Can any good come out of this?
This is the question in one form or another that has been, and is still being asked daily, throughout this city and surrounding community. People are hurt, frustrated, discouraged, and yes, have even been left with a sense of hopelessness in many cases. Yes, I will admit that these are "natural, human" emotions that come at a time like this.
I myself have been affected by this flood, having my residence in Green Valley, and yet I have to think of Job who lost not only his home, but his family and his health, and yet through it all, chose to trust God.
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Pastor Dan Inches
So what was it that turned things around for Job? The answer lies in Job 42:10, "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before."
As bad as Job's situation was, he determined to get his eyes off his own situation and focused on praying for his friends.
Good can come out of any situation when we choose to focus on helping others, and put our total trust in God to take care of our own problems.
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Reflections, a mini-sermon written by Minot and area clergy, will appear each Saturday in The Minot Daily News. Clergy interested in writing a mini-sermon should contact Religion Editor Loretta Johnson at 857-1952 or Debbie Sandvold at 857-1950. The toll-free number is 1-800-735-3229.
I thank God daily for all of the different organizations out and about in our city. They are serving others in so many different ways. A simple thank you seems so inadequate to express my gratitude for everything they are doing for so many.
To those of you who are out there giving food and water to the hungry and thirsty, let me share just one verse of Scripture from Matthew 10:42: Jesus said, "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."
It is my earnest prayer that during this very difficult time many will turn to God in their need and put their trust in him who is able to do above and beyond what we can possibly imagine.
Pastor Dan Inches is pastor of Lighthouse Church in Minot.
Again, a heartfelt "thank you" to all those who are serving in this disaster. God will reward you for what you are doing. His Word guarantees it.