This Pretty Much Says It All

Hope

The following was compiled by Steve Arterburn and Mike Marino.  I do not claim to be the author nor the artist....I just know that this has been a great help to me and thought you would be inspired to "Keep On Keeping On."

1. GOD IS TRULY IN CONTROL

If God is God, then nothing happens apart from His knowledge and permission. While it is difficult to imagine why God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion that He is willing and able to sustain you during the worst of times. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:8,9

2. THERE IS AN ETERNAL LIFE TO COME

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later. ~Romans 8:18 He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:8

3. THE STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET

Time after time, the Bible records hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Job's sickness, Joseph's betrayal by his brothers, David's adultery and the many who were healed in mind, body and spirit. But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people." ~ Genesis 50:19,20

4. GOD HASN'T GIVEN UP ON YOU...DON'T GIVE UP ON HIM

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11

5. THERE IS LIKELY A PURPOSE IN YOUR PAIN

Ask God to reveal His purpose in allowing this difficulty in your life. That's a legitimate question to ask. Often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstance. Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. ~ James 1:2-4

6. YOU ARE LOVED

Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Sondie a terrible death to restore their relationship. God does love you! He sees your pain and weeps with you. "He has sent Me to comfort the broken hearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lords' favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.  For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory. ~ Isaiah 61:1-3

7. YOUR PRAYERS ARE HEARD

You parents - if your children ask you for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? ~ Matt. 7:9,10

8. YOU ARE NOT FACING THIS ALONE

...For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." That is why we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" ~ Hebrews 13:5,6

9. OTHERS HAVE MADE IT THROUGH...YOU WILL TOO

Try to connect with others who have gone through similar situations. You will find hope, strength and encouragement. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12

10. REACH OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO'S STRUGGLING

Place your focus on someone else and invest your life in him or her. You may discover that your peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

~ 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

How You Love Me

I've been on vacation this week....seems like as a minister that when I get away on vacation, I'm always able to leave "church affairs" behind me and just focus on the time off and refreshment.  This year has been different.  This year's vacation, things have been a little different for me.  Seems that this year, I have been reminded more about Christ's love for me....more than when I've been at church.

Perhaps in years past, my vacation wasn't just a get away....it was a "running away."  This year, I've not been able to run away.  I've done more soul searching this week than I believe I have ever done in my "career."  There's some pretty big decisions down the road, I'm sure.  BUT for now....I choose to focus on the words of the Sidewalk Prophets:

I am the thorn in Your crown
You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway

I am Judas’ kiss
But You love me anyway
See now, I am the man who yelled out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground

Yes then, I turned away with a smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life
But You love me anyway
Oh, God… how you love me
You love me anyway

It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway

Hear My Cry

Have you ever felt like you were sinking and there wasn't anyone who took notice?

I've felt like that a couple of times...even as recent as a week ago.  But the Lord is faithful and He took notice.  Sometimes, I will wake up in the middle of the night with a scripture on my mind...that came "out of nowhere" (I know where it came from)....and I'm like "Umm....really?" 


The other night was one of those nights.  I woke up and immediately "heard" Psalm 39.  I'm not sure I had ever even read that chapter before then...if I had, it'd been a LONG time.  So, I got up, took my Bible and journal and headed for the family room.  Verses 12a & 13 hit me like a brick wall:


^12a “Hear my prayer, LORD,
   listen to my cry for help;
   do not be deaf to my weeping....

¹³ Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
   before I depart and am no more.”


Next time you're thinking "Will I ever get past this?....will I ever be happy again?"   Head on over to Psalm 39!

I'm Out Of The Slammer!

Thanks To Everyone Who Made A Donation To The MDA!  Your Donations Totaled Over $800!  Because Of You, A Child With MD Will Have The Chance To Go To Camp!!!

Yep, I'm Going To Jail...For A Good Cause, Of Course!

So I'm taking part in a "lock-up" as a fundraiser for the Muscular Distrophy Association today at 11 a.m.  It's going to be held at the Palatka Municiple Golfcourse Clubhouse.  You can help out by going to the website listed below and making an online donation.  You'd want someone to help your kids, right?  I thought so.

https://www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/226217/Participant/adamedwardgeorge/Default.aspx