Tag: United States

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SAMARITAN’S PURSE: HOPE COMES ON A TRUCK

America’s National Weather Service announced that it “could be the storm of a lifetime,” for the Carolina coast of the United States. Powerful wind, record rains, and life-threatening storm surges sound like good reasons to me for more than a million people to follow mandatory evacuation orders.

Unfortunately the storm that peaked at Category 5, Hurricane Florence, is a natural disaster that doesn’t leave calmly. Even now as a tropical depression, because of major flooding, the storm has “never been more dangerous than it is right now,” Gov. Roy Cooper, North Carolina Governor, related at a news conference Sunday.

Where’s the hope? It’s arriving by a convoy of 18-wheel trucks loaded with the materials and supplies that are needed and were ready to roll Saturday morning. The name on the trucks reads “Samaritan’s Purse.” What does that mean?  To many in distress and dire need, it means hope comes on trucks.

THE LATEST (Sept. 16, 8:41 pm) samaritanspurse.org:

“Samaritan’s Purse staff, two disaster relief units, and equipment are in eastern North Carolina to serve homeowners in the areas hardest hit by Florence. We have established our first relief base at Port City Community Church in New Bern….. Volunteers officially begin tomorrow, Sept. 17—some already started on Sunday….

Our task is to serve as  hands and feet of Jesus for those in need in the hardest hit areas… Samaritan’s Purse staff will continue to monitor Florence and prepare to respond in additional storm-affected areas, as needed…. Please pray for residents in Florence’s path and for our staff as they serve in Jesus’ Name….”

Hope also comes with teams of volunteers that have  been mobilized by Samaritan’s Purse to help homeowners with cleanup. Billy Graham Rapid Respond Team chaplains have also been called on to serve.

For info regarding their relief work, how to volunteer, or how to send donations, please visit samaritanspurse.org/florence or call 800.567.8121.  And please remember to pray for all affected… residents, victims, workers… from rescuers to rebuilders.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”   Hebrews 6:10

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  1 Peter 4:10

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:10

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Acts 20:35

“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”
Isaiah 58:10

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:7-9

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Galatians 5:13-14

“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”  Titus 3:8

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, …” Philippians 2:1-11

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IN CHRIST ALONE: MY HOPE IS FOUND

In 2001 Keith Getty and Stuart Townend wrote a song, “In Christ Alone,” that explains the life of Christ. It’s a beautiful song that is full of hope.

In 2005 it was named the 9th best loved hymn of all time by BBC Songs of Praise survey and in their 2010 survey was named 2nd best hymn of all time. It ranked number one on the UK CCLI charts in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, number two in Australia, number seven in Canada, and number 15 in the United States.  It was nominated by British Hymn Society as one of the top 5 hymns of all time and as a top 10 hymn in 2012 by BBC One’s Song of Praise.

IN CHRIST ALONE

“In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace;
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied,
For every sin on Him was laid.
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the World by darkness slain,
Then bursting forth in glorious Day,
Up from the grave He rose again,
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am His, and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand,  I will stand, I will stand.

All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand,
So I’ll stand.”

(Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)