Some days are harder than others. Many of you are walking through some tough days, even seasons, and you know firsthand what it means to suffer. Some are hurting physically, others in their marriage and family, and others in their jobs or finances. The past few days have been tough, but I give God praise. That is what Scripture calls a sacrifice of praise in
Hebrews 13:15:
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." I think we all would agree that it is easy to praise God when all is well, but certainly harder (and more powerful, I might add) when we praise God in times of suffering.
After struggling through dehydration and stomach issues, I also am dealing with what an MRI shows to be a frozen shoulder. If this sounds bad, it's because it is! Some of you have endured this as well. But the good news is, according to a sharp Physical Therapist named Justin Traxler, a member of our church, I do not need surgery! It will take months of therapy, but that beats surgeries and shots. Also, last week, our Executive Pastor at church, myself, and others on our relocation team had a three-hour meeting with our attorney related to the lease contract we are trying to finalize, sign, and bring to the church for consideration. I am not sure which is worse: a frozen shoulder or a three-hour lease contract meeting!
I have never taken on an assignment like this one where we have sold our church campus and will be relocating initially to two new campuses. It has been incredibly exciting and the most challenging thing I have ever encountered in ministry. We have some major hurdles to overcome, but God keeps reminding me, and I am holding on to what He spoke to my heart a couple of years back: "I've got you. Lead on." I am so grateful for our people at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, TX, and how they continue to pray and be flexible and patient.
Ashley and I are looking forward to a couple of weeks of vacation. Pray for us to be able to relax, rejuvenate, and come back ready to work and serve. On Sunday, our young adult pastor at GHBC, Gary Hendrickson, will start our new sermon series titled, "God Is Able." His focal text is
Daniel 3:17. Just as God was able to deliver the three Hebrew teenagers from the fiery furnace, so God is able to deliver you and me no matter what our current crisis or trial may be. I encourage all our devotional readers to tune in and watch this message and the video testimony that will be shown on Sunday. You can view it at
youtube.com/@ghbcaustin/streams. It is so very powerful.
Many of you travel during the summer months, and I am glad you do. It gives you time to reset, be with family, and recharge before getting back to work or school. I pray that God blesses and protects you.
Have a blessed Monday. Remember this: God is good all the time, Jesus is still Lord, and the devil is still defeated!
Apple
Spotify
Deezer
YouTube
