If ever world news has reminded us of our great need for the Lord, surely this weekend was one of those times. We watched the TV screen as reports unfolded, our hearts – as many of yours – filled with such shock, sadness, and grief.
I sat wondering how do we all make sense of it all? And what are we to do?
My thoughts turned this morning to Scriptures I had read over the weekend:
- “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) May we keep doing what the Lord has called us to do – in our own backyards. The WORLD needs Jesus desperately.
- “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17) In this verse, we are reminded of our own mortality and God’s eternity. In one verse. Our work is here on this earth. Our lives are fleeting as we are reminded – we are but dust. Yet in our mortality, we can be the instrument God uses to cause changes for eternity. May we pray for Him to use us and establish the work He has called us to do.
While reading, I heard myself humming and in paying attention to my hum, the words began to run through my head …
If we’ve ever needed You, Lord, it’s now, Lord, it’s now,
We are desperate for Your hand, we’re reachin’ out, we’re reachin’ out.All our hearts, all our strength,
With all our minds, we’re at Your fate,
May Your Kingdom come, in our hearts and lives,
Let Your Church arise, let Your Church arise!(lyrics from “If We’ve Ever Needed You” by Casting Crowns)
Our hope has been and will continue to be found in Christ.
Yes, may His Church arise in His love and in His truth.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story.
Perfect days in which to pray the Lord’s prayer over our hurting world. I always think of those words as an invitation for God to use me in whatever way He needs to so that this world can be brought a little closer to what He dreamed . . .
Yes, Michele, such a wise thought. May we invite God to use us in these days we are living.
Our labor in the Lord is not in vain – yes, thanks for that reminder. When things like this past weekend happen, you feel overwhelmed. What can anyone do? Just keep what you are doing and do it more and more!
Jerralea, you make such a good point. May we live out our faith in increasing measure each day. Glad you shared!
Wow! This song has been on my mind lately, too. The words began in my memory and then turned into the song being sung. Yes, surely, Lord, we need you now and with all that our world is facing lately, it’s so apparent. Please that He would use our days to make this truth evident to others. Thanks for sharing Joanne!
Bethany, it is amazing how a song returns to us all to remind us of what we truly need, what is of the utmost importance, and cause us to desire to be used in reaching out to others.
Amen, Joanne. His light and love can defeat darkness. Holding fast to that with you. Visiting from #testimonytuesday today.
Tiffany, may we all continue to encourage one another to hold fast to His truth. We have never needed Him more. And we need one another as well. Blessings!
Joanne,
I love that song by Casting Crowns…and so encouraged by the scripture in 1 Corinthians. It gives me hope that God can redeem this world one person at a time. This gives me strength to carry on with our ministry in the Middle East…if there ever was a time and place for the love of Jesus Christ – it’s now. Thank you for the encouragement I needed today.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I so enjoyed your interview with Holly. It was amazing to hear how God brought this all about in your life. May we each do what we have been called to do – for the world is in desperate need of Him. Blessings!
You can hear Bev’s interview here >> http://hollybarrett.org/2016/06/lrl-047-bev-rihtarchik.html
Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of this terrible shooting. May they find comfort even in their sorrow. I suppose the young shooter believed he was doing God’s work in bringing judgment to the gay community. It is a sad time for all.
Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story – – and for the lovely song.
Hazel, may God show each of us how to be a light in the midst of the darkness and hurt in the world.