The New Year can often bring a mixed bag of emotions and memories for many of us. Some may have just experienced the best year ever and look forward to an even greater one looming ahead. Others may have just trudged through one deep struggle after another. The fresh calendar year brings desperate hope for things to be better, with an ache for the still-fresh wounds to slowly begin their process of healing.

Whether you’ve just walked through the greatest year of your life, or are incredibly glad to see this one finally over, one truth still rings clear amidst it all. You are not alone. Not ever.

Our God is a “with us” God. On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the power to carry us right into a fresh, new start. He is Immanuel, God with us. And though things and people around us shift and change, our God never changes.

In 2020 pray for His Spirit to lead each staff member every step of this New Year, and to guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire Him above all else. Also pray for wisdom for His strength and power to be constantly present within us. And we ask that you pray that He’d keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. That He would whisper in our ear when we need to run, and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground.

We thank you for your prayers! May you have a blessed and God honoring New Year.

Samuel F Pugh wrote a very popular prayer that many know and use. I believe this prayer is how we need to pray everyday. God is so gracious and loving and gives us so abundantly. We are beyond blessed with so much, while unfortunately, some have so little. Why? I don’t have the answer other than we all have hardship of some kind.

“O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry. When I have work, help me to remember the jobless. When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all. When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer. And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency, bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.”

This Thanksgiving as you gather together remember those who have little. Share your blessings together with your friends and family and “Give thanks in all things.” Pray with us and for us as we continue through November collecting Gobble Kits and distributing to those in need. Pray that lives will be changed through the Gobble Kits and that every need will be met this Thanksgiving Holiday.

We are always thankful for you!

September is Disaster Preparedness month. During this time of year we have served many disasters and learned that prayer is the most powerful resource anyone can ever have! Please pray with us, for us, those affected, and those who may be affected by this upcoming season.

Hear us, merciful God that through the time of tragedy in those most affected, will be affected, and who have lost the most in previous disasters, will know of Your presence and learn of the Holy Spirit’s comfort. We ask that all Christians will remember their struggling brothers and sisters, and contribute the time to assist them in their continuing need. May our prayers rise up like incense for those affected by disaster, especially those who have lost their lives previously, for the families of the loved ones and for the lives who will be affected this season.

We ask that God send his Son; once again, to inspire recovery and lead all those who suffer to a joyful redemption in their lives.

That those who are homeless or without financial means to survive an ongoing natural disaster, will find strength through our commitment to pray for them, and for them to find adequate shelter, and eventually, permanent homes.

Lord we ask in a mighty was for endurance and strength and that financial means will be met this season, so we can restore lives by those affected and for us to not lose hope. We thank you in a mighty way.

We trust in your word “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers,”  Galatians 6:10 We ask that you allow us to continue to be your hands and feet.

In Jesus Name we Pray, Amen.

Are you feeling the summer heat yet? Nothing like a cold lemonade or a dip the pool to help beat the summertime heat. Perhaps the heat you’re currently experiencing is not so easily curbed. Are you feeling the heat of turbulent times? We should expect trials as followers of Jesus. In fact, James tells us we should consider them “great joy.”

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (CSB)

James’ words seem counter intuitive. I should have “great joy” in the midst of my suffering. A little perspective may help. We often think of testing in the pass/fail sense, but James’ use of this word is different, and understanding what he meant brings great clarity.

Testing in this passage is the process used in silversmithing to purify silver. Silver is heated to the point of melting, which causes impurities to rise to the surface and are scraped off. The Silversmith repeats this process until there are no impurities left. He knows the silver to be completely pure when he is able to see his refection perfectly in the silver.

Jesus uses trials in our lives to do exactly what the Silversmith does, use the heat in our lives to draw out our impurities until he see’s his perfect reflection in us. That’s why we can “consider it great joy.”

God loves us too much to leave us in our mess. His love is drawing us closer to Him and His likeness.

Join me in prayer:
Jesus, thank you for the change you bring to my life, and thank you for the trials you use to draw me closer to you. Jesus, help me to find joy in the heated trials of my life. Thank you for loving me where I am and also for loving me so much you refuse to leave me in my mess. Allow me to see and celebrate trials you have already lead me through so I can give you the praise you deserve.
Amen.