Friday, September 29, 2017

21 days

When I sat down this evening to work on getting an email update out I realized that it has been almost a full month since I had sent anything other than a brief Facebook post out. As I reflected on the events that transpired this month I didn't really know where to begin. I look at the response of our faith family over the last 21 days and I am truly impressed. From those who have dedicated their time to sorting supplies, serving in the kitchen, or folding clothing to those who have shed both blood and sweat to clear yards and clean up houses. God has equipped and gifted his church for this moment.

To put this in a different perspective as of Thursday volunteers from First Baptist Islamorada have been able to touch the lives of over 550 families from Key Largo to Key West. We have been given unprecedented access to be the hands and feet of our Savior to our neighbors. We don't need to preach at them or pound them over the head with our Bibles to introduce them to Jesus. We need to pray with them and for them. We need to meet their needs in such a way that they see Christ in us. When we take the time to listen to their stories or go out of our way to meet an unexpected need God is glorified and His name is exalted.

My prayer for each of you is one of endurance and strength. ~ O that the favor of the LORD my God may be upon me; prosper the work of my hands upon me; yes, establish the work of my hands. Save me, I pray, O LORD! O Lord, I pray, give me success! (Psalm 90:17; Psalm 118:25)

Friday, September 01, 2017

The End is Just the Beginning

This week as we wrap up our study of the Minor Prophets, we spend our time studying the last two chapters of Malachi and by canonical placement the last two chapters of the Old Testament. I find it interesting that the last word of the Old Testament is "curse". That word is the word ḥērem in Hebrew and means appointed to utter destruction. Think about that. If the Bible ended there. If the story was over with that verse would there have been any hope? 

Doesn't appear like it, thankfully the Bible doesn't end there and the story continues the final chapters reveal what we knew to be true from the very beginning, God wins. But more than that the way he ends is spectacular. 

The New Testament was written largely in Greek vs the Hebrew of the Old Testament but we see in 

Revelation 22:3 a promise that every good Jew would have picked up on right away. It says "and there will no longer be any curse". What hope! What joy we should find in this! Because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross the curse we had been under since Adam, this appointment to utter destruction has been voided for those washed by the blood of the Lamb of God. 

What a glorious promise! One day every tear will be wiped away, there will be no more pain, there will be no more death or destruction. We will bask in the glory of the King of Kings and LORD of Lords praising him glorifying his name for all eternity. What a glorious promise! 

See ya Sunday!