OBX Church Blog

Part-time Admin Assistant

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:36:00 GMT

Part-time Admin Assistant

We are looking for a part-time administrative position to support the overall function and activities. Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills are a must as well as computer skills.

If you are interested place contact us at info@churchobx.com.

Praying Together

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:32:00 GMT

This post is by Rick Warren pastor of Saddleback Church and author of yes the Purpose Driven Life.

And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them. Matthew 18:19-20 (TEV)

Many of us miss out on so much because we only pray by ourselves. Yet, when Jesus gave us an outline for prayer, he spoke about praying together. There is power in group prayer.

If you're not praying with other believers, then you're not getting the support you need. You're missing out on one of the major benefits of being a Christian. Jesus says "whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them (Matthew 18:19-20 TEV). That's the power of praying with other people.

Ask yourself, "Who am I consistently praying with on a regular basis?" You may be saying you've never prayed with anybody before and it scares you to death. It's okay to start slow: When you get together with five or six other friends, you don't have to pray if you don't want to; you can sit there and be quiet. Then, after several weeks, as you become more comfortable, you can begin to participate more in the group's prayers. You'll find a new level of stability in your life.

If you've never prayed with other people, start by praying aloud when you're alone. I do most of my praying, more than any other place, on the freeway. I'm driving down the road and talking aloud to the Lord, "Lord, here are some things I want to talk with you about today."

Another suggestion is to pray at meals. Our family holds hands; sometimes we pray sentence prayers such as thank you prayers to God for what he has done for us.

Flooded Pakistan

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:29:00 GMT

World Vision assessments conducted over the past few days in flooded areas of Pakistan paint a bleak picture. Contaminated water, cramped living conditions, and a lack of sanitation are contributing to a rapid increase in cases of diarrhea and skin diseases among children.

"People are in urgent need of almost everything: shelter, health clinics, clean water, sanitation, and livelihood support," said Mike Bailey, World Vision's regional manager for advocacy. "And that's just what we gleaned from the areas we can reach. Flooding and the damage it has left behind mean there are areas we want to help that we still can't reach."

Deteriorating health conditions

World Vision's survey of households in Punjab found that the main health problems for children include coughs, stomach and intestinal infections, and skin infections. The survey includes information from 45 households, as well as from staff at a health post in Punjab that sees 600 people per day. Additional health figures were provided by the clinics and health posts in the north of Pakistan; these sites see more than 3,000 people a day.

"In conditions like these, something as simple as a cough can turn into a deadly case of pneumonia; a lack of clean water is likely to result in diarrhea for a small child," said Bailey. "The fact is that many of these families may not be able to return home for at least three months, if not longer. Lack of adequate shelter, combined with an extreme shortage of healthcare and medicine, is making this disaster that much worse."

World Vision continues to operate three emergency health clinics in Lower Dir and so far has treated more than 4,100 people who are suffering from waterborne diseases and other illnesses related to the floods, including 1,845 children under 15. Staff members from two additional clinics opened earlier in the response have been redeployed to areas with more pressing need. World Vision aims to establish 20 health posts and 40 mobile clinics throughout the hardest-hit areas.

Progress and plans

Our teams have already provided food, emergency items, and healthcare to more than 30,000 people in Kyber Pakhtoonkhwa province since the start of the floods. In total, World Vision aims to provide assistance to 300,000 people across the country over the next three to six months, including 30,000 households in Sindh and Punjab provinces.

We also plan to distribute tents, cooking items, water purification packets, and hygiene kits to 280,000 people and food to at least 26,000, in addition to setting up 20 Child-Friendly Spaces and 20 Women-Friendly Spaces. These centers provide a safe and comfortable environment for children and women to interact with peers and receive support.

Funding for our Pakistan relief response is still urgently needed. World Vision estimates it will need $20 million to provide basic emergency assistance for at least 300,000 people; so far, we have raised only $6 million.

Help now

Please pray for flood survivors in Pakistan, especially those who have been displaced and have lost loved ones. Pray during this critical time that the resources needed to deliver life-saving assistance would come quickly.

Donate nowto World Vision's Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. Your gift today will help us deliver life-saving relief and support to survivors of this disaster, including basics like food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, and more.

Five Areas of Prayer

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:37:00 GMT

You may be asking yourself the question, “What should I pray for whenever I pray?” There are five major areas we should pray for in our daily prayer life. Each one represents a circle of influence and authority that God gives us to pray for. When praying we should start with the first area and then work our way down to the last.

Our Families & Friends

Acts 16:31, gives us the promise that our households will be saved. More specifically, the word for household refers to our circle of influence. Begin to pray for your friends and families that God would move in their lives. Intercession is about our responsibility to pray for others and that begins with those closest to us.

Our Church

The next area that we should pray for is the church. Practically everyone of Paul’s letters open with a personal prayer for the church. In Romans 8:9 Paul reminds the church, “As God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.” We should pray daily for our churches, church workers, pastors and leaders. These people have a great burden to bear.

The City

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that we should, “seek the peace of the city…and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). In other words, we will be blessed by praying for the blessing of our community or city. Don’t give up on your city, but pray that Jesus would be glorified in your city.

Our Nation

Next we are to always pray for our nation. Nehemiah was a man who had a great burden to bring revival and restoration to Israel. He prayed, “please let your ears be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of your servant which I pray before you now day and night, for the children of Israel Your servant.” (Nehemiah 1:6). God heard his prayers and brought restoration to the land and He promises to hear our prayers for your nation.

Our World

Lastly, we should pray for the people and governments of the world. Although you may never leave your country, you can still have an influence in the lives of others across the world by praying for them. Remember it is God’s desire to save the elect. Ask the Lord to speak to you about a certain country that you should pray for. God promises to listen when we pray.

Devoted to Prayer

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:16:00 GMT

Romans 12:12 says that we should be, “Devoted in prayer.” The word devoted means to give oneself completely to someone or something. It appears ten times in the New Testament, five of which apply directly to prayer. What does this mean? We should be devoted to prayer. Prayer should be an important part of our faith.

Look at the following verses:

Acts 1:14 "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers."

Acts 2:42 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Acts 6:4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving."

Scriptural Prayer

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:16:00 GMT

The following are scriptural ways that you can develop a deeper more fulfilling personal prayer life.

1. Pray In Jesus Name.

Real prayer is about Jesus to Jesus. There are numerous New Testament references that talk about the importance of praying in the name of Jesus. Jesus Himself said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23). When we pray in the name of Jesus, God the Father hears us. He responds to the prayer that is offered in the name of His Son Jesus.

2. Pray According to God’s Will.

God is not a Santa Claus in the sky; He does not give us anything we ask for. But in 1 John 5:14 it says, “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” This means that when we pray in accordance with His will we can expect an answer. This is why the Lord’s Prayer says, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

3. Scriptural Prayer.

One the best ways to pray is to pray according to the scriptures. John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me, and My word abides in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” If God’s word is in us then His desires become our desires and we can have the assurance that He will answer our prayers. Make sure that your prayers are in line with Scripture. The Lord always honors His Word. A great example is the Lord’s Prayer.

4. Keep Commandments.

“Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22). God honors those who honor His Commandments. If you keep His Commandments and do what is pleasing, then you can be assured that He will hear your prayers.

5. You Must Believe.

“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22). The Lord wants us to have faith that He will hear our prayers. In the great faith chapter of the Bible, we are told that, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). The Lord promises to respond to our prayer of faith.

6. Pray in the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prayer. Paul tells us to pray at all times in the Spirit. Romans 8:26 reads, “Likewise the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” We don’t always know how to pray and we don’t always feel like praying. Therefore we need the Spirit’s power to help us pray.

7. Be Persistent.

Don’t give up if you haven’t received an answer to your prayers. Throughout the Bible there are stories of men and women who persevered in prayer. In Luke 18:1-8 there was a little old widow who did not lose heart. James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

8. Humble Yourself.

One of my favorite parables about prayer is in Luke 18:9-14, where the Pharisee and tax collector come before God. The Pharisee was proud and boastful, while the tax collector was humble and asked for God’s mercy. We are told that God hears the prayer of the humble. If we humble ourselves in the sight of God he will lift us up.

Before You Pray

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:39:00 GMT

Before praying, there are four things that we should take into consideration.

1. Schedule a regular prayer time. Find a time everyday to spend in prayer. The important thing is that we should be consistent. The psalmist said that he prayed seven times a day.

2. Choose a private place to pray. A prayer closet could be anywhere as long as it is private. You can use your garage, pantry, front porch, or any other creative place where you can get alone with God. Some people pray while driving in their car and others pray while working-out or running.

3. Try to limit distractions. Don’t pray in the same room that you may watch television or be

tempted by other activities.

4. Have a prayer list to guide your prayers. You should pray for your family, friends, church, etc. This will ensure that you don’t forget important things to pray for.

New Series: What is Prayer?

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:46:00 GMT

We are starting as new series this Sunday called Pray Like Jesus and I want to discuss what prayer really is in several blog posts.

What is Prayer? Prayer is not a formal ritual or something that we do out of a sense of duty. Prayer is getting to know God, not God getting to know us. Prayer has always been God’s way of communicating with His people. In every age men and women have talked with God in prayer.

Prayer is the primary way that we build a relationship with Him. It is the greatest of all the spiritual disciplines because is brings us into direct communion with the Lord. If prayer is so important then we must ask ourselves this question, “why don’t we pray more?” The answer is that most people have never been taught how to pray.

More than ever before, Christians need to learn how to pray. The disciples asked Jesus, “Lord teach us to pray.” That must also be our prayer. The best way to learn how to pray is simply to pray. No matter how long we have been a believer, we can all benefit from a fresh study on the power and relevance of having a daily prayer life.

More than anything, prayer changes us. In prayer we are changed into the image and likeness of Jesus. Therefore to pray means that we must be willing to change. We gain a greater awareness of who God is and learn what His will is for our lives.

Prayer is first and foremost a personal relationship. Some people think of prayer like a business transaction or as something they have to do. We should think of prayer as a conversation between the closest of friends. What are some words that you think of when you think of friendship? You will probably think of words like loving, caring, warm, sincere, personal, and intimate. These are words that should be used to describe our prayer time with the Lord. Prayer should not be dry or stuffy; rather it should be warm and intimate. This lesson will focus on ways that you can develop a personal prayer life.

Every believer can have a dynamic personal prayer life. The Bible gives us the keys that we need to develop a powerful prayer life. The scriptures are full of examples of men and women who walked with God and used prayer to impact their world and you can do the same thing through prayer. The following are scriptural ways that you can develop a deeper more fulfilling personal prayer life.

Pray for Nic and Jess

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:04:00 GMT

Nic and Jess Mclean are in Uganda doing a film shooting. Here is an update. Please pray for them to have a safe and productive trip for the Lord.

“We have been here in Jinja for a few days now, my heart engrafted in the many stories of my new Ugandan friends. I find myself saddened as I write this, thinking about all the pain I have seen and experienced in the brief time of my stay. Pain aided with a smile and sweet hospitality. Yesterday we visited an orphanage called the "Amani Baby Cottage." This is where the Hansow's daughter Jayden was adopted from. We visited the baby room, full of rows of babies, getting ready to go to sleep. One crawled towards me saying, "mommy, daddy." I just wanted to take him home with me! Sweet babies. I find it hard to believe that their parents either passed away, or just did not want them.

Today, we interviewed Charles, one of the characters in the documentary. Charles has HIV. When Nic came to Uganda 3 months ago, Charles was in good health. Today, we found him in bed(where he's been the last 2 months) He has lost over 30 pounds and looked in very poor health. It seems that his HIV has progressed. What a change, what a difference.

We then visited Agatha's home. 7 family members sharing one small living space. No electricity. 2 small beds. It was so much fun to spend an afternoon with her. Learning Ugandan culture and hearing her story during the interview. I was so impressed with her and her family.

Now, off to bed. Another long day awaits tomorrow! Thank you for your prayers! We are healthy and safe. The production is going wonderful! Nic is in his element, capturing amazing imagery! Peace:)

Ps....I ate an entire fish tonight. Whole Tilapia caught in the Nile. It was spectacular!”

To learn more check out their blog http://www.nicandjessmclean.blogspot.com

Got Fruit?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:42:00 GMT

The Christian life, the fruit of the Spirit, is a constant reckoning of the flesh as dead and a constant relying on the present Spirit of Christ to produce love, joy, and peace within. –John Piper

In Galatians, Paul gives a list of nine virtues called the fruit of the Spirit. They are nine qualities, where the Holy Spirit endows the church. They are the hallmark of a Spirit-filled life. Paul employs fruit of the Spirit to show the difference between a person who is under the flesh and a person who is walking by the Spirit.

J. I. Packer reminds us that, “Holiness is the fruit of the Spirit, displayed as the Christian walks by the Spirit (Gal 5:16,22,25). Therefore, the fruit of the Spirit is in stark contrast to the ‘works of the flesh.’ As a farmer prepares for a harvest of fruit, Christians must also strive to cultivate the nine fruit of the Spirit in everyday life. As you read the following list of Spiritual fruits ask the Holy Spirit to develop them in your life.

1. Love

The first and most important fruit of the Spirit is love. Love is the virtue of brotherly and sacrificial love. It is a love that seeks the good of others. Paul’s order of placement, as well as his other use of the word tells us that it is the greatest of the fruits. (1Cor.13; Eph.5:2; Col.3:14). Other New Testament writers such as John and Peter emphasize love as one of the greatest features of the kingdom of God.

Love is a spiritual anchor of truth in relationship with God and neighbor. This love is a distinctly Christian love, which finds its source from God alone. Because of this kind of love God sent His only Son to die for us. The Holy Spirit is hard at work to reproduce this kind of love in each one of us. We are to show this kind of selfless love to one another and to the world.

2. Joy

The second fruit of the Spirit is joy. The word joy appears 60 times in the New Testament. Joy corresponds to happiness, but it is independent of outward circumstances and is to be found within every believer’s life. Joy is a deep gladness that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

As Christians everything that we do should be done with joy in our hearts. The Bible tells us that we are to serve the Lord with joy and gladness. God desires for His children to know the joy of the Lord. The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Let the Holy Spirit fill you with joy today as you serve Him.

3. Peace

Peace is the third fruit of the Spirit. Peace refers to a tranquility of mind, body, and soul. It is a spiritual well being that only God can give a person. Nations might be able to produce a world of peace, but God is the only one who can offer total peace. Jesus said the peace I give is not as the peace that the world may give.

God’s peace will never pass away. In fact Paul calls it the peace, which surpasses all understanding. This doesn’t mean that you will never have another problem, but that God will give you peace in the midst of the storm. Let the peace of God fill your heart and soul through the power of the Spirit.

4. Long Suffering

Long suffering is the fourth fruit of the Spirit. The Greek word is commonly translated patience but the King James Version renders a more accurate translation of the word ‘long-suffering.’ The verb means to place or arrange under. Christians should be able to hold strong in the midst of trials and difficulty.

We need to be steadfast and endure. This means the quality of putting up with others, waiting through the difficult times, even when we are severely tried, confused, or weak. It is like being a spiritual rubber band. When we are being stretched we will not break if we have long suffering. The Holy Spirit will supernaturally give you patience to hold on under difficult situations and circumstances.

to be continued...

Modern Martyrdom

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:53:00 GMT

Here is a post from good friend Jonathan Dodson about a pastor who was tragically murdered in Pakistan.

“Just a few days ago I heard about pastor Rashid Emmanuel’s arrest. I was trying to figure out how to help him. Then, within 36 hours I was grieved to discover that Rashid had been shot to death in Faisalabad, Pakistan, after being exonerated from false accusations of blasphemy against prophet Muhammad.

Apparently enemies printed up flyers with blasphemies and put Rashid’s name at the bottom. Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s minister of minority affairs commented: “I personally don’t think that anyone who wrote derogatory things against Muhammad would put their names on the bottom,” he said. “This was just to settle a personal issue.”

The Gospel from the Grave

Please pray for the comfort and protection of his grieving family and church. May God be pleased to honor Tertullian’s remark in the life of Rashid Emmanuel: “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” May this modern martyr’s death bring new life to many in Pakistan as the gospel is faithfully preached from his grave, reminding his neighbors, countrymen, and the church that Jesus will return to avenge his blood and redeem those who share his faith:

They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, ahow long before you will judge and cavenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, guntil the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been (Rev 6:9-11).

Modern Martyrdom

Unfortunately, Rashid is among many modern martyrs. In fact, the 20th century saw more martyrs than all prior centuries put together. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity notes: “The effect of Christian martyrdom on evangelization over the centuries has been profound. Naturally, Christians have almost always insisted that martyrdom should not be deliberately sought for; but when it happens, the news spreads widely, and unbelievers including persecutors are converted. Martyrdom can be termed the final witness, the complete personal statement of faith in Christ, the ultimate proclamation of the gospel.” (emphasis added) May Rashid’s death have just this effect, “news spreading widely, and unbelievers including persecutors are converted.”

For more information on the persecuted church, go to www.persecution.com, the website of The Voice of the Martyrs.”

The Work fo the Spirit

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:18:00 GMT

God works in various ways to bring people into salvation in Jesus Christ. It all begins when God calls us by His Holy Spirit. This is commonly referred to as the effectual call. The effectual call is when the Holy Spirit effectually calls a person by working to awaken their heart, mind, and soul of a person to their personal need of salvation.

The Spirit works as a guide at this point to lead us to a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Westminster Confession describes it in the following way, “This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from any thing at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.” It is only then that a person can truly accept and respond to the grace of God through faith.

Regeneration

The word regeneration literally means to ‘rebirth.’ Regeneration is a spiritual transformation where the Holy Spirit takes us from death unto life. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor.5:17).

A glorious change takes place in the believers’ hearts when they receive Christ into their life by faith. This great change entails an exchange of the things of the world for the things of God. It is a total transformation, in which the new believer is literally made a new creature. The Spirit of God is the agent of regeneration that works to bring about this change in a persons heart. The heart and soul of a person is the place where the Holy Spirit brings about a real change in the believer.

Sanctification

Sanctification begins at the new birth and gradually takes place over the lifetime of a believer. Sanctification is a process of Christian growth where the Holy Spirit gradually sanctifies the hearts and minds of Christians. John Owen both believed that sanctification was a work of the Holy Spirit. He said, “Sanctification is an immediate work of the Spirit of God on the souls of believers.”

The goal of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is to make us like Christ. We are enabled to mortify the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (Rom. 8:11). Sanctification is what God works in us by His Spirit.

The General Work of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit also enables believers to live the Christian life. He intercedes for us (Rom. 8:26-27). He illumines and guides believers into all truth (John 16:13-14). The Holy Spirit enables Christians to fight sin (Rom. 8:5-6). The Spirit sanctifies us (1 Peter 1:2). He gives us Christian assurance to know that we are children of God (Rom 8:15-16). There are numerous ways that the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Begin to reflect on everything that the Spirit has done and is doing in your life.

To be continued...

Holy Spirit Series

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:16:00 GMT

For much of church history the third Person of the Trinity has been virtually overlooked. However, today many people are hungry to experience the Holy Spirit in their life. God has given us the marvelous gift of His Holy Spirit. The Spirit plays an important role in personal salvation, church formation, and the general spread of the gospel. Without Him, it is impossible for individuals or the church to experience revival. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit has a distinct contribution to make in the contemporary church.

The purpose of this series is to offer an introduction to the person and work of the Holy Spirit. As we seek to learn more about the Holy Spirit we must ask ourselves several important questions. Is the Holy Spirit divine? Is the Spirit a person? What does the Holy Spirit want to do in my life? Are the gifts of the Spirit still in operation today?

Every Christian can benefit from studying the Holy Spirit. Learning more about the Holy Spirit will enable you to experience Him in a deeper way in your life.

The Person of the Holy Spirit

Who is the Holy Spirit? Christians have asked this question throughout the ages. There have been many different opinions as to the personal nature of the Holy Spirit. Some have wondered if the Spirit was a created being, while others believed that the Spirit was an energy force. We can learn a lot from the Bible’s descriptive title the Holy Spirit.

The, is an article that stresses the particularity and uniqueness of the Spirit. There are many spirits but there is only one Holy Spirit.
Holy, stresses the sacredness and purity of the Spirit. Holy also stresses the majesty and glory of God.
Spirit, implies immateriality, no flesh, and no substance.

The Divine Nature of the Holy Spirit

Most religions and cults deny the deity and existence of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, even many Christians believe that the Spirit is not fully divine. The writers of the Bible clearly emphasized the deity of the Holy Spirit. The Bible also shows that there is a unique relationship between the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. This interrelationship is often called the Trinity, which refers to three distinct divine Personalities, each wholly God, yet they are one essence. The doctrine of the Trinity has been defended by the Christian church for nearly two thousand years. It cannot be overestimated that the Holy Spirit is divine. There are several divine attributes ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

To be continued...

Where is God When it Hurts?

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:01:00 GMT

We live in a world full of pain and suffering. Many people feel alone and unable to handle the many problems that can come their way on a daily basis. In the midst of a bad economy , natural disasters, and the growing risk of international terrorism people are seeking real answers to tough questions.

Where is God when it hurts? Why do bad things happen to good people? We must ask ourselves the question, “does the Bible have real answers to real problems?” The answer is yes, although they are not always easy. Therefore it is important that we have a Biblical understanding of suffering and pain to comfort people who are hurting.

Many people feel that God is silent when it comes to difficult issues. However, the Bible is full of stories of men and women who overcame trials, persecution, and suffering. Joseph suffered in Genesis, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, the Prophets suffered time and time again for God, and Jesus died for all humanity. These stories help to remind us that suffering often serves a greater purpose in God’s plan. We are told in Genesis 50:20 (NIV), “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God is able to work all things together for the good of those who are called according to his purposes.

Many people are not able to see pain and suffering in a redemptive light. We must believe that God is good even though there is so much hurting, death, and disease in the world. Despite all of this, there are several things that we need to keep in mind when we experience pain and suffering.

God is Our Comforter

The Bible never says that times of adversity and suffering will not come into our lives. Even in the midst of trials, suffering, and sorrow the Scriptures say that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1, NIV) This Biblical passage affirms that God is always with us in the midst of our times of greatest need.

We see that He does not always remove difficulties and trials from our path, but the Bible promises that He will be with us in our hour of need. Even in our time of sorrow and pain the Psalmist tells us that God is our refuge and strength, which means that He is the One who shelters us and enables us to make it through the difficult seasons of our lives.

The affirmation of God’s presence can also be seen in 2 Cor1: 3-4 (NIV), which says, “Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves have received from God.” Notice the number of times that Paul uses the word comfort. The word for comfort literally means, “called along side.” It refers to the ministry of God’s presence in our times of trouble. Comfort and healing comes from the presence of God. We are called to share in God’s ministry of healing and restoration by being present to others who are suffering with the same presence that God has given to us. God becomes present to them through us. We are never alone in our sufferings.

Satan is the Source of Evil not God

Many people ask the question, “Why would a good God let bad things happen to good people?” As hard as it may sound God does allow bad things to happen. There is a difference in God permitting bad things to happen and God actually being the one who causes them.

We see in the book of Job that God allows evil by setting parameters on Satan. Job demonstrates the authority of God through emphasizing His limitation on Satan. After being petitioned by Satan the Lord said to him, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, But on the man himself do not lay a finger.” (Job 1:12 NIV) The “but” in this passage shows that Satan is limited in his authority and dealings with man to sovereign lordship of God. Therefore we can conclude that God is in control even if it may not seem like it to us and ultimately like Job we must say, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” (Job 2:10 NIV).

God Has Given His Word to Comfort Us

God has not only given us the comfort of His presence, but He has given us His precious Word to comfort, heal, and guide us in the midst of our trials and suffering. In a similar way we are to share the word with others who are in times suffering. In the Word “we have been given great and precious promises.” (2 Pet1: 4) In Psalms 107:20 (KJV) we are told that, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” In Psalms 119:105 (KJV) it says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” It is the Word of God that helps us in our toughest hour because we can find the answers and comfort we need for every problem. We also see that there are others in the Bible who went through difficult times, but overcame.

Sabbath Rest

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:17:00 GMT

Sabbath: Sacred Rest

Never before has there been such a need to rediscover the lost spiritual discipline of resting in the Lord. It is very important that we allow time during each day for spiritual rest and solitude from all of the busy distractions of our complex world. If we are not careful the multitude of distractions of this world will keep us from finding rest for our souls.

If we are not careful, the many distractions of this world will drown out the quiet voice of God within our hearts and make us numb to our spiritual needs. We need to find a quiet place to be with God and hear His word. In stillness and solitude, God speaks to our hearts and fills us with the refreshing presence of his Spirit.

Call to Sabbath

Our souls need to have scriptural rest in the same way that our physical bodies need rest. If we are not careful, we will experience spiritual burnout. God promises rest to His people. The biblical word for rest literally means a resting place, a quiet place, peace, trust, and reliance. Rest is the reason why God commanded us to keep the Sabbath. Jesus said that the Sabbath was created so that man may have rest and not man for the Sabbath.

Even doing a good things can be a distraction if we don’t allow time to rest. After the disciples returned from a busy missionary journey, Jesus told them to, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31). They had been busy and Jesus knew that they needed rest for their weary souls. Spiritual burnout occurs when we don’t give ourselves time to rest from our daily routine.

We also see this illustrated in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His word, but Martha was distracted with much serving. Jesus said that Mary had chosen the best thing because she sat at His feet and was not distracted. Resting in the Lord is the only way that we can continue to have an effective Christian life because our being must come before our doing.

Practical Ways to Sabbath

1. Take one day a week to spend prayer, reflection, and bible study
2. Take one day a week to do nothing but spend quality time with your family
3. Unplug from technology a.k.a. technolopy. Turn off your iphone, TV and computer.
4. Take a day a month to get away in solitude. Jesus regularly did this.
5. Take several weeks off a year to spend with your family.