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Greetings Loved Ones,
This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24 NLT
We continue to rejoice in the love of God; however, for multiple reasons, it has become necessary for us to cancel our worship gathering tomorrow [Sunday] morning. Please do not try to get out on the roads. Even though we are not assembling, I still want to share some encouragement from God’s Word with you. Our hearts must stay focused on the goodness of Immanuel—God with us!
These past few weeks have literally been filled with one challenge after another. If I were to take a moment and try to describe these weeks in as few words as possible it would be: “My spiritual, emotional, and physical energy have been spent trying to bring order out of chaos.” The ongoing chaos caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton—the destruction of our home, the loss of power, limited ability to communicate, and the devastating lack hitting our beautiful spiritual family, community, state, and beyond—has pressed me.
Each day I pray for the ability to:
- Bring order to my relationship with the Lord by humbly yet boldly approaching the divine throne of my redeeming God to gain the power I need to stand in His strength.
- Bring order to my soul—mind, will, and emotions—by confessing my undivided devotion to the authority and capability of God to restore all things.
- Bring order to my weary and exhausted body by moving forward in divine wisdom and strength for the resurrecting work of God.
- Bring a better understanding of faith to my loved ones who are struggling with their theology of God.
At this time, we all must enlarge our theology, faith, confession, and understanding of God! Jesus leads the way!
Honestly, it is the first time in my life that I have felt this magnitude of destructive pressure in all three areas of my personhood at the same time. If you can relate to a similar struggle to bring order out of chaos, I bring an encouraging message for you today. This life we now live is about the Revelation of Jesus!
As clever as we may think we are, we cannot bring order out of chaos without Jesus—the Living Word of God. Jesus is the Omnipotent Creator of all things, Omnipresent Ruler of God’s Kingdom, and Omniscient High Priest of the hearts of Kingdom citizens. Jesus has the power, ability, and wisdom to bring order to every fallen and destructive attempt of Satan to rob human beings of wholeness—God’s Gift of Peace for Living.
Remember, before Jesus ascended to the Father he said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am” (John 14:27).
Jesus is Lord and the Father has given him authority over everything created; in Christ, we have ACCESS to God. The world does not have that gift. Think about that for a minute. God is assessable to believers and Jesus made that possible for us. As the perfect man, the Lord never sinned. As the High Priest, the Lord now sits at the divine right hand of the Father making it possible for us [as sinners] to enter the Holy Presence of God. So, because of the new covenant of Christ’s rescuing love, redeeming blood sacrifice, and restoring provision, we can boldly drawn near, through faith in Christ and ask for mercy and grace for our needs. Jesus will bring the revelation and resources to fulfill God’s Word.
Today, the writer of Hebrews reminds us about the abundant power of God’s Word for those who trust and obey. We do not have to rely on our failing human ability, thinking, or strength; instead, we must stand in faith and ask for grace. Right now we have many needs. Perhaps your needs are different than mine, but the word “needs” translates ‘appropriate help or well-timed help.’ Jesus knows our trials and the pressures we face in life; he sympathizes with our suffering. Jesus knows the provisions we need to sustain our lives and he is ready to help. Lastly, he knows and understands human nature. So, when things are chaotic and out of our control, I find it simply makes trusting God easier.
Hebrews 4:12-16 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Christ Is Our High Priest
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe (our confession). 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
I am bowing to rest before Jesus every day in order to receive power, ability, and wisdom. He has been there for me every single day and he refreshes me with joy unspeakable. My place is to rest before his throne and humbly trust him to provide and guide me through each obedient step.
You are not alone in your suffering either, my dear loved ones. Jesus is sympathetic (suffers with you). If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior asking him to pay the penalty for your sins, then you are set up for success as you boldly and confidently approach his throne of mercy and grace. Confess Jesus as Lord; confess your weaknesses and sin; confess what you believe about God’s love for you. Run to him in prayer and ASK for mercy! Ask for what you need. By faith, run to the abundant salvation of Jesus. He will instruct and guide you through the chaos, as well. Remember, the glorious residue of his salvation is JOY!
Fanny Crosby wrote over 8,000 hymns, poems, and songs. She wrote a few hymns you might recognize: Rescue the Perishing, To God be the Glory, Blessed Assurance, and Safe in the Arms of Jesus. I have chosen to share one you may not have heard before:
Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace
Come, ye who from your hearts believe
That Jesus answers prayer,
Come boldly to a throne of grace
And claim His promise there,
That, if His love in us abide
And we in Him are one,
Whatever in His Name we ask
It surely will be done.
Refrain:
Come lovingly and trustingly,
Take Jesus at His Word,
For He has said, “the prayer of faith
Was never yet unheard.”
-Fanny Crosby
Prayer: Lord, thank you for understanding our weaknesses; for being sympathetic to the struggles we face and chaos attacking our confession of faith. Each day, we will confess our great love and trust in you. We confess and hold fast to your promise to be what we lack. We confess and rest in your provision and the allotment of grace you deem necessary to sustain our lives. We look for ways to be a blessing to others. We bow before your merciful throne of grace, confess you as Lord, and say thank you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love you all!
Pastor Mary
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