Welcome
Welcome to "Hope for the Hurting". There are bad things that happen to people around us everyday. Disease, weather disasters, accidents, job loss .... The list is endless. In each of these situations people hurt and wonder. Unfortunately, the local church is not immune to hurt. In Acts, Luke describes the first church like this:
". 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Sounds like a lot of love doesn't it? Sounds just like the type of church we enjoy being a part of. A church where we can encourage each other, help each other, praise and worship together - and watch together as the Lord works.
What happens when a church strays from this model? When they lose their love for people? When they embrace a false doctrine? Accuse an innocent member? Turn their back on a member because of hurt in that member's life (i.e. divorce, addiction, illness). It is sad, but true that people can be hurt by members of the local church.
It is important for us as believers to remember that the church is not God. No matter what people choose to do...God loves us and would never turn His back on us. So, this is a blog about encouragement.
I don't want to have church-bashing sessions. I don't even want people to post their stories. I'm not posting mine. Dwelling on the bad things that happened can bring us and others down. But let us focus on the Hope of the Lord:
"5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5"
I think we can help encourage each other through scripture, thoughts, prayers, or devotionals we've read. Feel free to share any of these.
If God is working in your life to help you overcome the hurt, share how He is working. What He is teaching you.
If you cannot see God working in your life for healing, share with us your feelings. How we can pray for you. And questions you have. You may be surprised at the encouragement you receive.
". 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Sounds like a lot of love doesn't it? Sounds just like the type of church we enjoy being a part of. A church where we can encourage each other, help each other, praise and worship together - and watch together as the Lord works.
What happens when a church strays from this model? When they lose their love for people? When they embrace a false doctrine? Accuse an innocent member? Turn their back on a member because of hurt in that member's life (i.e. divorce, addiction, illness). It is sad, but true that people can be hurt by members of the local church.
It is important for us as believers to remember that the church is not God. No matter what people choose to do...God loves us and would never turn His back on us. So, this is a blog about encouragement.
I don't want to have church-bashing sessions. I don't even want people to post their stories. I'm not posting mine. Dwelling on the bad things that happened can bring us and others down. But let us focus on the Hope of the Lord:
"5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5"
I think we can help encourage each other through scripture, thoughts, prayers, or devotionals we've read. Feel free to share any of these.
If God is working in your life to help you overcome the hurt, share how He is working. What He is teaching you.
If you cannot see God working in your life for healing, share with us your feelings. How we can pray for you. And questions you have. You may be surprised at the encouragement you receive.
posted by Sandee | 8:35 AM
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