From the Pastor’s Heart

                                                                                                    MARCH, 2018

We are Overcomers  

A Servant’s Heart
“In Ramah a voice was heard crying and weeping loudly. Rachel was mourning for her children, and she refused to be comforted, because they were dead” (Matthew 2:18 Contemporary English Version (CEV).
 

Our children are crying out for our help. They are a rich blessing to us from the Lord, and we are responsible for their well-being.

There are many who are afraid to go to school, because they are worried that they may get hurt. There are teachers who are stressed out. Some are afraid for their own lives and safety, and that of the students they love and teach. There are those who are angry and they take their frustration out on others, such as what recently happened in Parkland Florida.

There are those who make the decision to end their lives to relieve their misery. A few months ago, during the Car Show/Flea Market, a young lady requested prayer because her 17-year-old son took his own life in their home. She stays in touch with me and often reaches out for prayer. I can only imagine her grief, her loss, her pain.

The following headlines are recent posts on the PBS whyy.org site:

“15-year-old with fully loaded gun stopped on way into Philly school”

“Mercer County, N.J., school officials set meeting on rising teen suicide rate”
Students protest after Cherry Hill teacher suspended for Parkland comments”

We allowed the sacredness of our schools to be disrupted as we passively stood by, as prayer and all mention of God was removed from our classrooms. Prayer is the most powerful weapon of the Christian Faith, yet we gave it up. Our Lord calls us to be a people of prayer, to be steadfast. When we live our lives through faithful prayer and obedience to the Lord, it gives us delight to be God’s mouthpiece. We receive the courage to boldly share the message of Salvation, and we do not depend on mere knowledge, but the revelation which comes from the Spirit of God.

The Apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16 New International Version (NIV).

This message from Paul is consistent with God’s declaration in Exodus 20:2, which informs us that He is our Eternal God, who delivered us out of Egypt, liberating us from a life of slavery, and oppression. That gives us the right to live as God’s representatives and to appreciate the freedom that comes from knowing that we are God’s beloved.  This knowledge should empower us to have a great appreciation for the daily blessings bestowed upon us. Children of the Royal Priesthood, you are overcomers. You have the authority to drive out darkness and to let the Light of the Lord shine bright.
Children of God, it is not too late! Our God is sovereign, gracious, and desires that we live, and live abundantly. However, we must heed his Word as proclaimed in the following passages: which says:

“if my people who belong to me will humbly pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 Common English Bible).

“Arise! Shine! Your light has come; the Lord’s glory has shone upon you. Though darkness covers the earth and gloom the nations, the Lord will shine upon you; God’s glory will appear over you” (Isaiah 60:1-2).

Where is God? As people of God, when we truly seek after God, He is right in our midst. He is our very present shield, source, provider, protector and is willing and able to help us. Let us look to him.

Prayer: Most powerful, all-knowing God, we come before you seeking forgiveness for our wrongdoings. We confess that we have not been faithful and grateful for all that you have granted to us. Please forgive us. By your Holy Spirit presence, guide us in the ways you would have us to lead, and serve both within the walls of this building, and in the community. Help us to wake up from our sleep, to be willing vessels, a source of wisdom and comfort to those who are troubled. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen! (composed by Rev. Olivet J. Brown, Pastor)

 

In Christ,

Pastor Olivet