“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” 1 Timothy 1:12
When we read these words it is good to stop and consider all that he had been through by this time in his life. He’d been persecuting the believers and then was brought to his knees and now was a believer and giving thanks for where he is on his journey. We should all be thankful for where God has brought us, without the hardships Paul experienced; shipwrecks, beatings and imprisoned. Our Heavenly Father has placed us here for His reason to accomplish something that we have been prepared to do. We can help to prepare this young student for his service to our Lord by providing our time, talents, treasures and prayers. Seventy five cents will provide this meal for these three young men. This week as you sit down with you family and give thanks, please prayerfully consider sharing with others a portion of your excess. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘O Faithful God, thanks be to Thee’ that were written by Nikolaus Selnecker in 1572.
“O faithful God, thanks be to Thee, Who dost forgive iniquity. Thou grantest help in sin's distress, and soul and body dost Thou bless. Thy servant now declares to me: "Thy sins are all forgiven thee. Depart in peace, but sin no more and e'er My pardoning grace adore." O Lord, we bless Thy gracious heart, for Thou Thyself dost heal our smart through Christ, our Savior's precious blood, which for the sake of sinners flowed. Give us Thy Spirit, peace afford now and forever, gracious Lord. Preserve to us till life is spent Thy holy Word and Sacrament.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay