[The Mayor]

January 17, 2005

What God Can Do

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

[God] delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us. —2 Corinthians 1:10

Bible In One Year: Exodus 5-7

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They were called the "lost boys" of Sudan. Thousands of them fled the civil war in that country and sought refuge from the chaos and killing. Many had been taught the gospel in churches founded by missionaries, but they knew little of the world beyond their villages.

A National Geographic article profiled one of these "lost boys" who is now resettled in the United States. He told a church congregation that he is grateful for the comforts of the US, but also for the faith he learned through hardship. "Americans believe in God," he told them, "but they don't know what God can do."

In the crucible of testing, we move from theory to reality as we experience God's power. When there seems to be no hope, we may share Paul's feeling of being "burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we [despair] even of life" (2 Corinthians 1:8). But we can also learn, as Paul did, that in the darkest times "we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead" (v.9).

If God has allowed you to be in a desperate situation today, why not reconsider all that the Almighty has done and can still do. By trusting God in hardship we learn what He can do in our lives. —David McCasland

Though weak and helpless in life's fray,
God's mighty power shall be my stay;
Without, within, He gives to me
The strength to gain the victory. —D. De Haan

God is the only ally we can always count on.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Mr. Mayor.

[Gabz]

Good Morning, Yer Honner!

Beautiful Devotion, as always.

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, your honor, and thanks for a great devotional. What an awesome God we serve. Two weeks ago we weren't sure if or when my sister could sit up in bed. Great news. Yesterday, on her 60th birthday, she walked. Praise the Lord for answered prayer.

She will be moved to a rehab hospital later this week. We're not sure yet what the timeline will be for her to return home but the outcome is looking good.

Thanks to all of you for your concerns and prayers.

[Chong]

When there seems to be no hope, we may share Paul's feeling of being "burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we [despair] even of life" (2 Corinthians 1:8). But we can also learn, as Paul did, that in the darkest times "we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead" (v.9).

Wanted to repeat the above. Thank you, Mayor, for this great devotional.

[tuliptree76]

Good morning, Mayor! Thank you for the Our Daily Bread posts. Have a wonderful Monday.

[deadhead]

[lonestar]

Even in the complete exhaustion of planning Inauguration activities, I love my "Finest Aunts and Uncles," and Gert and Giz.

Wienie

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning Finest Friends of our military.

I am busy preparing to leave tomorrow morning for DC and the Inauguration festivities. Looking forward to meeting many FReepers there. If you are going, I will see you there. If you are not, I wish you were!

[MEG33]

Thank you,Mayor...I am grateful for all who serve our country..
I am so very grateful that we can welcome Defender2 home.

http://www.clermontyellow.accountsupport.com/flash/UntilThen.swf

[Aquamarine]

Awesome inspirational today Mayor.

It's very cold here this morning, was 12 degrees when I got up BUT at least the sun is shining. :)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi everybody!

Happy