Good evening, all. I just wanted to share with you a reading from one of my devotions this morning. It speaks to God's faithfulness, even though we cannot always see God at work or at those times when we are doubting God exists. It comes from the book, Streams in the Desert by LB Cowman, a compilation of scriptures, thoughts, messages from people who inspired Mrs. Cowman. May it be equaling inspiring to you, as well. Blessings. Pastor Amy [email protected] 518-538-3697 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. (Psalm 138:7, NIV) The Hebrew of this verse literally means to "go on in the center of trouble." What descriptive words! And once we have called on God during our time of trouble, pleaded His promise of deliverance but not received it, and continued to be oppressed by the Enemy until we are in the very thick of the battle - or the "center of trouble" - others may tell us, "Don't bother the teacher any more" (Luke 8:49). When Martha said, "Lord...if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21), Jesus countered her lack of hope with His greater promise, "Your brother will rise again" (John 11:23). And when we walk "in the center of trouble" and are tempted to think, like Martha, that we are past the point of ever being delivered, our Lord also answers us with a promise from His Word: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life." Although His answer seems so long in coming and we continue to "walk in the midst of trouble," "the center of trouble" is the place where He preserves us, not the place where He fails us. The times we continue to walk in seemingly utter hopelessness are the very times He will "stretch out [His] hand against the anger of [our] foes" (Psalm 138:7). He will bring our trouble to completion, causing the Enemy's attack to cease and to fail. In light of this, what reason would there ever be for despair? (Aphna White) The Eye of the Storm Fear not that the whirlwind will carry you hence, Nor wait for its onslaught in breathless suspense, Nor drink from the blight of the terrible hail, But pass through the edge to the heart of the tale, For there is a shelter, sunlighted and warm, And Faith sees her God through the eye of the storm. The passionate tempest with rush and wild roar, And threatenings of evil may beat on the shore, The waves may be mountains, the fields battle plains, And the earth be immersed in a deluge of rains, Yet, the soul, stayed on God, may sing bravely its psalm, For the heart of the storm is the center of calm. Let hope be not quenched in the blackness of night, Though the cyclone awhile may have blotted the light, For behind the great darkness the stars ever shine, And the light of God's heavens, His love will make thine, Let no gloom dim your eyes, but uplift them on high To the face of your God and the blue of His sky. The storm is your shelter from danger and sin, And God Himself takes you for safety within, The tempest with Him passes into deep calm, And the roar of the winds is the sound of a psalm. Be glad and serene when the tempest clouds form; God smiles on His child in the eye of the storm. Will Your Anchor Hold? (Priscilla J. Owens)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYCl_Pt4W9E Comments are closed.
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SUNDAY @ 11 AM To join by phone, dial (929) 205-6099 and enter the meeting ID and password below: Meeting ID: 876 1875 9099 Password 333 PrayerGracious Loving Lord, please keep all of your children safe in these trying times. Guide us. Open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, our minds to understand and our hearts to know and be your love to others. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Want to support RLUMC and our missions? Donate Today
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September 2023
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