Rely on God

There are many times in our lives where we have to fully rely on God. Whether the struggles we face are from our own choices or were completely out of our control. I often think of Joseph and how he was sold into slavery by his own family. His situation was not by his own doing, but God still called Joseph to rely on Him and trust in His plan, although it wasn’t revealed until years later after many hardships.

Sometimes God’s answer is “yes but wait”. God is never the cause of our struggles, but He can and will use them to teach us and help grow our faith in Him. We serve a wonderful and thoughtful God who only wants the best for us, and God’s very best doesn’t always align with what WE think is best. His plan is always better. So even in your suffering, no matter the cause, turn your eyes to Him and He will restore you and your situation.

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after. You have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

Jessica Bates

Sweet Comfort

There are many lessons I learned from my mother. One of the sweetest truths is encapsuled in Isaiah 66:13a, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. There is something very special when you become a mother. The instant a woman becomes a mother, her heart expands to love limits unknown. Such was the case with my mother. I was confident my mother would be there for me whether it was a celebration or devastation. It did not matter the circumstances, the deeper my pain the sweeter her comfort. The comfort of her presences spoke volumes, often without words.

While Mom was my loving and faithful comforter, she pointed me to the ultimate comforter that said to His people, “I [God] will comfort you.” As a young girl, I didn’t have a deep understanding of God. However, I did understand the concept of comfort. I knew how comfort felt. I experienced the presence of comfort and found it to be a protective wrapping of unconditional love that created an atmosphere to soothed, calmed, and restored. Just how it happened I cannot explain, but I knew when comfort came. It is amazing how one comforting mother can change their child’s world. Yet, the ultimate comforter goes a supernatural step further and not only gives that temporary comfort but can bring comfort throughout eternity.

Aren’t you amazed and relieved mothers that the Almighty God chooses to partner with us in bringing sweet comfort to us and our children now and forever more?

Pastor Ruth Kaunley