Gaining Strength

The book of Acts records a time when the Apostle Paul saw that a man had faith to be healed.  What did he see?  How did he see it?

Listen to the message entitled Seeing Faith, previously recorded at The Orchard Bible Study in Milton, Delaware.

My friend Kimberly, a former hospice chaplain and widow, joins me today to offer hope to those who find themselves in the tumultuous waves of grief. 

Kimberly referred to Grief Share as a possible connection for helping you walk through grief. https://www.griefshare.org/ 

She also shared Scripture references. Use the links below to access those verses digitally. 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+2%3A12-13&version=NKJV  Job 2:12-13 highlight for us the gravity of grief and how our friends may help us simply by their presence. 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A4&version=NKJV Matthew 5:4  Cheryl referred to where Jesus teaches that those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted.   Open your heart and receive His comfort.  

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations+1%3A2&version=NKJV Kimberly shared how even God grieved. Even though we are taught in Scripture not to complain, God never said not to lament.  

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+84%3A3&version=NKJV Psalm 84:3 helped Kimberly to realize the tender love of God for her, how He longs for us to draw near to Him and shelter under His wings.

"You just keep living until you are alive again," is a quote from a scene in the PBS series Call the Midwife.

We marvel at the transformation of insects.  There is something so encouraging about a worm becoming the lithe creature we call a butterfly. It gives us hope that we too can be transformed.  The hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the hope of transformation, that we personally be transformed . . . and then what? Bringing transformation to others and to the world around us.

There are about 435,000 missionaries serving Jesus in the field today.  77% of them are working in areas that are considered reached. Less than 3% are working among unreached people groups . . . . Pray!

There are 7,900,000,000 people on the planet, of them about two thirds DO NOT KNOW JESUS. . . . Pray!

Jesus asks us to pray for more laborers, "And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.  Luke 10:2 

They must be sent.  We must pray and be willing to give their ministries and be willing to go help bring in the harvest.

Many important statistics can be found here:  http://www.thetravelingteam.org/stats

An encouraging website (mentioned in the podcast) showing live data of decisions for Christ and those searching for discipleship materials is here  https://witnesstoall.com/

When God calls us to a particular work, He promises His Presence will be with us.

This message, as well as many others on Gaining Strength, was edited from a previous message delivered at The Orchard Bible Study. To hear the message in its entirety go to www.theorchardministry.org

I often refer to P. Bill and P. Carl.  These are spiritual fathers in the faith that regularly teach at The Orchard Bible Study.  They are Pastor Bill Sammons, Sr. and Pastor Carl Vincent.

How do you process anger? Is it possible for anger to be productive? Even Jesus got angry.  What are we to do with anger?

Reveal . . . God wants to reveal Himself to you.  Listen as Cheryl shares how this happens and how it can impact our purpose in life.

We are each in the process of being renovated.  In this message today Cheryl speaks about a much deeper process of renewing . . . getting rid of fear.