Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Matthew & Shauna Bassler and their family at the passing of their uncle/great-uncle, Patrick (Mike) Riley, on Saturday, September 9, in Jacksonville, Florida. Arrangements are pending.
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS: There are several spots that still need to be filled on our Sunday and Wednesday Nursery schedule. Please stop by the Welcome Desk to sign up or see Anne-Marie Albaugh for more information.
SUNDAY FUN DAY: is coming up on Sunday, October 1 and volunteers are needed! Please sign up at the Welcome Desk or see Pastor Josh if you have any questions.
From My Heart
COMFORT
By: Dr. Curtis Hutson
There is no question we ask more often than, “Why?”
Hundreds of graves need to be explained. Hospitals for those in pain and misfortune, institutions for the insane and blind – things now utterly unexplainable – God will clear them all up someday.
Bartimaeus will thank God that he was blind; and Lazarus, that he was covered with sores; and Joseph, that he was cast into the pit; and Daniel, that he was in the lions’ den; and David, that he was driven from Jerusalem; and Dorcas, that she could only get a few pence for those beautiful handmade garments; and that invalid, who for 2 years could not lift his head from the pillow; and that widow, that she had such hard work to earn bread for her children.
It is reported that a minister chose as his text one Sunday morning this phrase, “And it came to pass,” and he gave it this development:
(1) “It came” and (2) “It passed.”
Times of trial and blessing come to all of us – but they also pass. No affliction in this world but that “it comes” and “it also passes.” Our heavenly Father is keenly aware of just what each of us can bear.
One often sees on the approaches to bridges some such sign as LOAD LIMIT TEN TONS or LOAD LIMIT FIVE TONS, as the case may be, so that trucks with burdens that would endanger the safety of the bridge may not be driven over it.
Although Christians carry no visible signs, God knows the “load limit” of every one of us, and He will never permit that load limit to be violated or overtaxed.
When our cross seems heaviest, when it seems that our life has
neither plan nor purpose, when it seems that we are being pushed about by a blind and merciless fate, what comfort to remember that in every valley of affliction, our hand is in His! And with our hand in His, we are forever safe. His omnipotent hand will hold us; His
affectionate hand will guide us.
May God’s Word and His promises bring you spiritual strength in
heaping measure.