Remembering Reese, Audrey & Luke

Happy Friday to you all!

Father, You know very well that today, October 15, is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It's not fair for all these families-mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters to go through the tragedy of losing a child, losing someone that they haven't even gotten to know yet. Their personalities haven't formed. They won't be running around the house getting in trouble just like their siblings. It's not fair. I don't understand. I pray peace for those who have lost babies. I know they're running around in Heaven having the time of their lives they never knew existed. Love on them, Lord, because we can't. I ask for your comfort and your love on these families. I know they have their days. Anyone who experiences loss have days where they're not okay. They'll throw things and scream and just weep. Let them know that You are with them.

You said in your Word,

"Jesus said,

'Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them,

for the Kingdom of Heaven

belongs to such as these.'"

Matthew 19:14

"I will never leave you,

nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5(b)

They are with you Father--happy, healthy, and whole. Thank You.

Now Father, I ask your comfort. My worries and stress levels are up. Lord, you know the situation and I ask you to give me a sense that things are okay. I feel as if my world is pure chaos. I need you. I trust you. Let me see you.

I love you Father. Thank you.

Amen.

Satisfied

I am very blessed in my life, but sometimes I overlook that fact. I shouldn't complain about what's going wrong in my life, because I am blessed. I should be satisfied with all that my life is. I should be satisfied because God is my Rock and my Father. And at the youth's Sunday night service today, our speaker, Whitney, blessed us with a word from Philippians.

"Dear friends, you always followed

my instructions when I was with you.

And now that I am away,

it is even more important.

Work hard to show the results of your salvation,

obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

(Here's where Whitney took it from)

Do everything without complaining and arguing,

so that no one can criticize you.

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,

shining like bright lights

in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Hold firmly to the word of life;

then, on the day of Christ's return,

I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain

and that my work was not useless.

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life,

pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,

just like your faithful service is an offering to God.

And all I want of you to share that joy.

Yes, you should rejoice,

and I will share your joy.

Philippians 2:12-18

Dr. David Moore of the Arkansas Baptist Association (I think) spoke at my church this morning. Wonderful message. He spoke on generosity. We should be generous to those less fortunate that us. In taking notes this morning, I got 4 points.

1. See a need, fill a need. - There's a animated movie called "Robots". All-star cast includes Robin Williams, Amanda Bynes, Greg Kinnear, Halle Berry, Drew Carey, and many more. But there's a robot who grows up idolizing his hero, always wanting to move to the big city to work with him to make people's lives easier for them. "See a need" If you see something that needs to be done, a problem that needs to be solved--"Fill a need"--do something about it. Don't just sit there doing nothing keeping to yourself.

2. Surrender to the Lord. - David mentioned that the word surrender doesn't mean submit (aka, letting it happen), but to give it all up. He mentioned the verse in Matthew 16:25,

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

3. Listening to the Holy Spirit. - Psalm 46:8-11

"Come and see the works of the Lord,

the desolations that he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

He burns the shields with fire.

'Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.'

The Lord Almighty is with us;

The God of Jacob is our Fortress."

4. Experience the joy of giving. - Giving away your time is important, God will bless you with more when you give your time and talents away.

That's all I really have today.

Lord, bless these readers with all that You are. You are amazing and You are for us. And if You are for us, who can be against us? Zeph. 3:17 I pray your love on this week. Thank you. Amen.