How can I help people who are hurting?

Welcome Readers! It is so hard to believe we are already in November. This is such a wonderful time of year for most people. However, the upcoming holidays can be very hard for others. They may be grieving and lonely or worried about financial troubles. Today’s blog is about how to help those who are hurting. A lot of people put up a good front and don’t show their deep hurts. Remember to always greet others with a smile.

Job 30:16 “And now my life seeps away. Depression haunts my days.”

Proverbs 15:13 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit”

Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

Be aware of the effects of hurt on a person’s spirit, mind, and body. Awareness leads to sympathy, sympathy leads to empathy, empathy leads to helping, and helping leads to healing.

2 Corinthians 1:4 “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Share your experiences of God’s comfort. God’s healing in you may bring hope and healing to others.

Job 16:2 “I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are!”

Be careful with the words you offer to the brokenhearted. Explanations and cliches are rarely comforting. Offer those who are hurting your love, sympathy, and presence. Sometimes the best comfort you can give is to just be there.

Job 42:11 “Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.”

Support your own family and friends. Family life should be a safe haven in a hurting world. The family should be both a healing clinic and a training camp where you learn to cope with and conquer hurtful influences.

If you are hurting or know someone who is, please send us a message. We will gladly pray for you. May God Bless You!

Be a blessing to others,
~M

What’s Your Top Ten?

A Question To Ponder…
Recently a childhood friend of mine asked me to make a list of ten ways that I would want others to treat me. So here is my list. Top 10 ways: Lovingly, Respectfully, Seriously, Compassionately, Mercifully, Forgivingly, Gently, Kindly, Encouragingly, and Gracefully. After compiling my list of the top ten I was feeling pretty good about myself. Until he said something to me that I did not expect. He said with a firm voice; now ask yourself one Question. “Is that how I treat all people?” Wow I was taken back by this question. It caught me off guard. I wasn’t sure if I could answer yes to all ten or even to just a few of them. Because he wasn’t asking how I treat people who I love, but for the treatment of all people. The longer I pondered on this simple question, the more I realized that the first question was not nearly as important as the second one. My answer to all ten toward all people was; No, not always. At this point in my conversation with my friend I prayed these words.”God forgive me of this sin and help me to treat others how I want to be treated even when they don’t treat me the way I desire. Thank You Father for this insight and revelation In Jesus Name I Pray Amen.” The Bible tells us in Luke 6:31 (NIV) “31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.” So I’m asking each one of you to take time and write your own top ten ways that you want to be treated. Then ask yourself, is this how I treat all people? A Question that all of us need to honestly answer before God. How do you treat what God has created?

From Your Pastor’s Heart,
~G

Are You Ready?

Are you Ready?

I wrote this poem about a year ago. I thought I would share it with you.

When Christ returns
Will you be ready
When Christ returns
Will He find you serving Him
When Christ returns
Will He see you or His reflection
When Christ returns
Will your life have made a difference for Him
When Christ returns
Will you go to Heaven
When Christ returns
Will your Soul Rejoice
When Christ returns
Will you be ready?

No one knows when Christ will return for His people. We are reminded of this in Matthew 24:36 -“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

There is another scripture to think about. Daniel 12:2 – “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Christ gave all for our sins. Are you ready to go with Him when He returns?Hebrews 9:28 – “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”

Are you ready?

What will you do today to encourage someone’s faith?
~Pastor G

What are you afraid of?

Ok folks….I have to admit I am a “big scaredy cat”. When I was pregnant with Jamie, about 3am I heard the dog door’s noise….both doggies were with me. I was almost paralyzed with fear. Sent my husband to investigate, made a barricade, then ran to the bathroom with the doggies and yes, I even LOCKED the door. A few months ago, G came home from work…..thought he saw a snake and wanted me to come outside and shine the flashlight in that direction….HAHAHA, I made it maybe 10 baby steps, then ran back inside, shined the light in the direction from inside the house, it was indeed a snake…so I took both kids and once again locked us in the bathroom.

With that said….I found this scripture that I need to read daily: Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. John 14:27

So, next time, I think I will try to keep the bathroom door unlocked when critters come around? 😉

Now to the serious stuff: I’ve asked this question a lot: “what are you afraid of?” I’ve got varied responses from losing their homes, losing their jobs, kids rebelling, being alone, being hurt by others, not being enough, the future, etc. The most common, however, is death.

Why are we so afraid of death? I know why. You don’t know where you are going after you die? If you know Christ as Lord–then you go to heaven. Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” There will be streets of gold! Who doesn’t want to experience pure happiness? There will be no more sorrow! Are you sure you will get to spend eternity with the Savior? If you have questions, please comment or click submit a question on our page.

Now, if you don’t know Jesus…you will be in a place called hell. Hell is not a happy place. It is a lake of fire full of torment. Revelation 14:11 “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Hell was not made for you. It was made for the devil and the fallen angels. The Bible reminds us of is in Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

So, it’s your choice heaven or hell?!
~M

How do you stay positive through the storms?

Hey guys and gals! I pray your week is going better than mine. So, many times this week I have wanted to just through my hands up and just give up. My dad had a stroke and I can’t go be with him. I am a daddy’s girl through and through. On Tuesday, I had to take our daughter to the ER for vertigo and rotavirus. I kinda feel like Job. It seems we can’t catch a break lately. Your prayers are appreciated.

Psalm 105:4 reminds us, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

I’m sure you are wondering why I can’t go. For the past 14 months, it has taken every ounce of energy I have to do routine things. I went to a doctor in June 2012 with pneumonia. She gave me meds and sent home. I called her back about a week later, and she said those things take time. So, in September 2012, I went to a different doctor. He said I had strep, mono, and pneumonia. He retired two months after I started seeing him. So, I went to an immune doctor. And, did I get some answers. Chronic Mono, bacterial pneumonia, vitamin d levels were critically low, an immune system deficiency. Recently, got results I have hep b, but it’s not contagious. So, my doctors and my Dad’s doctors have banned me from going. So, I’m struggling and crying a lot. It’s hard not to worry, but God tells us in Philippians 4:6–“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Also, The Lord reminded me, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9”

I’ll leave you with this thought. We all need to learn to fix our thoughts on the power of God! Worry won’t get you anything but high blood pressure. Trust in God, He has the power to change things and we must keep in mind His promises in His Holy Word-The Bible. He will never leave us. Remember, this to shall pass. Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens”

Thanks for reading.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
M

Life is Fragile

Have you ever just woke up one day and your complete world had changed? That something will forever change your life. (death, heart attack, stroke, divorce, job loss, illnesses, cancer, etc). Yes, life will take you by surprise, but God gives us comfort in His Word, “Revelation 21:4–“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

My dad recently suffered a stroke. We are still waiting on tests results to find out more information. But, God will take care of him, because He is a child of the Lord. I love my daddy so very much. You can ask anyone. I am a daddy’s girl through and through. So, today, call your Parents, Children, Grandparents, Friends, and let them know you love them. For we are not promised tomorrow. James 4:14 reminds us, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Are you prepared if tomorrow never comes? Please read our How To Become A Christian tab, if you are unsure.

Each life is fragile. Especially those of babies and children. They are precious to the Lord! Even those in the womb of their mothers. The scriptures remind us of this: Psalm 139:13–“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” It truly breaks my heart when I hear that someone took the life of their innocent child. They didn’t ask for that and could not fight back.

About a year ago, I heard “Why You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns” Here is some of the lyrics to that song.

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we’re lying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

So Readers, life is fragile. ALL LIVES!! Please don’t be caught sleeping when you could be doing something for The Kingdom of God!!!

Thanks for reading. Be blessed and Be a blessing to others! If you would like us to focus one of our blogs on a topic or one of your questions, please leave us a comment! May God Bless You this week!!
~M