Friday, November 27, 2015

11-27-2015



Good Morning All!!     
         Exodus 6:5; “Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant.
    We were at a high school basketball game.  My wife was sitting with another mother of one of the basketball players.  It was halftime and I came over to see if they wanted me to get them a bag of popcorn.  I was standing with my back to the floor waiting for an answer.  All of a sudden my wife’s eyes got huge.  The woman with her pointed to the floor and said, “Did you see that?”  So I began to turn as I said, “see what?”  Both women said, “Don’t turn, you shouldn’t see that!”  That was over 10 years ago; I still don’t know what I didn’t see.  Of course, being real observant has never been a strong point of mine.
    It seemed like I was forever being asked, “did you notice…?”  It might be a new dress someone wore or a new hair style or the way someone talked to someone else.  I never noticed, not once.  I don’t get asked much anymore; I guess everyone has noticed that I seldom notice whatever it is but I am trying to get better.  I try to notice when my grandchildren do something for the first time.  I try to notice when my wife cooks something new or gets a haircut.  I am trying to get better because when I notice it tends to make the other person smile.   
    People like to be noticed.  We like it when people realize that we have changed in some way.  It might be a new hair style; it might be a new outfit.  Maybe you lost some weight or have a new job.  We like to be noticed.  Sometimes, we need to be noticed.  When we are in pain or suffering, we need to be noticed. 
    In our verse, we notice something very important.  God notices.  God notices when the Children of Israel were groaning from the burden of slavery.  He was listening; he was with them the whole time.  Nothing was missed by God.  He saw their pain, he heard their cry and he answered them.
    God notices you.  He knows your struggles; he knows the battles in which you face interminable challenges.  God knows your pain; God hears your cry.  He will answer.  He will deliver you from your pain and sorrow.  God will not leave you to anguish in your sorrow and pain.  It might not be as quick as you or I like but it will be in God’s time and it will be done for us because God loves us.  He sent Jesus to die for us and to deliver us from sin.  He will never forget this promise.  His love for us never ends.  He walks with us with his Spirit and guides us as we go on the path of our life.  You are never alone; you never go unheard.  God notices you every day and views you as the beloved child that you are.
Father, of all mercy, when I feel lost and hurt; when I think my cries go unnoticed; you are there for me.  You hear my cry and answer my prayer.  Keep me patient as I wait your answer.  Give me the strength of hope to know that you will answer me and keep me strong in your loving arms.  Guide me by your Spirit.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret    

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