11282020 Thoughts Regarding Pastor

NOTE: Due to the personal nature of this issue, related to the death and funeral of my pastor, I am not publicly posting the full content. Below are the related Bible verses.

Pastor Griffith Funeral and Celebration of Life - YouTube

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of all comfort.

"That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (I Thessalonians 4:13-14,17-18).

I think it is similar to David's response after his baby's death. While Pastor lived, we did not know what God would choose and we were earnestly pleading for life, but once God showed His answer, and we no longer have that suspense and uncertainty, it changed some things for me. Now I know he is in heaven, that he is okay now, and that our corporate reunion is coming soon. 

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (II Corinthians 9:8). "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation" (II Corinthians 1:3-4).

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

11212020 Overwhelmed Internally

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our sustaining God. Aren't you glad He holds us up when we are too weak to stand?

Lesson #15. The burden of internal grief resulting from the trial can be heavier than the trial itself. "Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me" (6:2-4).

What were Job's trials? Loss of finances, loss of family members, and loss of health. The loss of his children is the easiest to relate to internal grief; that makes sense. The other trials were external, physical things, yet Job's struggle and burden is deeply internal. In fact, his sorrow and complaints really did not take center stage until he became ill.

If Job's illness was the issue, why does he keep talking about this deep pain and struggle in his spirit? Wouldn't it be more logical to talk about wanting a physician or an herbal remedy or a procedure that would ease his physical discomfort? Why was Job so occupied with his internal struggles rather than talking about the practical surface problems? Job does at times give symptoms of his illness, but he spends very little time actually discussing his specific trials at face value. He never talks about rebuilding his herds, getting another crop in this year, or finding new servants. He doesn't even talk about missing his children or about to whom he will now devote himself.

This is an interesting observation about the way God made man as a multi-dimensional being. Man is a physical being, but he is also an emotional being and a spiritual being, and these components are inseparably linked. When one part of man becomes overwhelmed, the other parts are also impacted. We have limitations, and when those limits are reached, we have a tendency to struggle on multiple levels. And that happens for both men and women. Job told how prolonged suffering took its toll on him. "And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place. The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man" (14:18-19).

So there is this reality that trials that are external and physical in nature have a tremendous impact on our spirits. Our battles fall primarily in our inner man. That may not always seem logical, but it is nevertheless true. At times we might feel guilty that we are struggling so much, but our struggle is reflective of our human frailty. It demonstrates the multi-faceted nature that God has given us.

How do we respond and manage when our spirits are so overwhelmed? I found five Biblical references to an overwhelmed spirit. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). “I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed” (Psalm 77:3). “A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD” (Psalm 102 title). “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me” (Psalm 142:3). “Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate” (Psalm 143:4).

I gleaned six principles, each of which shows up repeatedly in the above verses and their surrounding contexts. First, call out to God. Second, know God's character. Third, lean on God. Fourth, think about God's works. Fifth, ask God for help. Sixth, determine to thank Him.

When we are overwhelmed, when our bodies, spirits, and emotions are facing more than we can handle, God is the answer. "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" (Psalm 55:22). May He uphold you this week, no matter how heavy the burden is. Happy Thanksgiving!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

11142020 Pain Is Not the End

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the Great Healer. Life has pain, but God heals. When life hurts, we can depend on His gentle touch.

Lesson #14. God works through pain, but He doesn't let pain be the end of the process. God does some of His greatest work through pain. Biblical declarations and examples of this truth abound. James 1:2-4 is perhaps the most powerful. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Through pain, God matures us and makes us into what He wants us to be. He is the Master Potter, molding and remaking and perfecting, even through a process that is not comfortable.

Within God's plan, however, pain is never the goal or the intended end result. It is only the inevitable means of reaching the goal. When a successful surgeon performs surgery, the process includes pain, but when healing has occurred and the time of pain is past, the end result is a vastly improved condition. God works in the same way, and Job's friend Eliphaz recognized this truth: "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole" (5:17-18).

Eliphaz recognized that the pain and wounding were only the beginning of the process. God follows these with relief and healing to make the process complete. Eliphaz expounded on the blessings that would return when the difficult time was past: deliverance from multiple troubles, protection in times of danger, concealment from potential attacks, assurance in the face of violence, peace with nature, security at home, a prospering family, and a long and fruitful life (vs. 19-26).

In the midst of the difficulty, we cannot forget that the time of difficulty is not permanent. “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance" (Psalm 94:12,14). Necessary chastening may come, but that never means God has abandoned His people. The time of trial is hard, but it is only in order to bring about a good result. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

God does not take pleasure in the necessary pain, because He cares deeply for His children. He wants the best for them, and His loving heart is quick to alleviate the pain as soon as that is possible. “But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies” (Lamentations 3:32). “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

The time is coming when God will finalize the growth process with His gentle, healing touch. He will complete what He has started. He will make the pain worthwhile, even as He eventually takes that pain away. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

Oh, yes, the time of relief and healing is coming. The day is coming when we will realize that we are no longer in pain. The day is coming when we will take stock, and we will acknowledge much good that God has accomplished through the testing. Some day we will look back and evaluate, saying something like, "That was a really hard time, but life is so much better now that I often forget about the difficulty of the trial."

Is there any trial that will never end? No, not one. Even those trials that persist through the remainder of our brief earthly existence will rapidly fade and be forgotten when we reach heaven. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Not only will God use all pain for His great purposes, He will at some point end all the pain and usher us into a time of peace and joy. God can heal all pain. May you know His healing touch this week.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

11072020 Our Amazing Helper

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our amazing God. He is never at a loss to help us, and He can do what no one else can do.

Lesson #13. God is the right place to turn in the midst of suffering, because He is absolutely amazing. In the midst of suffering, we sometimes have helpful resources available to us: family, friends, church, doctors, lawyers, politicians, counselors, depending on the situation. At other times we seem to have few or no resources. Whether the other sources of help are many or few, God is the best and ultimate source.

Job declared, "I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number" (5:8-9). What are some of these wonders? Job says that God waters the earth, lifts up the lowly, stops the plans of the crafty, and saves the underdog. Job later makes a very similar statement: "Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number" (9:10). In this passage, Job declares more wondrous works of God: God removes and overturns mountains, shakes the earth, makes the sun and stars shine, stretches out the heavens, and keeps the sea in place. God can do all of these great things because He is "wise in heart, and mighty in strength" (9:4).

God's mighty acts even become very personal. Job recalled that God is the one who made him and the one who had always taken care of him. "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about ... Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit" (10:8-12).

Wow! When we stop to consider just this small sampling of the mighty acts of God, we ought to be astounded. God made the heavens and earth, and He continues to control and uphold every aspect of them. God controls the affairs of men, stepping in to intervene, to protect the vulnerable, and to restrain the wicked. God has a very personal and intimate connection with each one of us, molding us and caring for us from our very beginnings.

The realization of how amazing God is should bring respect, reverence, and humility. Job recognized this. "Who will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will not withdraw his anger. ... How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?" (9:12-14).

This concept of God's amazing-ness also brings great hope. I know who I want on my side. The one who made all the stars and holds them in place. I know who I want as my helper. The one who can shake the mountains. I know who I want to depend on. The one who carefully formed me - each tiny finger, each organ in place, each bone rightly fashioned. I know where I want my hope to be. In the one who overturns the devious plans of man and gives rescue to those who seemingly have no hope.

Yes, God is the answer, the defender, the redeemer, the sustainer, the rescuer, the helper. Because of God, "So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth" (5:16).

With such a great one on our side, we can indeed say, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2).

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA