Family Focused
Pembroke First Baptist’s mission is to minister to the whole family.
I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known unto you. Jn 15:15.
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Pet 3:15
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul. Therefore will I hope in Him. Lam 3:24
How often has hope for something or hope in something or someone been extinguished by disappointments and setbacks. We all experience disappointments, setbacks, frustrations, and failures. During these times we can feel so let down and disheartened. Though we may have confidence in things or people, they are temporary and will fade. However, God is eternal. He never changes. Therefore, we can always “hope in Him.” The scripture passage reminds us that the strength of our soul, the certainty and stability of life is God, “Therefore will I hope in Him.” The prophet Jeremiah became grief-stricken and deeply troubled within his soul as he watched Jerusalem fall and its people troubled with misery. So much so that he mourned and forgot what happiness was (Lam 3:17). But he did not despair because of the faithfulness of God. He looked beyond the circumstances and considered the character of God to say, “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23). Dear friend, it is in the midst misery that we can call to mind the steadfast love of God and receive the hope of the Lord. The child of God can find strength for their soul and comfort in their heart to “know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). It is through faith in God’s wisdom and His faithfulness that we can “hope in Him” and trust that through His work “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Rom 5:3-5). Hope in suffering is not a common response, but one that is received from God “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom 5:5). My friend, we can have hope in the midst of suffering, disappointments, and setbacks. Only look to heaven and unto God “whence come my help” (Ps 121:1-2). Father thank You for Your love and Your faithfulness. Remind me in times of suffering not to lose hope, for “the LORD’s mercies…are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23). In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments. Ps 78:7
I pray that you had a wonderful gathering and worship with the saints at your local church on the Lord’s Day. Many churches gathered in remembrance of the Lord to partake in the communion of the Lord’s Supper. Communion with the saints is a reminder of the hope we have in Jesus and His soon return. How do we learn about God and have hope in Him? How do come to know Him and trust Him? The scripture passage reminds us to “not forget the works of God.” It is through remembering Him, teaching Bible stories, and recognizing “the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done” (Ps 78:4) that we learn of God. Every generation needs to know the Lord and learn of God’s faithfulness to His creation. The Psalmist reminds us to have faith in God and teach our children to have hope in God that they might come to know Him and have faith in Him. The saddest statement in the Bible is “there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord” (Jdg 2:10). The greatest responsibility of parents is to teach their children about the Lord. This first begins through faith and trust in Jesus Christ for one’s own salvation. The responsibility of the church is to disciple God’s people, equip the saints – especially parents (Eph 4:12), and “keep His commandments.” Together, parents along with the support and encouragement of the local church, teach children to trust, have faith and “hope in God.” This is the most precious gift that parents can give their children. My friend, do your children know about your communion with God? Begin today to share your faith that they may know Him, trust Him and “set their hope in God.” Sharing your faith may save a life and change generations to come. Father, thank You for Your love and faithfulness. Help our parents to share their faith and train up their children in the ways of God (Ps 22:6) and knowledge of the “works of God.” Father You are good and righteous and “able to save to the uttermost” those who come to You (Heb 7:25) and remember You. May we “not forget the works of God” and always live and love one another in remembrance of You. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.