, the High Priest or any of his descendants could approach the veil in the Tabernacle or come near the altar of the LORD if he had a blemish of any kind.  He could not be blind or have any eye problems.  He could not be lame, or have any broken bones, or be deaf or hard of hearing.  He could not be sick or have any other physical problems.

At the cross, when Jesus died, the veil of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom, opening the way for anyone to come into His presence.  All of us have blemishes in our hearts, as sin causes us to be deaf to the calling of the Holy Spirit.  Many of us are blind spiritually, and cannot see through the darkness of our lives.

Since we now, as believers are all high priests (1 Peter 2:5), we can come right in, no matter what blemishes we have in our hearts or even our physical bodies.  We may be physically hard of hearing or have sickness in our bodies.  But He calls us to come right up to the throne of grace with all our “baggage.”  He washes our hearts clean of all the blemishes with His precious blood!  And He is the God who heals, and promises to supply all our needs.

Are you “blemished” today, my friends?  Have you asked Jesus to cleanse and make you whole, to forgive you and wash away all your sins?  He wants to give you new life with Him. Oh, yes, there will be storms and dark times, but Oh, the joy of knowing He is right there beside you.  Come today, come right in!  He is waiting for you.

“Father, in the Name of Jesus, I am so thankful for the Cross!  I am so thankful that You made a way for us to come right into your presence.  I am so thankful that we have forgiveness of sins, that You promise to walk along side of us no matter what may come into our lives.  I am so thankful that no matter what “baggage” we may be carrying, You promised to carry all our burdens.  You promised to answer prayer, even the smallest of prayers.  And I am thankful that you are always attentive to those who cry out to You.  And I pray that many will cry out to You right now, as you are waiting and calling men and women, boys and girls to You, to just come!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

A GREAT NEW YEAR,

AND LED BY MY SAVIOR

The New Year is now upon us, and holidays are behind us.  All the trappings of Christmas are put away for another year.  New Year’s resolutions are being made, and I pray that you have made a Spiritual Resolution List, or are preparing your heart to receive what God has in store for you this coming year.

We don’t know what this year will hold for any of us, what trials we will face, what storms we may have to go through.  Some of us will face great trials.  But instead of listening to the media and all the bad news and events that will certainly happen this year, look around you, at God’s creation, at His blessings.  Look at His beautiful creation, the lovely sunsets and mountains.

Turn your thoughts heaven ward and what God has in store for His children.  Let those thoughts fill you with joy no matter what the world may experience or the media tells the world.  Oh, yes, there may be great tragedy in this world, as we can’t just hide our “heads in the sand.”  But in those moments, turn your hearts in prayer for those involved and always remember those who suffer.

But as believers, we are led by a Wonderful Lord, always guiding and walking ahead, leading us in the way we should go, even though sometimes the way will be rough, rocks in our path, steep places to climb, storms will come.  We may walk through dark valleys, but He is always there, Praise the Lord!

ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME

(Fanny Crosby)

“All the way my Savior leads me; what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thro’ life has been my Guide? Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!  For I know whate’re befall me, Jesus doeeth all things well; for I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread.  Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul a thirst may be, gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me; oh, the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above.  When m y spirit clothed immortal wings its flight to realms of day, this my song thro’ endless ages; Jesus led me all the way; this my song thro’ endless ages; Jesus led me all the way.”

I picture my Shepherd as He leads me onward.  There is He is, with His rod which comforts (Ps. 23), as He leads ever onward.  The shepherd always leads the sheep, and with cattle they are driven.  We are never driven, but led on.  In the darkest of nights, He is there expelling the darkness.  In the fog and gloom, He is there with His Light ever leading the way.  And remember, there is always “Sonshine” behind those clouds.  And as our Shepherd He does things well, there is never any shadow of turning with our Blessed Lord!

“I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known of mine” John 10:14.  Yes, He knows His sheep, He knows you personally, my friend.  And we as His sheep know His Wonderful voice, that sweet, comfort and peace we feel deep down in our spirit.

As we face this year, we will find ourselves in situations that we did not choose, and our steps may falter, and we may go through dry places and are thirsty in our souls.  But our Shepherd promises to feed us with His Word, and fill our souls with His Living Water, and fill us with His joy.

 JESUS, TENDER SHEPHERD OF MY SOUL

“This place to which you have brought me, Lord, was not of my own choosing.  You called me out from the rushing traffic, away from the crowd and clamor, away from the noise of getting things done. accomplishing goals and achieving, away from reaching and striving, into the quiet and peace of just . . being.

You led me along a cool, grassy path to a tranquil stream of clear water, to rest and pray and listen and wait as you work your will in the silence.

How was I to know, dear Lord, that in the simple act of being still and trusting you I was finally fulfilling Your will?” (Thorns and Thrones by B.J. Hoff)  “He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul” Psalm 23, 2 3.

In the clamor and rush of our lives and all our busy days, our Shepherd calls us to a place of quiet rest in Him.  Sometimes, He wants us just to be still before Him, to let Him bring peace to our anxious hearts.  And there will be times like that this year, maybe this month, or even this week or day.  Just stop and listen to that still small voice of your Shepherd ever leading, ever calling you onward.

And then someday, we will indeed “wing our flight to realms of day.”  And our song through the endless ages will be that our Wonderful Shepherd led us all the way.  And what a day that will be, and we can praise Him forever and ever, all trials ended, tears are wiped away and we will home with Him forever.

Again, I ask:  “Do you know this Shepherd as your own personal Savior?  If you have lost your way, he promises to go out and find that one lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7).  And when that lost sheep is found, the Word says there is great rejoicing in Heaven.  In fact, sometimes I wonder if they are “having a party” over the one lost sheep who comes home.  Praise the Lord!

“Father, in the Name of Jesus, I commit every reader of this blog to Your tender care as we enter this New Year.  I pray for peace and comfort in those times of stress, trying to get things done, all those times of rushing around.  I pray that they will stop and listen for their Shepherd as He speaks peace and quiet to their troubled hearts.  So as we go through our days, Your presence always goes before us, ever leading us onward and upward to that joyful day when we will rest in peace with our Lord forever.”  Amen.

Pastor Sharon