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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
A recent sermon reminded me of the fact that we are never alone. Jesus is always with us. One of the churches I was a part of several years ago had an anniversary celebration while I attended there. The closing hymn of that service was selected because the congregation sang it to close out the initial service several years earlier. The hymn was entitled, “Take the Name of Jesus With You.”
I have not heard this hymn in many years. But its message came through as I heard a very recent sermon. We are to take Jesus with us when we go to the hospital or the nursing home to visit. Jesus is there because we ask him to be with us and with the person who is ill. When we grocery shop we are to take him with us; we may meet someone who might be going through a difficult time.
As I initially type this entry, I have to think of the possibility of going to jury duty. Looking at doing my civic duty, I know Jesus expects me to keep Him in my heart, listen attentively, and communicate with grace.
One area of our society where God’s children need to take Jesus is into the jails and prisons of our world. The only times I have visited jail were 1.) a field trip in seventh grade and 2.) on a prayer walk through our downtown on a Community Day held by our church and our sister churches. The field trip, as I remember, was scary. On the prayer walk, we were in the lobby. Therefore, I have no experience of doing jail visitation.
We need to learn that Jesus is with us in our family issues. I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had practiced His presence in our home early in our marriage. I know He was with us during our son’s surgeries over the years of his childhood.
On the occasions of having to pay our respects to a family that has lost a loved one, we need to have Jesus and His presence with us as we greet the grieving family.
In all these instances, we have to realize that Jesus, by His presence, can soften the hurts and strengthen the hearts of those in need. We learn of His capability to do this as we go through difficult times.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for being with us as we go through this life. Thank you for standing with us as we face times of stress and hardships. Guide us as we deal with the issues we encounter as we live for You. We ask these things be done out of Your grace for us, Your children. In Your Name, we pray. Amen
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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