Have you ever experienced a crisis in your life? Maybe the death of a loved one? A loss of a job? Loss of a child? Was there someone there for you that brought you comfort, offered up prayers, maybe even provided meals for you? How did that make you feel? Did you feel loved and cared for? I always love to see how the body of Christ (and even non-believers) step up when crisis hits someone they know.
Today, I want to talk to you about the person or family that seems to be in a long long battle. Maybe someone dealing with a terminal illness, or chronic pain with no relief in sight. Maybe it's someone facing persecution because of their faith? What are you to do? Do you have any responsibility in this? Are you to pray for them? Are you to provide a meal? Are you to offer up whatever they need? And if so, for how long?
The Spirit put two main things on my heart regarding this. One is the marriage vow and another a Scripture. Have you ever looked at the marriage vow and let the words sink in?
I, (name), take you (name), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part
God calls us His Bride. If we are the bride of Christ? Wouldn't this "vow" apply to how we respond to fellow believers? Are we to love God and love others - for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from the day we invite Jesus into our heart, until He takes us home?
Here's what the Bible says about that:
Therefore you must immediately put on, as chosen and beloved saints of God, hearts, inner thoughts of compassion, generosity, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other... and upon all of these, love, which is the bond of perfection. (Emphasis mine) Colossians 3:12-13, 14 One New Man Bible
The Amplified Bible says it even better: Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper] Be gentle and forbearing with one another... And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony] (Emphasis mine)
The marriage vow is about two people, man and woman making a covenant, a promise, a commitment to love each other until death do they part. The disciple, a believer makes a covenant with God, a promise to love Him and is committed to learning and growing into maturity, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). In return, God makes covenant with us that He will never leave us or forsake us. He will guide us and direct us in the way we should go. What does a marriage vow and a disciple of Christ have in common: "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35
God wired us all with a deep rooted need to be loved and to love, to be known and to know. There are many people hurting right now who need to know that God still cares about them. They need to feel loved and not rejected and most of all not judged. That just means, please don't be like Job's friends who assumed his suffering was due to sin.
We covet your prayers - prayers for endurance, healing, provision, God's love to overtake us and however else the Lord leads.
Friday 8/31 - we will be hosting a Shelf Reliance Food Tasting Show - email me for time and details michele@wantinsight.com http://kerryblack.shelfreliance.com. Check out the website. Great tasting, economical 25 year shelf life food. Come check it out if you are interested in learning more. Call (913)980-2059 Kerry Black if you want to order before the show.
If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support us financially, here's how you can. Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling.
Ken and I love to pray for folks who need a touch from the Lord - with words of encouragement, words of knowledge and a healing touch. If you are someone in need, please let us know. We also have a passion to activate and influence believers to walk in radical obedience to a fun and wonderful God! There is just nothing like it!
If you are interested in Ken and I coming to minister to you, your small group or church, please give us a call. We would be delighted to!
God Bless YOU -
Ken & Michele Cole
http://www.wantinsight.com
michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com
1. https://www.hhmin.org/make_donation_projects.php, select Ministry Projects, then use drop down box Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight?
2. Or you can donate through my medical account, select Medical Projects, then Michele Cole.
2. Or you can donate through my medical account, select Medical Projects, then Michele Cole.
(any donations made through HH is anonymous..so if you want us to know, please let us know).
3. You can donate through our Donor Fund at National Christian Foundation:
3. You can donate through our Donor Fund at National Christian Foundation:
5. If you purchase any product from www.bulkfoodinvesting.com or www.preparetheway.com, we will receive a percentage back.
6. Send check to our home. Please contact us for our address.
6. Send check to our home. Please contact us for our address.
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