Philippians 4:6 (The Message)
6-7. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
What words explain the pain and suffering of a disaster? Of course I am talking about the tornados that have been occuring since Sunday, the main one being in Joplin Missouri. We live only 30 miles south, so this is just part of our community. This is where we go to the doctor, grocery shopped and of course just enjoyed shopping. And now to know it has changed is hard, but knowing about the death and the injured is the hardest. They are still looking for folks and finding some to. I think yesterday 17 was pulled from the debris. It is just heart breaking! Totally overwhelmed in knowing what to do. Have you ever heard some one say, "well, I just prayed, I didn't know what else to do". Well, of course, it is the best thing to do. Prayer changes things. Prayer brings comfort right in the middle of times of trouble. The minute I turn in Gods Word, I can know that the God who made me will take care of me. If we know and believe the Word, then we know all the promises are for us. We are entitled to them, because we have accepted Him as our Savior! I honestly believe that many folks would not turn to God if it was not for some kind of disaster! Tragedies come in many different ways and it is sad in a way that it would take something like this to make a person realize they need God. But if that person and their family are brought into the family of God, well, what is more important than a persons soul? Nothing! Yes, I know all the despair that is associated with these horrific storms, but I can promise you, there will be good brought out of it to. Will we do everything we can to help no matter what? Yes, of course we will! Joplin and the other places will be rebuilt. Yes, peoples lives will be changed, many for the better. Please remember the promises from God that are yours and mine! Stand on them no matter what is going on around you, and you will experience the peace of God. No, we will never understand all that happens, but we know we can go to our Heavenly Father and find safety,peace, and comfort there!
Please keep all these affected close to your heart in prayer and thanksgiving. God is merciful!
Please check out Spiritual Sundays, you will be encouraged. Link follows:
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/05/welcome-to-spiritual-sunday.html
11 comments:
Shirley:
I thought of you when I learned of the tornadoes in Joplin. I didn't know how close you lived to there. I am glad to know you are okay and you are right - God can cause good things to come from a bad situation.
Blessings,
Joan
So true Shirley, We are God's servants and should help in anyway that we can. What we do speaks louder than any words. True devastation in Joplin and in much need of God's tender loving care through us, His children.
Shirley, I didn't know you lived that close to Joplin. As I mentioned in my Joy4Today blog, our 6th grade Sunday School class is sponsoring a TOY DRIVE. If you have a good contact for distribution of them, please let me know.
Hi Shirley,
Thank you for sharing this post that touches my heart. Your words, "Prayer brings comfort right in the middle of times of trouble. The minute I turn in Gods Word, I can know that the God who made me will take care of me...", reminds me to pray and not give up.
I join in prayer for those affected by the tornadoes and flooding.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
My heart goes out to all who are suffering from the devastating weather across the country. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for you...the ladies in my Bible study here in California are praying for you.
I've been watching the news....seeing the horrible devestation and feeling awful for the people affected. I'm glad you guys are safe.....and have been praying for those who were caught in th eye of the storm
The devastation in Joplin and in other tornado torn places is just unbelievable. Thank you for sharing your perspective in this encouraging post. I know it affects people like you who live so close even more than it does those of us a little farther away.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Thank you for the picture, verse, and profound thoughts on prayer, Shirley. I'll be praying! God bless.
I was at a international student convention and a young man shared his grief over the loss of his mother's house (MO)with me. I grieved over his pain. I'll continue to pray as they face the next few months.
Blessings,
Pamela
Such devastation. God bless all the victims touched by this disaster ,I can't imagine what they are going through .This breaks my heart. All of it and puts my little problems in so much perspective.
Prayers for all. It just goes to show you how fragile life is
God Is Our Hope
God is our hope and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear,
though the earth be moved,
and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof rage and swell,
and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
-- Book of Common Prayer 1979
Shirley:
I haven't seen any posts from you of late and wanted to check in. Hope everything is okay with you.
Blessings,
Joan
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