What Does the Love of God Look Like?

‘What does the Love of God Look Like?’

Psalm 37:23-24

by

Jeff Woolum, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Perrysburg, OH

     When someone asks about the love of God, they will typically receive an explanation like, “it is seen in the person and work of Jesus.” While this is certainly true, someone who is unfamiliar with the New Testament truth about Jesus may see this answer as yet another theological explanation. The reality is that Jesus is God’s perfect revelation of His love for us, but many lack the personal experience that reveals God’s love in this way. I have had a great deal of theological education and have read numerous books, papers, and articles about the love of God. Yet with all the teaching, training, and experience I have had, it was being a ‘father’ that has taught me the most about God’s love and what it looks like.

     I look for the simple ways the Bible uses to show us what God’s love looks like. Psalm 37:23-24 paints one of these pictures:

“the steps of a man are established by the LORD; and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.” (NASB)

     This passage paints a picture that those of us who have had children or even been around children as an adult can identify with. Remember when a child first begins to walk and you as a parent are holding the child’s hand. Often in learning how to walk the child’s feet get turned wrong and all of a sudden the child has no footing. The child would fall except for the fact that you, the parent, are holding his hand. Because you are holding his hand, the child is saved from falling on his face.

     I think this really begins to show us how God wants to love and relate to us. It is no accident that God asked people to know Him as ‘Father.’ He is the ultimate example of a father’s love for his children. As ‘fathers,’ we unconditionally love our children. We want to protect them! We want to provide for all their needs and most of their wants! We give them advice and guidance so they will not fail or get hurt! We deeply desire to spend time with them! We rejoice in their successes! We mourn their losses and failures! We hurt when they rebel! We are sad when they do not spend time with us!

     All of this is a picture of the kind of relationship and love that God wants to show us, yet it only scratches the surface of just how much God loves us and wants a relationship with us. Just think of all the parenting joys and heartaches you have experienced. That is what God experiences, magnified in His own way with a much deeper love for us. When you are next wondering about whether God still loves you or not, or find yourself in a situation where you need to be loved a little more, remember your parenting days and your relationship with your children. No matter what your children do, you never reject them. No matter how long they are gone, you are always glad to see them and receive them. You are always ready to love them. God wants to love us the same way.

     

I Grieve Over the City, the World, and…the Church

I Grieve Over the City, the World, and…the Church

Matthew 9:36; Romans 1:18-32

by Jeff Woolum

July 21, 2015

     I find myself grieving over many things over the last few weeks. This blog post is not to once again dredge up the Supreme Court decision; although it brought much grief. It is not a slam against government; although it seems that America has lost its way. This is not a slam against those who do or do not like the Confederate flag; although it is part of our nation’s heritage. This blog is not about issues of race or gender. It is about Christianity and our fundamental understanding of who we are! It is about whether we grieve over ‘sin’ or have become callous to it. Do we really want to exchange Biblical definitions of right and wrong for what pleases the masses…or sometimes just the ‘squeaky wheels?’

 

     I am grieved!

     I have been thinking a lot about the mind and heart of Jesus as he was going through all the cities and villages; teaching and healing the people that came His way. I think that Matthew 9:36 sums up what I believe all Churches and all Christians should be seeing and feeling:

     “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.”

     In Romans 1:18-32, Paul gives us a very solemn picture of what happens when we ‘suppress the truth by unrighteousness.’ I very strongly believe that this country was built upon a foundation of Biblical principles. I have also heard the majority of the arguments to the contrary. But let me list some quotes from those men:

"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." 

"The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity." 
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams, Second President of the United States

"The Declaration of Independence cast off all the shackles of this dependency. The United States of America were no longer Colonies. They were an independent nation of Christians." 

"[T]here was no anarchy. From the day of the Declaration, the people of the North American union, and of its constituent States, were associated bodies of civilized men and Christians in a state of nature, but not of anarchy. They were bound by the laws of God, and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledged as the rules of their conduct." John Quincy Adams, Sixth President of the U. S.

"It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains." Patrick Henry

"The practice of morality being necessary for the wellbeing of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses."  Thomas Jefferson, Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Third President of the U. S.

     Again, I do not want this to be about politics. I believe that one of the problems that we struggle with today is the melding of Christianity with Nationalism. We are following in the footsteps of OT Israel by confusing our American citizenship with our Christian identity. I just want to make the point about how far we have walked away from the foundational truth, the Truth of God. And Paul tells us in Romans 1:18 that suppressing the truth of God will bring His wrath. 

     But Government is not the only one at fault. Over the last many years, denominations and Church groups have ‘suppressed the truth’ in unrighteousness in order to appease the masses or the ‘squeaky wheels.’ I just read yesterday, July 20, 2015, where three mainstream denominations have embraced same-sex marriage as being acceptable with two other denominations being divided on the issue. Why is this even being discussed in the Church? When did the Word of God become only one of the sources of truth for the Church?

     But, you may say, I am still standing strong in my faith and my adherence to the Word of God. Really? What do you watch on TV? As I look at the lineup of primetime TV, it is almost impossible to find a television program that does not show in a positive way, one of the following:

-          Same-sex marriage or same-sex romantic relationships

-          Cohabitation

-          Drunkenness

-          Promiscuity

-          Profanity and off color words and phrases that were never part of a decent vocabulary

-          Regular display of nudity and sexual activity on many cable networks

-          And the list could go on, not to mention the negative portrayal of Christianity

Do we watch these shows and laugh at their jokes and silliness or do we grieve? They reflect who we are! They reflect the way other cultures see us!

     I also grieve about the propaganda from so-called Christian writers and experts who tell us that to expect people to be involved in their Churches more than once or twice a month is unrealistic. People are just too busy to devote that much time to the Church. Really? But, we have bought into it as a Church culture. Many who years earlier served and worshiped at most every gathering now feel better about themselves because they are trapped in a cultural movement. Have we really thought about what it might be like if God only showed up in our lives one or two times a month? Of course, not everyone has embraced this thinking. Many are as faithful as they ever were…they are likely grieving! The truth has been suppressed in unrighteousness.

     I could go on with this list of things that grieve me. I just think that I understand a little bit more of what Jesus saw when He looked at the people. They were distressed; most knew it but did not know why. They were ‘dispirited’ as they walked through life. This literally means that they were living their life with their ‘heads hung low’ due to a degree of hopelessness and a sense that life was somehow futile. I see this every day in people! They are ‘like sheep without a shepherd’ and wander aimlessly.

     I do not claim to have a 4 or 5 step method to overcome this problem. I also grieve at how there seems to be an endless 3 to 5 step program to fix everything in the Church. When will we realize that the problem is not going to be fixed by ‘business models?’ The spiritual health of our world has to begin with regaining spiritual health in our Churches. That will only happen when we surrender ourselves to God’s plan for making the world new! That plan is Jesus! Let me suggest a few possible steps:

1.       As Christians, stop listening to the ‘spin’ that culture places on Biblical truth. The spin that certain types of ‘sin’ need to be accepted ‘because they aren’t hurting anyone’ is an example of ‘suppressing the truth.’ Once again conform YOUR life to God’s standard of truth, His Word. We spend a lot of time trying to ‘conform others’ when God is best served by our personal obedience. Let Him open the doors to share your faith.

2.       Exercise compassion! Jesus felt compassion for the people that He saw living their lives day by day. Let YOUR life be a picture of compassion. Don’t try to exercise control over others, have compassion on them. We live in a world where the standard of truth often changes monthly or less. They are distressed individuals…even if they do not recognize it themselves. Let the love and compassion of Jesus be CLEARLY seen in YOU.

3.       Don’t become another talking head bellyaching about one side or the other. For the Christian, there is only one side to take; the side of Scripture. If your political or social view does not fit neatly in advancing the Kingdom of God, toss it aside. It is not what God placed us here to accomplish. Read and re-read the Gospels; then follow Jesus’ example.

4.       Finally, get excited about your Church. Pour out your love on those of your Church family. Forget about worship style, dress, your own favorite drum to beat, policies, by-laws, and all the other things that have Americanized the Church. We gather to worship Him. We gather to know Him more and make Him known to others. We gather to encourage, not to complain or judge one another. We gather to be challenged and led to confess our sins. The Church is not a members only club, but a place where all are welcomed in the name of Jesus.

     I am still grieving as I look out into the world. But I also know the end of the story. I know the One who has risen and will return. I fellowship with His Holy Spirit and He guides my grieving. I have a loving Father who holds me when I am distressed and dispirited…and He will hold you also. I have hope for the world, but the Church has to be an essential part of that hope.

     I have spotted the truth…let’s not suppress it!

The Church: A City of Truth that God Empowers to Be a Blessing - Zechariah 8:9-17

The Church: A City of Truth that God Empowers to Be a Blessing

Zechariah 8:9-17

by Jeff Woolum

     There are so many beautiful pictures in the Old Testament that point to the New Testament Church. Although many would choose to view the OT texts as historical and specific to Israel and Jerusalem, I belong to the group that views the promises to Israel as being fulfilled in the NT Church. This passage in Zechariah is post-exilic, the time when the remnant returned from Babylon. Zechariah loosely means ‘the LORD remembers.’ It is in this name that I write this challenge and these words of hope to the Church today.

     The Church of today is under a challenge, but just like the Israelites who returned from captivity, we have God on our side. The great news is that He has a plan. His words to the remnant who returned as stated in Zech. 8:3, “I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth…” are words of great assurance and comfort to the Church today. Because just as God was zealous for Jerusalem; He is now zealous for His Church. If you continue reading through Zechariah 8:4-10, the writer talks about ‘peace in the city’ (vv. 4-5). He talks about ‘fear’ (v. 6) that trust in God can overcome. He talks about saving God’s people from ‘the land of the east and the land of the west’ (vv. 7-8). And God promises in v. 8, that “they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.”

     As stated earlier, the Church of today exists in challenging times. But just as God brought Israel back to make a difference, so God has placed us here at this time and wherever you serve…to make a difference. In our world today, what God has said is good is now seen as bad. What God has established as right is often seen as irrelevant and outdated. In other words, “they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” (Romans 1:25). We act surprised, but we should not be surprised. So, back to Zechariah and God’s promise to Jerusalem and now to His Church:

     “It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of

     Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.”

     (Zech. 8:13)

     In the aftermath of the SCOTUS decision, I was very frustrated with the advice that I was reading. It seemed that it was all about what ‘we’ should do to ‘protect ourselves’ and almost nothing about trusting in the plan of the Father. The answer, in my view, is not ‘stricter membership guidelines,’ or ‘stronger language in our views of marriage,’ or other man made rules. If your Church is following Biblical principles, it likely has sufficient definitions of marriage and membership. Why not follow and trust the plan of the Father? Israel and Judah did not and look where it led them!

     God tells us that ‘He’ is saving us to ‘become a blessing,’ a City of Truth. He tells us not to fear, but to be strong. He also gives us some guidelines in Zechariah 8:16-17 as to how we are to minister in the world around us:

-          “Speak the truth to one another” (v. 16) – don’t bend, break, or become politically correct; speak the truth (just do it in kindness and love).

-          “Judge with truth” (v. 16 - practice James 1:19-20) – I find that many people are going through a very hard time and all too often, we judge based on external observations filtered through our own life circumstances (which may have nothing to do with the life of the other person). Talk to people and be sensitive to what is going on in their lives. Remember that those who are weak in faith may be struggling with how Scripture relates to them. Then share Truth!

-          “Judgment for peace in your gates” (v. 16) – Why is it that more people will get mad and upset over political issues than they will grieve over sin in their lives and the lives of others? In the OT, when ‘the gates’ is used, it typically refers to the place where civil court or city business was carried out. It was a place of politics. What if we stopped being Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and the like and just began thinking about God’s plan for bringing peace into the land?

-          “Do not devise evil in your heart against another” (v. 17) – I like the way this says, “in your heart!” All too often, our ‘evil’ intentions find release in gossip, Facebook, and the like. Many in the Church have a ‘heart’ condition. That ‘heart condition’ needs God’s forgiveness and grace.

-          “Do not love perjury” (v. 17) – we may never give or know of false accusation against another, but we are way too eager to jump on the bandwagon of news or gossip that fits our agenda without checking its truth.

     This is by no means an end in and of itself to solving the problems of our current situation. But I have faith in the Church and the power of the God it serves. Now the challenges:

-          Let us strive in our Churches to allow God to shape us to become Cities of Truth, so that we can be a blessing to the communities we serve. Let us live by the Word of God and practice what is written therein without the desire for more and greater rules and policies. The Jews in both Old and New Testaments tried this method and it did not work. Learn to love the Word of God and the truth it contains.

-          If we believe that God is with us, let us live every day for Him. For the world to take us seriously, it needs to see that we believe what we say we believe. Re-evaluate your commitment to your Church and your faith. Does your faith and Church receive the highest type of priority? OR is your faith and commitment more a function of convenience?

-          The LORD remembers you…do you remember Him in all that you do?

     This text challenges…and…excites me! What about you? Are you willing to spot the truth and take up the challenge?

Why Not Practice Biblical Freedom in the Church...by Trusting God? Galatians 5:1,13

Why Not Practice Biblical Freedom in the Church…by Trusting God?

Galatians 5:1, 13

     The Bible is a Book of ‘freedom.’ By its very nature, it tells of God time and again bringing freedom to His people. From the point of creation, God has poured out His love upon His people. One of the ways that He did this was through the giving of His law. However, His law was never intended to be turned into a rule book of judgmentalism and legalism. It was intended to show us His all-consuming love that pointed the way to His ultimate expression of love, Jesus Christ.

      Of course, we as people want to define our own way and, all too often, that landed God’s people in subjection and oppression to pagan unbelievers. He delivered His people from bondage to Egypt, freedom from the fears and unbelief of a prior generation as they entered the Promised Land across the Jordan River, freedom time and again and again throughout the Book of Judges, freedom from Babylon, and ultimately freedom from sin through faith in Jesus. All God asked was that His people worship Him and live in obedience to what He asks us to do. But, we always want to ‘add to’ or ‘detract from’ His Word.

     The apostle Paul, having been a Pharisee, was all too well acquainted with the almost endless twists, definitions, definitions of definitions, loopholes that the Oral Traditions had added to often mistaken interpretations of God’s Law. For the average individual who had to make a living, keeping the Law, which the Pharisees taught was the way to please God, was a burden that kept more people frustrated than freed them. After Paul was chosen by Christ to be His messenger, he soon came to realize that what God had given was modified by people, most likely with good intentions, to become something that God never intended it to be. Paul understood the simplicity that was to become the New Testament Church. The Church flourished under the clear understanding of what God had done.

     Paul writes in Galatians 5:1, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (NLT) Today, we do not make ourselves slaves to the law typically, but we do often make ourselves slaves to other bodies of law created by Churches that all too often tie our hands and hinder ministry. Many are also guilty of serving this law to the degree that needed ministry or timing is lost because it may violate some clause in a Constitution or By Law. In essence we create another law to which we are slaves.

     Today, luckily, many Churches are restructuring themselves to do away with monthly and even quarterly business meetings. Many are streamlining Constitutions and By Laws to where they are very short documents structured for the purpose of facilitating ministry and being able to quickly respond to opportunities that avail themselves. But even in this streamlining, it is made clear that the Bible is truly the guide to doing Church. Along with that is also a statement of belief that is again pointed back to Scripture.

     But most of all, they reflect a trust in a God who brings us freedom. Let us get back to believing God once again in the Church. Let us trust Him to guide us in the right way instead of making up endless rules to define things or attempt to make people behave a certain way or dress a certain way. Let all of us practice what God’s Word tells us as an example for others to follow. I truly believe that God wants us to trust Him instead of trying to legislate morality, behavior, dress, etc. in the Church. Let us take the words of Galatians 5:13-15 to heart, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”

     I believe in the Church. I do not believe in a Church that looks and functions like a business or the government. The Church that Jesus reigns over is a place of freedom, safety, joy, and thankfulness for the gift of salvation. That Church wants to share these things with others, not make rules. I have spotted the truth, have you?

Jeff Woolum, Pastor

FBC Perrysburg, OH

Make Me a Blessing

Make Me a Blessing

The following comes from a challenge that I felt led to give during one of our times of Sunday AM Worship. It has been expanded somewhat with additional Biblical exegesis and commentary:

I want to challenge you this morning. In preparing for the series of messages on Living Your Faith in the Day to Day World, I have been burdened to take a look at what Churches do to make an impact on the world around us. I wish to challenge us today to think about “Being a Blessing.”

Zechariah 8:13 speaks of God's blessing upon the remnant of Israel. As we would look forward into the NT, we know that the promises made to Israel became the promises and blessings made to the Church. See Romans 9:6-8 for a brief explanation. Also, Galatians 3:7 states, “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.” Being part of Israel is dependent upon ‘faith’ and not genetic lineage. So when God says, “I will save you that you may become a blessing”, that context applies to today’s Church as well as historical Israel at the time of writing.

I believe today that God is calling us specifically to take up the beginning step of “being a blessing.” I am asking today that we all agree to pray daily the title of this hymn, MAKE ME A BLESSING, written by Ira B. Wilson and George S. Schuler. The chorus of this hymn has such a dynamic message:

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing.

Out of my life, may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.

Make me a blessing to someone today! (underling is mine)

Would you pray each day for God to make you a blessing and then be intentional about looking for ways and opportunities to be a blessing? The following ways may be opportunities:

–                   Discern the hurting of someone and show them you will listen

–                   Find someone in the Church or outside of the Church who has a need and fulfill that need

–                   Do good for someone, expecting nothing in return

–                   Go into an area of your town and look for ways to give of yourself

–                   And I am sure that many of you can find endless ways to be a blessing when you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

What about moving that to the family level? What can your family do to “be a blessing”? Look for a family project or outreach that can make a difference to someone around you.

Let's move that to the Church level. Pray that each day our Church might be a blessing to someone. And let it be more than just sending money somewhere; make it personal. What about if every SS class looked for a way to “be a blessing”? What if every group did the same thing? And what if our Church looked for ways to be a tangible blessing to someone or some need in the community?

AND imagine how great it would be if in our time of worship, God was working through us to the point that we could have several who would testify of opportunities that God had sent their way. Of course, there are times when being a blessing is something to be kept confidential, but there are times when we need to shout out what God has done. When we start looking for opportunities to ‘be a blessing’ to others, hopefully one of the manifestations of those ‘blessings’ will be clearly letting ‘Jesus shine.’

Would you pray and commit right now to asking God to “Make me a Blessing”? It is time to stop spending the majority of our energies on the mechanics of ‘doing Church’ and begin once more ‘being the Church.’ Our efforts in the past often have looked more like a business or government than the Biblical model of the Church. We are the ‘Body of Christ!’ Let’s be about doing the things we see Jesus doing.

I have spotted the truth in this challenge and have been truly convicted…How about you?

Let us 'put aside self' and live for Him!

Jeff Woolum, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Perrysburg, OH

Jesus Doesn't Let Us Get Lost in the Crowd

     I have heard people talk about feeling alone even when they are part of a large family, involved with a large group of people they work with regularly, as a member of a team sport, or…even as part of a Church community. People often feel isolated and alone. They may experience loneliness for many reasons:

-         Illness

-         Loss of a loved one

-         Feelings of not fitting in due to economic difficulties

-         Shame over something a family member has done

-         Guilt over a legal problem

-         Shame over some transgression committed

-         A history of rejection

-         Poor social skills

-         And many experience loneliness because they do not know how to connect with others; and there are many more ways to experience a sense of loneliness.

     The Church is to exhibit a picture of Jesus as the Body of Christ. All too often, we do not do a very good job of helping people become part of a community of faith. In other words, we need to help people realize that with Jesus, ‘no one gets lost in the crowd’!  I really do think that most people want to be kind, friendly, and accepting. But, in our negative culture, it is often hard for us to display. After all, we are here also to be connected to the Body of Christ, the Church, our community of faith and healing. In Mark 5:25-34, there is a picture of Jesus that is so loving and heartwarming that it is easy to miss. It is one of those pictures of ‘the Church’ that we need to help others see very clearly.

     In this passage there is a woman who has had a devastating illness for twelve years. This illness is some type of hemorrhage or continual bleeding that in the NASB is called an ‘affliction.’ This word carries the meaning of the same type of agony one would undergo who was horsewhipped. She is in continual misery and has spent all of her resources trying to find a cure, but has come away with nothing. She hears about Someone who is doing miraculous things, has a degree of faith in what she has heard, and goes to find Jesus. She does not want to bring attention to herself, so she discreetly touches the robe of Jesus as He passes by. Let’s look at Jesus’ response:

-          Jesus stops what He is doing when the woman touches Him. He immediately responds to her act of faith. She is important to Jesus. Her need matters!

-          Jesus takes time to minister to her specifically and individually. She is able to tell Him all that has gone on in her life, even though she is afraid.

-          Jesus sends her on with His blessing giving her what she needs to hold her head up in society.

     Now what do we learn from this that we as the Church might take to heart and practice:

a.       Realize that people really matter. I often encourage Sunday School teachers to put the lesson aside for a few moments to help a person in crisis. Be on the lookout for those who need a touch of love.

b.      Just as she came seeking out Jesus for help, remember that today, people come to Church ‘looking for Jesus.’ This gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate acceptance, love, and concern for others. When we see someone who is sitting by themselves, approach them without being overbearing. Be sensitive to body language and other external clues. Try to make them feel comfortable. If the Holy Spirit leads you, sit with them or invite them to sit with you (and give them the best seat). Let's show Jesus to others.

c.       Just as Jesus stopped and conversed with the woman, we should take time to connect with others that we do not know. All too often, we enter for worship, talk with people we have just been in Bible Study with for an hour, and walk past someone who is a guest. One of the reasons that Jesus places us in the body is to grow the body. Include others!

     This is somewhat simplistic, but all too often what the Bible teaches us is simple. We seem to want to make it hard and burdensome. One of the many things that we see Jesus modeling is that no one is lost in a crowd when they are looking for Him. He wants to seek them out, help with their needs, and give them His blessing. That’s Great Stuff!!!!

Let’s not keep it to ourselves. Welcome others to His body! I’ve ‘spotted the truth’ in this text, how about you?

Jeff Woolum

First Baptist Church

Perrysburg, OH

Remember...When All Seems Impossible!

     In today’s world we all face what may be called ‘the impossible!’ Whether it is the reality of continued unemployment, possible relocation where jobs exist, meeting the ongoing needs of children in school, transportation, food, paying the bills, or any number of seemingly ‘impossible tasks,’ we often cry out to God for relief. The book of Lamentations is a book about our emotions and how we deal with them after going through crisis. The book is a series of Laments dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. But, even if we have not had our city destroyed, we often look out over the events and realities of our lives with the same emotion.

     The Hebrew title for the book is, I believe, a more appropriate one. The Hebrew title is ‘ekah' or ‘How?’ This is a question we often ask when looking at the crises in our lives that seemingly 'knock us down.' And we often ask it of the One who can best comfort us and help us make change, God. In Lamentations 3:22-23, there are three simple things we must remember in order to stand up again and move forward with our lives:

1.      The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. Think about all the times God has worked in your life. The word ‘lovingkindness’ describes a love that is filled with mercy. God is pouring out His mercy in our lives if we are willing to look for it and receive it.

2.      His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. God is not an angry God who finds delight in seeing His children hurting. Think of God as the loving Father. Just as you would do all you can do to help and show compassion to your children, so also God desires to show His children compassion. Always think of our relationship to God as Parent/child instead of the strict disciplinarian that often times accompanies religion. The loving Father who every morning desires to provide fresh love to His children.

3.      Great is His faithfulness. I like the Greek word that is translated, resurrection. It is ‘anastasis,’ which means ‘to stand again.’ God in His faithfulness gives us hope and the strength to ‘stand again.’ With each new challenge comes renewed strength.

     So today if you are faced with an ‘impossible’ challenge or situation remember these three expressions of hope and trust that the writer of Lamentations stated as he looked out at a great crisis, a great fear, a great wondering, and said, “how?” God is in control and will never let us go alone through the reality of life. It is in His reassuring love and our trust in Him, that He proves the definition of 'how' as He walks with us. I've spotted the truth...and daily try to live it. How about you?

Jeff Woolum, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Perrysburg, OH