I don't know enough about the history of the region to say whether or not Pat Robertson's remarks about Haiti are accurate, but have to say I'm rather disappointed that he would make such statements at such a time. (See: www.cnn.com/2010/US/01/13/haiti.pat.robertson/index.html?section=cnn_latest)

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we shouldn't be surprised when earthquakes and wars happen in our time. The Bible tells us that these things will come to pass.

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled : for all these things must come to pass , but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:3-8)

However, I do not believe that our response when such things occur should be one of condemnation but rather, of compassion.

Jesus said, "For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink ? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in ? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. " (Matthew 25:35-40)

Most of us can't physically go to Haiti right now to help pull victims from the rubble or distribute food, water, clothing and medical supplies, but there are things we can do.

If you have the funds to do so, you may want to consider giving to aid organizations such as the Red Cross.

The very best thing we can do is to pray for the people of Haiti and those involved in rescue and relief efforts.

Please join me in responding to the people of Haiti by lifting them before the throne.


O Father,
As we hear more of the unimaginable devastation and loss of life in Haiti, we are saddened for these people. I thank You that You have raised up many across the globe with the resources to go there to help in rescue and relief. O Father, as food, water and medicines are passed out to the suffering, I ask that Your love would be shared also. Send laborers to Haiti who will meet physical needs and direct the survivors to Jesus. May His Name be lifted up so that the people of Haiti will be drawn to Him. O Father, turn hearts in Haiti to You. May they look to You to find relief for their souls. May repentance, revival and salvation be the outcome of this tragedy. In the midst of despair, bring hope. Comfort those who mourn and heal the broken. Shine the light of salvation into the darkness of this hour, I pray. Hear our cry for Haiti, Lord, and do what only You can do.

In Jesus' wonderful Name,
Amen.

“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God…” – Psalm 40:3

Before I left home for college in the 80s, the only Christian music I had been exposed to consisted of traditional hymns and a smattering of Gaither choruses (many of which I still treasure). A roommate introduced me to the contemporary Christian music of the day and opened up a whole new avenue of praise for me.

Although there is much that I enjoy, some of today’s Christian music, however, seems to be lacking in substance. It seems the goal is often to entertain rather than to lead into praise and worship. Think about some of the more popular worship songs and I think you’ll see what I mean.

This morning, I’ve been thinking about some of those songs I heard in the 80s, how they blessed me and truly lifted my heart to the Lord and lifted His Name. God can take the old and bring something new. This morning, He has taken some old songs and used them to “put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” I’d like to share just a few of them with you and invite you to worship the Lord with me.


Sandi Patti - More Than Wonderful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CcebZCl_DM

Steve Green – Lamb of Glory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1IZctxGmFA

Steve Green – Proclaim the Glory of The Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynekj1Uv7x4

Amy Grant – El Shaddai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuXB1a3NBCw

Sandy Patti – Via Dolorosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6dwOX6N_Tk

Each Christmas we sing the lovely carol, "Joy to the World," but do we consider the words we sing? Have you experienced the 'wonders of His love"? Do you know that God loves you so much that He gave His only Son to die for you? Have you felt the touch of His love upon your life? If you can answer yes to these questions, then sing of the "wonders of His love" in this wonderful song...

Irishman and poet Joseph M. Scriven (1820-1866) came to know Christ as a result of the tragic death of his fiancee on the eve of their wedding.  With a B.A. from Trinity College of Dublin,  Scriven then emigrated to Canada, where he became a private tutor and, while boldly sharing the good news of salvation,  was involved in caring for the sick and needy members of his church. The poem that later became the hymn we know as "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," was written to comfort his ailing mother when he could not return to Ireland to be at her side. Joseph Scriven had a life filled with hardship and pain, yet one that was marked by deep faith and contentment in his Savior and Friend.

What an awesome privilege we have as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus laid down His life for us, carries our burdens and has given us access to the Father. May He help us to always live as His friends, in light of what He has done, and to "carry everything to God in prayer."

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

-What a Friend We Have in Jesus -
   Words: Joseph M. Scriven, 1855
   Music: Charles Converse, 1868

The hymn, "Near to the Heart of God," was written in 1901 by a 23 year old grieving pastor. He sang it for the first time standing next to quarantine signs outside his brother's home where diphtheria had claimed the lives of his two nieces. Cleland B. McAfee later served on the faculty at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and directed the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, but is best remembered for writing this simple, yet profound message of hope and trust. Over a hundred years later, this great hymn still reminds us that no matter what we are facing in our lives today, we too can find this place of quiet rest, "Near to the Heart of God."


There is a place of quiet rest,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
  Near to the heart of God.

    O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
      Sent from the heart of God,
    Hold us, who wait before Thee,
        Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
  Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
  Near to the heart of God.

- Cleland B. McAfee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfZH07mWKKc

I'm sure you've heard the flippant response, "Stuff happens," many times. "Stuff" does happen. Such is the world in which we live.

Lots of “stuff” happened to Habakkuk. His very name means “to wrestle.” Habakkuk wrestled with many of the same questions we do today, wondering, “If God is so good, why does bad stuff happen?” The world says, "If your God was so good to you, your life wouldn't be so hard."

But my God IS good to me and all suffering (in my life and in yours) has a purpose. Contrary to the popular "feel good" messages thrown at us by some well known church leaders today, "stuff happens" to us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as well.  We were never promised an easy road through this life. Jesus suffered many things for us, so what makes us think we shouldn't suffer any hardship? In fact, the Bible says suffering is a necessary part of the Christian life. Philippians 1:29 says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.." (See also Rom 8:17, 1 Cor 10:13, 2 Cor 1:6).

God isn't sitting up there on His throne thinking, "Hmm.. what can I do to upset Ann-Louise today? What else can I throw in Ann-Louise's path to trip her up?" Whatever I go through in this life, whatever you go through, it all has a purpose and is designed and/or allowed by a loving God for a specific purpose – for me.

We have quoted it many times and shared it with others many times, but have we fully appreciated and grasped the meaning of Romans 8:28?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

What does that verse mean, exactly? Does it mean God has promised to make things easy all the time? Does it mean we’ll have what WE think is good and best for us? Does it really mean that every cloud has a silver lining?

Working things together for good doesn’t necessarily mean making them better in our way of thinking. Sometimes, God uses our suffering itself for our good. For example, if we never suffered, how would we learn to trust? If we never had to wait for an answer how would we learn patience? If we never knew turmoil, how would we know peace? If we never suffered rejection, how would we know true love and acceptance?

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus has experienced the same things we have and felt the same things we have. He knew what it was to be lonely. He knew hardship and rejection. He knew pain and suffering. How did Jesus respond to difficulties? Did He become angry with God or depressed and feeling sorry for Himself? No, Jesus experienced all that we do, yet without sin. That means He never once wavered in His trust in the Father and never once felt sorry for Himself. Why? Because He knew God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. You and I know that God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. He has made many promises to us. He has promised to never leave us, to supply all our needs and to always love us. Check out some of the wonderful promises He has made to you in His Word.

In the midst of a trial, a loss or hardship, we can’t always see God’s purposes at work. We are so blindsided by what has happened to us, we don’t try to look up and over the obstacle to see God and what He is doing. Habakkuk couldn’t see God at work either. God gave Habakkuk a seemingly simple answer, yet one that has confounded generations ever since. God declares, “..but the just shall live by his faith.”  Even when we can’t see God at work on our behalf, we must respond as God requires – by faith.

At the end of Habakkuk, the prophet finally began to see there was a larger plan at work, brought about by a loving and righteous God who would make things right in His way and His time. He realized the life changing truth that, despite circumstances, faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith. It was then that he was able to declare from this heart filled with faith..

 
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
 neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
(Hab. 3:17-18)


To paraphrase, we might say,

“Even if stuff happens,
Even if things get really bad,
Even if the bills are piling up,
Even if my health deteriorates,
Even if.. (you fill in the blank)..

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

 
“Stuff happens” and most of us are facing some difficulty in our lives. Let’s choose to go forward in faith, rejoice together and joy in the God of our salvation.

Remember: “Stuff happens,” but faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith.

 

What's on your mind this morning?

What are you thinking about?

What are you worried about?

What is consuming your thoughts?


Want to know what's on God's mind this morning?

YOU!

That's right! God is thinking about YOU!


What's He thinking?

Well, He's thinking about --

-- His plans for you

-- how much He wants to bless you

-- how much He enjoys hearing from you

-- how very much He loves you

-- and so much more!


Think about that!

Whatever is on your mind this morning,
remember that you're on God's mind this morning.

In Paul's letter to Timothy, he gives a solemn warning to the young pastor:

"Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme." (1 Timothy 1:18-20)

Yesterday, while searching for something else, I came upon a blog which really disturbed me. The author of the blog is a former Baptist pastor who has left the ministry and the Lord. He says he made "an intellectual decision" to reject Christianity and the Bible. He says he does not believe the Bible is the Word of God, but claims to have concluded that it is a "fallible, errant book written by men." He says he cannot see God as a loving Creator. Instead, he states, "At best God is a creator who set things in motion and said 'there ya go.. do with it what you will.'" He also very boldly describes himself as "godless, apostate agnostic, and claims he now has a new sense of freedom and that he is living a more honest life. Perhaps... perhaps he was living a lie before.

One has to wonder... is it possible that this man ever had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? When I was living in rebellion 20 years ago, I was certainly disobedient, but never denied the truth of God's Word, never doubted His existence, never spoke against Him. I know believers fall at times, but God never allows us to stay there. He does something to get our attention. I am a living example of God's grace in that regard.

Personally, I find it difficult to accept that a true believer could completely turn their back on the faith. Were Hymenaeus and Alexander ever really saved? Was this former pastor ever really saved? Is shipwrecked faith an abandoned faith or a faith that never fully came to fruition?

How do we reach a person who has studied God' Word, preached it, claimed at one time to believe it, and later turned their back on it?

ToMessiah has a new look!

Please tell us what you think.

We appreciate your input.

Thanks!

 
I love the Book of Nehemiah. There is so much we can learn from this man’s life and from his response to adversity and to his God. Think for a moment about what Nehemiah did. In human terms, it made no sense at all for him to leave his cushy job in the palace where he had all he wanted to go and live in the ruins of Jerusalem, facing hunger, hardship, opposition and real danger. Yet, he went because God moved him. I, too, need to go whenever and wherever God moves me, whether it makes sense in human terms or not, whether it will involve hardship and opposition or not.

Nehemiah's enemies "conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it." (Neh. 4:8) Nehemiah's response was not to run and hide, or to complain about it. Verse 9 says, "Nevertheless..." (nevertheless - no matter what - no matter what the enemy throws at me ....)"we made our prayer unto our God." Nehemiah's immediate response to the opposition was to turn to the Lord for His help and protection. May it always be mine.

"...and set a watch..." We need also to "set a watch" over our hearts and lives, knowing that our enemy may attack at any moment, when we least expect it, just as Nehemiah's enemies conspired to do (v. 11).

Regardless of how the enemy chooses to attack, we need to heed Nehemiah's advice, "Be ye not afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible..."

Because Nehemiah trusted in the Lord, believing "our God shall fight for us" (v. 15), he did see victory and completed the task God had given him. God took care of the opposition and "brought all of their counsel to nought."  "So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days." (Neh. 6:15).

Whatever "wall" God gives me to build, I pray He will strengthen my hands to the work as He did for Nehemiah, enable me to seek Him first in all things, including opposition and to see victory for His glory. Then, I will be able to rejoice in Him as Nehemiah and the remnant in Jerusalem did (Neh. 9.)...

"And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God...and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God....and...said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee."

Father, help me to set a continual watch and pray continually, relying on You for victory in all things, for Your glory.