Family Focused
Pembroke First Baptist’s mission is to minister to the whole family.
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Mic 4:2
I will remember the works of the LORD: Surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. Ps 77:11
There are times in life when we all get down. We have times when joy and happiness are nowhere to be found. There are times when the Polly Anna, who always look for the good in things, is gone from our soul and our mouth can only complain, or at best become silent. The scripture passage reminds us to “remember the works of the LORD.” The psalmist was in distress, he seemed filled with hopelessness and helplessness, he became overwhelmed with complaints. Yet as he is poured out his complaints that he would only seek comfort only from the LORD (vs. 2), he stops himself. He stops crying and calling out his self-absorbed complaints to redirect his focus beyond himself to say, “I will remember the works of the LORD, yes, I will remember Thy wonders of old.” He remined himself of what God had done in the past, His faithfulness to His people (vs. 14-15), and soon his petitions and complaints turn to praise and adoration. When the psalmist lifted his eyes from of himself to look to the Lord “from whence comes my help” (Ps 121:1), he concluded that the ways of God are holy and proclaimed, “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: Who is so great a God as our God” (vs. 13). My friend, the best ways to turn our thoughts around when we are tempted to doubt, distress, and complain is to remember how God has faithfully cared and provided in the past. Recall the times when He provided miraculously. Remember the times that He resolved an issue that seemed impossible or delivered through a time of extreme trial. Dear friend, as we recall and remember God’s answers to prayer, our hearts are encouraged by the evidence of His power, the evidence of His presence, and His lovingkindness toward us that we may go forward with renewed praise, renewed thanksgiving, and greater confidence and faith to trust His everlasting faithfulness. Take a moment, “count your many blessings, name them one by one” and soon your heart will overflow and out of your lips will flood rivers of praise. Father thank You for Your love and faithfulness. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isa 6:1.
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
I pray that your worship was Spirit filled and strengthening as you gathered with the saints around the word of God. God is faithful to receive the worship and praise of His children in the Name of His Son, Jesus. God is present with us in worship and work. When you put your faith and trust in Christ, God will meet all your need. God blesses His children out of His great love and draws us near to Him to bring our wants and desires in line with His will. His will is always for you and not against you. The scripture passage is a promise that God will never forsake those who seek Him. He will provide for our financial, physical, and spiritual needs. It is God’s great delight to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He is the Eternal God, Mighty in Power, everlasting in love, endless in strength, eternally faithful, and Creator of all things. He delivers to set the captives free. He is Living Water to those who thirst, Bread to those that hunger, Friend to the lonely, Light to those who are in darkness, disoriented, and confused. He is present, ready, and able to be the All and Everything to His children. God delights in being even more generous to us than we are to Him. God recognizes and rewards our hard work when we are generous in our giving of finances, talents, and our time to further the gospel and His kingdom. We can’t out-give God! The Holy Spirit expressed great delight and joy to the Philippians saints for abundantly and generously providing for the needs of Apostle Paul while in prison. The church at Philippi helped him when no one else did. He was thankful and “rejoiced in the Lord greatly” (Php 4:10). My friend, are you aware of how God is meeting your needs? Has He kept sickness and illness from your home? Give Him praise! Has He delivered you through illness, sufferings, troubles, and pain? Give Him praise! He provides you with family, fitness, finances, and food. Give Him praise! He surrounds you with a supportive church who prays with you, prays for you, and solicits your prayers? They care for you and are concerned for your wellbeing. Rejoice and give Him praise! God is able to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” So dear friend, rejoice in God’s faithfulness, “rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice” (Php 4:4). In His great joy you shall know the peace of God and He “shall keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus…and the God of peace shall be with you” (Php 4:7-9). Father thank you for Your love and the peace that only You supply. I give You praise! In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.