The pastor's daughter, only 14
Children
A pregnant woman
Eight members of one family
These were among the 27 victims at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Rarely, if ever, do a Las Vegas Concert, a New York City Park, and The First Baptist Church in Texas have anything in common.
Our nation is in mourning for the loss of our neighbors, friends and family. I found myself crying and praying early this morning for people I do not know.
Our hearts as a nation are reaching out with our prayers to the living God for His comfort. I know I was overwhelmed for this Texas Pastor's family in their pain.
There is war raging in the heart of America! This war is complex in times of accelerated change and an environment of mistrust.
Who can we trust?
A war of mistrust in government and politics, a war in the news (Fake news or Real News), the mistrust between men and women, young and old, a war over red, yellow, black or white. Can we trust the election? The seasons of testing always reveal; whom can we trust?
Our trust is in the Lord!
I have always found peace, comfort, and hope in Psalm 23, in seasons of testing. In this passage, David is being perused by Saul to kill him when he writes this eternal life giving Psalm of Hope.
David is in a personal season of testing...Life is a test.
We as a nation are in a season of testing. Hear the words of David when he writes "The Lord is my Shepherd I lack nothing". David knows he is living in fearful dangerous times and he has a testimony of "The One" who provides. I am thankful today that the Lord is our Shepherd.
Our biggest question in this chaotic culture is; Who and what do we trust?
David knew whom he trusted in and his trust was not shaken by politics, circumstances that surround him, people of evil, and places of darkness or events.
David trusted, "Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me."
The tragedies of the last few days have reminded me to treasure life every moment because life is a temporary assignment.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the book of hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor's conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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