Being part of the Salvation Army Brass Band has always been an important part of my life and has brought many, many blessing in music over the years - both as a player as well as a leader.
This week I was (again) blessed by the devotions brought to us at the end of practise.
I thought you might like it too. (Thanks to Barry)
GOD COMES ALONGSIDE US when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort – we get a full measure of that, too.
We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t been broken. We’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain.
God’s a safe house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea storm and earthquake, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains.
Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders – he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. Jesus said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”
(2 Cor. 1:4-5; 2 Cor. 4:8-9; 2 Cor. 4:16; 2 Cor. 7:10; Ps. 9:9; Ps. 46:1-3; Ps. 55:22; Mt. 11:28)
I am still amazed how God is sending me messages - Guidance, hope, comfort (just to name a few).
How great is our God .. * sing with me *
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