Does Anyone Care?

“I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” (Psalm 142:4)

This plaintive cry of the psalmist, expresses both great desire and despair. He wanted someone to care about him and his soul. And he despaired that anyone did care. Haven’t we all at one time or another felt this way? What hopelessness and what helplessness, when we feel that no one cares for us!

But someone does. No matter who we might be, or wherever we may be found, there are those who care for us. First, our great God cares for us. The Bile tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” Secondly, our Lord Jesus Christ cares for us. He willingly went to Calvary and died for us that we might live with Him in glory. As the song states: “Does Jesus care? Oh, yes, He cares!” The song writer had a good understanding of Biblical truth.

Finally, your friends and relatives care for you. The loving concern of a Christian wife, or parent, or child, makes known through many ways, that you are loved. If we only knew the full story, we would marvel at the number of people who really care.

 

– Mike Crowley, Sr.

We Can Know

Job answered the Lord, “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know.” (Job 42:3).

I recently read that the word kangaroo means, “I don’t know” in the language of the Australian Aborigines. When Captain Cook asked the natives what the name of the strange looking animal was, they answered “kangaroo”.

In the eighth chapter of the book of Acts, there was a man of Ethiopia, reading from the book of Isaiah, who was asked by Philip, “Do you know what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I , except someone guides me.” This very sincere man was searching for answers. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” (Acts 8:35) It was said of the people in Berea that, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11). It is important that we go to the right source to find the answers.

Paul with confidence said, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” (II Timothy 1:12)

-Michael Crowley, Sr.

Our Assignment

And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion of them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38)

In a single passage of scripture, our Lord has laid before us a challenge and our purpose. We are living in a world that is suffering anguish and violence. There is a desperate need for THE SHEPHERD. Many people are distressed and downcast searching for both foundation and meaning. The passage of scripture stated above teaches us that there is simple opportunity to share both the shepherd and His gospel. All we need to have is a revised vision. I mean by that, one that is focused outwardly.

“The fields are white unto harvest”. Interpretation: Opportunity surrounds. We need to be willing to take advantage of those opportunities while they exist. We will be amazed at the power of the Word of God to change hearts and lives. We just need to put it to use. That is our assignment.

 

-Michael Crowley, Sr.

Changing Direction

Change is hard on all of us. But for those who wish to make some changes there is a sure way to accomplish it. Daily bible study and application (the latter is the difficult part), is the only genuine and effective method which we can use to really make changes in our lives. We will also gain as a benefit from that study, a much deeper faith.

Change will come but it will not come without conflict. Remember, habit is a tool often used by the Devil. He actively opposes our attempts to make the changes which will please the god we serve. The weapon most effective in countering his attacks according to the apostle Paul is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Knowledge of the Bible is invaluable when you encounter the power of darkness.

The Bible tells us that our God has “put eternity in our hearts.” That simply tells us that God has given us direction for our lives. It is up to us to make the necessary course adjustments. This involves change. Once again, That is hard on us, but with our Lord’s help, we, like Paul…”can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Make the changes while you have the time.

-Michael Crowley, Sr.

 

The World is Not My Home

We read in II Corinthians 5 that we as Christians have an identity crisis. We find ourselves inhabiting a worldly, physical body with all of its imperfections and limitations. We know, somewhere deep within us, that our time on this earth is limited. And we also know that there is more to this life than what is seen with the eye.

It was C.S. Lewis who said, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

The fact is that God made us for something more than just this earth…something much better than this earth. In reading II Corinthians 5 we find that our God “prepared us for this very purpose,” that is to inhabit a “house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Since we are a people who have a marvelous inheritance waiting for us in heaven shouldn’t we want to be a people of purpose? A “purposed people” are those who are seeking to be well pleasing unto God.

Why not join us in worship this Lord’s day as we examine God’s eternal purpose for us?

– Mike Crowley