East End

1-27-08

Text: Hebrews 4:15, 16
O happy day! Have you ever had a day that was going great and then all of the sudden it comes to a screeching halt? Maybe it was a incident that happened or maybe even a phone call. Noah woke up this morning around 5:00 and so I got up and let Diana sleep and Noah and I had a great hour together before it was time for him to eat. He was smiling at me and not even crying. Then I went in Diana and I prayed together and had a great conversation while Noah was being fed. We both took time just to tell God how much we love Him and thank Him for what He is doing in our life. We were both in what I described two weeks ago as a "disgustingly happy mood." But then things changed a little. It was getting close to time to take Eli to the babysitter and break the news that this would be her last week watching Eli. Angie loves Eli as if he was her own child and has done a remarkable job watching him and we knew it was going to devastate her. And sure enough when we were talking you could see her eyes get red like she was going to cry and Diana and I wanted to cry for her because it was breaking our hearts to. But she understood and we got through it and I have recommended her to several people I know because she truly does love kids and watching them. And as I took Diana back home before coming to the office she and I talked some more and we know that we are doing God's will and we fully believe that God is even going to bless Angie and her family and so our moods began to improve again. I tell you all of this so that you can understand this week's text. Jesus is our High Priest. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that He sympathizes with our weaknesses because He was tempted just as we are. This shows how personal of a God we serve! When we hurt, He hurts because He has been there. No Jesus never had a find a babysitter, but He was grieved when someone close to Him left Him. If you need proof, go to the shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35. Jesus felt the same emotions that we feel. It is comforting to know that my God understands what I am going through. But not only that, He has the answer to whatever problem I am having. There is no better best friend than one who sympathizes with you during trials, but then can give you the answers you need so that you can climb the mountain again! I love verse 16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." I can go to God know matter what emotion I may be feeling and express it to Him and know that I will obtain mercy and find grace. Diana and I's hearts still go out to Angie because I know she loves Eli, but I also know that God is working all of this out for the good of everyone. How do I have this confidence? I have it because I believe that everything contained in the Bible is God breathed and is 100% true. Therefore when I read Jeremiah 29:11 or Romans 8:28 or Hebrews 13:5 I know that what is said will come to pass. We don't have to live in fear anymore, we can instead live in victory because Jesus didn't just die, He rose from the grave and now the very one who died for us is sitting at the right hand of God on His throne and is gently saying, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you an learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-30). I know and can say with confidence that better days lay ahead for my family and I as well as Angie and her family, not because we deserve it, but rather because God loves us just that much. Don't you want a friend like that? If by chance someone who does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior reads this and says "yes I want a friend like that." I want to encourage you, you can have Him if you will just ask Him into your heart. If you need to know how to do that please feel free to contact me through the website www.eastendchurch.com or call me here at church. There is no greater joy than to share the name of Jesus, the name above every name with someone and know that He is their friend just like He is mine! I pray you all have a great week and that God blesses you in ways that you can't imagine!