“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.” Acts 2:38-39
Back in the day of my childhood when the snowflakes began to fall and pile up in the evening with the wind howling there was one thing known and one thing unknown to me. In the morning, I would be helping my mom scoop the drive. Hopefully there would be enough snow so there would be no school, and I could earn a few dollars scooping drives and sidewalks for the neighbors. I took this photo near Tibourn, Haiti before the winds and rains. The children in this school will not be there tomorrow because if the wind didn’t destroy this structure the storm surge did; no school for them. These young souls and their parents will prayerfully wake up tomorrow and wonder how long it will be before their school will resume. In 2016 Hurricane Matthew brought destruction to the Christians and to the vodou followers. The difference is our brothers and sisters in Christ have HOPE and vodou followers only have despair and hopelessness. Please pray for Christians in Haiti when these destructive hurricanes hit. As they rebuild homes, churches, and schools, may their HOPE filled witness bring lost souls to ask about the reason for their HOPE. Jesus…it’s all about Jesus. 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
(written the day after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti in 2016)