“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off; for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Acts 2:38-40
This is Labor Day weekend in the U.S. and it typically signifies the end of summer vacations and the beginning of football and volleyball season. My youngest daughter requested me to smoke a pork butt this weekend as she would like my pulled pork for her birthday. I don’t recall celebrating this holiday while living in Haiti as this was just ‘another day’ on their calendar. This year school is supposed to begin on Monday and I want to ask you to pray that Hurricane Irma will not disrupt those plans and may the children return to school. I also ask you to keep all those living in TX, MS and LA who have been affected by Harvey. There are thousands volunteers working in waste deep water and thousands displaced and living in shelters who won’t be celebrating this Labor Day. No matter what the challenge in our lives, fierce storms, cancer, physical challenges, marital problems or some form addiction that may be attacking us…Jesus is with us. In Him we place our trust and call upon our Heavenly Father to comfort those people who don’t have that Blessed Assurance that by the Grace of God we have and find peace that surpasses all human understanding. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus’ that were written by Frances R. Havergal in 1874.
“I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, trusting only Thee; trusting Thee for full salvation, great and free. I am trusting Thee for pardon; at Thy feet I bow, for Thy grace and tender mercy, trusting now. I am trusting Thee for cleansing in the crimson flood; trusting Thee to make me holy by Thy blood. I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead, ev'ry day and hour supplying all my need. I am trusting Thee for power; Thine can never fail. Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me must prevail. I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; never let me fall. I am trusting Thee forever and for all.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay