Well, I was so very disappointed that we were not able to have church yesterday and you missed Mia's testimony. Every man, woman and student needed to hear about her journey from being a foster child, wife, mom, caught up in the world and finally God bringing her home to Himself and her family. Her story is more than amazing. If you can find her online and listen to her story do it, it is more than worth it.
I so appreciate Traction bringing speakers like Mia, Ginny and the Barrick's to our church. When you miss hearing from folks like this you miss a huge opportunity to hear God speak to your heart, to be encouraged and to hear how God works opposed to hearing how the world works. We are inundated by the world's mindset so we absolutely need to separate ourselves from those voices and be in God's presence to hear His truth.
I love it when God puts everything together. This morning I was impressed with the idea of how we "hold onto God's hands". We are encouraged to reach out to Him but the problem is we think the only way to keep going is to keep holding on. It gives us the idea that if we let go then we'll fail. This morning God said to me, "tell them to let go". Then I opened my devotional app and the verse for today is Lamentations 3:22-23 "It is because of the Lord's loving kindnesses that we are not consumed. Because His tender compassion never fails. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is your faithfulness".
You see in life sometimes we simply can't hold on to His hands. We get weary and tired by life. That is when we need to understand that He holds us in His hands and not the other way around. His arms are forever wrapped around us and there is no way we can every fall out of His clutch. Today don't try and exhaust yourself by trying to hold on, let go and allow Him to hold you up.
I am being constantly reminded to challenge each of us to be faithful in our giving. Days like yesterday really play havoc on our financial situation so I want to challenge you to do as I did, go online and give your tithe and offerings. If you aren't comfortable with that bring it on Sunday. Just a reminder that we'll have a business meeting to deal with the nomination of our Pastor Search Team after church next Sunday. Let me encourage you to make plans to be there.
Stay warm and safe,
Pastor Carl