When our Lord was on the earth identifying with us in an earthly body, He was very sensitive to the pain people were experiencing. He had time to go to the home of Jarius because his little 12 year old girl had died. Jesus cared. He came to the tomb of Lazarus and stood in the midst of sorrow. Jesus wept. He paused on his journey for the triumphant entry into Jerusalem because a blind man was beseeching the Lord to give him his eyesight. Jesus restored. In anticipation of His imminent trial, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and coronation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus reached out to His apostles in loving reassurance. He was so aware of the impending sorrow that they would experience and He wanted to prepare them for the occasion. So He lovingly said to them "Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14: 1).

Has your heart ever been troubled? Physical illness may trouble your heart. The illness of a dear loved one may trouble our heart. Problems of life, financial, marital, personal, employment and various relationships, may bring us disappointment, discouragement, and possible despondency. Does anyone ever live very long on earth and escape pain, sorrow, and disappointment?

How does the Lord who still cares (I Peter 5:7) tell us how to deal with trouble? Does He recommend denial, a type of dishonest pretension that "all is well?" Does He urge escapism in drugs, alcohol, pleasure, food, work, lust, or suicide? Does He tell us to become pessimistic, even cynical, about life and to become bitter, critical, caustic, and blaming?

Our loving Lord gives the power to cope with trouble: faith! "Believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14: 1). When we follow our Savior's direction, then we believe in a God who is our Father (John 14:2). A loving Father who can take the trouble His children experience in the world (John 16:33) and providentially work everything for the good of His people (Romans 8:28). If God could take all of the trouble a young man named Joseph experienced and turn it all into a blessing for Joseph and his family and if God could take all the shame and suffering of Golgotha and turn the death of His Son into potential salvation of mankind, don't you think He can effectively handle the trouble of His beloved people today? No wonder an inspired man would instruct God's people to "cast all of your care upon Him, for He careth for you" (I Peter 5:7).

August Calendar

Fellowship Tonight
Our monthly PM Fellowship in honor of this month's birthdays and anniversaries is scheduled for tonight in the annex, after the evening services. Members, be sure to bring your favorite snacks and finger foods. Visitors are welcome as our honored guests.

Ladies' Work Group
The Ladies' Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Monday) evening at 7:00 in the ladies' work room in back of the annex. All of the ladies of the congregation are encouraged to attend and participate in the various projects that are underway.

Men! We Need Help
No one signed up to give the opening remarks before services during the month of August. Please see Carl Chambers if you are willing to help out next month. Your cooperation will be appreciated.

FSOP Extension Class
Everyone is encouraged to sign-up for the Florida School of Preaching extension class to be offered here at Orange street. The class will be taught each Thursday evening from 7:00-9:30, starting August 19th. The study will be on "The Holy Spirit" and the teacher will be Bob Bauer. The class may be taken for credit or simply audited. Registration forms are available on the web at www.fsop.net or see Bob Bauer. A $5.00 registration fee is required.

Wednesday "Summer Series"
Our Wednesday evening "Summer Series" concludes this week with our guest speaker, Brian Kenyon. Brian is currently preaching for the Eagle Lake congregation and will be speaking on, "Attaining Greatness in the Kingdom".