Sandy Hook Elementary: God Does Care‏

Hello Friends,

When confronted with a tragedy such as the senseless and evil murderous rampage that recently took place in an unassuming little town in Connecticut, even the words that do come to mind seem empty compared to the gravity and magnitude of the suffering that people are experiencing. We say things like “our thoughts and prayers are with those who were affected”, but the reality is that we may actually feel helpless. In those moments, prayeris a resource like no other. 

The world continues to ask the question of why a loving God allowed this tragedy to happen – especially to children. Are you ready and able to answer this question from a Biblical perspective and in doing so, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

God is not helpless and He DOES indeed care...

Sandy Hook Elementary: God Does Care
 
It is in a tragic time like this when we Christians cling to the Holy Scriptures and know that our prayers are lifted to God by the Holy Spirit Himself on behalf of the lives that are destroyed by the sin of this world:

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express - Romans 8:26

We experience an intense mix of emotions from grief to anger. Righteous anger towards sinfulness in our world reflects the character of God, yet we remember that vengeance is the Lord’s - Romans 12:9 - and our primary efforts are to love those who suffer with the love of Jesus Christ. That same verse says, “leave room for God’s wrath”, a startling reminder that while God is merciful, He is also just. He deals with sin in His infinite wisdom and righteousness. We know that He is still sovereign, and we know that He is love.

We find powerful guidance in how to pray in times like this in the Word of God.

• Psalm 77:1-20 – Asking God difficult questions when we pray in distress
• Psalm 5:1-12 – Prayer for God’s help and mercy
• Psalm 69:16-18 – Pray for mercy, and deliverance from enemies”
• Psalm 46:1-11 – God is our refuge and strength
• I Peter 5:7 – Casting our burdens on the Lord who cares for us
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – Praying to the God of all comfort

Please join us here at Encouraging Concepts as we pray for:

• The Lord's comfort for those who grieve over the loss of a precious little one. Parents, siblings, Grandparents, families & friends
• The teachers and other students in their spiritual, emotional and physical recovery
• The First Responders: police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics who were at the scene
• The Churches and Christians in the area who will respond to the spiritual needs of the people
• Wisdom of those in authority at the local, state, and national levels - May they turn to the will and ways of the Lord
• That the God of all comfort will turn lost hearts and souls to Himself in these difficult times
• Pray for the only HOPE that is found through Jesus Christ alone

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away - Revelation 21:2-4

ANOTHER URGENT PLEA FOR THE UNBELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST:

To our unbelieving friends, I urge you to repent now, before it is too late...

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” – Romans 1:16-17

Time is running out. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now before your heart is so hardened, you are unable – or unwilling – to hear His voice. Please take heed to this warning! Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to the Father! These are His Words:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me – John 14:6

Without Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on the Cross of Calvary for your iniquities, you will die in your sins and face the Wrath of God at The Great White Throne Judgment. You will then receive your just sentence – a literal, physical and eternal place of torment, a place known in the Bible as Hell. Heaven will NOT be your final destination apart from Jesus Christ! Please heed this warning – time is running out!

If you have any questions about how to become a true follower of Jesus Christ, please contact me, another Christian or a Pastor – but please do not delay... Today is the day of Salvation!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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