My heart is heavy this morning for so many people and families who are struggling...
Good people & good families, who love the Lord (most of them), who have found themselves in a sea that would attempt to consume them.
Drugs
Alcohol
Divorce
Marital Issues
Family Issues
Church Issues
Friendship Issues
Wayward Family Members
Unsaved Spouses
Rebellious Children
Dead Children
Suicidal Children
Sick Children
Complex Children From Hard Places
Physical Sickness
Mental Sickness
Emotional Sickness
Sexual Sin
Financial Stress
Job Loss
...You name it and I've heard just about all of it. You have too. We have all experienced some of these things in our lives.
The body of Christ is hurting and they are lonely.
Who will help the Church?
Who will rise up?
This morning I stayed home from church because I wasn't feeling well. It wasn't long after Matt and the kids walked out the door that I was scrolling through FB. It struck me, the cries for help, from many who are alone and afraid and feeling consumed by their circumstances.
I wonder just how many people suffer in silence?
And we ALL know exactly why we don't share it with anyone, especially within the church...
I'm not even going to say it because it's such a huge elephant.
Satan gets his way when he succeeds in holding us captive to our fears of what other's may think. He succeeds in dividing us. Once we are isolated, we are pawns in his hands. He devours us like a lion to his prey.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." ~Ephesians 6:12
But when the church comes together and stands up for his own, we are strong.
God
The Church Body
Individual Believers...
A cord of 3 strands...
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of THREE strands is not quickly broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:12
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." ~John 15:13
This isn't an attack on my personal church or yours either.
Are you fighting for the wounded saints in your life and within your church family?
Are you standing up and coming to their defense?
Are we, the church, coming along side of the wounded and tending to their needs? We are a hospital, not a country club.
We've all heard the story about the Good Samaritan a thousand times...
Am I like the Good Samaritan?
Is my church?
Are you?
Is yours?
WE are the church, believers!
"Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you." ~1 Timothy 4:14
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, annointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." ~James 5:14
At the end of our lives, when we stand before Jesus, what will we say for our time and money spent? What will He say?
One thing that Jesus asked of His disciples and one thing only..."Feed My sheep" ~John 21:17
Are we feeding His sheep?
I so, What are we feeding His sheep?
"Jesus answered, 'It is written: man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' ". ~Matthew 4:4
I'm praying by name for many saints in need today.
Will you join me?
Let's be the church...
Blessings,
Rebecca
it's always so helpful to know that you're not alone in the midst of trials. the last week or two have been super challenging, but God's sovereignty is on such powerful display in the midst of it all. He is good. thanks for this word of encouragement!
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