“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13 NIV)
* Yes GOD still cares no matter what disasters come your way. My heart goes out to those of us that are still in the recovery mode from the recent storms. Many Thanks to those who have helped with the recovery process. We serve a caring Father who is just a prayer away.
*God Still Cares’
God is a caring, loving, compassionate father. He loves you more than you will ever understand. He loves you more than you can ever comprehend. God is love, and he made you to love you. He is loving toward you in everything that he does, and his compassion is his most outstanding quality. God is a caring father.
The Bible says in Psalm 103:13, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (NIV). He cares about everything in your life — compassionately.
Most of the disciples were professional fishermen. One day when they were out fishing, Jesus got tired and curled up in one end of the boat and went to sleep. When a storm came up, it shouldn’t have bothered the disciples. As fishermen, they were used to storms. But this must have been a big one, because they got scared. The ship was rocking and rolling, and water was coming into the boat. They were frantic and woke up Jesus to ask him one of the most important questions in life: “Lord, don’t you care?”
You and I ask that question of God all the time and in a thousand ways: “God, did you see that doctor’s report? Don’t you care? Do you see what a mess my marriage is in? Don’t you care? Do you see how little money we’ve got in the bank and all the bills we’ve got? Don’t you care? Do you see how my kids are struggling in school? Don’t you care? You know this fear that grips my mind that I can’t seem to get rid of. Don’t you care?”
The answer is yes, God cares. In fact, he cares more than you care. He wants to help more than you want help. He knows what will help you more than you know what will help you. He is aware, and he cares.
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
If you knew and felt how much your heavenly Father cares compassionately and constantly about you, you’d have to love him back. If you feel like God is a million miles away, it’s because you don’t understand the kind of caring Father he really is. That understanding is the first step to inner peace.
*God Cares Activities:
Counting Hairs: Divide children into groups of 2, or children can pick a partner. Give children 60 seconds to COUNT the hairs of their partner’s head. If children are older, the time allowed could be 90 of 120 seconds. Children will begin to realize just HOW AMAZING it is that GOD knows the hairs on everyone’s heads!!
Letter Game: Give each child a piece of construction paper and stickers for happy faces, hearts, crosses, birds, etc. Have children write their INITIALS only of their name on the piece of paper in bright letters. Then children will make phrases about today’s lesson from those initials, on their paper. (Ex: if initials are A.B.C — child could write “Always Believe Christ”, or “All Believers Care”; or if initials were A. G. L. of a child, a phrase could be “Amazing God’s Love”, etc MY initials are C.A.W. so I could write “Christ Always Cares”).
Jesus Loves Me Game; Have the children sit in a circle. Have one child hold a heart and pass it to the child to their right and say, “Jesus loves you”Do this slowly, and then do it a little faster and faster
Calendar Updates: 2017
October 7 Go Fish Community Outreach Brandon Spanish
**October 20-22 Couples Retreat @ Camp Kulaqua Speaker is Mike Tucker from Faith for Today. “Mad about Marriage” Register @ the Camp Kulaqua website under events. Plan to come and be blessed.
October 31 Fall Fest/Trunk or Treat @ Forest Lake Church parking area
November 3-5 Creative Ministry @ New Community SDA Church (Palmetto Bay)
*Last weekend I was at KIDMIN in Chicago. This is a children’s ministry conference where you can refuel and get refreshed in your ministry. Dale Hudson was one of the speakers. He is a pastor, author and passionate about the young people/families in our churches today. He spoke about Leadership, Unconditional Love and Serving Others. He quoted Dave Thomas founder of “WENDY’S” as saying every leader needs an “MBA” degree…Mop, Bucket, and Attitude degree to make a good leader. I thought about all of you who have adopted this technique in your work with ministries in your churches/Communities. My prayers go out to you as you continue to stay strong and that you will personally know that “God Still Care”.
Have an awesome rest of the week.