YES, HE CARES!

YES, HE CARES!

Sometimes in this walk with the Lord we come to a deep valley, and we wonder if Jesus really cares or does anyone care? Are you feeling that way today?  Well, Jesus does care and He feels your pain, your grief and your loneliness. 

Let me tell you the story of another song, and then I will share an experience I had with a precious saint at her bedside.  This precious one was a singer, who loved hymns and praising the Lord.  Now it is like she is “locked” in her body, only her eyes move and she desperately tries to talk and I can only imagine how frustrating it must be.  But she loves Jesus and knows that He does care deep down inside.

“Frank Graeff had a wonderful nickname – “The Sunshine Minister”  He loved little children and became famous for the stories he told them.  He was also called “a spiritual optimist,” and people were drawn to him because he had “a holy magnetism.”

But inside, Frank Graeff was going through some spiritual struggles.  Today we might call it a midlife crisis.  Struggling with physical problems, he fell into depression and had some spiritual doubt.  It all hit “The Sunshine Minister” at the same time.

He turned to the Scriptures searching for a verse that he could really hold onto, and he found it in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you” (KJV).

That verse not only guided him through his “downtime,” but it also inspired him to write the song “Does Jesus Care?” (The Complete Book of Hymns).

DOES JESUS CARE?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song; as the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?  As the daylight fades into deep nightshades, does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed to resist some temptation strong; when for my deep grief I find no relief, tho’ my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” to the dearest on earth tome.  And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks-is it aught to Him? Does He see? 

Oh yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.  (Frank E. Graeff (1860-1919)

I sat by the bedside of my precious friend who is totally paralyzed now.  She moves her eyes and tries her best to form words, and then she nearly cries with frustration.  Does Jesus care that this dear one, who used to sing His praises lies in that bed in the nursing home day after day, month after month not able to move or express herself and totally dependent on those caregivers there in the nursing home?  Yes, my friend, Jesus cares.  I sat there, after reading the Lord’s Prayer to her, and her favorite 23^rd Psalm and reminding her of her mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for her, and saw the peace come into her eyes and her frustrations calmed down just at the reading of God’s Word.  It is an amazing experience to see the Holy Spirit bring calmness and peace.  Her dark way and nameless fear and dread are suddenly totally filled with His Presence.  Then I began to sing to her songs of heaven and oh, the joy on her face!  It is hard to describe this experience without tears of my own.  I don’t understand the “why?” of these situations, but I know my Jesus cares and loves her dearly.  And someday soon He will come and take her home and I promised her that she would again sing the praises to her King!

Are you having days of nights of grief over some temptations that you could not resist, and your eyes are filled with tears and your  grief over that sin is so great you feel that no one cares.  Yes, He cares, I know He cares and He understands.  And He will calm those tears that seem to flow all night long, and bring a sweet peace with His forgiveness, just ask Him, He is there for you.

And some of you have lost a precious loved one, someone who was very dear to your heart and they also loved Jesus.  Maybe you were married for many years that your loved one has gone home to be with Jesus and you are so alone and the grief is so great.  Maybe you lost a parent, a brother, a sister, a dear friend.  It is so hard to say “goodbye.”  When we walk with Jesus, we have that wonderful hope that we will see that precious one again.  Yes, our lives are empty and lonely, but does Jesus care?  Yes, He does my friend and He cares enough to be near, near to you to bring comfort and peace once again.

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

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

LEAD ME TO THE ROCK!

“Hear my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer

From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and

A strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in Thy tabernacle forever:

I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.

Psalm 61:1-4

Our hearts are overwhelmed within us with the tragic news that we see happening around us.  And in our walk with the Lord there are some days where we just want to run and hide.  The road I am walking on toward my eternal home is cloud covered some days and I can’t seem to find my way, and many of you are going through great trials also.  And my heart goes out to those suffering from cancer and the effects of various treatments.

In this Psalm of David he is literally crying out for God to hear his prayer, his soul is overwhelmed within him.  He was running from Saul, and stated that he could cry out to God wherever he was on earth, and it is that way with you too.  Wherever you are, whatever your situation, you can cry unto Him and He will hear your cries.

And when we are overwhelmed we run to the “Rock” who is Christ Jesus, He is our shelter to hide in and oh, what peace and joy is there.  A friend of mine states it this way:  “Imagine yourself on a beautiful cloud far above everything: no worries, no pain, no tears, just total peace with your Lord.  All is total peace with Him, and calm and beautiful.  Jesus is your all in all.  You don’t have to do anything, just sit there with the Lord in your secret place of prayer, your “get a way” with Him.”

And when I run to Him, He is that rock that is higher than I, and that rock is immovable, strong and the safest place to be when the winds of trial are blowing.  And we know from I Corinthians 10:4 that the Rock is Christ Jesus.  And many places in the Psalms David talks about that Rock.  David was hiding in the wilderness, a place of many rocks and crevices so he knew about hiding in a rocky place, but his Rock was Christ Jesus, and aren’t you glad that Jesus is our strong Rock to lean on.

LEAD ME TO THE ROCK

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, higher than I, higher than I.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, you’re my tower against the foe.

Refrain: Hear my cry O God, answer my prayer, answer my prayer, answer my prayer.  Hear my cry O God, answer my prayer, you’re my tower against the foe.

I’ll take refuge in the shelter of your wings, the shelter of your wings, the shelter of your wings, I’ll take refuge in the shelter of your wings, you’re my tower against the foe.

I’ll fulfill my vows day after day, day after day, day after day.  I’ll fulfill my vows day after day, you’re my tower against the foe.  (J. Brian Craig)

Isn’t it wonderful to know that also in these stressful times that we can hide under the shelter of His covering wings, like a mother hen who gathers her chicks under her for safety, we can hide under the shelter of our Beloved Lord. ( Psalm 91:4).

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10.

The Name of the Lord Jesus is our strong tower, we cry out to Him in our times of trouble and we are safe, surrounded by His precious arms, as the storm may be blowing.

And David stated that He would abide in His tabernacle forever, covered by His wings.  David ran to the Mercy Seat where the wings of the Cherubim covered the Ark of the Covenant.  Now we have the privilege to go right into the throne room, right up to His knees, my faith.

“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 4:16.

In these very troubled times we live in, run to Him, run to your secret place of prayer, sit in His presence, and let Him cover you with His wings of love.  Run to the Rock that is higher than you, run into your strong tower, call upon the Name of Jesus, as He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

And if you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior, call upon Him now.  We never know what a day will hold, and He is your only security in this world.  He can give you that peace and joy, and whatever happens you know you are secure in His tender care, and ready for eternal life with Him.

Blessings,

Pastor Sharon

MY CONSTANTLY ABIDING LORD

MY CONSTANTLY ABIDING

LORD JESUS

As we walk this pilgrim pathway, trials seem to surround us.  And today, as I look outside my window, the sky is blue, the air is chilly, the winds are calm.  But sometimes  there will be grey skies, cold air, and the wind is blowing.  Oh, how we long for spring to come.  But sometimes those balmy spring days in our lives, as we walk this pathway with Jesus can turn into a gale and clouds will fill our skies. 

But we have a Wonderful Lord Jesus, who never leaves us or forsakes us whether the weather on our journey is calm with warm and lovely skies, or cloudy and stormy with pain and despair on our horizon.  As I look around at people’s faces, I sense the hurt and despair of many.  Many think there are no solutions to the problems we face, and I long to tell them of our Wonderful Savior constantly abides in my heart.  Even who doubts come and it is hard to pray, He is there with His wonderful peace and assurance, for He constantly abides whether our skies are rainy or sunny, whether we are on the mountain top or down in a valley.  He is there, Praise the Lord!

CONSTANTLY ABIDING

“There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave, a peace it can not take away; ho’ the trials of life may surround like a cloud, I’ve a peace that has come there to stay!

“Refrain:  Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine; constantly abiding, rapture divine.  He never leaves me lonely, whispers, o so kind: “I will never leave thee,” Jesus is mine.

All the world seemed to sing of a Saviour and King, when peace sweetly came to my heart; troubles all fled away and my night turned to day, blessed Jesus, how glorious Thou art!

This treasure I have in a temple of clay, while here on His footstool I roam, but He’s coming to take me some glorious day, over there to my heavenly home!  (Anne S. Murphy).

My friends, this world cannot give you peace.  You may have many possessions, seemingly reached your goal in life, have a loving family around you and feel like everything is okay with the world.  But, if you examine your heart you will find an emptiness there as you continue to search and search for things to fill that vacancy in your heart.  But let me tell you, though trials may come in and fog up our pathway so we cannot see our way ahead, Jesus comes and when He walks into your life, you will have peace that this world can never take away.

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

At this time, Jesus was sharing His last words with His disciples before He went to The Garden of Gethsemane and the mob came to arrest Him.  Their hearts were troubled at His words, and He confirmed that they would indeed have tribulation and trials in this world, as the disciples learned in the days and years ahead as they spread the Gospel.  But He tells them, like He tells us to “cheer up” as we would say, He has overcome the world. 

And yes, as He went to Calvary, shed His precious blood for our sins, and then on the third day, arose triumphant from the grave, He did overcome the world and because of His sacrifice we can have that peace that overcomes the world.  And how do we describe that peace?  It is a constant knowing that no matter what lies ahead, He is in control and I give my worries and fears to Him.  I give Him all my anxious thoughts about tomorrow and walk ahead knowing He is leading me on in His footsteps.

And I remember the day I accepted Jesus into my heart.  I was just a child of 10 years old, but I remember so vividly the peace that came into my heart.  The next day even the world around me was brighter, something had changed in my heart, and I felt His presence so real.  That what He does when He comes into our hearts, as all troubles may not all suddenly flee away, but we now have Jesus to walk with us and guide us in the midst of them.

But we have that blessed promise now, even living in these “temples of clay,” that someday our Lord will come back and receive us unto Himself.  What a glorious day that will be!  So we watch and wait, and keep on working for Jesus, and someday we will see Him face to face at last.  Some of us will go home to be with Jesus before He comes to rapture His church.  And there we will be in our heavenly home forever, there with Jesus, and our loved ones who have gone on before us.

So be not dismayed at the trials you may face, for He constantly abides with us, He promises us in His Word that He will never leave us or forsake us in Hebrews 13:5.

So you may be having a cloudy day right now, but just look ahead, there He is walking ahead of you, and when He comes the clouds disperse and He brings that wonderful peace that only He can bring.  So walk on and keep your eyes on Jesus.  And if you have not accepted that wonderful peace He brings, ask Him into your heart right now and He will come to constantly abide with you forever.  Praise His Holy Name!

Blessings, Pastor Sharon

LET US KEEP OUR EYES ON CALVARY

LET US KEEP OUR

EYES ON CALVARY!

This is the week after Easter.  The Easter things are put away, and the stores are offering bunnies and decorations half price.  Now people have their eyes on other coming events, Easter is now behind them. But I think of the people out there going to and fro with their lives and their struggles and their hurt and their pain.  And my heart cries out to those who went to church last Sunday, probably as guests.  And they hadn’t been to church since Christmas or maybe a funeral of a loved one or friend.  They heard the good Word of God preached, sang the wonderful Easter hymns, but where is their love for Jesus and the power of the Resurrection? 

Do we just sing about the cross on Sunday, and on Monday our Bibles are put back on the shelf or coffee table to await the next service we may attend?  Or do we reflect back to Calvary every day of the week, all year?  Is there a secret prayer place where we commune with our Lord, and be reminded of the sacrifice He made on that cross?  I, myself, do not want to forget that sacrifice He made for my sins, and I want Him to continually lead me back to Calvary.  How about you? 

LEAD ME TO CALVARY

“King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary.

Refrain: Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony; lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.

Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid, tenderly mourned and wept; Angels in robes of light guarded Thee while Thou slept.

Let me like Mary, thro’ the gloom, come with a gift for Thee; show me now the empty tomb, lead me to Calvary.

May I be willing, Lord to bear daily my cross for Thee; even Thy cup of grief to share, lead me to Calvary.  (Jennie Evelyn Hussey, 1874-1958)

Yes, my cry is now to crown Him now with my praise, adoration and worship, and give Him all the glory, in case I would forget the thorns upon His brow, so Lord, lead me back to Calvary.

As I pray and praise Him, I ask He remind me of the tomb, where the woman came to mourn and weep, and where Heavenly angels, dressed in robes of light guarded Him as he slept there.  Oh, Lord, lead me back to Calvary.  I ask that of you out there, ask Him to lead you back there, to the cross, and to the place where they laid Him.

“But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.  And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain” John 20:11-12.

And like Mary, I  come through the darkness and gloom of my life, with a sweet gift for Thee, the gift of my life and my service and love for Thee.  So show me now the empty tomb, lead me to Calvary.

And Lord, may I too be willing to bear my cross daily for Thee.  Sometimes those crosses are so heavy to bear.  Sometimes there is a cross of sickness, despair, grief.  May I bear it gladly for Thee.  Sometimes we feel like we just go on again under the heavy load we carry.  But Jesus promises to carry that cross or burden with us. (Matthew 11:28-30).

So my precious friends out there, He calls us daily to look to the cross and be reminded again of the sufferings of our Lord, for me, for you.  But as we are led back to Calvary, let us also remember the empty tomb, and the Angels proclaiming: “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay” Matthew 28:6.

Oh, come back to Calvary, come back to the cross, come back to the wonderful day of Resurrection!  Jesus is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, but has sent the Holy Spirit to come live within us, teach us and remind us daily of His love, His comfort, and the promise of His soon return.

Oh, let us keep our eyes on Jesus, keep our eyes looking up to Calvary and the supreme sacrifice He made there.  Let us keep daily in our prayer closets, reading His Word, and sharing Jesus with the world around us.  That those around us will also be lead to Calvary, and what a joy someday to see Him face to face, and see those scars on His hands and feet and always be reminded of His great love for us all through eternity.  Praise His Holy Name!

Pastor Sharon