Good Morning May 6, 2020

Good morning family,

As you head into this day, I want to remind you of two things:

1) Many of us are feeling, at times, overwhelmed with a sense of being 'alone'.

Physically we feel far away from people.  

My neighbours tells me that the hardest part of this time, for them, is not being able to see or hug their grandchildren. 

Some of you are literally alone and have not had even a hug in weeks. 

Some of you, who are living with family members, also feel that there is silence all around you.

No one understands this feeling more than Joseph. 

Read his entire story in Genesis 37- 50. 

There is a pivotal point when, after two years in jail, he interpreted two dreams; one for Pharaoh's cupbearer and the other for Pharaoh's baker. 

As Joseph spoke to the cupbearer he said, "Only keep in mind when it goes well with you, and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that should have put me into the dungeon."....And Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and he put the cup into Pharaoh's hand....Yet the cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him." (Genesis 40 :14-15, 21, 23).

Joseph must have felt more alone than ever!

God has not forgotten you!  

He is working beyond your immediate scope of understanding or appreciation.  

You may not be able to clearly see this picture of God's activeness in your life right now, but take Joseph's words to heart, when, years after he was released from jail and made Pharaoh's second in command in all of Egypt through a series of 'supernatural' events, he revealed himself to his brother and said, "God sent me before you to preserve for you you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance." (Genesis 45:7).

Again, keep your trust in the fact that God has a 'big picture', and you are I are included in it. 

We may feel alone right now, but when God reveals His plan, we will rejoice!

2) The 'big picture' includes TODAY. You and I serve a RISEN SAVIOUR....He's in the world today....

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today

I know that He is living, whatever men may say

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer

And just the time I need Him He's always near

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart

In all the world around me I see His loving care

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair

I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast

The day of His appearing will come at last

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way.

David said it prophetically years ago: The stone which the builder rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the Lord's doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:23-24)

As you walk today in the power of the King of King and Lord of Lords, may you be blessed,

In His love, 

Pastor John