Thursday, 01 October 2009

• Why Read the Bible? In Times Of Tragedy You'll Be Thankful You Did

  I've settled into school.  It is such a blessing to be here.  I wanted to share a sermon that I listened to today and the story of the Pastor giving it.  I really encourage listening to this--the talk is 40 minutes long but I literally listened to it standing up in my dorm room, it flew by.
  
  Here is a link to the sermon.  I'm also going to embed it in the end of this post in case you just want to watch it on this site.
  
  The Pastor speaking is Britt Merrick- he has a Church in Santa Barbra that a some of my friends at school go to when they are home.  Monday last week he and his wife found out that his 5 year old daughter, Daisy, had a tumor the size of a nerf football in her abdomen.  People are praying all over the country and God has really been answering!  The tumor was removed on Thursday- which is really incredible because it was very close to vital organs and major blood supplies (one being the Aorta).  So, if you feel compelled, please pray for Daisy and the Merrick family.
  
  Further- I'm putting out this sermon because it is an amazing testimony.  Have tissues handy.  Britt and his wife are pressing into God so much during this hard time.  It is a truly amazing thing to see someone going through such a huge trial and to hear them say that God is good.  I know that my faith was strengthened by listening to it.  God gives and takes away but no matter what His name be blessed.  To see someone living this out is amazing.
  
  One of the take home points from the sermon is how important it is to be in the Word.  Britt says that because he and his wife have been so in the Word that they have come to know the Character of God.  They are not in a place of questioning, though they are going through great trial.  Instead, they are laying down everything at the feet of Jesus.  They are loving God more and more, standing by their daughter and lifting her up in prayer.  They are declaring God sovereign and trusting in His providence.  Britt attributes the hope that he has in this time to his foundation in the Word of God. 
  
  I think it is really beneficial for us to hear this, because so often we can turn reading the Bible into either chore or something that we brush aside.  When we read the Word of God we are coming into contact with the Creator of the Universe who knows us better than anyone or anything else.  The Bible is God speaking.  We have the benefit of being able to experience God's Word whenever we so desire.  I know that I want to be in the Word more and more meaningfully so that I can come to know God better, to know Christ and to fall more and more in love with Him.  Further, when tragedy befalls me or someone around me, I want to be able to hear God's True Voice loud and clear in my life, as Britt Merrick and his family are doing.  I don't want to question God's authority, instead I want to call upon His Word, knowing that He is good.  I want to fall upon Him, whose strength is so much greater than my own. 
  
  So, here is the embedded sermon.  I hope that you listen to it, but if you don't- let us know that God's word is living, active and with us! "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
  
  Here is a link to the blog on Daisy's progress, also, so that you can pray for her!
  
  

  When My Heart Is Overwhelmed from Reality on Vimeo.

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