PRAYER REQUEST/UPDATE
Please pray for Marco Heinzle. He was driving on a two-lane road in the dark this morning and hit a tree that had fallen across the road. Please pray that there are no major injuries from this car accident. Cards of encouragement may be sent to him at 145 Pendleton Drive, Athens, GA 30606.
Update on Mollie Mostert:
Mollie is not going home from the hospital today as she was hoping. She is feeling very poorly today. Keep praying! Her direct room number is 706-745-5363. Calls must be kept very short so she can rest. Another great way to encourage Mollie is by sending her an email message. Her email address is mostertmollie@gmail.com
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD’S WORD!
JOHN 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
— NIV
Jesus says these words while sharing the last supper with his disciples. He has spent the previous passages trying to explain to them the spiritual truths regarding what will happen, the Holy Spirit that will eventually come to help them, and the eternal reward that will be theirs!
Why does Jesus say he has told them these things? So that they may have peace! It is empowering to know that peace is always in our grasp! God has positioned us to have it. What is required is that we choose to focus on the spiritual realities that Jesus speaks of. We are redeemed! As disciples we have been empowered with the Holy Spirit! And no matter what happens we will share in the eternal reward of heaven! All of our struggles are temporary and pale in comparison to the blessing God has in store. We need only remember that these things are true, God loves us, and he is sovereign!
Jesus then assures the disciples that, yes, in this world, you will have trouble. We live in a sinful, fallen world; and we must live in it with other sinful, fallen people. Thus, even the most faithful of disciples will face struggles, hurts, and hardships that can challenge our faith. But Jesus tells us to take heart, for he has overcome the world!
How has he overcome it? He has overcome sin and death through his sacrifice on the cross and resurrection. He has overcome the values and thinking of the world, which deceptively lead to pain, destruction, and ultimately death. He has revealed the path to life by way of the cross! By trusting enough to follow him, we claim the blessing of life to the full as we learn to live and think as he did (and which is so contrary to the world)! We need only trust God! Trust that he is there! Trust that he loves us and is sovereign to bring about that which is for our good! Trust that the path of Jesus truly is the right path (even when it doesn’t feel like it). And trust in God’s promise of eternal life!
Love you all,
Kindred
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