"Pearls"

"Satisfying the Longings of our Hearts"

Jeremiah 31:14: “My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.”
God's plan for each of us is clear. He wants us to experience His goodness in our lives. God's love, kindness and goodness is the only thing that really satisfies. May you experience His goodness in your life.
PRAYER: Lord, You satisfy the longings of my heart. Come and fill me up and may I experience Your goodness today

"Practical Christianity"

Christianity must be practical. Two children were afraid they would be late for school. One said, "Let's kneel down and pray to God that He may help us not to be late."
The other child offered a more practical solution: "No, let's run and pray at the same time."
--Unknown

"The Lord Will Provide"

Abraham christened the anonymous mountaintop, not by a name that reminded him or others of his trial, but by a name that proclaimed God's deliverance. He did not say anything about his agony or about his obedience. God spoke about that, not Abraham. Abraham did not want these to be remembered, but what he desired to hand on to later generations was what God had done for him. Oh, dear friends, is that the way in which we look back on life? Many a bare, bald mountaintop in your career and mine we have names for. Are they names that commemorate our sufferings -- or God's blessings? When we look back on the past, what do we see? Times of trial or times of deliverance?... as we look back on our past lives and see many a peak gleaming in the magic light of memory, let us name them all by names that will throw a radiance of hope on the unknown and unclimbed difficulties before us and say, as the patriarch did when he went down from the mount of his trial and deliverance, "The Lord Will Provide."
-- Alexander Maclaren

Hurts Increase During Hard Economic Times

Everyone is feeling the effects of the declining and uncertain economy. This includes our church budgets! I know as a missionary, one of the first things we consider in order to save money is cutting back on missions. It is vital that we participate with God and His heart for the lost of the world. Giving is a faith step trusting God to provide. Our wants and needs have been tested these times of plenty. We have satisfied our homes and families with the abundance of things and stuff. Yet the issues of hard times must be faced with practicality. Don't cut off the source of God's help and blessing in your church or in your lives.

1. When the economy is struggling people in your church and community are hurting.
They are facing the possibility of losing their jobs, their homes, or struggling just to pay their monthly bills. They can feel hopeless and defeated.

2. History has proven that during times like these the number of people turning to addictions and compulsions greatly increases.

When people are hurting, they turn to anything to numb the pain. They start abusing alcohol, drugs, food, sex, gambling, and one another.

3. In the United States, there are already 18 million alcoholics, 4 million drug addicts, 16 million sex addicts, and 4 million addicted to food.

The list goes on and on. These numbers are only going to increase during the months to come!
We know the only true and lasting answer for those feeling hopeless and defeated is to turn to Jesus Christ! But how does your church reach out to those in your congregation and community that are struggling? There is an answer and bringing Jesus to the deepest longings of your community, your family, and to your heart is the key issues involved. Lord help us through our deepest needs and hardest hurts with your help.