Teachings from the Pulpit Part 5

Well another Sunday come and gone and there is always so much amazing stuff to share! This month we are focusing on Adventus - the arriving. This week Pastor Mike talked about hope. Hope is the belief that events will turn out for the best. Hope from God is built on a promise - a promise that He has what's best in store for us and that we need to be looking towards his everlasting promise. God has promised His children the nations and everlasting life.

This is going to be a really random post, but here we go... The time and dates of everything in our life in the future are for God to know, but for us to keep hope for - for His plans are great and far beyond our expectations. In the midst of darkness and sadness - God gives us the hope and the strength to get us through. And Jesus walks among us even today by the miracles of life, prayers being answered, people being healed, friendships being restored, families brought back together, and relationships mended. It may not always be the way we hope it would be - but it will always be God's best for us. And there is nothing that can cover the loneliness, sin, and brokenheartedness of everyday life and pain except for the unwavering hope and love of Christ. For, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:3-5

Also, in my daily devotional reading I came across a great passage that was too perfect and wonderful to not pass on. Do you ever wonder why some people go through more trials and difficulties than others? I know for me that it sometimes seems that others have always been far more blessed than I have, and I find myself wondering and questioning God as to why I have to hurt or struggle or fight for things in life more than other people have. Well, I found my answer last night and it was perfect timing for my life. In "Steams in the Desert" it says, "great character is made not through luxurious living but through suffering. And the world does not forget people of Great character. . . "

"Someday God is going to reveal this fact to every Christian: the very things they now rebel against are the instruments He has used to perfect their character and to mold them into perfection, so they can later be used in His heaven to come."

And last but not least, "The great objective of life is character, for it is the only thing we can carry with us into eternity. And gaining as much of the highest character possible is the purpose of our trials."

God bless you all and have a wonderful night! I hope this made some sense to you! :-)