Message from Pastor Leo

July 15, 2009

All through life, suffering comes to all of us! Sometimes we bring it on ourselves and at other times it just arrives without notice. Sometimes God will cut things out of our lives and we experience suffering as a result.

Tell me why the gardener trims and prunes his rosebushes; tell me why he sometimes cuts away productive branches and I will tell you why we, as God's children, have certain times of suffering. God's hand never slips. He never makes a mistake. His every move is for our ultimate good. The knowledge of this caused Paul to sing out "… most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9).

To my friends who are suffering right at this very moment - Everything is under control! God’s will for you is being wrought in the whirlwind and in the storm. His blessed presence is in every cloud of distress that crosses your pathway. Remember when the disciples were in the boat during that big storm? Where was Jesus? He was in the storm walking on the water right there in the center of it all! God is there in your storm. The Master Gardener is purging your life so that you might bring forth more fruit and more glory to Christ in this world and in the world to come.

There are three things to remember in our suffering and in the storms of life. 1) God is in control! Somehow, someway God is there in full control. He promises to never leave you. He promises that all things are working for your good. 2) God loves you! Christ gave His life for you! You are going to Heaven, you are His child and you will have your breakthrough. 3) God will deliver you! That is His promise! But, we must wait! Psalms 37:34 "Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land."

So, stand strong my friend, God is with you!

Love,
Pastor Leo.