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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=6205 Export date: Wed Jul 3 11:37:00 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Crossroads Community ChurchThe Son always shines when God's children join together in worship! We praise the Lord for the wonderful weather this past week, a welcome break from the storms. Pastor Don shared announcements and prayers; we pray for the community's water pipes issue to resolve soon, just as God is crucial to the spirit so is water to sustain life. Pastor Don offered a heartfelt prayer over the service,” Heavenly Father let us not be worried or anxious during uncertain times, let us be still and know that you are God and nothing is impossible for you.” He continued, “Do you remember the story when God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt? How about in the case of David against Goliath, or when the apostle Peter stood up to boldly preach the Gospel to over 3000 people; do you think just maybe there may have been a little anxiety? God foreknew that life would present uncertainty so He wrote the Bible through people such as these so we could learn one thing; “When Life is uncertain, God is not!” Let us ask ourselves this question, “What do we do when times are uncertain? No matter what happens do we trust God to hold us? We all face uncertain times with health, finances, provisions, relationships or death, but the most human instinctive response seems to be prayer, we turn to God. Back in 2009 there was a US Airways flight carrying 155 passengers experiencing trouble and it needed to crash land in the Hudson River saving everyone. When the flight attendant was asked what everyone's response was when they were unsure about the landing, she said,” Everyone was praying!” This was instinctive why do you suppose? I believe that deep down in our hearts we believe God holds the world in His hands. However there are many times in life where life is uncertain to the point of unrest, so where can we find peace? We can read a very good example in 2 Chronicles 32:1-20. Hezekiah was only 25 years old when he became King over Judah, he married the Prophet Zechariah's daughter and he was great friends with the Prophet Isaiah, so he definitely had good counsel in his midst which would undoubtedly affect the way he thought and acted. Before he ruled the country, the people had been led astray from God to worship idols and were not serving the one true God; you can just imagine the chaos the nation was in. During his reign Hezekiah set out to cleanse the temple for God and return the people's hearts towards God and he sought God whole heartedly,(2 Chronicles 29:3,16, 32 :21). After 11 years the situation looked all fine and dandy, then tragedy struck, Judah was attacked and invaded by the Assyrians, (2 Chronicles 32:1). We may ask ourselves, how can this happen after all that Hezekiah had done to bring the people back to God?” I am sure we have all been in similar instances where we didn't understand why things seemed to fall apart even when we are trying to live right for God. Here is what Hezekiah knew and we need to learn;” Life is uncertain but God is not!”, “So how should we react to uncertainty? Sure we can have a hissy fit or pity party thinking life is unfair, or we can take Hezekiah's example of getting our house in order; block off the bad, mend the broken and strengthen the weak,(2 Chronicles 32:2-5). Hezekiah didn't want to make it possible or remotely easy for the Assyrian King to take hold of the land; we ought to have that same attitude towards things that come against us. Yes there are things in our lives that cause uncertainty that are out of our control, but there are many that aren't, our attitudes, our habits and ways of thinking can be changed to help change the outcome of uncertain times. Example, financial uncertainty, we can change our spending habits, learn to plan wisely, and ultimately ask God how to manage efficiently and trust Him with the outcome. The same can be applied to every area of our lives, remove what has potential to create havoc, consult God on how to mend the damage already done, ask him for strength and guidance then trust Him with the rest. This is how Hezekiah approached the uncertain times ahead. Hezekiah also cared for the people, He got their hearts in order, he knew they would experience anxiety and fear at the thought of famine and thirst, (2 Chronicles 32:10-11); so he reassured them by silencing the lies of the enemy and encouraged them by his example of Faith,(2 Chronicles 32:7-8). Beloved in times of uncertainty it is our responsibility to take action like Hezekiah. It is a great opportunity to witness to the world that with God life can be free of worry and filled with peace. Our peace is not from the absence of problems, it is from the certainty of God's presence through all things. I leave you with words of Paul; let us not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what we need, and thank him for all he has done. Then we will experience God's peace, which surpasses all understanding. His peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. Have a blessed week in His presence, Asherey Shalom! To learn more visit www.shelburnecrossroadschurch.ca |
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Post date: 2014-02-19 15:07:20 Post date GMT: 2014-02-19 20:07:20 Post modified date: 2014-02-26 10:51:10 Post modified date GMT: 2014-02-26 15:51:10 |
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