a few words of encouragement...

Regardless of our circumstances, I hope we are all having a great week because we have a great God.

For those of you who are going through a difficult time, take heart!

• If you are facing financial difficulty, recall God’s words when He said, “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it’” (Malachi 3:10). The same God who challenged the Israelites in the Old Testament challenges us today. God sees your situation. Don’t hoard. At the same time, be wise with how you spend.
  
• If you are facing emotional difficulty, recall that it is written, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). As Ed Welch, one of my favorite Westminster professors, used to say, “There are two types of people: Those who cry out to God and those who cry in their beds.” Let’s be the former, my brothers and sisters!

Overall, remember that God is in control. Nothing is a problem. He is God. He is sovereign over rebellion (think: Jonah), sin (think: Joseph), and world events (think: Esther). Even though we do not know what’s going to happen or when, we can trust God. Finally, God promises to fill us with joy and peace and overflow us with hope (Romans 15:13, paraphrased). All He commands us to do is to trust Him. So put God first. Trust Him to keep His promises. He is faithful. He is able. He is willing.

For those of you who are going through a memorable week, may God continue to overflow you with His blessings! However, in your comfort, do not forget God or those around you. Remember the greatest commandment in all that you do today: “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Be blessed and be a blessing!