JESUS IS NEAR
Jesus is with His people at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances. He is ‘Immanuel, God with us.’ He is with us to comfort us in the hour of sorrow, to enlighten us in the hour of darkness, to guide us in the hour of doubt, to deliver us in the time of conflict, and to support us in the hour of death. Every believer must realize this wondrous truth. Jesus was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the fiery furnace. He was with Daniel in the lions' den, and He was with John in his exile on the island of Patmos. Jesus is, at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances with His people. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Are you passing through the furnace of affliction? Is your health failing? Is your faith weak? Do not be cast down, dear believer! This furnace is only designed to burn the dross and work your inward good and draw you nearer to Jesus. Be of good cheer, for He has promised never to leave or forsake you, “So we may boldly say: “The lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6)
—Pastor S. Henry
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Dear Christian…
Remember:
Daily, continual, moment by moment struggling and fighting against sin is a mark of a regenerated soul.
Dead hearts don't fight, they cannot fight, only those made alive in Christ fight the good fight of faith.
Take heart, dear believer. Keep looking to Jesus!
The fighting can be fierce, but the Captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus, is always with us and strengthens us!
Keep running, keep fighting, keep on keeping on by faith in Christ!
The Lord is on your side. He will never let you be separated from the love of God.
No sheep will ever be snatched from His hand.
Be thankful. Keep rejoicing in the Lord!
—Pastor S. Henry
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HUMILITY
“Be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
—1 Peter 5:5
Humility is not popular in our world because humility can only survive in an atmosphere that honors God. When God is dishonored then humility is scorned and man and his sinful pride are exalted. And our society is hostile to God, therefore humility is ridiculed. But in the midst of this unbelieving world, Scripture calls believers to “be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Our text is completely foreign to our culture, but it is absolutely necessary in the life of every believer if we are going to live as the salt of the earth and the light for a perishing world. The main point of our text is very clear; humility is essential in the life of every believer and it is a defining mark of a true Christian. Practice true humility; God blesses the humble.
—Pastor S. Henry
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REMEMBER…
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
—Philippians 4:6
Worrying reveals a lack of trust in God's wisdom, sovereignty, providence, presence, provision, and power.
Delighting in the Lord, meditating on His Word, and casting our cares upon Him are the great antidotes to anxiety.
All difficulties are within God's purposes and plans for His glory and the believer's good.
Gratitude to God ought to accompany all true prayer.
~Pastor S. Henry
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IN TIMES OF DEPRESSION
Edmond is at worship every time the church building doors are open. He arrives early to brew coffee before Sunday school. He stays late to clean the tables after Sunday meals. Then, suddenly, he misses several weeks in a row. When small group leaders reach out, Edmond admits that he feels worn down, but he doesn’t say much more. When Edmond does come back to worship and church activities, he seems indifferent and withdrawn. Then one Sunday evening, he tells his pastor, “I finally went to the doctor. I’ve been diagnosed with depression.” When someone like Edmond has a struggle with depression, he often feels isolated and alone, fearing others won’t understand or will even condemn him for his inability to simply “put a happy face.” Even in the church, a Christian struggling with depression may fear that his inability to overcome the darkness means he’s spiritually deficient.
Take courage, my struggling friend. Jesus is with His lowly, downcast, and hurting sheep. He does not, He will not, abandon us in our time of pain and sorrow. He is the One who carries us through the loneliest times of life and supports us in the hour of sorrow and depression. Press into the good Shepherd. Draw near to our Savior's bleeding side. Find warmth and comfort under the shadow of His strong arms even as a chick finds refuge under the shadow of a mother hen's wings. As Kathryn Butler writes, “Dear friend, if you’re among those who cry out to God and yearn for His comfort, know you are not alone. Jesus remains with you until the end of the age, and nothing—not your shame, your despair, or the agony of depression—can separate you from His love.”
—Pastor S. Henry
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