08/09/2011
by Rev. Janet Marston-McGregor
SUMMER'S ALMOST OVER...BUT NOT OUR TROUBLES
Here in Colorado, it's August, summer's almost over - already starting to get much cooler in the morning and evenings. This summer has had its challenges, family tragedies and numerous problems and crises, one right after the other, but, my LORD GOD ALMIGHTY still reigns and HE still provides a way out of any situation, even when there seems to be no way.
Our world is going through turmoil - our families are in turmoil - jobs are scarce, money is tight, and emotions are stretched. HOWEVER, this too shall pass. This is nothing that hasn't happened before throughout the course of history. Our ancestors survived. We will survive. Sure, it will be difficult. Sacrifices will have to be made. As long as we don't compromise our morals and our loyalty to our GOD in Heaven, we shall survive.
GOD does not promise that bad things won't happen, just that HE will help us through them. Think about the apostles and all the horrible things they went through. They didn't give up. They were persecuted. Most of them lost their families, jobs, money, and were tortured and imprisoned. DID THEY GIVE UP? NO! They held on to CHRIST, our STRENGTH, our REDEEMER.
Just when you think you can't take anymore (and I have been there recently) - hold onto JESUS. HE is ready, willing, and able to help you through anything that comes your way.
Who better to run to in times of trouble than the only ONE who will ALWAYS win? Actually, HE has already won - we just need to trust in HIM to lead us to victory.
SATAN CANNOT TAKE YOUR SOUL - you are the only one who can give it away or go astray - we all make choices - we all make mistakes - and GOD, who is loving, trusting and forgiving, will always be there with HIS outstretched loving arms open wide to bring you home. Bring on the hugs, LORD!
LORD JESUS, TIMES ARE TOUGH. PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING. LIVES ARE IN TURMOIL. WE DESPERATELY NEED YOUR GUIDANCE. WE NEED YOUR HELP, YOUR STRENGTH, YOUR LOVE. PLEASE HELP US LORD. GIVE US THE WISDOM AND PERSEVERANCE WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES AND NEVER LEAVE US. WITHOUT YOU, WE ARE NOTHING. WITHOUT YOU, WE ARE LOST. WE PUT ALL OF OUR FAITH AND TRUST IN YOU, OUR STRENGTH AND REDEEMER. AMEN.
Mark 10:29-31
New International Version (NIV)
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel
30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Romans 8:34-36
New International Version (NIV)
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-8
New International Version (NIV) (Timothy’s Encouraging Report)
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
Revelation 2:9-11
New International Version (NIV)
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
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