What to do with Suffering

 I have permission to share this story, read below:

I recently experienced some of the worst suffering I had ever experienced before in my life.  It was so bad, at one time I was crying so hard someone had to help me to set down so I would not fall.  I do not believe I could even put into words the thoughts and feelings I experienced so I will not even try.  Through this suffering a very interesting thing happened.  Many prayers I have prayed (some for years and some only for months) were answered.  Some of these included a restored relationship and a person growing closer to Christ.  This experience was the most painful and amazing experience.

This person saw before their eyes the story of the cross coming to life.  They saw deep suffering, death and destruction and then resurrection and a new life.  Someone may ask, "So God allowed this person to go through so much suffering to answer their prayers?".  Some may say, "Why would God allow such things?".

The truth is the same truth as with the story of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.  The death and destruction was caused by sin by humans and the resurrection and new life was from God's miraculous power of grace, healing and salvation.  Pay attention to your life.  Give God your sufferings and God will show you and allow you to experience the grace, healing and wonder of a new life.   

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:1, NIV

Give God Your Story

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to give God your story.

To give God your past, present and future.

To do this many times we have to look at things we want to ignore and trust God with all the hurts.....

with all the questions...

with what we want for ourselves...

and make peace with knowing God's path may be different.

For a Christ follower that may be having a difficult time with this I would remind them that it is not about you...it is all about Christ.  We truly find ourselves when we give ourselves completely to Christ. 

We find the greatest joy and longest lasting peace.

For a person still trying to decide whether to be a Christ follower or not I would say give your story to Christ.  I promise you will not regret the decision. 

God always does amazing things with what we give to Him.  Turns mourning into joy, heartache into peace, boredom into excitement, hopelessness into a life time of purpose.


Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today.  If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Spiritual Mentoring: Guest Post

 

Below is a guest post from our Spiritual Mentoring leader Curtis Preik. This will give you some of the information that will be shared during our next Spiritual Mentoring seminar.

We hope to see you there! 

Things We Believe . . . About People

People were created by God after God's own spiritual image. People are the highest work of God's creation. Being made in the image of God, people have enormous potential for good, but have freely chosen to disobey God and go against God's will for their life. This disobedience and rebellion is called sin, and is an attitude and lifestyle that separates people from God. All individuals suffer from this corruption and are in need of the saving grace of God. People were created to exist forever. They will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. 

What would it be like to have no shame or regrets, to have nothing to hide? To be innocent like Adam and Eve after their creation in the Garden of Eden?

What would it mean for our families, churches, communities, and nations if it were possible to return to this innocence once again?

What is the primary hurdle preventing us from healing broken relationships?

How do we get beyond this hurdle?

Event

Spiritual Mentor/Mentee August Meeting

Saturday, Aug 11, 2012

http://www.mecklenburg.org/upcoming.asp

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

What do you believe is the purpose of life?

What do you believe is the purpose of life?

I know, it is a very big question and one I ask to many different people.

I get a lot of different answers:

To be happy and do good.

To make a positive contribution on the world.

It is different for each person, you just follow your path. 

Recently, I have had two people in my life die.  When I was young I told my parents I wanted to grow up to be one of these people (he had all red vehicles and spent all his time on the lake).  I thought that was what life was about and wanted to emulate that!  The other individual that died was more of a grandmother to me, one that taught the importance of a handwritten thank you note and the value of hard work.  In fact, she never stopped working.  As she was on her deathbed I brought up the topics of God every way I thought I could and she would not speak about the topic.  

So, what do you believe is the purpose of life?  How are we to spend the days we have?

I believe we make life so complicated when it really is simple.  

I also believe the answer to this question is found in the Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes.  

Specifically, Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Go ahead and look it up and see if you agree.   

Life is fleeting and it is important to have peace with the purpose of why you are here on this earth.  Before you spend your days at the lake playing or spend every day working at the office, be sure that is the purpose you are here.

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter: Looking at Salvation

For the past few weeks we have been dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored the topic of Salvation. In case you missed the tweets here they are (hit the scripture links to read the scripture in its entirety):

• For Salvation: We must admit we are sinners and need forgiveness – Romans 3:23

• What Salvation shows: God loved us and showed that love by Christ dying for our sins – Romans 5:8

• Our Choice of Salvation: If we stay in sin we die but if we accept Jesus as our Savior and repent (turn away from sins) we will have eternal life – Romans 6:23

• Steps to Salvation: Confess Christ as Lord, believe he died and God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved – Romans 10: 9 – 10

• Salvation is all about who you call on: Again, it is simple…call on Jesus’ name and be saved –Romans 10: 13

• Don't delay Salvation: Make this Easter special, make Jesus your Lord and Leader today! – Romans 11:36

Application

When reflecting on these reminders about the topic of Salvation we are taught the following:

•  Everyone needs salvation because we have ALL sinned!
• Christ died for us while we were STILL in sin.  God showed such love and mercy toward us all!  It is one thing to die for a friend but to die for someone that is currently rejecting you....that is amazing!
• Sin only brings death, Christ wants to give us life!
• Confession of sin, recognizing Christ died for that sin and belief that God raised him from the dead are necessary for Salvation.
•  Everyone that calls on Christ's name will be SAVED!
• You will never regret making Christ your Lord and Leader!  It is all about this very decision, make this decision for Christ today!

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration! We also hope to see you at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on April 8 http://easteratverizon.org/ 

This is a FREE event and YOU are INVITED!

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter: Looking at Repentance

For the past few weeks we have been dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored the topic of Repentance. In case you missed the tweets here they are (hit the scripture links to read the scripture in its entirety):

• Repentance: Godly sorrow of sin leads to salvation 2 Cor. 7: 10 – 11

• Repentance: to repent means to turn away from sin and turn completely to God Isa. 55: 6-7

• Repentance: the result of repentance is LIFE the result of no repentance is DEATH Ezek. 18: 21-22 

• Repentance: God’s kindness is what leads to repentance Rom. 2:4

• Repentance: God’s wrath will be turned to those who do not repent Rom. 2:5 – 6

• Repentance: If we seek God and turn from sin God with forgive and heal 2 Chron. 7:14   

Application

When reflecting on these reminders about the topic of repentance we are taught the following:

• There is a difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.  Godly sorrow leaves no regrets.
• When we turn to God, God has mercy on us.
• When turning to God and away from sin we are told that NONE of the sin will be remembered by God.  God forgives completely.
• The purpose of God's kindness is to lead us to repentance.  God wants a relationship with you!
• Each person who does not repent will see and feel the wrath of God.  God will repay each person for what they have done.
• Humble yourself, seek after God, turn from sin and pray.  God will forgive and heal! 

Next week we will explore the topic of Salvation.

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter: Jesus' Resurrection

For the next few weeks until Easter we are dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored Jesus' Resurrection. In case you missed the tweets here they are:

• The stone was rolled away, the tomb empty & the women remembered why this was only after being reminded: On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. - Luke 24: 1- 8 (NIV)

• To His disciples he said, don’t be afraid, it is me and do you have anything to eat?  While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. - Luke 24: 36 – 43 (NIV)

• Thomas had to see before he believed, what did Jesus say about those who believe without seeing…Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”  But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20: 24 – 29 (NIV)

• What Jesus had to say after his resurrection (meant for all that believe):  Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matt. 28:  16 - 20 (NIV)

• His believers experienced great Joy and had a desire to praise God – same trademarks of believers today:  When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.  Luke 24: 50 - 53 (NIV)

• Mary Magdalene ran to tell other’s that Jesus was not in the tomb…are you running today to tell the same message? Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20: 1-2 (NIV)

Application

When reflecting on these reminders of Jesus' Resurrection we are taught the following:

• What Jesus says always is the truth.  We need to commit Jesus' words to memory and live from them.
• Jesus experienced all the same feelings/needs as we do (including hunger!).  This meaning Jesus really does understand what we go through daily.
• One of the messages Jesus continually told people was not to be afraid.  Those who believe in Christ and follow Him have nothing to fear.
• Those who believe in Jesus today are blessed!
• As believers we have been charged to make disciples by baptizing in the name of Christ and teaching God's word.
• Trademarks of followers of Christ are Joy and a desire to Praise Him!
• Followers of Christ have a message worthy of some running!  Two-thousand years later the message is still the same.  Jesus is not in a tomb and is ALIVE!
  

Next week will explore the topic of Sin.

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter: Jesus' Death

For the next few weeks until Easter we are dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored Jesus' Death. In case you missed the tweets here they are:

•  Jesus knew he was born to die.  Here are three places he predicted his own death:

• From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.- Matt. 16:21 (NIV)

• When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. - Matt. 17:22 (NIV)

• Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them,“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” Matt. 20:17 - 19 (NIV)

•  The chief priests & Sanhedrin looked for evidence to put Jesus to death but could not find any:

• The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.- Mark 14:55 (NIV)

• Those that were closest to Jesus were the ones that denied and betrayed him:

•  When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”  Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”  Jesus answered, “You have said so.” - Matt. 26: 20 - 25 (NIV)

• “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”  But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. - Matt. 25: 34 - 35 (NIV)

• Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.  But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.  Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”  Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. - Matt. 26: 69 - 75 (NIV)

• Jesus was stripped, hit on the head repeatedly, pierced, spit on, mocked...

• Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.- Matt. 27: 27 - 31 (NIV)

• When He breathed his last, the sun stopped shining and the Centurion knew...

•  It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.  The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.  But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.- Luke 23: 44 - 49 (NIV)

• They made the tomb as secure as they knew how to make sure Jesus' body was not stolen...

•  The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”  “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Matt. 27: 62 - 66 (NIV)

 Application

When reflecting on these reminders of Jesus' death we are taught the following:

• Jesus willingly gave His life for each of us.
• Even Jesus' enemies could not find anything wrong that He did.
• Jesus was betrayed by the ones that knew Him best, who He spent the most time with and He still forgave them.
• The suffering Jesus went through was real, painful and humiliating.
• When Jesus died the Earth knew, His enemies and His believers knew.  When Jesus comes back all will also know.
• Every precaution was taken to ensure Jesus' body would stay in the tomb.  

 Next week will explore Jesus' Resurrection.

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter: Jesus' Life

For the next few weeks until Easter we are dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored Jesus' Life. In case you missed the tweets here they are:

Jesus’ Life: How did his birth come to be? Matthew 1:18 (NIV)

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ Life: What did Jesus say to Satan? Matthew 16:23 (NIV)

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Jesus’ Life: What did Jesus say about the impossible? Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Jesus’ Life: What did the demons beg Jesus for? Mark 5:1-13 (NIV)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”  For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Jesus’ Life: How did Jesus spend his time on earth? Matthew 9:35 (NIV)

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Jesus’ Life: Who did Jesus come for? Mark 2:17 (NIV)

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Application

When reflecting on these reminders of who Jesus was here on this earth we are taught the following:
*Jesus was all man and all God.  The only birth of this kind. 
*Jesus told Satan to get away.  Jesus knew nothing good comes from Satan.
*Jesus reminded us what it is like looking at situations with God - Nothing is Impossible!
*Jesus was begged by demons.  We know who is in complete control!
*Jesus dedicated his life to teaching, pointing people to God and repentance and healing people.
*Jesus came for sinners, he came for all of us.


Next week will explore Jesus' Death.

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter

Today is Ash Wednesday.  This day marks 40 days before Easter (Sundays not included in the count).  Many Christians will choose to refrain from something in honor of the sacrifice Christ made.  This sacrifice is meant to remind us of our sin and what Christ did for us to take care of our sin.  In case you are new to Ash Wednesday, the Biblical meaning of Easter and Christ (or if you are currently exploring these topics) for the next 6 weeks until Easter we will be exploring topics to help you better understand Easter as a whole.  The topics that will be explored will include:

Jesus' Life
Jesus' Death
Jesus' Resurrection
Sin
Repentance
Salvation

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!



Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.