| Good Morning Everyone, Our theme for this month: “The power of hope” Our Bible verse for today: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (CSB) Our thought for today: “You take care of His business and He will take care of yours.” In 1 Peter 5:6-7 Peter tells us we can and should cast all our cares upon Jesus because He cares for us. In Matthew 6:25-33 Jesus told us that the Father Himself is aware of our needs and will provide for us as necessary if we will just seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. In other words, we’re free to focus on God’s work instead of on our own needs because He’s got our back. While we’re taking care of His business, He’s taking care of ours. In what ways does He do that? What’s the actual method and the practical means by which He delivers that care and provision? Sometimes by miraculous intervention, but more often through the obedient service of other Christians. I remember a great example of this from a few years ago which happened in our own church. Oak Hill Baptist is an “Acts 1:8” church. We’re a service-oriented church who is on-mission with Jesus to share the Good News in both word and deed (especially in deed). We do a lot of humanitarian relief work. On the day I’m referring to, we were having a discussion and planning to meet some special needs within our own congregation. We also briefly discussed our plans for upcoming ministry projects with our partners in Cumberland County, and in our state, and in Kentucky, Haiti, and the Amazon Jungle of Peru. But most of our focus in this particular discussion was about how we could bless our own people with help and hope. As I sat there listening to that discussion, I remembered how much hope and encouragement our previous acts of similar aid in the past had brought to those on the receiving end, and I knew that the things being discussed would have a similar impact. I felt blessed and privileged to be associated with a group of Christians who were so focused on serving others in need. I still do. As Christians, we are the hands and feet of Christ in our world today. It’s through His followers that the hungry are fed, the homeless are housed, the sick are visited, the elderly assisted, etc. God works through his people to help those who don’t yet know Jesus, but first we are to take care of each other. We have a responsibility to care for those in the family of God, as well as those who don’t yet know Jesus. This brings me back to my point about how the truth of 1 Peter 5:6-7 becomes a reality in the lives of Christians. We have the security of knowing that we’re part of a loving, compassionate community of believers who care for those in need. Yes, we will serve others outside the church, but we will especially take care of our church family. If the local church is doing its job, then every Christian should have the hope and assurance that when we are in need, there will be brothers and sisters to lend assistance. Yes, cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you – and more often than not He will deliver that care by means of other Christians. You take care of God’s business and He will take care of yours. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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