September 9, 2006
Newsletter Archives

We live in a world where problems seem to be increasing at a tremendous rate. Troubles trouble everybody. We can’t hide from difficulties whether we are peasants or presidents. The difficulty is that there are so few to help with them.
The only encouraging observation about the selfishness of the present day is that it is not new. Writing to the Christians in Philippi, Paul told them he was sending Timothy to see them because he had “…..no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” Philippians 2:20, 21. Those who have a heart for others have always been rare jewels.
So where can we turn? To say that God cares sounds too much like a cliché. Nevertheless it is true. If we read our Bibles at all, we ill immediately notice that people are often found talking to God. And if we eavesdrop, we notice the conversations sound very typical of the kind we would have with a close friend. The topics are as varied as the needs of the human heart.
In this newsletter we usually stress that Jesus died. I want to switch to the fact Jesus lived. He lived here in this troubled world so He would feel what we feel. The writer to the Hebrews reminded the Christians that the Lord Jesus in Heaven can be “…touched with the feeling of our infirmities…” and has been “…in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. Hence he exhorted his readers to “draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16. When we need God, He is there for us.
For most of us, our problem is we don’t have our phones hooked up to Heaven. So, when we lift our receiver there is no dial tone. We simply don’t have a connection to God.
Yet God cares and He is waiting for us to call on Him. The Lord Jesus reminded us that the smallest events and items on earth are of concern to God. He asked, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father” But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10: 29,30. If God is so concerned about sparrows and human hair, He certainly cares about us. So if we are feeling the need for help right now, it’s about time we found out how to get connected.

Russ Nesbit

P.S. Barb’s surgery was successful and she’s back home. Thanks for your prayers. R.