Dear friends,

Today I want to take this occasion to share with you an excellent article by my good friend Marianne Bernard. She is an excellent writer and I think this article will help some folks who read it. I would appreciate it if you will let me know if it blesses you.

I would ask all of you to remember us in prayer. We have had some problems lately, as some of you know. Our CD recorder at the church has had some glitches in it. We are trying to get it corrected. It is a vital ministry on several counts. Of course, our Sermon Audio is affected, as well as Thanks to Calvary truck stop ministry that our church supports. Also, the radio ministry of the Welcome All Baptist Church. So we need to get it corrected. Your prayers on this will be appreciated. Thank you.

Other  than that, we are putting together some things to increase our outreach. Pray about that with us too. We have an outreach that is modest, but we have readers and listeners around the world. I want to see it grow, don't you? If so, please pray with us. God is using the work, especially the messages of our pastor, Tommy McLeroy. You can listen to them at our Sermon Audio site,or look on the left side of this blog, and scroll down to the messages. At Sermon Audio We have several hundred sermons by Pastor Tommy, Mark Woodruff, W.F. Bell and others, plus a few by yours truly. I pray they bless you.

Thanks for your support and Prayers.

In Christ,

Charles
 
Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?”(Mark 10:51)

Sometimes it seems like Jesus will never get around to helping you out of your struggle.  You have prayed and waited but nothing seems to have changed. Does he even see your pain?  Why is it taking so long? You soon feel lost and alone in the darkness of your troubles. 

In Mark 10:46, we read about a blind man named Bartimaeus.  He lived in Jericho where all he could do was sit on the side of the road and beg for help.  But on this one day, he heard the commotion of a crowd coming by.  “What could be causing the people to be so excited?” he probably wondered.  Someone then told him that it was Jesus of Nazareth who was heading this way.

Bartimaeus must have been overjoyed knowing that Jesus was nearby.  I can only imagine how his heart quickened and his pulse raced as hope began to fill his heart!  He had heard about this man.  Many were made whole and healed of all their diseases by his touch.  Some were set free from demons and others brought back to life.   All he knew was that he needed to get to Jesus before it was too late.  But Bartimaeus was blind and the crowd sounded large. What could he do?  He didn’t have his sight, but he did have a voice.  He cried out with all that he had, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”   Many people in the crowd rebuked him, telling him to be silent.  Silent? That would never happen!  The King of kings was near.  This blind man had no intention letting a chance to be touched by the Great Physician just pass him by.  He called all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  The Scripture then tells us that Jesus stopped and he said to those near to call him up.  When Bartimaeus heard this, he threw off his cloak and sprang up and came to Jesus!  Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, let me see". And Jesus then told him to go his way saying ”Your faith has made you well”.  And immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight and followed him on the way. This day had changed his life.  He not only received his sight, but he was forgiven of his sins.  All this happened because he believed that Jesus was all that he needed.

My friends, do you feel like you are in darkness as your troubles leave no light of hope?  The truth is that if you belong to Christ, he will always find a way to meet you in your struggle and draw you to himself.  He will reach through the crowd and take you to a place of healing and peace.  Nothing is impossible to him who knew you before you were born. 

Never lose sight of the truth that in each battle you face, you are completely surrounded by angels dispatched from God to protect and guide you.  Your cries do not go unanswered.  He hears your every plea and he cares.  The redeemed of the Lord cannot be destroyed by the slings and arrows of the enemy.  Every single detail of your life from birth to death has been arranged and made perfect.  You cannot fail.  The enemy may taunt you with oppression and lies but you are protected by heaven’s royal guard!  That is the truth that sets you free.  Christ became your burden-bearer when he conquered the world and deprived it of its power to crush you. 

Whatever trial you are facing, beloved, remember that it is all under the authority of Christ.  Let God accomplish the work that he has begun in you.  Whatever time he deems necessary for you to continue in your struggle is specifically designed to equip you for the work he has chosen  for your life.  It is a royal assignment and not without merit.  All those whom God has chosen to do his greatest work have received their power as they patiently trusted him during a time when all hope seemed gone.  You must remain steadfast and stand the test in order to receive the crown of life that Jesus has promised to those who love him.  You are never alone and never without hope!

"Dear Lord, we are living in ending days as the enemy increases his efforts to cause trouble and pain in the lives of your people.  Help us to hold on even when we feel weary.  I pray for blessings and strength for those who are facing hardships and trials of every kind.  I pray for marriages and relationships  to be restored.  I lift up all those who are facing financial struggles and see no end in sight.  I pray for you to help those who are under bondage to addictions and sin issues that are draining them of life.  I pray for those who are lonely and brokenhearted.   May they feel a very real sense of your presence and love.  I pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith.  May you give them a sense of peace and joy in the midst of their suffering for you, dear Lord.  Protect and bless Israel and her leaders.  I pray for the eyes of your people to be opened to the truth of Christ as their Messiah.   Lord, may you work all things out for good to those who love you.  Show them that you are very near and that you will not fail.  To those who do not know you as Lord and Savior, dear Jesus, I pray for you to reveal yourself to them in a very personal way.  Help us all to stand in faith as we patiently wait for your return.  Give us your strength to fight the good fight and stay in the race.  Amen"

I am praying for all who come to this site.  May you take rest knowing that Christ has a message just for you.


Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com