Recently I heard a politician say, “White people don’t know what it means to be poor!” I surely didn’t grow up rich and neither did Cheryl. I guess we both would have been raised in the lower class. The irony is neither of us grew up thinking about being rich or poor. Our parents provided what they could but we in no way were raised with money! In the Lord’s sovereign grace He provided for us and blessed us and continues to do so at this very moment! At the age of sixteen things changed for me! I became a wealthy teenager. When the Lord saved me He gave a bountiful inheritance, the riches of Christ Jesus my Lord! The Apostle Paul grew up with the finest of Jewish privilege. He thought he had it all! Then he met Jesus and realized he was truly a poor man and not a genuinely rich man. He put it this way in Philippians 3:8, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Now that’s wealth! I trust you understand what I am saying. Wealth for Christians is not measured in dollars and cents but in our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we understand this it is easy to see why Paul penned Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” So then, I am rich, rich in Christ Jesus my Lord and so are you! Consider this healthy reminder from Paul in Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Psalm 50:10 will bless you, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” Wow!
Our Easter Celebration is just over one week away. Our prayers are crucial if we are to see the Lord work among us and in those around us. Zechariah 4:6 says, “… Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Prayer works because God has promised to hear us when we cry out to Him! I believe the Lord is working among us in the area of prayer. Our Sunday evening SESSION has been packed for the past two Sunday evenings. Striving in prayer is not easy! Try praying and you will soon agree with me. My point is this. Pray every day for our services. Pray with your families. Pray at work with other believers. Pray for their services with them. Pray for those you intend to bring with you to the Easter Celebration. They will no doubt thank you for it. Lord, teach us to pray!
Let me close with this good word. God is faithful! I have struggled this week with brothers and sisters who are experiencing tough times. As I have prayed, the Lord has reminded me that HE alone is our strength and refuge! He is at work! Get alone with the Lord and share with Him your deepest burdens. When people won’t listen, He will! Cry out in your weakness; He will be your strength! Paul highlights this truth in 2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Keep your eyes on the Lord; you belong to Him and He belongs to you!
Worshiping a Risen Lord!