Today’s ‘guest Writer’ in Mary Edwards:
Facing Tomorrow
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living, just because He lives!
Gloria and William J Gaither © 1971 MPI publishing
As many of you already know this hymn is very dear to me as I first heard it at a time when life was very difficult for my late husband, Ray and me.
It was Easter 1985; Ray and I were struggling to keep afloat the small family company during one of the many recessions of the 1980’s. This one hit the building trade very hard and as our company supplied all types of glass, mullions and glazing to builders you can imagine our difficulties. I dreaded going to work each day knowing there would be many problems to be solved. So, when I sang ‘Because he lives, I can face tomorrow’ it was like a beam of light hitting me and uplifting my faith and confidence for the future.
I wish I could say we succeeded in saving the family company, but this didn’t happen! However, God provided for us by enabling me to find employment with the Inland Revenue.
How does this past experience help me today as we battle with all the changes to our lives which COVID19 has brought? Well we know that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow so we can rely on him to help us each day – we CAN face tomorrow.
We all miss visits with our biological family and our church family. Our church services are different but it is good to still be able to worship God together.
I want to thank Stephen for all he does to make this possible.
One of my favourite passages of scripture is from Isaiah 43: v1b-2
“fear not for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord, your God.”
The prophet Isaiah is talking to Israel, but if you apply the words personally, they tell you again how much God loves you and will always care for you.
“Because he lives, WE CAN face tomorrow”
Mary Edwards
If you are coming on Sunday please adhere to the new guidelines and keep your distance from other households / bubbles – simply wave to them. Also come dressed appropriately for the temperature in the hall – boots & hats will help. - Stephen