From Sunday…
I don’t think there is anything much tougher, nor more difficult to cope with, than rejection. Few things are more painful nor more debilitating. But every single one of us have suffered it. Rejection is a universal malady. Many of us have heard heartbreaking words like these: “I don’t want you anymore. I’ve found someone else. I’ve had enough of you.” Or “You’re not good enough. You didn’t make the cut. You don’t fit,” Or “what’s wrong with you? Why are you like that?”
The sting of rejection can last a long time. Overt rejection is bad enough but just as painful is subtle rejection. You’re kept out of the group. Ignored. People look the other way when they see you coming. It’s as if you don’t exist. This is especially difficult for teens.
But when it comes to rejection, nobody suffered rejection like Jesus did. Judas, Peter, the rest of the disciples, the religious rulers, Pilate, the Romans, His countrymen, all rejected Him. And then the ultimate rejection, to be so unwanted, so despised, people would prefer you dead. And that’s exactly what happened. He was put to death.
Reading the above you may be convinced rejection is all bad. But the truth is it’s often the best thing that can happen to us. In the case of Jesus, no rejection, no salvation. No rejection, no redemption. No rejection, no reconciliation with God. You may have heard me say, “Man’s rejection is often God’s protection.” Or “Man’s rejection leads to God’s re-direction.” Or rejection is not someone wanting you out of their life, but someone God wanted out of your future.”
Rejection may have spared some of you a lifetime of trouble. I’ve seen this to be true many times in the 42 plus years I’ve been pastoring.
From Pastor Sam:
Here is the link to the Peru high school mission trip recap video, enjoy!
Peru 2016 Recap Video
Recap of the Refuge high school mission trip to an indigenous tribe, the Shipbo people.
Prayer Focus This Week
- Pray for Heather McFadden’s family as her 34 year-old sister Roxy died last week. Her service will be April 2nd at our church.
- Continue to pray for Dorrie Skadal, Ty Fleming’s mother-in-law who has been battling leukemia. She is getting stronger and healthier for which she is immensely grateful.
- For Gary Smith who needs his immune system healed.
- Pray for those who attend our Easter services who don’t know the Lord, that God would open their hearts on this day that we celebrate Jesus overcoming death.
- Pray for Robin’s sister Nancy and my sister-in-law Beverly who are both on hospice and very weak.
- Pray for Ryan Delmore who leads worship on Sunday, always a blessing when he ministers at Little Church
- Pray for the pastors/elders of Little Church – that they will serve with grace, humility, wisdom, discernment and an unction of the Holy Spirit
L-R: Sheryl, Jody, Alison, Linda and Moe (one of our leaders in Thailand), praying for a Burmese mom whose husband is in jail. She lives in a one-room shack in abject poverty. We reached out to many like her on our trip there two weeks ago.
Verse For You: “The Lord watches over those who fear Him, over those who rely on His unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18
Let us continue to stay the course. Keep the faith. Remain vigilant and spiritually alert. And may the Holy Spirit enable us to live abundantly.
Pastor Jay