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"Ministry Hurts" by Kari Rudd
Psalm 55:16 (15) May he put death on them;
let them go down alive to Sh’ol;
for evil is in their homes
and also in their hearts.
17 (16) But I will call on God,
and Adonai will save me.
18 (17) Evening, morning and noon I complain
and moan; but he hears my voice.
19 (18) He redeems me and gives me peace,
so that no one can come near me.
For there were many who fought me.
20 (19) God will hear and will humble them,
yes, he who has sat on his throne from the start. (Selah)
For they never change,
and they don’t fear God.
21 (20) [My companion] attacked those
who were at peace with him;
he broke his solemn word.
22 (21) What he said sounded smoother than butter,
but his heart was at war.
His words seemed more soothing than oil,
but in fact they were sharp swords.
23 (22) Unload your burden on Adonai,
and he will sustain you.
He will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
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In Psalm 55, David cried out to the Lord about a broken and betrayed friendship. Although we cannot count on one another all the time, we can count on God every time. People will let us down, but God never will.
I recall hearing when I was in preparation for ministry that people I loved would hurt me. I might pour heart and soul into my congregation, but those people would more than likely repay me with heartache. This was a disheartening, yet realistic, insight.
My husband and I shared a wonderful first appointment. We discipled a couple for three years, giving them time, energy, employment, encouragement, personal finances, and prayer. After we left, we learned that they had talked ill of us all the while, continuing to do so in our absence. They were not grateful for what God had bestowed on them. This was incredibly hurtful.
King David experienced betrayal, but he knew that we can cast our cares on God and that God will never let the righteous be shaken. David continued to follow God even when he was deeply hurt by a close friend, because he knew it was the right thing to do. Follow God and be assured that He is in control.
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Hymn for Today: "Friendship With Jesus" by Joseph C. Ludgate
1. A friend of Jesus! Oh, what bliss
That one so weak as I
Should ever have a Friend like this
To lead me to the sky!
Refrain:
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
2. A Friend when other friendships cease,
A Friend when others fail,
A Friend who gives me joy and peace,
A Friend when foes assail!
Refrain:
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
3. A Friend when sickness lays me low,
A Friend when death draws near,
A Friend as through the vale I go,
A Friend to help and cheer!
Refrain:
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
4. A Friend when life’s short race is o’er
A Friend when earth is past,
A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore,
A Friend when home at last!
Refrain:
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
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Thought of the Day: Romans 3:3 If some of them were unfaithful, so what? Does their faithlessness cancel God’s faithfulness? 4 Heaven forbid! God would be true even if everyone were a liar! — as the Tanakh says,
“so that you, God, may be proved right in your words
and win the verdict when you are put on trial.”[Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:6 (4)]
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Guyana.
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“so that you, God, may be proved right in your words
and win the verdict when you are put on trial.”[Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:6 (4)]
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Guyana.
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