I WON’T LET YOU GO … UNTIL YOU BLESS ME! Many of us are familiar with the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel, the Man, who was really God Himself – all night long. (Genesis 32:25-32) Actually, the Bible states that the Man initiated the wrestling with Jacob, and it lasted until daybreak. And finally when the wrestling match seemed to be at an impasse, God touched Jacob’s hip socket and wrenched it out of place. Ouch! That had to hurt! I heard a nationally known pastor named T.D. Jakes preach about that recently, and what he said really resonated with me. Though not what one wants to hear at first – and what some would not agree with … yet it does make perfect sense. I can look back over our lives and correlate what he said with what has happened through the years. Over and over. So … what did he say? He said that “God will let you get hurt – but it won’t hurt you!” He went on to say that, “God might even hurt you – but it won’t hurt you!” And to top it all off, T.D. Jakes said, “God will even hurt you – to bless you!” Stop … just stop right there! Does any of that make sense to you? All of our lives, we’ve been told that “God is a God of love – and He would never hurt us!” We’re talking two complete different scenarios here. Now stop and think about your life and some of the major hurts and disappointments and even setbacks that you’ve experienced. And think about what has happened later. In so many instances, what seemed to be so very devastating to us at the time, God used as a bridge for us to cross over to something better. Much better. In the process, we learned, oh so much! But why does learning have to be so, so painful? And why do we feel as if everything is being stripped away from us? We often think about Job when we think about things being ripped away from us, don’t we? In comparison, there would be few of us who could say that we’ve lost as much as he did. In addition to all his possessions, which were only material things … he lost his children and his servants and his health. He lost all of his herds - his very livelihood. And he lost those most precious to his heart ~ his family. It all happened so quickly. In a short time, he went from wealthy to impoverished and grief-stricken. Upon hearing the news that his son’s and daughters were dead, Job immediately did an amazing thing. Could I have done the same? I’m not sure. I can only hope that I would. Listen to this – the Bible says, “Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshipped and said, ‘Naked (without possessions) came I (into this world) from my mother’s womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!’ In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:30-22, The Amplified Bible) Yes, I would have fallen to the ground in grief – but would I have worshipped so soon after hearing the news? That would definitely be the best thing any of us could do – for where else is there comfort except being sheltered in the arms of God? Back to this hurting thing … earlier in the chapter you will read where God’s hand of protection and divine favor had been on Job all long – but when Satan comes to see if he can get God to touch all that Job has in a destructive way, God gives Satan permission to do it. Ouch! That would hurt beyond description! But God believed in Job … and if you read the entire record of Job’s testing, you get to the good part at the end. After a time of emotional and physical torture, Job admits to God that he “loathes his words and abhors himself and he repents in dust and ashes.” Then after Job prays for his judgmental friends as God instructed him to … you must hear these words for what they are! “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10) Scripture goes on to reveal that God blessed the later part of Job’s life more than his early years. “After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his son’s sons, even to four generations. So Job died, an old man and full of days.” (Job 42:16-17) Here’s proof, indeed, that sometimes God hurts us – to bless us! I truly believe that God restores all that Satan has stolen from us – plus more! Now, I must get back to Jacob … and back to his hip that was put out of joint. When God did that, Jacob in pain instinctively had to slump against God and lean on Him for support so he wouldn’t fall. But he didn’t let that stop him from continuing to wrestle. When God tells Jacob to let Him go, Jacob boldly replies, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me.” You see, we can fight and we can wrestle with God, but when He hurts us and causes us to cling to Him … finally we are in the place where He’s wanted us all along. Holding us close to Himself, He says, “Now you’re where I want you!” Alright, Lord, I’m done fighting and wrestling … now I’m clinging!!! Hurt me if You must – because I know it won’t hurt me … it will only bless me! May the hurting honor You! (Thanks to T.D. Jakes for his anointed message that burned itself into my heart!)
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- THIS PAST SUNDAY was such a beautiful picture of God’s people caring for each other and reaching out! God loves to see the extension of His anointing flow from Him to us – and from us to others! And it was so exciting to focus on the Lord’s return and how incredible Heaven will be as we listened to Pastor Doug’s message. May our focus be divided just enough to put legs to the mission to reach those yet unreached with the gospel of Christ!
- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to our son, Dana, who blesses us continually with his love and prayers and support, as he celebrates his birthday on September 25th! May God’s hand of blessing rest upon you, Dana, in all you endeavor to do – that He might be glorified! We love you!
- SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES also go out to Matthias, who celebrates the same day, on the 25th and to Justin, a few days later! We thank you both for your brave service to our country; we are indebted to you! May God bless you with His best, Matthias and Justin!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMEBER 25TH: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE w/ part 2 of “Looking at Signs of the End Times”! Is there still more you are wanting to know about current events and prophecy? Don’t miss this!
- FOLLOWING WORSHIP: PIZZA and CHURCH MEETING to discuss and vote on the proposal to rent at a new location beginning on October 2nd, next Sunday. We urge you to be in attendance for this important decision.
- FOLLOWING THE MEETING, we will be driving to the PUMPKIN PATCH just south of town at Oak View Nursery, for our little ones & our youth, plus any others interested – any age! There’s lots to enjoy, so come along!!
- NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE/WORLD DAY OF COMMUNION … with freshly squeezed grape juice and unleavened bread! Spaghetti Luncheon will follow w/fellowship … sign up today!
- COMING SOON … PAINT BALL EVENT for our RE: FUEL YOUTH – with Matthias! Watch for details!
- WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE/OCTOBER 21-22: Calling ALL women to a weekend of renewal and rejuvenation at the “Imagine” event in St. Paul! Tickets are $89 for the two days/2 lunches; see Debbie today!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- THIS IS YOUR TIME to lift each other up in prayer, as well as those we don’t know so well … and THIS IS YOUR TIME to receive God’s touch in your life – for whatever the need might be! Our God is able and willing!
- REMEMBER . . . “My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.” ~ Psalm 63:8, Amplified Bible
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
