7-24-2016

Good Morning All!! 

              1 John 3:1; “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

    There are many difficult conversations to have with people.  The ones when the other person sees no hope are the hardest.  I think this is because we are a church, a people of hope, so when someone sees no hope it crushes us.  I remember talking to a fellow pastor about his struggles with talking to a young girl and her family.  This young girl had been violently and brutally raped over a two day period.  She was kidnapped and held hostage for that time.  She was emotionally destroyed.  Now they find out she is pregnant by her attacker.  The parents are completely distraught; the young lady is slipping deeper and deeper into an emotional, spiritual and psychological abyss.  The girl’s psychologist, counselor, the public defender prosecuting the case, some of the parents of the girl’s friends are all advocating for her to get an abortion.  The parents are at a loss and feel completely hopeless.  They look to their pastor and say, “what do we do?”

    They saw no hope.  I have had conversations with some of our high school age kids who feel like they are the odd one out.  They think they are different; “why can’t I be normal?”  I remember one conversation particularly as one student was going on about how much better this other person had it.  I couldn’t tell them that I had just had this exact conversation with the one they thought “had it made”.  Most of us, at one time or another, feel lost empty and without hope.  It is a truth of life that sin causes us to feel this way.  We look at our lives, focus on the mess and confusion and wonder if it will get better.

    It is in times of pain and sorrow, fear and confusion that we remember one thing: we are a child of God.  You were when you got up this morning and you will be when you go to bed tonight.  This is a rock solid fact given to us through the blood of Jesus.  We are children of God; not because of what we do or what we say but because God declares it.  God says you are his child and nothing can take that away from you.

    No matter what trials you face, no matter what insurmountable events lay before you; before, during and after the battle you are a child of God.  You are a child that he loves dearly.  You are a child of God and God will never forsake you or leave you.  God will never walk away from you.  He will always hold you in his loving arms and never let go.  The battles we face in this life are the result of a sinful and broken world and the devil will always attack you but God is there to shield you and to keep you in his arms.  You are precious for you are God’s child.

Father, by your mercy protect me from the devil’s assaults.  Keep me mindful that your love depends on you and not on me.  Your great mercy is freely poured out upon your children and you never leave us alone.  Sustain me Father; hold me in your arms.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen. 

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret